CHAPTER 38: SPARRING 2

"That was a good match," Kael Vi-rel muttered, giving a quick thumbs-up. "You’ve definitely improved. Your reflexes, defense are sharper than last time."

I feel like I might collapse soon for real. We’ve already found and fixed our weaknesses... less margin for error now. This training is paying off... but I can’t let my guard down now, Kael Vi-rel reflected, muscles still humming with exertion. The heat of exertion clung to his skin, the burn in his arms and legs a dull reminder of the relentless drills. Every fiber of his body still tingled from the sharp movements, each breath drawing in the faintly metallic scent of the training hall.

Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the hall like a knife, slicing through the lingering hum of energy.

Kael Vi-rel turned sharply, eyes narrowing. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Damon Reid landed from the stairs like a hero from a comic, yelling, "Duel! Duel me, Kael Vi-rel!" His arrival reverberated against the walls, the echoes carrying a challenge that seemed almost tangible.

"Huh..." Kael Vi-rel muttered, eyebrows raising in surprise. He glanced at Silva, who simply shook his head with a grin that suggested both amusement and anticipation.

The room tensed instantly, the air thickening with anticipation. Even Nad straightened, wide-eyed, sensing the latent energy swirling around the hall. Sparks from the previous spar shimmered faintly on the walls, casting restless light as though the hall itself held its breath for the next clash. Shadows stretched and flickered, bending toward the center where the two combatants faced each other, as if drawn by the promise of action.

Kael Vi-rel adjusted his grip on his weapon, muscles coiling like springs ready to uncoil. "You really want this? Oh Fine... let’s see what you’ve got, Damon Reid." His voice was calm, but every tone carried the weight of restrained energy, a subtle warning to his opponent.

Damon Reid’s eyes blazed with determination as he stepped into the center of the hall. This was no longer a casual spar it was a battle of skill, strategy, and raw power. Every twitch, every subtle motion of the sword, carried weight. Every flick of a finger could set off sparks of tension as thick as smoke, filling the space with an almost tangible sense of inevitability.

Kael Vi-rel felt the thrill surge through him, a heady mixture of anticipation and focus. Good... let’s test him. Let’s see how far he’s come.

"Ok then, let’s begin," Damon Reid said, cracking his fist with a sharp snap that echoed through the training hall. The sound seemed to reverberate inside Kael Vi-rel’s chest. His muscles tensed, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with raw energy, charged by intent and adrenaline.

Ha shi... what have I gotten myself into? Kael Vi-rel thought, narrowing his eyes. If I get even one solid punch from him, I’d be done for thus never happened in the original game, The thought sharpened his focus, every nerve in his body straining for control, precision, and timing.

The tension between them was palpable. Each movement carried weight, precision, and deadly intent. The hall seemed to shrink around them, every breath heavy with anticipation, every heartbeat echoing like a drum signaling the impending clash. Dust motes floated lazily in the lingering light, sparkling as though marking the sacred stage of battle.

As both men assumed their stances, Kael Vi-rel’s eyes caught a flicker of movement from the corner of the room.

"Hey, Damon Reid, look up!" it is Elric Vales!, kael Vi-rel shouted from the side, his voice cracking the tension like a whip.

Damon Reid glanced up, but Elric was nowhere in sight. He quickly lowered his gaze, only to realize Kael Vi-rel had already darted out of the hall like a shadow, a whisper against the wind. The sudden disappearance was almost surreal, leaving a vacuum where Kael Vi-rel had just stood.

"I’m tired today, so I’m going to get some rest. See you next time!" Kael Vi-rel called casually as he sprinted past stunned cadets, his form a blur that left faint traces of motion in the air.

"Ack! Kael Vi-rel!" Damon Reid yelled, frustration cracking his voice, echoing off the walls as if the hall itself shared his exasperation.

Silva, who had been standing nearby, couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! He really got you there, Damon Reid!" Her voice was light, carrying the thrill of amusement and the satisfaction of witnessing Kael’s unmatched agility.

I shouldn’t stand out for the time being, Kael muttered to himself as he breezed past the training hall, weaving between cadets without breaking his pace. His legs moved with mechanical precision, each stride calculated, yet effortless, carrying him further from the scene of his little display.

"Oh, that’s him? Kael Vi-rel?" a student whispered, wide-eyed. "He’s so fast... is that how he trains?" The whispers spread like wildfire, excitement mixed with awe, painting Kael’s legend among the cadets before he even noticed.

Indeed, rumors began to spread immediately Kael Vi-rel’s training method was unconventional, a mix of speed drills and evasive maneuvers that left opponents bewildered. His movements were poetry in motion, blending unpredictability with lethal efficiency, each step leaving observers questioning the limits of human agility.

Night came, and Kael stood from his bed, stretching lightly. The cool night air filtered through the open window, brushing against his skin like a reminder of the world beyond the academy. "It’s time to visit the dungeon," he said, sending a message through his smartwatch. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his determined expression, highlighting the sharp angles of his face and the resolve in his eyes.

"Oh, you guys came early," Kael Vi-rel said as Selene, Clara, and Silva arrived, their expressions a mix of curiosity, excitement, and wariness. "Let’s go in."

The three of them followed him into a small room tucked away in the school compound. Its walls were lined with bookshelves, magical artifacts, and faintly glowing runes, giving the space an air of secrecy and ancient knowledge.

"It’s here," Selene Whitmore said, eyes scanning the walls and corners with a mixture of awe and suspicion.

"You still don’t believe me, Selene?" Kael Vi-rel asked, raising an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

"No... honestly, it’s more weird than anything. We’re still in the school compound," Selene replied, tilting her head in confusion. The air felt heavier here, charged with latent magical energy that made her skin tingle.

"I also think that the dungeon is inside the school," Clara Winslet said, trying not to meet Kael’s gaze directly, though her curiosity shone through despite her attempts at caution.

Even you too, Clara? Kael thought, frowning slightly. He noted the flicker of fear mixed with intrigue in their eyes, a combination that mirrored his own feelings from when he first discovered the dungeon.

"Well, we’re here, so let me just show you right away so you can believe me," Kael said. He pushed two books off the stand, and a sudden burst of magical energy revealed the hidden entrance to the dungeon. The shimmering portal cast dancing blue and silver lights across the room, illuminating every corner with a soft, almost hypnotic glow.

"Oh... it’s here," Selene whispered, rubbing her chin in awe, her eyes reflecting the magical shimmer, catching each flicker as if they were tiny stars suspended in air.

"So... can I now annul our contract?" she asked, half-joking, half-serious, her voice laced with disbelief and a hint of excitement.

"No," Kael Vi-rel replied, smirking, enjoying the playful banter even in this moment of revelation.

"So... are we heading inside now?" Selene asked, her curiosity overcoming her hesitance.

"Not yet," Kael Vi-rel said, summoning his status window. A small, glowing blue bottle materialized from his Codex storage, hovering in front of him like a beacon of potential and promise. Its soft light reflected in their eyes, casting a sense of wonder across their faces.

"Huh? Where did that come from?" Selene Whitmore asked, eyes wide, the glow illuminating her fascination.

"Where? I was just holding it," Kael Vi-rel said, dodging the question with ease, a playful glint in his eyes that matched the mischief in his smile.

He tossed the bottle to Selene. "Drink it," he commanded, a faint grin tugging at his lips, the energy around him thrumming with anticipation.

Selene Whitmore uncorked the bottle and drank. Bright blue magic swirled around her body, covering her in a soft glow that made the hairs on her arms stand on end, tingling with newfound power and awareness.

Ding!

The Special Skill: Lucky Insight and the Awakening Pill has been used on the main character, Selene Whitmore.

The fastest ability that can be awakened, Quick Thinking, is now active.

Using this skill to awaken an ability ensures it continues to grow with constant training.

"Oh... you really did it," Selene said, checking her status window. Her eyes gleamed with amazement, a mix of fear and excitement dancing across her expression, reflecting the subtle hum of power around her.