CHAPTER 302: THE DANCE OF STEEL AND STORM [PART 1]

Renard took a deep breath before clenching his fists in preparation for battle.

Right now, he was challenging a student named Alistair Crowhaven.

Alistair Crowhaven stood tall with the unmistakable bearing of someone forged in discipline.

His army-cut hairstyle emphasized the sharp lines of his face, giving him a hardened, soldierly look that made him stand out among the other academy students.

Broad-shouldered and built like a fighter who thrived in the thick of battle, he carried himself with the confidence of a man who had already seen more drills, training, and fights than most of his peers could imagine.

As a Rank 3 Tempest Brawler, each of his fist strikes was infused with the power of roaring winds, giving him both speed and explosive power.

Coming from a proud lineage of soldiers, he carried his family’s legacy like a badge, and every opponent who faced him could feel the weight of that heritage pressing down on them.

Renard was only a Rank 2 Berserker Juggernaut, but he’d always bravely challenged opponents technically stronger than him.

Excluding Alex, the teenage boy was confident that no one of the same Rank as him was his match.

Because of this, he actively challenged Rank 3 fighters and above in order to hone his combat abilities to the fullest.

"I’ve been paying attention to you, Renard," Alistair said. "Although your rank is lower than mine, I know that you can’t be underestimated. I will fight you using my full power, so prepare yourself."

"Thank you," Renard replied.

"Aren’t you going to say that you will also fight to your fullest?" Alistair narrowed his gaze.

"Except for my killing blow, I will use everything in my arsenal to fight you, Alistair," Renard declared. "Let’s have a good fight."

"Good." Alistair grinned and bumped his two fists together.

A powerful gust of wind blew outward as faint traces of wind magic covered his hands and feet.

It was at this moment that Chuck, Dim Dim, and the Elves arrived at the training grounds.

"Looks like we came at a good time," Chuck said. "That guy over there is Renard."

"I see." Caelum narrowed his gaze as he locked on the young man, who had taken a fighting pose.

But after a few seconds of observation, a frown appeared on his face.

"His presence is only that of a Rank 2 Warrior," Caelum stated. "I’m a Rank 4 Arcane Archer. There will be no thrill to fight against a weaker opponent."

"A Rank 4 huh?" Chuck smirked. "What is stronger, you or a Rank 4 Boss Monster?"

"That depends on what kind of Boss Monster it is," Caelum replied. "I am confident that I can continuously snipe at my opponent from a safe distance, wearing it down until I go for the kill."

"I see." Chuck nodded. "Well, then. I guess you’ll just have to see for yourself and decide whether you won’t find any thrill in fighting against Renard."

Chuck had watched the recorded video of the Second Trial of the Academy where Renard and Alex’s group fought against the Rank 4 Boss Monsters in the trial.

Mr. I-have-trust issues had crippled the boss with a single punch, which was the reason why many of the Combat Professors thought highly of Renard.

When Chuck had asked Alex if he would win if he sparred against Renard, his roommate only told him that their battle would lead to mutual destruction.

Back then, Chuck didn’t know what Alex was talking about.

However, he understood this during the battle against Willow during the Battle Royale.

Alex had tanked the full-powered attack of the Elder of the Demon Worshipers and reflected the damage back to her.

But he had risked his life to win that battle.

Perhaps, this was also the reason why Renard didn’t wish to fight against Alex. He must’ve also known that there would be no winner between the two of them.

As everyone’s gaze landed on the two combatants in the training ground, Alistair finally made his move.

With a single step, a booming sound reverberated in the surroundings as the concentrated wind pressure he had placed under his foot propelled him forward.

Renard planted his feet firmly in the ground as he pulled back his arm to unleash a punch to meet Alistair’s devastating attack.

Caelum and the Elves narrowed their eyes as they waited for the clash between the two martial experts, who were not holding anything back.

A loud thunderclap reached everyone’s ears, followed by a strong gust that expanded outward, making the hairs of the ladies flutter.

Booming sounds echoed repeatedly as Renard and Alistair exchanged blows at close range.

Since Alistair was faster, Renard adapted to a boxing defensive stance, using his arms to block the blows he couldn’t dodge, while unleashing counterattacks of his own.

Alistair also dodged and blocked Renard’s punches, which were all very heavy.

Each time their fists collided, the ground beneath them cracked, sending spiderweb fractures racing across the training field.

Dust rose with every exchange, mixing with the sharp scent of earth from Alistair’s tempest-fueled blows.

Renard’s muscles bulged as he absorbed the storm of strikes, his defensive stance solid as steel.

Every blocked punch echoed like a drumbeat, and each counter he threw forced Alistair to weave with precision or risk being seriously injured.

"You’re sturdy," Alistair admitted between strikes, his grin widening. His wind-coated fists blurred, each blow accompanied by a sharp hiss of compressed air. "But sturdiness alone won’t be enough against me!"

Renard exhaled slowly, his eyes burning with focus. "Then I’ll just have to prove you wrong."

Suddenly, Alistair changed his fighting style, his body spinning like a whirlwind.

He launched a spinning kick wreathed in compressed wind, the strike sharp enough to slice through stone.

Renard crossed his arms to block, empowering it with Aura, mitigating the impact that sent him skidding back several meters as dust and debris exploded outward.

The audience tensed, watching as Renard lowered his arms.

His forearms were red and trembling slightly from the force, but his expression was unfazed.

"Not bad," Renard muttered. His veins pulsed with crimson light as his Berserker Juggernaut physique began to stir, the aura of raw aggression flaring around him like a bonfire. "Now it’s my turn."

With a deep roar, Renard charged, his movements heavier but unstoppable, like a raging bull.

His fist cut through the air with the weight of a hammer, forcing Alistair to raise both arms in defense. The impact rattled his bones, and the wind barrier around him cracked like glass under strain.

The ground quaked beneath their clash, shockwaves rolling outward, making Caelum’s expression turn solemn.

Chuck smirked at the sight. "See? Still think this won’t thrill you?"

Caelum narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly.

For the first time, a trace of curiosity flickered in his usually cold gaze.

"He’s only Rank 2. And yet, he can put forth that much power," Caelum commented. "That punch has crossed the threshold of Rank 3 when it comes to raw power."

Chuck smirked, knowing Renard was still holding back. If he really used that crippling blow he had used against the Rank 4 Boss Monster back then, Alistair’s arm would have been broken.

The clash continued. Renard pressed forward with raw might, while Alistair responded with speed and precision, their blows striking like thunder and gale, steel and storm.

It was no longer just a spar. It was a battle where each fighter tested the limits of each other, putting their skills to the test.