The attack was a good one, and Aqua felt a sharp pain in her back from the strike. No doubt about it--she was going to have to heal after this match.

It was clear that he had the advantage when it came to strength, but if she could at least try to pick up her speed, she might stand a better chance. She made three attacks toward his head followed by three alternating at his sides.

"I was on the front lines," she said. "Right after I'd passed my Mark of Mastery exam, my Master sent me to investigate a new enemy that had appeared and to find a fellow Master who had disappeared. It turned out he was behind the new enemy, and I had to fight him and his apprentice."