Mythshaper

Chapter 31: Arcane Affinity

Eran moved animatedly, his cane swinging in a wild arc of Walking Mountain.

I was thoroughly familiar with the moves and was already on the move to fend him off. While my friend's techniques were executed near perfectly, they were predictable after months of practising together.

I only had to wade through his attacks and find an opening to execute my blow perfectly. And that was exactly what happened. I read my friend's moves like a book and dealt the blow when the opportunity presented itself, claiming victory and leaving him sprawled on the ground.

Of course, this was merely sparring, but it still frustrated him. This was the fourth time in a row Eran tasted defeat.

I could have let him claim a victory, noting he was having a bad day, but that would be wrong for both his and my own good. What was the point of training if not for improving ourselves?

"How do you do it?" he asked, sitting upright to spit. "I trained as hard as you, perhaps even harder, and yet you defeat me using the most common moves."

I considered my words and decided on a more technical answer than an emotional one, even though it was likely the latter my friend sought.

"You favour your right side more than your left," I told him. "And you're predictable. You start with the first form, move to the third, but cut it in the middle when you find no opportunity, and then shift to the second. If you see any opening, you immediately push for the first form, and finally return to the third when you're on the back foot."

Eran blinked, clearly unprepared for what I had to say. But I wasn’t finished.

"You are too energetic, eager to win, and you push your all at the beginning, which leaves you restless and exhausted in the later part of the spar. That made it all the easier to deal the final blow."

"Is that all?"