He clenched his teeth to endure, but the pressure from Humbert's sword continued to intensify. A secret move for swords could continue on for quite some time even if it's forced back, as long as it returns on the same trajectory, but Eugeo's sword was being attacked by Humbert's Lightning Flash Slash from straight above and had already left its original trajectory. If it was pushed back one cen, no, even five millicen more, the Slant would be interrupted and as declared, his right shoulder would suffer a painful blow. Of course, there was a superb medical office in the Sword Mastery Academy, with various medicines stored there and healers trained in specialized Sacred Arts stationed there as well. However, there was a limit to the effects of medicine and arts and a wound as heavy as a broken bone might not be able to recover instantly, even if a hazardous Sacred Art like directly transferring Life from another was used. If he were to receive such a wound now, there was no way he could show up at the official match in the coming month—... —What am I, stupid?! How can a swordsman be afraid of injury!! Eugeo shook off the fear creeping into his heart in an instant and concentrated all of his consciousness into his sword. Despite having the chance to leave, the one who had responded to Humbert's provocation and picked a duel was himself. He felt it was too shameful of himself, getting shaken by his opponent's words and being afraid of failure despite that. If he were to draw his sword, he would have to be determined to use up all of his skill and strength and let things fall into place. That's the spirit behind the Aincrad- style. —And, I have still yet to use up all that I have. Focusing not on Humbert, a sadistic smile forming on his face, but purely on the existence of the wooden sword held in his right hand instead. The toughness and weight, the warped and sore parts of the evergreen oak that created it made themselves known to his arm and he even felt the power behind the Slant, on the verge of vanishing, as subtle vibrations. Make yourself one with the sword. That was what his close friend and teacher, Kirito, had always said. He was not quite at that stage yet, but perhaps thanks to the daily practice swings, he felt like he could sense something similar to the voice of the sword every now and then. Not there, this is how you should move, that was how it spoke. And now too, Eugeo heard the whispers of the sword—or so, he thought. It would only be natural to be cut down if all he did was to receive a skill coming from above. He should change the skill. "——Uooh!" In that moment, Eugeo moved while letting out a rare yell. Turning over his right wrist, he received Humbert's sword with the right side of the blade. Slant was interrupted in that instant with the opponent's Lightning Flash Slash approaching his shoulder while surging with a blue-black light. Eugeo did not go against that force, guiding his wooden sword to rest atop his shoulder. Without a moment's delay, he activated the Aincrad-style secret move, «Vertical»— Humbert's sword touched the right sleeve of his training clothes and tore off several cen of the indigo blue fabric. But then, Eugeo's sword fiercely forced his opponent's sword back while covered in a vivid blue light. "Nuah!"