The ground seems to crack as Sebastian shoots from his feet and is now directly Infront of me. I side step at the right moment to dodge his assault but lightning is elusive, and he curves as he increases his sprint. He strikes his spear forward and I don't bother dodging, I strike my blade forward halting the spears advance. The lightning adds to the weight pushing my blades downward, the fact that I don't have a dantian yet is holding me back in various aspects. I know I can't fight someone with a good grasp of his dantain when I don't even have one but something inme refuses to back down. Maybe it's the urge to not lose to a lightning weilder again.
Sebastian's offensive is relentless, striking every opening in my offensive. His speed and agility makes even the power in my mental sphere rendered useless. He matches every aspect of mine with his aptitude. I start to falter, keeping up with his movement is really tiring and my limits of my current body only worsens the situation. Alise's smile widens as the fight drags out, she might have known that Sebastian would have been my level. She must have purposely planned this fight to test the limits of my capabilities, but why would she plan a fight that she knew I would lose? I don't know but I won't let either of them enjoy the pleasure of me losing this battle. I prepare my stance, using my mental waves to cover my entire body, trying to fortify it and see if I can keep up with the lightning attacks.
Sebastian is already in front of me but I dodge in the nick of time. Slashing my blades at his back. It mostly scrapes lightning and some of it zaps me, but I rejoice in my mind when I see the trace of blood leaking from a long cut on his torso. He grits his teeth, but still charges ahead this time aiming the spear for head. I side step as usual while slamming the hilt of my blade on his head. He loses his balance and instantly crashes to the ground, but I don't even see when he stands himself up. He crashes the pole of the spear on my torso, flinging me backwards till I crash on a wooden fence. I cough blood but still smile, at least I got the fight I was looking for. Sebastian laughs at my pitiful state as he repeats his usual stance ready to charge again, but the smile instantly vanishes and turns into shock when he sees me before him.
" At least you're stronger than those other spoiled brats". I say before kicking his face with great force making him stumble backwards. He rolls till the other side of the courtyard and when he stands, he spits blood. " How dare a lowly bastard like you speak to me like that!! you were born filth, and you'll grow up like that. This fight means nothing, I'll still grow to become a respected cultivator while you rot in the guilds quaters!!". He grits his teeth this time activating a new technique. His body overloads with sparks as he raises his spear, I think he's just preparing another stance till the spear is almost at my forehead. I tilt my head, missing the spear by a few inches. The speed and the Sparks still leave a sharp cut on my cheek. If not for my sharp mental sphere and quick thinking he would've carved a hole right through my head. As my head is still tilted, analyzing all that had just happened, I smile knowing the fact I've faced death. Sebastian charges and then is directly at my side. It's been long I've enjoyed a fight this exhilarating and I don't fail to dodge and slap him in the face. My hand burns with sparks and Sebastian's face is already severely bruised but we forget our injuries focusing on who will come out the victor. "Die!! He screams while picking his spear and aiming to pierce my head. "COME AT ME STUPID ROYAL!!!!!!!" is all I'm about to say before dodging the attack. I take a small leap backwards to analyze my wounds.
They're few cuts, small bruises and few burn spots but Sebastian's condition was far worse. He had multiple cuts, bleeding nostrils and lips and even bruises everywhere.
He should have collapsed a long time ago, but he still pushes himself further beyond his limit. 'He's overflowing with too much energy for his level'. I think as new injuries start opening on Sebastian's figure. 'As much as I hate these bastards, I still have to save him before they accuse me of murder'. The thought stings in my head. I should probably allow this foolish royal to destroy himself, but he has impressed me. Someone with this kind of spirit shouldn't be allowed his journey to be cut short. He will be a pain in the ass, but atleast he'll grow up to become someone powerful, if I don't end up killing him that is.
I use the remaining bits of my mental energy to expand the coverage of my mental waves. I push the edges of my mental world beyond it's limits, forcefully making it to expand. I'll come to regret this decision later on, but for now let's end this quickly. Alise still watches from the sidelines, she doesn't look like she'll ever intervene as her face still retains it smiling figure. My mental sphere shakes uncontrollably, and there's a splitting heading I'm experiencing, but I'll put everything I can into ending the fight regardless.
Sebastian charges like a bolt of lightning pointing his spear at my forehead disregarding the fact that this was training.
I start to recall the vast knowledge of lightning abilities I fought before. Sebastian's movements seem to slow down as I analyze everything and come up with counter measures, then there's an idea that suddenly pops into my head.
*Sebastian stabs his spear, but it seems to pass through Xiantian, it took sometime for him to realize that his spear had passed through an after imge*.
Sebastian is completely shocked at what happened. He doesn't realize that there's someone behind him. The lightning surrounding him suddenly vanishes and he's left with a powerless body. When he tries to find out what had happened, he senses suddenly dulls. He turns to look for what could've caused it only to find a smiling Xiantian behind him. " I must say, you managed to entertain me a bit. It's been about like over a thousand years since I've enjoyed a fight like this. But just know ...your still weak.
Only a single palm is on Sebastian's chest, but it seems like they're multiple palms slapping against his chest. He suddenly flies back with eyes wide open, crashing against the rough ground before rolling towards his unconscious companions still being treated. Xiantian turns to Alise but her smiling face is gone, replaced with complete amazement. She seems to look at Xiantian like he was a beast. "So....., I think I passed your stupid test". I say before spitting a mouthful of blood and collapsing on the ground.
' To defeat a royal that's almost a rank 1 cultivator, even without the power of his dantian..., This kid.... Is really something else. The sect leader was right about him'. Alise thinks before calling a healer to attend to Xiantian.
I wake up to find myself in the same old infirmary. The royals aren't with me obviously, they should be getting treated in the main building that has so much equipment that won't be needed. I turn to my side to find a smiling Alise waiting for me. "You were quite impressive yesterday, you really pushed yourself to your limits". I'm about to complain before realizing something. "Wait did you say yesterday! I've been asleep since yesterday afternoon!".
"Well you catch on quickly", She responds.
" I didn't expect you to overpower those royals so quickl.....".
"Why was I training with them?". I ask cutting Alise short of her long story. "You don't want to train with them?". She responds unwilling to answer but I still press on. " How dumb do you guys think I am, for cultivations sake I'm the son of a poor guard, I come from a hated lineage and I'm not even allowed to leave the mansion without you or Alexander. Then suddenly I start training with the lazy-ass children of the sects leaders. What do you even take me for. I told my parents I wanted to cultivate not thinking the sect would allow me to do it freely. You and Alexander are hiding something, and I would like to find out. All this drama is for nothing and it's such a nuisance". I ask bombarding Alise with hundreds of questions.
" You never fail to amaze me, even at such at young age. They're some truths that can't be said. You'll understand soon, but for now count yourself lucky for the privileges you've been given and remember to not over step your limits. Be careful with those royals and try to protect them, that's all I can tell you, atleast for now. I'll see you at training tomorrow". Alise says before walking out of the room leaving me with unanswered questions.
All this trouble for a measly reincarnated peasant to solve. 'I guess the Alexander won't mind me sneaking into the palace again'. I think as I stand from the bed feeling weak and collapsing on the floor again but this time I'm still conscious. 'The stupid limits of the dumb little body!' I think forcing my weak legs to rise. I head home hoping my mother won't shower me with questions but when I reach, I don't see either of them. I only see a loaf of bread and a half eaten piece of boiled egg which has probably been eaten by the rats. I throw the egg away stuffing the bread and sour tea in my mouth. Having not eaten since yesterday, I'm famished and I'm already missing the leftover bread from the main palace. ' Count yourself lucky for the privileges you've been given'. That line still fails to leave my mind.
I still bear my goal in mind, I will find out about this untold truth.