Clank!
Grey effortlessly deflected her bound sword with a heavy, calculated sweep, sending her violently stumbling back several steps before she finally regained her footing.
Then, she watched in shock as he perfectly replicated her exact movement.
Exactly like flowing water, Grey closed the short distance in an instant and struck forward.
Lia hurriedly raised her training sword to parry the blow, but her eyes widened yet again. The incoming strike was noticeably faster and cleaner than hers.
"The Zenith Sword Art strictly focuses on bodily flexibility," Grey instructed completely calmly. "Relax your tight grip. You are using entirely too much raw strength and artificially slowing down your own sword."
Clank!
He expertly knocked her blade aside once more, his calculated movements incredibly sharp yet entirely unhurried.
"Your combat posture is collapsing," Grey said firmly as he stepped in with effortless, perfect balance. "The Zenith Sword Art is absolutely not about locking your knees or forcing blunt power. Bend them slightly. Actually feel the solid ground beneath your feet. A highly stable foundation is what allows the sword to move freely."
His blade traced a swift, flawless arc, forcing Lia to stumble back awkwardly as she barely managed to block the strike in time.
Grey shook his head in mild disappointment. "Without perfect balance, even the sharpest, most lethal strike completely loses its edge. You focused entirely too much on mimicking the technique's complex movements and completely forgot the physical foundation entirely."
....
At the time while Grey was guiding Lia another man sat not far away. He had black hair, an average face and wore a black T-shirt with "I Love Nova City" printed on it. His expression was gloomy.
He checked his phone again. Still no reply from Lia.
"That was 5,000 Union Credits…" Daniel Carter muttered, sighing.
He had rushed to the training zone only to realize Lia had already left. She hadn't even replied to his message.
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Misfortune seemed to chase him. His wife had gotten angry earlier. All he could do was try to coax her back into a good mood.
Then two large shadows loomed over him.
Daniels brows furrowed. He turned around surprised, when he recognized them.
"Those two…" His eyes narrowed. "The Twin Iron Fangs."
He knew them. In fact, there was no one in the nova city that didn't know them.
They were ranked Evolvers in Nova City. Whenever disaster struck they were always the first to charge into battle.
"Little brother!" Leo Fang, one of the Iron Fang twins spoke in a kind voice. "Are you here to train your muscles? You look too skinny for an Evolver of your standing!"
"Indeed!" Duke Fang, the Iron Fang laughed heartily. "How can someone with your status look so frail? Come, let us brothers help you build muscle!"
Daniel blinked in surprise his face stiffening.
'Can these two see through my strength?' He thought in his mind warily.
"Yes little brother " Leo Fang declared. "As someone of the rank you must temper your body. We can see you practice the evolutionary path!"
Daniel quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"Excellent! Then lets get started!" Duke Fang's voice boomed. "First 100,000 push-ups!"
Daniel froze. "This… Fellow experts I'm a first-rank Evolver and my wife is waiting for me at home. So if you will excuse me…"
Before he could finish Leo Fang hoisted Daniel onto his shoulder.
Seeing this, Daniel's expression immediately fell.
"Help! I'm being kidnapped!" Daniel shouted helplessly.
"Some kind brothers in the training zone, please save me!"
The evolvers in the training zone looked at him with pity. This was an occurrence. Every time the Iron Fang brothers showed up they would "recruit" someone to train.
...
Back in the training room Lia charged forward her sword gleaming as sweat dripped down her cheeks. Her body trembled, her breath ragged.
Whoosh!
Her grip was lighter now her stance refined, just as Grey had instructed. She brought her blade down with all her momentum.
Grey stood motionless looking bored. He had to maintain his aura.
Two hours had passed since training began.
Grey had drilled the fundamentals into Lias bones. Her movements were faster her posture cleaner and her strikes sharper.
However, Lia wasn't satisfied.
For the past 30 minutes she had been failing repeatedly.
No matter how or what way she tried, she absolutely could not land a hit on him
Lias eyes burned with determination. This time I'll hit him.
With that determination, she rushed forward with superhuman speed.
Whoosh!
Grey immediately side stepped.
Lia stumbled forward lost her balance and hit the floor.
"Grrr…" She growled, glaring up at Grey.
Grey said calmly "What are you doing on the ground? Get up. Keep attacking."
Lia snorted, as she puffed her cheeks in anger.
However, she didn't let that muddle her focus.
This time she focused harder pouring all her strength and concentration into the strike.
Greys eyes narrowed. He had been paying attention to her sword and the rhythm of her energy flow.
Then he caught it.
A faint crimson spark flickered within her meridians.
Sword Energy!
There was no mistake. This miss was infinitely close to achieving sword energy.
However, the spark dimmed quickly as Lia failed to land a hit more.
Seeing this, Grey immediately said, "Why are you resting? Stand up. Attack with everything you have. There is no time to rest."
Lia clenched her fists irritation flashing in her eyes.
"What is your sword to you?" Grey asked abruptly.
Lia froze. "My sword? Isn't it a tool to fight with?"
"No " Grey replied firmly. "The sword is not a tool. It is a hand, a hand with only one purpose. To cut down everything that dares stand in your way."
Lia murmured, "An hand…"
Grey said, "Now charge at me again.. This time treat it as a part of yourself."
Lia adjusted her grip with intent holding the sword as if it were her flesh and blood.
Her eyes sharpened as she charged.
This time she poured everything into her strike. The world around her blurred.
Greys pupils contracted when he saw this. From his True Origin Insight, he saw the spark again.
Buzz!
A crimson light flared violently as Lia's blade descended.
The training rooms defensive barrier roared to life as crimson light which was none other than sword energy came crashing down.
Lia stared ahead blankly.
Grey was nowhere to be seen.
Then, a voice came from, behind her. "Congratulations. You've awakened Sword Energy in three hours."
Grey added with a smile, "You're welcome."
He wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. If he was even one step slower than he was right now then he would've probably ended up two feet under.
"This is... Sword Energy?" Lia asked, dazed.