Chapter 266: Competition ( 2 )

Vinete's Mu no Kamae would put her in any position she wanted if they are in a team battle. This is what Reiji thought about her abilities.

Apparently, Reiji wanted to somehow create a proper team battle of sword practitioners someday. After all, team fights have a lot of benefits in learning the art of swords compared to individual training in the Dojo.

Team battles will allow them to properly gauge their opponents, find their weaknesses, and learn to exploit their advantages. They will also have a team spirit which is even more important when roaming this dangerous world. 

There will be many benefits in this aside from that and Reiji is very aware of that.

This is why he already started thinking of introducing this team fight to them.

'I guess I can consider their best positions after this battle.' Reiji thought.

He then told his students, using his Sense Link, to do their best in this competition so he can see their progress in the past years.

The four immediately agreed as they enthusiastically taken the platform assigned to them.

A team battle in Kendo is composed of five positions. 

The first position is Senbou. This practitioner is an attacker that will normally set the mood for the rest of the team. The sword practitioner in this position should be good in Shikake Waza or initiating techniques. They are normally quick and agile with good skills as this first position must show the dojo's skills in this first fight. 

This is why he thought that Imane would fit in this position. 

The second position is Jibou. Normally, the practitioner in this position is someone who can focus under pressure. In case the Senbou loses in their match, it's up to this practitioner to try and make up the loss. Nevertheless, this position is less likely to affect the overall outcome of the team fight, so it is normally a role given to those who are still lacking experience. 

Anyway, Reiji still thought that Mourad would fit the position. He's someone who has a lot of patience and wouldn't be easily scared of anyone. After all, he even roamed the forest alone even if he was told not to when he was still young. 

What's even more interesting about him is that Reiji had noticed that Spiritual Pressure barely works on this man. 

He appears to have the innate talent to fight against it or perhaps it was related to the uniqueness of his bloodline. He couldn't tell.

"Fight!"

Reiji's thoughts were interrupted as Ruthren finally announced the start of the battle. Because three matches are happening at the same time, the crowd wouldn't get bored if one of the platforms were taking their time. 

Especially on Mourad's fight where he'll just wait for his opponent to attack and counter. If the other party didn't attack, he'll just definitely stay in his stabbing form.

'Well, I taught him a little about Seigan Stance. That should be helpful to trigger his opponent to attack.'

The Sentient Shinai thought. The said stance requires tremendous skills to be used in a real battle. 

Pah! Pah! Pah!

Droltob and Imane quickly engaged in battle. They are exchanging powerful sword strikes and actively moving around the platform to find the best position to get a perfect hit to their opponent.

It is a good match and most of the crowd is watching their battle. 

Reiji then watched Mourad's fight against Alee. As expected, he's using the stabbing form stance and perhaps preparing his Seigan.

You have to have a good grasp of Ma'Ai before performing this technique.

After all, you have to ensure that the tip of the sword would remain at a certain spot to trick the eyes of your opponent. You'll also need to have a good sense of distance to execute this.

In that way, you can slowly move your body closer to your opponent while they are thinking that you are still out of their range. This stance will effectively give them a false distance. 

Then, once you reached the sword's effective range, you can just tilt the sword and the opponent's own eyes will trick them into thinking that you're already attacking and they'll start panicking. They will think that you've closed the gap so quickly!

Normally, the opponent will break their form to defend or attack with this technique.

Then, it will be the perfect time for Mourad to finish it using his sword skills.

Reiji then glanced at Stasis and Vinete's match.

Vinete remained in her signature stance, Mu no Kamae. 

On the other hand, Stasis remained on his Jodan no Kamae of Nittouryuu. His dominant right arm is raising one of the swords while the other hand is holding the sword similar to the middle stance. 

Stasis is an initiator while Vinete is a counter-attacker like Mourad. 

This will be a good match to watch. After all, Vinete's stance is actually quite good in dealing with dual wielders.

As long as she trained well with her footwork, she'll give a lot of trouble to Stasis.

'Master… Who are these young people?' Szaaz suddenly asked using their Link.

'They are all students of my Dojo… or Training Hall.' Reiji answered.

'I see. Are you planning to train them as your soldiers to conquer this world?' The Cursed Arcana asked in a serious tone.

Reiji didn't answer quickly as if he was thinking of an answer. 

However, he just realized that it would really look like that if no one knows his true intentions. After all, teaching combat techniques wouldn't normally come without a price. 

'No. I'm just helping them to survive. But…' Reiji paused. In truth, he was slowly being interested to find something out.

'For now, I'm just thinking of discovering the secret of this world. I've learned a lot recently and I'm being curious why are the deities giving a Curse or Blessing to some Arcana of this world… There must be a reason.'

As soon as the Trident heard this, he chuckled.

'Of course. There is, Master.'