Karate

A martial art mainly for the point of discipline through the use of arms and legs for striking, kicking and defense.

It is an art for discipline, respect and self-defense.

But....

In Raven's case, when she was chaos, such words were meaningless in place where the weak died and the strong survived.

Back then, she had learned such martial arts. Though it was used for violence and to kill, opposite of martial arts' teachings.

In addition to that, she had to learn about the human body. Since karate was mostly about the use of arms and legs, she had to know where on the human body to strike.

What was perfect area to strike on the human body to kill?

What are the weakest areas on the human body?

What are the areas to avoid on the human body?

Questions like this...she had to answer and also have a deeper knowledge on them. Besides, one thing about karate was one had to think before striking.

This martial art and the knowledge of the human body had helped her younger self to develop so much in that place. From this knowledge, she built up her body to match a standard assassin

Because of that, she had also caught the attention of particular people.

'......' Dismissing such memory, Raven focused on Damon who seemed to be exhausted. Another weakness of him to her advantage.

But....

She was the same as him...much worst. Well...she did use karate with a weak body, so Raven expected this much.

In karate, endurance is a must. Without endurance, one could never last in a standard sparring between two individuals.

'Time to end this...' Raven thought, subtly glancing to the side and making eye contact with a particular elite slave of hers.

'Let's target the knee one more time...' She returned her gaze back to Damon's knees. Even if she could not physically break the bone, it did not mean that she could not bruise the area, especially with stone-hard sole of her boot.

'I win...Damon...' Her eyes twinkled in triumph. Someone like Damon wasn't close to be her match. From the beginning, she had predicted that he wouldn't be able win against her.

Though it wasn't an easy feat especially with a body like hers.

As though hearing her thoughts, Damon wiped the sweat around his forehead. At the same time, he forcefully controlled his erratic breathing before positioning in a defensive stance with his sword.

To say he did not expect this would be understatement.

A young lady barely at the age of ten put him in such situation. What an embarrassment for a swordsman like himself.

But....

That did not mean that he would give up at the glaring reality. There was no way that he would lose to a young lady that was also not a swordsman.

Swordsman were the most revered people in the empire. Even a low rank swordsman was more powerful than a regular person, so why would he lose to that kind of person?

Damon's manly ego couldn't take such, and so, the said man gritted his teeth. His nostrils flared and his eyes became fierce as he prepared to land a strike that would surely get this young lady to give up in his opinion.

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Unfortunately....

Damon was a little late as Raven was faster than him.

''Kieran...'' As she was going for his knee, her voice rang out in the quiet room. ''Block him.'' She commanded without fail.

*Clank*

The sound of clashing blades resounded once more, and before the courtesan could even move from her spot, Raven had already appeared behind Damon with the tip of her blades pointed towards his back.

''I win.'' She said with a wide yet cunning smile underneath her hood.

Something that Damon could feel, even if he couldn't see her.

''You cheated.'' He pointed out quite angry at her actions.

''I didn't cheat. It was you who didn't state any rules.'' Raven corrected, quite shamelessly in Damon's opinion.

''The rules are quite obvious and not to be stated, young lady.''

''I am nothing but a young lady barely at the age of ten. How do you expect me to comprehend such rules, Damon?'' Once again, Raven said another albeit more shameless than before. ''You did say such words at the beginning of our bet.'' She added without a blink of an eye.

Well....she did cheat as the battle was only between her and Damon, but in her opinion it wasn't cheating at the same time. Damon never stated anything called rules at the beginning, which she used to her advantage. From the minute no rules were included in the bet, Raven had calculated the little detail in winning the battle.

If she hadn't done all these, perhaps she would have lost against Damon. Then again...she won fair and square.

Raven was quite thick-skinned when it comes to herself.

''.......'' Gritting his teeth, Damon was tempted to burst out in anger. This young lady stated that she was a child, but she apparently does not behave as one.

She was more like a sly adult trapped in the body of a child.

Damon didn't know that he had guessed the true situation of his opponent. He merely took a deep breath and calmed whatever anger that was boiling in him. Though it was not easy.

He lost.

That was glaring fact

Even if there were no rules, it did not change that he lost against someone much younger than himself. He was the one that made the bet. He should also be the one to uphold such wager.

''I lost...'' Damon sighed in defeat. Following his words, his grip on the sword became loose, indirectly lowering the blade. Kieran did the same though in cautious manner.

Raven lowered her dagger, before glancing slightly to the side, where the courtesan stood vigilantly behind Kieran.

''You have a good subordinate.''

''That should be my words...my lady.'' Damon returned with a change of address. From young lady to my lady. It meant that he already acknowledged the bet between them.

''Wise choice, I must say.'' Raven remarked, feeling pleased with Damon's action. At least, he wasn't arrogant to swallow his pride.

Good.

He was forgiven. Perhaps she could teach one or two about her skills as an assassin.

Damon did not know that he had been transferred to the good books of Raven. He merely walked down to his couch and settled his aching body on the cushion. The courtesan stood behind him, glancing from time to time in worry.

''Pardon my insolence, my lady, but what skills did you use on me?'' Damon couldn't help but ask. Why was his body aching him this much? It was very different from after his regular swordsmanship training.

''Something that is not of your knowledge. But as your lady, I will teach you when I'm ready.'' Raven replied truthfully, her eyes meeting the vigilant eyes of the courtesan's for a moment. ''Your courtesans will learn as well.''

Coupled with sly fighting style of the courtesans, it would be a powerful weapon in their hands.

''......'' Towards the generosity of learning something so unique yet powerful, Damon couldn't deny such offer, but that did not mean that he was not cautious.

''What does my lady want this brothel?'' He questioned, eyeing the said young lady in suspicion. This brothel, even if he was giving it away in this manner, that did not mean he cared less about the place.

Such place held a deep meaning to him, and that was why Damon wanted to know.

''....Let's just call it an investment plan, Damon.'' Raven answered after carefully picking her words. She wasn't ready to expose her identity yet.

Even if she had Damon and the organization in the palm of her hands, that did not mean she had succeeded.

Damon wasn't loyal to her yet. He was merely adjusting to the situation that he created for himself through the bet.

If he was...he wouldn't have asked such question.

'An investment plan....' Damon repeated part of Raven's words in his mind. He didn't understand why his brothel was an investment, but it seemed he would have to watch this new young mistress of his.

''What does my lady need then?''

''Information.'' Raven was straight to the point. '' Give me information on the night wolves organization.''

'Before entering the grand duchy, I'll check on the old man.' Raven suddenly thought. Since she had won against Damon, she had also win the head of that old man. She needed a detailed information of this world, and Kieran, for some reason brought her to him.

Perhaps she should use this as a loyalty test for Damon and that old man. If either betrayed her in getting information, she would just have to send Kieran to kill them.

It was as easy as that.

''As you wish, my lady.'' In response to her wants, Damon's voice rang out, his eyes flickering with an understanding glint.

Seems like his life would become a little entertaining, because of this young lady. As for the reason why, he would just have to find out through her future actions.