Chapter 18.3

The crowd erupted into roaring cheers as Soren and Rickard closed the gap in the blink of an eye. Magi-blade met greatsword in an instant, the air echoing with the collision of the two weapons as sparks flew along the blades.

The two immediately shifted into an exchange of flurries, Soren’s quick and fluid slashes being met head on by the stronger blows of his foe, who parried and responded with even more refined timing than Soren did despite the difference in weapon sizes.

Of anything, the wider reach Rickard’s sword provided was his edge, forcing Soren to keep some distance while allowing Rickard all the room to ensure his swings couldn’t be interrupted. With how wide open the dueling field was, Rickard had the clear weapon advantage while Soren had to fight against the reach difference to so much as get a parried blow in.