Race knew he had to take initiative, because if he didn't have enough momentum it will be hard to hold his own with his Mobile Armor when fighting against a superior design. So Race ran towards the enemy MA at full speed, with his sword held high as if he was going for a downward slash.

Colonel Barrar knew what race was doing was a feint, so he simply held his sword high in a defensive position. " Let's see what you are planning to do kid", Barrar thought to himself while watching Race run towards him. But started to doubt as there was no change in Race's stance." Is this kid really thinking such a telegraphed attack is going hit me".

Barrar changed his defensive stance and prepared to deflect the clearly telegraphed swing. Even though he was sure that Race will not be able to change the downward swing anymore, his instincts told him to be vigilant. His years of battle taught him to trust his instincts.

When Race was just about enter Barrar's strike zone, Race leaned back causing the great sword on his back to dig into the ground causing Race's MA to come to a sudden halt, which caused all the kinetic energy built up by the MA to be transferred to the sword causing the power and speed of the swing to increase as well as changing the downward slash into horizontal sweep.

" WHAT THE...." such a sudden change caused Barrar to swear in his mind. But since he was remaining vigilant he was barely able to block the sword, but his armor lost its footing which made it vulnerable to follow up attacks. And of course race would never let such an opportunity be wasted. He kept on attacking constantly forcing Barrar's armor to lose footing. " Damn it, I am not able to get hit in", Race lamented. While Barrar was surprised to see a 16 year old , in an inferior mech push him into defence like this," I feel like I am fighting someone from the combat families". But Barrar was not a bit upset, If anything he was happy to have a challenge like this, one were he was pushed t the absolute limit.

Even with his continuous barrage of attacks race was unable to land a single blow on the enemy MA, as it possessed greater strength as well as speed which helped an experienced fighter like Barrar to block it at the nick of time. But Race couldn't keep this for long as he knew his armor is not as efficient as the opponents, each of his attack was steadily but surely chipping away at his energy reserve.

But there was another major problem as well, heat build up, with such heavy attacking Race's armor was heating up. But Colonel faced the same problem as well because he had to utilize his MA to its max. So after a while of battle both the MA distanced themself cool off. While in both the MAs were staring at each other, weapons poised at each other, while the surfaces both Mobile armor were emitting steam especially their weapons.

The crowd was absolutely loving it, they were watching with bated breath. Each of the swings were made with an intent to kill. At the same time the mechanics was absolutely mind blown with the range of motion both MA's were capable of. While both the armors were cooling down, Barrar send a private chat request to Race, which race accepted happily. Though both were fighting each other with all that they had, They were really enjoying it. They were exhilarated, they had their hearts beating so fast that would have heard it in their ears if they were not in VR.

Seeing that Race accepted the invitation without hesitation, Barrar spoke through the channel. " You're quite good kid, Do you live in a battlefield or something"; "No, It is because I was the greatest swordsman among humans in my past life", said Race.

" Hahahaha, Kid I like you. You are a genius designer as well as a great fighter, that is a deadly combination. Your future is bright kid. So if you need any help, Don't be shy to call me. I am Lonnie Barrar, a Colonel in the Terran Coalition".

" Sure, I will make you regret saying that." said Race with a hearty laugh. Someone once said, warriors make friends when the cross weapons and it was proved true hear. A fifty year old man and a 16 year old boy spoke to each other as if they were childhood friends.

"Ok, Then let's end this fight then. Get ready to lose, Race", Barrar said through the private chat and took a stance with his sword. To which Race responded, " Yeah, Dream on; I will be the one who is going to end this match." and Race held both the sword and saber up. Then the both ran at each other.

The audience started cheering as both fighters neared each other. With each strike sparks flew, Each strike felt like a work of art to those who were viewing it. This time Race was in the defensive as Barrar started to go on the offensive. Race barely stopping the each attacks because he had a saber along with his sword, sometimes even that was hard and he had to use the wrist guard to block it. After a few rounds the wrist guard had begun to crack. Since Barrar's speed and strength were greater than his, Race had to take a step each time his weapons clashed with Barrar's sword or he would lose his balance.

Race knew that if he kept on only defending his design will run out of power before Barrar's MA. So he had to land a decisive hit on Barrar soon or he was going to lose this match. Race was becoming impatient as he waited for an opportunity. And then while blocking a rather strong attack from Barrar, Race lost his balance and was left vulnerable. Barrar used this opportunity to duck down and slash at his opponent's legs. which caused Race to jump up. But then Barrar changed his attack to strike at the great sword that was still in the striking range, causing Race to spin in the air.

While spinning in the air, Race who Barrar thought was defenseless used the momentum of the spin to strike at the Colonel. That caused the Barrar who was about to strike Race to be hit with a sword slash and a stab from Race's sword. Though they caused substantial damage to Barrar's MA, The MA was still operational. But this attack caused both the saber and the sword to be lodged in the thick chest armor of Barrar's MA. Well it was impossible to generate enough power in the air if the MA didn't have any propulsion system. Race misjudged the armor's thickness which caused him to lose his weapon's.

Race was only armed with the great sword while Barrar's MA was damaged. Even though his opponent was piloting a damaged MA, the damage was not extensive enough to make it lose a great portion of its abilities. While Race's design was more oriented towards wielding a smaller weapons. So the match could still go both ways.

Race retrieved the great sword from his after releasing the lock on the holster/hook. Both MA's went into a standoff before the one final strike. As both MA's cooled down to a temperature that was satisfactory. Both of them ran at each other with there weapons ready. The audience forgot to cheer as a great duel was nearing its end.

As both of them neared each other Race used his great sword as pole and stabbed it into the arena to jump higher, he safely jumped over Barrar; While twisting himself in the air to create momentum for his next attack. Barrar was stunned. As Race landed behind a Barrar who had barely turned around, Race's great sword was already moving to bisect Barrar.

But it was not fast enough, Barrar was barely able to dodge as the great sword cut through one of his MA's leg. Though one legged Barrar was able to leverage his weight on his remaining leg and stabbed his sword through were Race's heart would be ending the duel.

The battle was over with Barrar winning over Race.

{hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, please add the story to your library if you find the novel interesting. I know there are some mistakes that I failed to see in the chapters I will definitely rectify them in the future.}