’What was that battle style? I am faster and stronger, yet as soon as we reached each other, he broke my balance and took control of my momentum, using it against me.’ Freya’s mind immediately recounted their clash and the key behind her defeat, showcasing her impressive battle awareness.
Despite her immense talent, she had only scratched the surface of Vlad’s technique, far from enough to counter the young man’s abilities, but that did not discourage her. If one clash were insufficient, she would generate two and continue until she broke the young man’s skill.
She took a deep breath, allowing her battle instincts to heighten while keeping a cold mind as she prepared for her next move.
Vlad’s battle style was Aiki, an ancient martial art of Terra. Its skills allowed practitioners to dominate the assailant by using internal dynamics to affect techniques.
Blending with an attacker’s movements allowed the Aiki practitioner to control the attacker’s actions with minimal effort. One applied Aiki by understanding the rhythm and intent of the attacker to find the optimal position and timing to apply a counter-technique.
Of course, the A.I. Chip had evolved this martial art, enhancing it to a whole new level and making it so powerful that it could work even in a battle between people with Champion Tier bodies.
Vlad’s eyes narrowed as he saw the meaningful light in the woman’s eyes. He could feel the brutality and savagery in her nature, but there was also tactical might and immense will that kept those raging emotions at bay. ’Impressive. Such masterful emotion control.’
As a Depravita, a race born to rise above their nature and the emotions that form the core of their existence, Vlad admired those with a strong mind and will. His eyes burned with even greater battle spirit, and a smile appeared as he anticipated the challenge of defeating the young woman.
Freya’s eyes burned with even greater fighting will as she saw Vlad’s thrill. She once again flashed forward with immense momentum and power. Her stance was similar to her first attack as if she were a battering ram, yet at the last second, she turned her stance, sending a kick to Vlad’s knees.
Since the young man was so good at countering her attacks, Freya used a feint, tricking him by changing her attack at the last second and taking him by surprise.
Freya’s martial skill was impressive, and her feint was displayed perfectly. But unfortunately for her, the A.I. Chip had already warned Vlad of the true attack. The young woman was surprised to see how Vlad flashed forward and jumped at the last second, dodging her kick before grabbing her shoulder and sending her hurtling through the air.
She immediately twisted her body mid-air, regained her control, and flashed back into the fray as soon as her feet touched the ground. Vlad’s smile widened as he was ready to clash with the young woman.
They collided again, a blur of motion and skill. Freya’s strikes were precise and powerful, but Vlad’s mastery of Aiki and the A.I. Chip allowed him to deflect her attacks with minimal effort, using her own strength against her. Each time Freya attacked, Vlad would blend with her movements, redirecting her force and breaking her balance.
Freya spun around, her leg sweeping low in a wide arc aimed at Vlad’s ankles. He sidestepped gracefully, catching her leg with his hand and twisting it just enough to throw her off balance. She stumbled but quickly recovered, lashing out with a series of rapid punches. Vlad moved like water, fluid and unyielding, his hands intercepting and redirecting her blows.
Their battle was a dance of chaos and precision, each move countered by another, neither gaining a clear advantage. Freya’s frustration grew, but she channeled it into her attacks, each strike fiercer and more determined than the last.
Vlad admired her tenacity, the fire in her eyes matching his own. While he had the upper hand, every second of the fight pushed his mind to the limit, and even with the help of the A.I. Chip, he could not afford even a single distraction.
He deflected another punch, stepping in close to deliver a punch to her chest. A sharp light appeared in his eyes as soon as his fist landed. He felt he heard a massive boulder, and it seemed it did little to no effect. Freya immediately launched back into the fray, showing no weakness at all.
Their clashes echoed through the battlefield, a testament to their skill and determination. Freya’s feints and unpredictable attacks kept Vlad on his toes, but his Aiki and A.I. Chip allowed him to remain one step ahead. He flowed around her like a shadow, his counterattacks precise, yet they did little to no damage.
Freya lunged forward, her fist aimed at Vlad’s face. He sidestepped and grabbed her arm, using her momentum to flip her over his shoulder and slam her into the ground. The impact left a crater beneath her, but she rolled away and sprang back to her feet, undeterred.
Vlad’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Freya’s resolve only fueled his own. He once again clashed with the young woman, sending her flying away.
Freya managed to land on her feet, but Vlad appeared before her and landed a blow before she could recover her stance. She was confident in her defensive physical ability, yet the moment that blow landed, her body froze, and her eyes widened.
What landed on Freya’s body was not a punch but an open palm. Normally, an open palm would do much less damage than a punch, and one could think the young man was taking it easy on the woman, but that could not be further from the truth.
Vlad recognized the woman’s inhuman endurance and fought with everything he had. Not doing so would have been an insult. Although usually a punch would do more damage, he had already felt the toughness of her muscles and bones, which were practically armor, so he took another stance.
Freya’s eyes widened as she felt the palm land on her solar plexus. It felt soft yet allowed all the strength to pass through her muscles and bones, delivering a direct blow to the diaphragm. This caused a lapse in breathing and made her feel as if a bolt of lightning was going through her body.