Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-108.6.48.60-20141221154843/@comment-17964257-20180819093028

He more or less knew about her condition, but he didn't pull back because of it, so he was "barely trying" is not accurate at all. On the other hand, he also didn't need to fight with all his might as he did in Aincrad, against Death Gun etc.

Also, afaik, the second fight does not have a conclusive ending in the novels. That was an anime only thing.