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A few moments before Raven and Alec's sparring start.

...

...

[Raven's POV]

Everyone's eyes are on me and Alec.

"..."

And they're all silent.

Then, looking at the opposite side of the main field...

I can see Alec's serious face while he's on his fighting stance.

'Sariel, appraise.'

I said inside my head.

[Okay.]

Sariel replied.

And he immediately projected Alec's stats that only me can see.

=====

[STATUS]

Name:Alec Osmond

Rank:D-

Mana Control:D+

Strength:D+

Agility:D

Stamina:D+

Intelligence:D

Luck:D-

Charm:D+

[SKILLS]

<Calm Mind Lvl.3>

<Teleportation Lvl.3>

[TRAITS]

<Reincarnator>

<Mana System>

<Heroic Past>

=====

And I immediately frowned after seeing Alec's stats.

'His strength and stamina increased by a rank, his skills leveled up too...'

I thought.

But my expression quickly came back to normal as all of Alec's stats were higher than mine to begin with.

The reason I want to spar against him?

It's to test my abilities. Alec's the best opponent for that.

Also... It's to test Alec's current strength.

No matter what happened, Alec's existence is crucial to this world, or should I say this universe.

And there's a possibility that the higher beings weakened him...

This isn't a novel anymore, I already know that ever since I fought for the first time against the red wolves.

So Alec can die, and if that happen, everything will be messy as fuck.

'And that would be a pain...'

So if by any chance, Alec is weaker than 'him' in my novel, then I'll give him a little help.

'And I'll just get some of his future items for myself as an exchange...'

[Lol, you already plan to get them anyway.]

'Shut up, Sariel.'

I replied inside my head.

Still, Sariel's not wrong, I already plan to acquire all the items in the novel that could help me get stronger.

I know I'll mess the story a bit by doing that, but I don't care.

'I need to survive after all.'

"Ready?"

It was then, Curtis asked me and Alec.

Immediately after I heard his question, I started collecting mana in my legs and feet.

Then I covered my fists with mana.

And with all of that, I nodded my head as a response to Curtis.

It seems like Alec is done preparing as well as he nodded his head too at Curtis' question.

Then after that, without further ado...

"Fight!"

Curtis declared the start of our sparring match!

'<Thought Acceleration>'

And I immediately activated that skill of mine.

I already learned how to use the <Thought Acceleration> to some extent that I wouldn't recieve much backslash.

All I need to do is to lessen the skill's output.

Of course, the skill's effect would decrease.

But the burden of the skill in my body would plummet too!

So with that, time slowed down for me...

And to my surprise, Alec was already able to close the distance between us by few meters!

And he's gradually coming closer every second!

'He's really fast huh...'

I thought.

But right now, with my skill on, Alec's speed was no different than an average man running toward me.

So with a clear mind...

Bam-

I kicked on the ground as hard as I could.

Swoosh-

I immediately noticed that my speed was a bit slower than Alec's.

'<Insight>'

Not that I care as I just activated one of my skills, then I started processing information of everything around me...

After that, I placed my left palm near my stomach.

Then I swung my right fist horizontally at the same level of my head.

And after that...

I deactivated <Thought Acceleration>.

And everything around me returned to their normal speed!

Swiish-

BOOM!

After that, my left hand caught Alec's left fist that was aiming at my stomach.

And I was able to launch a punch toward Alec's left cheek using my right fist!

Though, Alec blocked my attack by placing his right palm beside his cheek and catching my fist too.

'So he's not gonna let me have a hit that easy huh.'

I thought.

***

Meanwhile.

"..."

Every spectator in the arena was silent, even Curtis and the others.

Raven and Alec's first exchange of blows happened so fast that not everyone of them was able to follow their movements!

And whether they saw it or not, everyone was quite surprised at what just happened!

On the other hand though, Alec and Raven are just looking at each other with a poker face.

Fwish-

Then Alec raised his left foot to launch a kick!

Thud-

But his attempt failed as his foot was stop by the sole of Raven's right foot!

Shhh–

It was then, Alec's fugure disappeared from everyone's sight, including Raven's!

He used on of his skills, <Teleportation>!

Raven's eyes twitched in dissatisfaction when he realized that.

Shaaa–

Then Alec quietly reappeared right behind Raven!

And Raven immediately sensed Alec's presence behind him!

So he quickly clenched his left hand into a fist, then he violently rotated his torso to the left!

And with a whip-like motion.

BAM!

Raven used the back of left fist to attack Alec who's behind him!

Although Raven's attack was well executed, Alec was still able to block it by using his left arm.

But Alec was surprised, he didn't expect Raven to be able to respond immediately.

And seeing Alec baffled, Raven decided to attack again!

Tap-

He lightly jumped and fully spun his whole body to face Alec.

Then...

Bam-!

Raven punched out his right fist, aiming at Alec's temple!

But Alec was also able to block that by catching Raven's fist with his right hand!

Thump!

Then Raven suddenly launched a stomp kick at Alec's left knee!

But just like what happened to all of his attacks till now, it was blocked.

Alec raised his left foot at the right time.

So what met Raven's right foot was Alec's left foot!

'This is bullshit...!'

Raven thought.

Bam-!

Then he used his left foot to kick the ground and dash back, away from Alec.

Swoosh-!

But Alec propelled himself almost at the same time, and he's heading to where Raven is escaping to!

Alec was able to predict Raven's move!

"!"

Raven was absolutely surprised!

Boom!

And Alec didn't miss that chance as he immediately punched Raven on the chest!

"Keouk...!"

Raven groaned and he was sent skidding few meters away from Alec!

Alec got the first clean hit in their spar!

After that, Raven fixed his balance, then he looked at Alec.

Alec's expression didn't change even a bit.

'That hurt...'

Raven thought as touched his chest where he was hit...

Then he suddenly crouched down.

Shick-

Crack-

And he stabbed his right hand in the ground and pulled out a chunk of the marble rock floor!

Alec have no idea what's Raven up to, so he decided to put up his defense.

But after a while... Raven stood up again with a mana coated rock in his right hand.

Then he smirked at Alec.

'What's with him?'

Alec asked inwardly with a small frown.

Bam-!

It was then, Raven suddenly dashed toward him!

And after he got near to Alec...

Fwoosh-

Raven threw the rock in his hand at Alec's face!

Thamp-!

Though, Alec easily caught it with his right hand.

But as soon as Alec grabbed the rock...

Swish-

"Eh?"

An unknown force suddenly moved the rock to the side!

And because Alec didn't expect it, his hand was dragged along!

Leaving his face unguarded!

And of course, Raven didn't let that chance pass by!

As a matter of fact, he was already in front of Alec!

So...

Boom!

"Arrgh!!"

He punched Alec straight in the nose!

And it was a clean hit!