Teeth gritting, Kyoko losses some ground herself at the redoubled effort. As much as they are more evenly matched in Chrystallis, there are some things you can't take away from a Veteran fighter. She can at least give the impression the task is easy, even though her arms are screaming. Other than that bit of anger, her facade is calm and determined.

This tug of war, this was stupid, they were getting nowhere. How would she teach Sayaka anything if she insisted on being just as stubborn as the girl and let her own emotions get the best of her? There would always be someone much stronger on the battle field, especially the one the magical girls would share.

Moving a step back with the intention to disengage their bullheaded entanglement and regroup, the sudden upward thrust catches the lancer offguard. Leaving her defense temporarily open as the lethal weapon sways pointed side away like a pendulum.