"Keep going!"
Riven gripped her sword with both hands and launched an attack. Her Rune Greatsword swept up from below, but Ato saw the attack coming and knocked it aside with the Demon Sword.
Riven pressed on, following up as soon as her blade was deflected and launching one attack after another.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Both fighters used broad, powerful swings. Their weapons crashed together, kicking up dust from the ground. The soldiers watching nearby had completely forgotten about their training.
"That recruit is incredible. I couldn't last even one round against the Swordmaster... Her sword's so heavy. I thought no one could fight the Swordmaster to a standstill like this..."
"Who says? General Darius is definitely stronger than the Swordmaster. If he fought her, it'd be as easy for him as it is for her to beat you!"
"After he's done sparring with the Swordmaster, he'll probably become a squad leader as soon as he joins the army."
Ato gave up on attacking altogether and simply focused on blocking. After their first exchange, he had a general idea of Riven's strength, so he kept his own just a little below hers.
A cloud of dust obscured Ato's vision. He seized the opportunity to act flustered and loosened his grip on his sword slightly.
"Clang!"
Riven swept her sword upward, and the blade in Ato's hand went flying, landing on the ground.
Sorry, old friend. Just bear with it for a moment... With Riven's blade pointed at him, Ato gave a helpless smile and raised both hands to signal his surrender.
"Not bad. He lasted this long against the Swordmaster. He's stronger than all of us," a soldier remarked.
Riven frowned, put away her Rune Greatsword, and moved to stand beside Ato. "Your sword told me you didn't want to