The slash had come quick, giving Michael barely enough time to react. Though he did a short slide backwards, the slash still grazed him and formed a long but shallow cut along his chest. It stung, but was negligible damage. 

"Hmph," was all Michael uttered as he used his staff to keep Charlie's swinging momentum going to the side. It managed to turn him around, but instead of thrusting the end of his staff towards his head as usual, he performed a strong, diagonal strike to Charlie's leg, specifically the area known for being the site of "charlie horsing". That should slow the demititan down, and Michael then twisted his staff around his head to strike at the side of his opponent's head.