Chapter 14 – The First Spar
I looked at Elias, then at the empty sparring room.
For a moment, I said nothing.
I can fight without a weapon.
My fingers flexed slightly.
I've done it before.
Even against the Ant Queen… I managed.
A faint memory surfaced—
The movement of my body.
The rhythm of each attack.
Then—
Another thought followed.
But…
My gaze shifted to the weapon rack.
Back then…
The way I moved…
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
It wasn't just fighting.
A quiet feeling stirred inside me.
I liked it.
The motion.
The flow.
The way each strike connected.
And somehow—
It feels like… a sword would fit that even better.
I exhaled softly.
"…Can I use a sword?"
Elias glanced at me briefly, then turned without a word.
He walked toward the weapon rack, picked up a blade—
And tossed it toward me.
"Catch."
I grabbed it just in time.
The moment it settled in my hand—
Something felt… natural.
A training sword.
Around 85 centimeters long.
Balanced.
Clean.
Simple.
I like this.
"…Feels right," I muttered.
Elias stepped into the center.
"Come at me."
I took a deep breath.
Then—
I moved.
First Exchange
I stepped forward with my right foot—
Swing.
A diagonal slash from right to left.
Clang!
Elias raised his blade—
Minimal movement.
Perfect timing.
Blocked.
I shifted my footing.
Left step—
Another swing.
Horizontal this time.
Clang!
Blocked again.
I pressed forward—
Three quick strikes.
High—
Mid—
Low—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
All stopped.
"…Too obvious," Elias said calmly.
I stepped back.
Breathing steady.
He's reading everything.
Elias Attacks
Then—
He moved.
No warning.
One step—
Then suddenly he was in front of me.
A straight strike from above.
I reacted—
Raised my sword with both hands.
Clang!
The impact traveled through my arms.
Heavy.
"…!"
Even injured—
He was overwhelming.
Second Exchange – Skills
"…No choice."
I focused.
Quick Step (Lv. 1).
I dashed to his left side—
Trying to break his line of sight.
Thrust (Lv. 1).
A direct stab toward his ribs.
Clang!
Blocked—
But—
"…Faster," Elias muttered.
He countered immediately—
A low swing aimed at my legs.
Parry (Lv. 1).
I angled my blade downward—
Deflected it.
Then—
Counter (Lv. 1).
I stepped in—
A quick upward slash.
For a moment—
Elias leaned back.
"…!"
I saw it.
I almost got him.
Rhythm Begins
I pressed forward.
Step—
Pivot—
Attack—
My movements started to flow.
Not random anymore.
Connected.
Then—
Something changed.
Awakening Sensation
As I moved—
As I fought—
A strange clarity spread through my body.
"…What is this?"
Everything slowed—
Just slightly.
Not the world—
But my perception.
Before I could think—
My body moved.
I shifted my grip—
Instead of thrusting—
I swung.
A clean, horizontal slash.
Sharper.
Cleaner.
More precise.
Clang!
Elias twisted his body—
Barely dodging.
His eyes narrowed.
"That wasn't a thrust."
I froze for a split second.
"…I didn't plan that."
Then—
Something appeared in my mind.
[New Skill Acquired: Slash (Lv. 1)]
[New Skill Acquired: Swordsmanship (Beginner)]
"…A new skill?"
I tightened my grip.
Third Exchange – Combination
"Focus," Elias said.
I moved again.
Quick Step (Lv. 1) – forward
Slash (Lv. 1) – horizontal
He blocked—
I rotated my wrist—
Thrust (Lv. 1) – straight follow-up
Clang!
He deflected—
But slower.
I stepped in again—
Parry → Counter
Strike—
For a moment—
He stepped back.
"…That almost hit."
I breathed heavily.
He's holding back…
Extended Sparring
"Again."
Time passed.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Attack—block—counter—repeat.
I started adjusting—
Changing angles—
Shortening swings—
Controlling distance.
My body burned.
But—
I didn't stop.
Then—
That feeling returned.
Stronger.
Skill Growth
[Thrust → Lv. 2]
[Parry → Lv. 2]
[Quick Step → Lv. 2]
[Counter → Lv. 2]
[Slash → Lv. 2]
"…They all leveled up…"
Not just that—
Another awareness formed.
Skill Explanation
Observation (Lv. 1)
Enhances perception.
Allows clearer reading of movement and faster reaction.
"…So that's why…"
Elias moved again—
Fast—
But this time—
I saw it.
Not fully—
But enough.
I stepped aside—
Barely avoiding his strike.
"…Interesting," Elias muttered.
Final Exchange
I moved instantly.
Quick Step (Lv. 2) – side step
Slash (Lv. 2) – fast diagonal
Sharper.
Faster.
More controlled.
For a moment—
Elias raised his sword—
Clang!
The impact pushed him half a step back.
A pause.
"…You've changed."
I lowered my blade slightly.
"I got stronger."
He nodded.
"You did."
Then—
His voice lowered.
"But your growth…"
A pause.
"…isn't normal."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You have potential."
I exhaled slowly.
My body was exhausted.
But inside—
I felt it.
Something had begun.
Not just training.
Not just strength.
Something deeper.
"…Aether…"
I tightened my grip on the sword.
Whatever it was—
It was changing me.
End of Chapter 14
A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you like the story, please rate it and continue supporting the novel—it truly motivates me to keep improving and writing more!