"Try a little harder, Jaune!" Cardin taunted as he slowly strode across the stage. Jaune felt his legs turn into hot glue beneath him as he struggled to hold himself upright.
The big screen above him displayed his aura for all to see, a yellow bar filled halfway. Cardin's was green and had a tiny shave on the tip, where he tripped into him at the beginning when he charged forward.
Glynda Goodwitch remained stoic as she watched the match, no doubt annoyed that Cardin was eating up time and drawing out the match.
Jaune didn't bother replying to Cardin. Instead, he held his sword high above his head, like what he saw in that instruction manual. His shield was held out in front of him as he slowly advanced.
He wasn't as strong as Cardin, he wasn't as fast as Cardin, he wasn't as experienced as Cardin. But that didn't mean he was clueless about fighting.
Jaune watched cautiously as Cardin reared back his mace, very clearly choreographing his attack. He braced himself for the hit instinctively.
The mace collided against his shield. His shield collided against his body, and he was sent flying across half the arena.
"The spar goes to Cardin Winchester!"