The four dueling pistes have been diagrammed onto the training ground floor of the Kakita Dueling Academy.

A judge, Utaku Enkhtuya, stands at the center line, as the two contestants make their way to the ready positions.

Masaru had never thought he would make it this far during the Topaz. He had thought for sure he would have done the tests well enough to pass and then head home.

But here he stood facing someone in an iaijutsu duel, a Seppun no less. While his feelings were tumultuous his face remained serene but his focus was clearly off.

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Round 1 duel meditation/air | TN: 1 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Init: Air stance
5 base Initiative
Spend opp to add a keot die set to opp to next Martial check

Stare down take 1 Strife
1/10 Composure
0/10 Endurance

Urusai bows to the Imperial Party, then to the ring itself, before he steps in, his right foot leading. As he reaches the appointed spot, he stops, turns, and bows deeply to the judge; after he rises, he turns back to Masaru and bows deeply.

His hands fold over the knot in his obi, then slide to the left, and his right foot moves forward as he adopts a centered stance and strives for the stillness once again...

He finds it, and he is poised to strike with the speed of Heaven.

~~~~~

Initiative roll, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/3170; passes at 1 sux, 2 opps, 0 strife
Base initiative becomes 6 due to Speed of Heaven
Void Stance
Spend 1 opp to reduce Ring check; given the need to predict, I'm keeping which Ring is chosen in the PF until and unless advised.

1 Strife from Staredown
1/8 Strife
0/8 Fatigue

Round 1-
Bids are in

Masaru - 10!
Urusai - 6

Masaru mentally shook off his nerves and locked eyes with the Seppun, his were not eyes of peaceful serenity but intense focus as his grip tightened on the Bokken.

The wind gracefully flowed but in an instant water rushed forward speed and power as the Kitsu closed the gap between them, his bokken flashing out and landing hard against his opponents arm.

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Free movement to close to range 1
Action to draw bokken
Water action to attack

Round 1 duel water/melee Initiative opp adds kept opp die | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0
4 success and 2 opps (including the one given from my initiative roll. Didn't know how to add it in the roller.)
9 damage
Spend 2 opps to crit severity 3

6/10 Composure
0/10 Endurance

The Unicorn Topaz Champion of 1122 raises an empty hand to the direction of Kitsu Masaru.

"Winner in decisive victory! Kitsu Masaru-san!" She called out, before bowing to the Seppun, and then the Lion.

Masaru stepped back just managing to suppress his shock as he sheathed his bokken and bowed to his opponent "You are an honorable opponent Seppun-sama."

and then he bowed lower to the honored audience and judge. The barest hint of a smile on his lips as he saw Sakura there but he merely moved out to the waiting area for his next match.

Urusai bows as appropriate and withdraws.