Both parties close in once they read the room, throwing the first punch at the same time, one with hesitance, the other with determination. As Cupid aimed for Mawkin's nose, the latter was able to swerve his arm and swat it away, aiming for a shove back in order to properly connect a punch into him. Cupid, however, would weave the second, setting up a palm strike for his chest and following that with an elbow to knock him to his side. As he tried to continue the attack, however, another interruption occurred. The body became loose, overdramatic even, as he'd tumble down, yet invertedly would land a strong roundhouse kick to the man's side, pushing him away just as much. A condition has been met for Itanos, as a small glow appeared in his middle right:
"Hand for Hand, Leg for leg, a strike between such exchange."
Itanos would get back his footing and approached, only now more slowly. He'd be patient in his steps, letting the area be felt in order to understand Mawkin's next move. Meanwhile, the Farmer was quick on scampering on all fours for a moment, before stopping himself and rolling himself back on his feet. Itanos tried to follow him, but Mawkin was able to set up his own steps to act as if he was going farther back, letting him take a deep breath as he watched the Blind Mentor advance forward enough to be off of his reach. "His movement's peculiar... He approaches to attack, yet he cowers and runs away. Is he doing a hit and run?" Itanos thought to himself, as he'd stop his own steps once he came to such a conclusion, biding his time, waiting out the next sudden change.
Mawkin, meanwhile, would crouch down and try to think, being careful not to do any sudden or small movements to indicate his position. "Too close. WAAAAY too close. Okay, so his Seal's barring me from using my magic, and on top of that, any move I do can result in getting closer to his own win condition. What do I even do in this situation!? I don't know how to deal with something like this!" His mind was drawing blanks, though he'd slowly get himself back up once he understood that he needs to do something to advance the set-up. That was when he had an idea, as he gathered some straw sticking out from his pockets, and rushed ahead.
Once more, another barbaric scream, as Itanos would be set off and try to rush to the sound, though now he'd throw himself to that very source. Based on the fake-out's he's seen, he needs to take a risk in closing the gap to ensure he doesn't escape from this next attack. Once he felt the sudden shift, he'd smile as he'd lunge ahead and tried to go for a jump kick to hit at his chest. The attack connected easily, though at the same time, he'd feel something stick into his own skin, a barrage of small knives slipping through, but not hurting him. Merely acting as an inconvenience for the Mentor. He'd hear the man cough and tumble across the ground, a smile on his face as he got a proper grasp onto him. "There we are. I was worried if you were going to pull another feint and leave me open for an attack. Seems that's all you're doing right now." Slightly cocky, his voice emanates such pride as he downloaded his moves.
Mawkin, however, would shout back, as he'd raise his hand up. "NOT YET! I STILL HAVE MY FINAL GAMBIT HERE!!" His voice echoed across the halls, both stunting and bewildering the Mentor almost immediately, his grin dropping as Mawkin screamed.
"Final Gambit??! Did he do something to me in that exchange?! Did my conditions picked it up??" He'd think, pondering what the hell the Farmer was thinking.
"My Final Gambit is called 'Scarecrow'! It acts as a ward away from ANY Magic style that would target at me! Any time I were to be attacked by that style, it is rebounded directly into the caster as well! Elements, Souls, even Phenomena and potential Concepts that can come out from those styles abide by this condition! In other words, any attack you deal to me will be back to sender, making BOTH OF US FALL!!" A pause, as Cupid's blind eyes widened once he heard such a condition from the Farmer. A thought began to wander in his head as he'd remain in his position. All the while, Mawkin would be sweating bullets, his arms somewhat shaky in the process. "Please PLEAAAAASE buy it! I don't even know if I can even do that! Please just take my words as truth, I BEEEEEEEEEEEEEG!!!" He'd think to himself, his anxiety rising every second that passed in this malevolent hall.
"Why would he blurt out his ability so brazenly? Is he genuinely that ridiculous? Giving away one's magic doesn't provide any inherit benefit here unless there was already something set up in advance. Far as I know, his moves barely nicked me, no help from his screeching no doubt. He has to be bluffing..." Cupid would deduce, as he'd try to step forward. In a panic, Mawkin would throw a wild punch, pushing back the Mentor once connected, but would be wide open in his own right to his attacks. Cupid would set up an elbow into a sweeping leg, followed by a palm strike directly at his chest, aiming to stunt his heart and weaken him, though as he did...
Thump... Thump...
He was forced to back away, a pain spiked into his center. His heart was hurt, even when he had the advantage. He'd feel his chest, seeing it strain, seeing it struggle to keep up, needing a moment to relax the beating pulse. It wasn't until he brushed across his chest to feel the small tuft that resides in his skin.
There was straw implanted in him, worming its way deeper and deeper into his layers whilst Mawkin was on his assault. "...I get it now." He'd begin, amazed that such set-up was made. "He willingly gave away his magic... because it's already in me! How did it bypass my Conditions?? It should've picked up his style and would've notified me. What did he do to work around it? Does he know??" He'd take back his small insult towards the 6th Rank, fully aware that this may need more time to work around if he wishes to remain alive and fight on in Calibren's quarters.