[It's fast - faster than he had been before - and Souji dodges, bringing his sword up to block. The power behind it is something he's used to, but the speed is new. Just a step or two faster, but more than he would have imagined someone would learn just from going out onto the battlefield for awhile. The blow nearly touches his shoulder and he jumps back, adjusting his grip on sword.]

Better. That's more like you.

How was the time away from the village? Recently you've been having troubles, haven't you?