Let's dance my dear Devil

The 'Sword art: Flying swordsman' was created by Winston Reaves–a gymnast who trained his flexibility than anything else. A skill that requires a high level of flexibility and body control.

Apart from offering control on flexibility which could help one jump on things as light as feathers, it has a perk which only a few noticed –it's ability to predict an opponent's movement.

Tapping into a certain level of focus can make you sense your environment, and for some, it enhances their sense of perception to the extent they can feel change in the flow of air or vibrations indicating movement. This helps to predict when and where an object or someone is going to move next.

Henry was never taught this, he only heard the theory and practiced it in his own method, since it was a way for him to survive and escape fatal strikes.

"As expected, the original is impossible for him to accomplish at this age" Riley commented as she watched Henry dash towards Raphael. He didn't run with enough agility and flexibility needed for the skill and his speed was lacking. But it was good enough for a make-do.

Henry suddenly threw his sword so that it stuck to the ground before he reached Raphael., the sword stabs the concrete ground ready to be picked up.

"Hmph"

With a jump, he launched a kick at Raphael which Raphael jumped sideways to dodge, upon landing, Henry tried a spin kick but Raphael blocked it with his hand.

Without giving Raphael a break, he rushed and engaged him in close-hand-to-hand combat. He threw several punches aiming for Raphael's face but unfortunately Raphael skillfully dodged them.

On seeing Henry's relentless assault, Raphael smirked and decided to clash punches with Henry.

~Boom~ A small explosion occurred followed by the cracking sound of bones.

"Ngh"

Henry moaned in pain as his bone cracked in contact with Raphael's fist. Holding his fist in reflex, with gritted teeth he jumped back and glared at Raphael.

Henry bit his lips so hard that it bled, all while trying not to scream at the pain from his fist. After a few seconds, of moving his hand and getting used to the pain, he turned towards Raphael again but was forced to duck back as he met a sword flying towards him.

He hadn't understood what was happening before a kick to his gut sent him flying.

"Khuk!" He let out a dry painful cough.

"What do you think you're doing Henry? You throw your sword because you think I'm a small fry?

You stand still in the battle field thinking I'd let you attack alone? Now I'm vexed. I did mention that if you pushed me back I'd grant you freedom for a day, but I never mentioned that I couldn't attack."

Henry was still coughing and on his knees when Raphael gave his speech. Now he understood how naive he was thinking he would only stay while Raphael defended.

He also didn't think that him dropping his sword would anger Raphael so much. Although it was for a purpose, he still should have thought things through

"I'd give you a count from one to ten to attack me or I'll come at you." Raphael said and started counting down. At his seventh count Henry had gotten himself and lounged at Raphael again, this time, he did a double spinning kick.

Just as his kick was about to make contact, he saw Raphael's angry face–it was scary.

~Slash!~

Blood splashed across the concrete arena.

"Arrrgh!" Henry screams in pain as he fell down to the ground, holding his leg which started bleeding.

"Don't you know that you aren't supposed to attack a sword with your bare legs?" Raphael asked. Riley was surprised but decided not to interfere.

When Henry attacked, all Raphael did was raise his sword's edge to defend the kick. If Henry had mana he wouldn't have a problem and probably would have broken the sword, but he didn't. The sword cut through his shoes and to his feet.

Henry didn't expect that, he acknowledged how naive and stupid he was thinking Raphael would keep playing by his rules. Although Henry didn't have mana, his recovery from injuries were way faster than a normal human's.

He was able to get back on his feet in a few seconds after he tied his bleeding feet with the robe in his robe.

The pain was still intense; it was nothing Henry couldn't handle, he's been through worst. He was also lucky enough to notice and avoid a deep injury, thanks to his sword art.

He could see most of Raphael's movements but couldn't catch up to it, so it wasn't much help. Henry knew that he'd just be tortured if he didn't end the fight immediately, so he looked at his sword and got ready to execute the plan he had for it.

Henry was certain that the sword wasn't that sharp, it was only manna that could make an already blunt sword cut through his shoe.

"Urgh," grunting as he stood up to his feet, he looked at Raphael. He remembered his teachers teaching.

'Whether it's a spar or an actual fight, there will never be fair play. The weak one always loses, complaints about cheating is just a stupid waste of time, use that moment to think of a way to overcome the mess you're stuck in.'

He's indeed a mess, a broken fist and a bleeding leg, he didn't stand a chance against Raphael without injuries, and now. He's better off giving up.

"I admit defeat." Henry said, he's not foolish enough to continue a battle he is sure to lose thinking he is surpassing his limits, he'd be a masochist then.

"What? You quite? That's no fun." Raphael said with a frown as he took out his almost lollipop.

'He still had those?' Henry thought as he wondered why it didn't affect his pattern of speech and why he didn't notice it after he put it in his mouth.

"You can't quit, Darkling's don't quit. You fight to death, but in your case till you pass out, it's not a new thing right?" Raphael said in a cold voice. A chill ran down Henry's spine, things had taken a wrong turn and it was the worst case scenario he could imagine.

"Fight ? This is supposed to be a spar right?"

"Yes. We fight when we spar."

"..." Henry said nothing, just looking at Raphael's eyes he knew he wasn't joking around and would attack soon.

It was a good thing he had fast healing, he could already walk properly but not without feeling the sting.

Seeing that talking was doing him no good, he immediately calculated the distance between him and his sword.

Henry ran towards his sword but Raphael wasn't going to let him off so easily, he soon closed in on Henry and whispered with an evil smirk

"Let's dance, my dear devil"