Athad next attacked at my waist next. He ran at me as he did so, so I expected a powerful attack and braced myself for it. But as he swung he jumped up into the air so his blade would swing at my neck. Being prepared for the strong waist attack I didn't suspect the jumping attack, so I ducked to avoud being beheaded. He landed on his feet behind me, and I kicked out at him, hitting him square in the spine with my boot. He tumbled forward. He had obviously wanted to attack to either scare me into submission or kill me, and I surprised him buy surviving and booting him in the spine. As he tumbled, I dropped to the ground and used my leg to sweep his feet from beneath him. He stopped tumbling forward and fell flat onto his back. I jumped to my feet and pointed the tip of my blade at his throat. He didn't move, and I kicked his sword away from him. Then he did something I didn't expect at all from someone who had been defeated. He swung around quickly and kicked the back of my hand, sending my sword skittering across the floor. I looked at it for a second, and he kicked me across the jaw with his other foot. I staggered backward, and he jumped to his feet. I had regained my balance by the next time he attacked, and I blocked his punch and deflected it downward. I brought my elbow down on the base of his neck as he dipped forward, throwing him to the ground. His face smashed off the ground, and he rolled over. He jumped to his feet again and I backed away. I started running at him, and he froze. I don't think he knew what to do. I jump kicked him in the gut, and he sailed backward into the white marble wall, almost putting several cracks into it. He sagged to the ground and struggled to stand. I quickly grabbed my sword and placed its tip under his chin. He smiled and laughed a little. "Good work Marius." he said. I frowned. Why would you congratulate the man who just beat you senseless? He laughed at my confusion as he picked himself up off the ground. "You are the only person to defeat me while sparring. Both with swords and hand to hand. I think you'll find your place here among the Black Shadow." He said. I nodded and put my sword into its sheath. Well, I had apparently passed the test to get in here, so he was now welcoming me in with open arms. With my victory I was one step closer to bringing down the Black Shadow, and one step closer to my escape.