Veteran's What?

Laskt grunted as his teacher almost casually parried his most devastating blow with a little more than a hardened wooden stick. True, he was somehow channeling his energy into it to increase it’s durability, but the crispness and fluidity of his motions told more than words that this man was a league above him as far as skill was concerned. Nonetheless, Laskt countered Damien’s gambit. He released his grip on the sword the moment it was clear that he couldn’t contest the Shinigami’s deflection of it, whipping his hand down to his side and grabbing his silvery sheath. He then proceeded to use it to attempt to parry Damien’s coup de grace, metal screeching against dense Reiatsu if he was successful. The tactic was one he had only recently started to practice for surprise counters, and the execution was far more sloppy than his usual sword skill.

Regardless of his gambit’s success, Laskt would then step back a pace cracking his neck from side to side as the elder Shinigami spoke again. “Oui Monsieur Crow. I find zat staying overly defensive rarely works against Hollows and adopting a purely counter-based style allows zem ample time to activate zeir powers. I find it best to keep ze pressure on, oui?” He explained, replacing his Zanpaktou’s sheath at his waist as he did so. The Vizard had tried many different offensives styles in his long life, and he had found that this offensive powerhouse style where he greedily kept hold of the momentum of the duel was the best suited for his personal tastes.

Laskt’s interest increased as Damien skillfully broke down his style, picking apart it’s main weaknesses after one short exchange! “Oui, I have found zat keeping such an offensive focus is very taxing to ze body. But to be fair, I imagine it would be even more taxing to simple play ze keep away against an opponent who’s abilities could simply overwhelm a conventional physical defense.” He explained, his tone a lot more confident than it usually was. If there was one thing that Laskt Matiche could give himself credit for, it was his sword skills, and he wasn’t afraid to defend himself in this regard.

Damien’s last comment, however, caused the knight to pause. His instructor seemed to imply that there was something wrong with keeping the strength advantage and hoarding momentum, but the way he said it felt like the swordsman was saying that his style was missing something important, something essential. Frowning, Laskt nodded, “As you say Monsieur Crow. I am ready.” The Vizard gripped his sword in both his gloved hands, falling into a half crouch with the point aiming unerringly at Damien.

The one-armed man didn’t move, he vanished completely from existence, completely escaping Laskt’s perception. The knight barely had time to adjust his blade so that the Kendo stick didn’t shatter his right arm before the battering ram came down, sending his blade spinning out of his hands, and smashing the knight to the ground. Laskt groaned before laughing ruefully, accepting Damien’s hand to get to his feet shakily. “I see your point Monsieur Crow, I am more zan willing to learn from you.” He said, rubbing his strained arm. Laskt walked over to where his blade laid in the dew-covered grass, retrieving it and returning to Damien. “So, what now?”