A Interesting Challenge (For Captain):

Asano stepped into the fencing club room. Taking a breath and sighing lightly.
Normally, he wouldn't even be here if he weren't looking for something to practice his Iaido (a.k.a Iaijutsu) on.
So here he was. Now, he knew there were other clubs that would be better suited for his style of fighting.

Unfortunately, after he had supposedly 'humiliated' one of the club members belonging to the Japanese Swordsmanship club, he had been booted out and banned from the club room for the next two weeks.
So what if he didn't do Seiza like his opponent, and still won? He found Seiza impractical for his stance of Iaijutsu, because it didn't enable full mobility.
So what if he had told his opponent in response "You need to work on your guard, you reckless fool?" It was true. That style of reckless fighting his opponent used was not a good style, because a poor defense meant that your opponent could easily kill you.
Either way, though, he had to deal with it.
Some people just couldn't take critiscim, it seemed.
Thus, he had to find others to practice with.

"My name is Asano Izayoi. I'm looking for someone to spar with. Would any one of you care to do so? Fair warning: I use Iaijutsu, so it may not be compatible with your style of fighting. Still, I wish to challenge you anyways for I desire to hone my skills with a human opponent." He said curtly.

As Asano would enter the club room, the four other members of the club would wander over to the new arrival, confused by his request at first. The first year student with the ruffled blond hair known as Arthur spoke first.
"L-Laijutsu? Sorry, I don't think any of us are familiar with that."
"Pretty sure that's a Japanese style of swordplay. We got a Japanese swordsmanship club for that, you know." Gus spoke right after him.
"I believe I understand the basic idea behind it. If you're looking for a proper challenge though, our Captain would be happy to accommodate.
Captain Lui! We have a challenger for you."

From the storage closet against the wall, the suited Lui appeared holding his saber and approached Izayoi, a slight smirk on his face.

"A challenger, you say? So, you excel in Japanese swordplay? I suppose my saber would be the best weapon to use in this manner. I would be happy to spar with a fellow swordsman, show the prowess of a trained fencer. Gus and Arthur, you two take the mats farthest left. Erin and Bosco, you two take the middle row. As for you, Mr. Izayoi, we'll take the farthest right lane. The name's Lui Saito, Captain of the club."

Lui would lead Asano over to their lane on the mat, holding his saber relaxed in one hand with his other hand settling at his side.

"Does your art prefer first strike, or shall I?"

"It's called iaijutsu. Get it right." Asano said to Arthur.
Oh? The Captain themself?
Asano smiled.
This would be fun.
The Captain's name was Lui, apparently. He walked over to the mat with the Captain on it, grabbing a Katana in his hand. When prompted, he answered.
"I will go first." he said.
Then he performed a lightning-fast quickdraw Slash, dashing forward at Lui's torso while doing so in the blink of an eye, swiftly tapping with the dull edge of the blade at Lui's torso before sliding back and sheathing the blade again.
"I believe that would give me the first point." he said.

As Asano harshly corrected Arthur on his pronunciation, Arthur would shuffle away from the katana-clad man and hide behind Erin as the rest looked at him with a general disdain. There was a certain etiquette between swordsmen that this guy was lacking in, and it didn't sit well with the other members.

Meanwhile, as Asano declared that he would have right of way, Lui was prepared to declare the start of the match when, likely identifying a moment of weakness, the katana-wielding fighter had dashed to Lui and tapped him with the edge of the blade. Lui seemed shocked for a moment before chuckling. He was fast, as expected from his style of swordplay, but he was far too brash. Lui backed him away with the saber and spoke in a deep, serious tone.

"You would have had the point had the match even STARTED. I don't know what rules you expect to follow. Do you want a match or just freeform sparring? I can work with either, but it's proper etiquette to make sure your opponent is also ready to fight. This isn't a duel to the death; we fight to improve each other's technique. Or is this how your group does things?"

Lui would return to his natural position and move back to his spot. A dead serious look was plastered onto his face; if this foe intended to play this way, he would have to demonstrate his skill as well.

"Let's try that again. Now... begin!"

"Kick his ass, Captain! Show him how the club does it!"

Hmph. Asano made a shrugging motion.
He needed to show some damn respect. Technically, this was on him.
"Alright. I apologize. I usually make it clear that once the first strike is decided, the match begins. My mistake." he said.

He nodded as the match began. This time, he readied himself in a stance that would let him counter quickly and effectively. He had no openings, save for maybe the back in this stance.

He tuned out the cheering gallery from it. They weren't important.
All there was was him and the combatant.

This one was interesting. Instead of going for another dash and slice, he chose to play defensively. The way he stood left very little room for Lui to spot an opening to strike. Erin often did this when Lui was on the offensive, and Lui had a little trick to test his opponent's reactions and create a proper opening.

"Playing defense now, are we? Alright, my right of way, then."

To test the waters of this uncharted foe, Lui would quickly flick his saber in front of Asano, attempting to make touches on his arms. In truth, Lui was expecting this stance to counter him the second he noticed an incoming touch. So long as Lui kept a good grip on his blade and the blade remained close to him, he would be ready for a counter.

"Come now, Asano. Show me how you react."

Asano nearly moved, wondering why an opponent like him would do such a stupid move, until he realized that it was a feint meant to get him to counter.
Which would mean that it was anything but stupid.
"Huh. Interesting. This will be fun." he thought.
So instead of countering in this case...
He blocked it, letting the blade collide against his.
"Interesting tactic." he remarked as the blades clashed.

That wasn't exactly the reaction Lui was expecting. Where he expected Asano's katana to whip out and strike him, Asano had chosen to simply have his blade meet Lui's in a clash. Certainly a different breed of strategy than Lui would normally encounter.

"Hmm, clever. Did he anticipate that I expected a counter? If he keeps this up, this battle might actually turn out to be pretty good practice."

Seeing that he had held out his sword for the block, Lui decided to take him by surprise by smacking his katana to the side in a parry style and attempt to touch his arm with a quick flick of the blade. Still, it could be possible for Asano to pull his sword back in front of him. Lui would need to move quickly to prepare for another counter.

A parry? Well...
This was indeed proving interesting.
Although trying to match Asano in blade speed would be difficult, at best.
So this time, he went with a counter, swinging the blade quickly twoards Lui's open arm, a move that if it succeeded,would earn him the point.
After all, no risk, no reward.

Lui grunted as his eyes caught sight of the katana whipping towards him, likely touching his extended arm in a moment. There were two options at this point; disengage and block the incoming sword or take the risk of being touched to tap his exposed arm in turn as well. While Lui would've appreciated being able to touch Asano without causing a draw, this guy's technique would only make a touch like that harder. In that regard, there was only one proper way to end this.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess. Let's wrap this up."

Just as Lui touched Asano's arm with the blade of his saber, he could feel the katana press against his shoulder as he rushed forward for the swipe. The members stood up to get a better view only to see both combatants touching each other. Chatter broke out between them as they asked if anyone saw who was touched first. Lui stepped back and slung his saber over his shoulder.

"You're not half bad, Asano. I like the cut of your jib and your katana. Though I didn't notice who touched first... Want to call it a draw for now?"

Tch. he thought as it touched him. He thought his blade touched first, but instead it turned into a draw.
So he was more than willing to concede it.
He would have asked for a second round if it weren't for his cell going off, playing a song by some pop band that Annie liked.
Which probably meant she was calling.
"I suppose so. I have to go, so let's spar again sometime, Lui." he said as he went to answer it as he walked out.

"Asano! Where are you? Gramps has been calling you asking if you want curry or not? Geez, you were sparring again, weren't you? Gahhh... would it KILL you to answer? I swear, you're nearly as bad as Ichiko! And SHE studies!" The sugar-coated voice of Annie greeted him in a typical loud yell that forced him to hold the phone away from his ear lest he go deaf.

"Alright. I'll call him and tell him I want curry. Bye." he said before hanging up abruptly on her.
He sighed as he punched in the number for his Grandfather.
At least today was fun.

Exit.

So Asano had agreed to calling it a draw. Lui offered to shake his weapon-free hand until Asano's phone rang in his pocket. Seeing how he had to go, the club members waved him off as he disputed with a loud voice over the phone. Lui chuckled a bit, realizing that he may have more in common with Asano then either figured. Seeing the newcomer leave, the members surrounded Lui as discussion spread across the club.

"Dude, what was that? Someone actually TIED the captain in combat? Man, I've been practicing the wrong sword style." Gus exclaimed.

"H-he was kinda scary, but his style... It was different from ours. Captain Lui must be r-really skillful to combat a new style."

"Heh, indeed. Certainly a swift fighter, that's for sure. Glad to see he's at least respectful as a swordsman. That's a fine example for the other clubs. I wouldn't mind another match with him.."

Perhaps their paths would cross again. Maybe Asano would finds another reason to pop by the club if he wasn't involved in one. Until then, Lui would keep his blade honed in anticipation...

Lui [END]

Lui of the Magus Arcana and Asano of the Tower Arcana have established a Social Link