BXBX NOVEL Chapter 107 Shadow Strike
As I entered the training facility, the familiar scent of sweat and metal filled my nostrils. The sound of clashing weapons and the occasional burst of magic reverberated through the air. It was a cacophony that I had grown accustomed to—a symphony of power and determination.
I scanned the area, my eyes darting from one sparring pair to another. I was in search of a worthy opponent, someone who could help me test my limits and distract me from the complexities of my impending picnic with Rose.
My gaze settled on a corner of the facility where a small crowd had gathered. Intrigued, I made my way toward the commotion, the anticipation fueling my steps.
As I got closer, I saw two figures engaged in a heated battle. Their swords clashed with lightning speed, their movements fluid and precise. It was a mesmerizing display of skill and technique.
One of the combatants, a tall and muscular warrior, exuded confidence as he skillfully parried his opponent's attacks. His strikes were swift and powerful, leaving little room for retaliation.
The other fighter, a lithe and agile rogue, countered with agility and finesse. Her moves were swift and calculated, her strikes aiming for vulnerable spots with deadly accuracy.
Although I didn't know any of the fighters, their skills seemed to be on par with each other. They were probably around F Rank.
I shrugged my shoulders, realizing that the ongoing battle might not provide the challenge I was seeking. I decided to continue my search for a suitable sparring partner elsewhere in the training facility.
Moving away from the crowd, I made my way toward one of the empty arenas, my footsteps echoing against the polished floor. The cool air inside the arena provided a respite from the buzz of activity in the rest of the facility.
As I reached the center of the arena, I extended my hand and called upon my Authority, feeling the rune on my palm heat up.
The air around me crackled with energy as my Authority materialized, taking the form of a beautiful longsword that flickered with vibrant hues.
Swish... Swish...
I swung my longsword a few times, feeling the weight of the weapon in my hand. The blade cut through the air with a swiftness that mirrored my own anticipation. Each swing was a deliberate motion, a warm-up for the challenge that lay ahead.
As I paced around the empty arena, I glanced at the entrance, awaiting the arrival of an opponent.
Thud...
Suddenly, a figure entered the ring, striding confidently toward the center of the arena. It was a fellow student, clad in armor and carrying a sturdy shield.
"Ready for a match?"
I called out, my voice carrying across the expanse of the arena.
The armored figure nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Absolutely. I've been looking for an opponent to test my skills after a breakthrough..."
I approached him, taking a moment to examine his armor. It was an unusual sight in a place dominated by those who favored speed and agility. Most students preferred the flexibility offered by enchanted artifacts that provided protection without sacrificing mobility. This individual seemed to have a different approach.
"Interesting choice of armor..."
I remarked, my gaze shifting from the reinforced plating to the intricate designs etched onto it.
"It's not common to see someone opting for heavy armor like this. Is there a specific reason behind your choice?"
The armored student adjusted his grip on his shield, his tone filled with confidence.
"Indeed, there is. I believe in the resilience of enchanted steel, the strength it provides when facing formidable opponents. Speed and agility have their merits, but sometimes, it's the sheer force and unwavering defense that can turn the tide of battle."
I nodded, understanding his perspective. Each fighter had their own style and strategy, and it was important to respect and learn from the diversity within the training facility.
However...
From my perspective it was stupid. I, more than anyone, knew that the armor wouldn't fare well against good fighters.
Although his armor was enchanted as he said, it still posed significant challenges in terms of mobility and speed, factors that were crucial in combat.
At this point, it would be like fighting a steel dummy that cannot fight back and is only able to withstand attacks.
With that, we both assumed our combat stances, the Mana in the arena palpable. The clash of contrasting approaches was about to unfold, and we were both eager to put our skills to the test.
Whilst he would try to accustom to his new strength, I would try to get used to my new weapon.
As the battle commenced, I could feel the weight of my longsword in my hand, its balance unfamiliar yet exhilarating. I circled my opponent, studying his movements and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
He held his shield firmly, his stance unwavering. It was clear he intended to weather my attacks with his sturdy defense, relying on his armor to protect him. I decided to test his resolve, launching a series of feints and slashes, aiming for any opening that presented itself.
Clank... Clank...
My strikes were swift and precise, but the armored student was adept at anticipating my moves. He deflected my attacks with his shield, the sound of metal clashing against metal resonating in the arena.
Undeterred, I continued to press the assault, varying my strikes in both speed and direction. I aimed for his exposed joints, seeking vulnerabilities in his heavy armor. However, his shield proved to be a formidable obstacle, effectively blocking and deflecting most of my blows.
In response, the armored student countered with powerful thrusts of his own, seeking to push me back and disrupt my rhythm. His strikes were calculated and deliberate, each blow carrying a substantial amount of force. I had to rely on my agility and speed to evade his attacks, narrowly dodging the blows as they came crashing down.
'This is going nowhere...'
Assessing the situation, I gripped my Authority tightly, channeling Mana into it, activating my Weapon Art, which made the blade disappear as if it was devoured by Shadows.
With my new weapon form, I closed the distance between myself and the armored student before he could react.
Clank...
Swinging my Longsword from above I forced him to block with his shield, I suddenly shifted my weight, changing my blade's trajectory and aiming low for his feet, catching him completely off guard.
Pluck...
The strike landed true, and the armored student lost his balance, stumbling backwards.
A trail of blood seeped through a slit in his armor, proof that my weapon managed to penetrate through his thick defense.
"..."
He glanced at the crimson liquid flowing down his leg, his expression revealing a mix of surprise and admiration.
"That was a good strike!"
Regaining his composure, he nodded; however, my eyes remained fixed on his wound or rather the slit that allowed me to breach his defense.
Although I had the Vanara Authority it shouldn't be able to penetrate through enchanted steel.
'It can't be!'
I quickly glanced at my Status, my eyes specifically going straight to my Weapon Style.
And there... I saw it.
The new movement of my Weapon Style!
[ 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 ]
𝐀 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞.
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬.
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
My eyes widened, whilst I felt an intense surge of excitement and satisfaction. This new movement in my Weapon Style had evidently given my Longsword the ability to penetrate through enchanted steel, which would explain how I was able to wound the guy.
No matter the case, this discovery would undoubtedly change the course of my future battles.
I knew plenty of enemies who had heavy and resilient armor that would be difficult for me to penetrate with my previous strength.
'I wonder if this could work for Dragon Scales...'
For a second I allowed myself to dream, however, I quickly snapped back to reality, realizing that there was still more training and experimentation needed before I could fully understand the potential of my new Weapon Style movement.
"Let's continue..."
I said, turning to the armored student who was now back on his feet. Although I could see the pained expression on his face, it didn't seem like he was going to back down anytime soon.
The armored student gritted his teeth, determination shining in his eyes despite the pain. He adjusted his stance, readying himself for the next round of our clash.
This time, I focused on exploiting the weaknesses of his heavy armor. Instead of relying solely on brute force, I incorporated swift maneuvers and agile footwork to outmaneuver his shield and strike where his armor was less reinforced.
Feinting to his left, I swiftly changed direction, aiming for the opening between his shoulder plates. My blade grazed his armor, leaving a shallow cut that caused him to stagger.
As I followed up with a quick slash to his thigh, he stumbled to one knee.
Clank...
My blade pressed against his throat, poised to strike the fatal blow, but I held back.
"It was a good spar..."
Click...
Sheathing my blade, I gestured to an instructor who was overseeing the battles to help him, since it was obvious he wouldn't be able to walk.
"Yeah... It was."
Looking at me with a mix of respect and admiration, the armored student acknowledged my victory with a nod, before being escorted off the training grounds by the instructor.
As soon as he was gone, I noticed that a few people were already standing in line, eagerly waiting for their turn to challenge me.
It seems that this would soon turn into a betting arena, where people would come to watch and wager on my battles.