Exchanging Pointers

An inevitable that did not come. Because the words that left Shay-Hade's lips did not go down the usual, "You dare, besmirch me with such trickery!?" or "I will have your head for this sleight!"

Instead- "That was well done," Shay-Hade said with a paradoxically serious expression. "You were able to assimilate my style of combat very quickly. I am assuming that the other two you showed were also styles you've observed or fought against previously. However, I am seeing a contradiction. The cumulative mastery you displayed in these forms would take lifetimes to cultivate. It appears you possess skills that defy the natural passage of time."

The man hummed in thought for a few minutes before saying, "The likely explanation is that you have some sort of eidetic memory. Well, that can't be the complete story..."