[Chrom would not call himself an intelligent man. There are several things that soar right past his attention when he's focused on his goals...like the fact that Marth was a woman. Awareness of any special powers that Pyrrha possesses is no exception. Completely clueless. He just assumes she's that good.]

More than I care to admit! But so long as we remain standing, I cannot complain.

[He brings up his shield to block a blow, winces at the second, but he comes up with a chuckle. His shoulder is starting to ache with the force of her strikes, but it's an ache he's missed having.]

I confess that I have missed testing my blade against another like this. We seldom get the opportunity when the world is threatened.

[It isn't as if he can clash swords with an Ultima weapon, or a tiny Tarutaru. This feels far more natural to him.]