As the aura seeped into his Di, He felt his body grow lighter and more resilient, his exhaustion melting away with each passing moment. A sense of rejuvenation washed over him, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
'It was truly an idiotic thought to think I would have a chance against her without even giving my all.'
A wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips, morphing into a full-blown chuckle as he contemplated his impetuous actions. How could he have been so naïve, so foolish, to engage her without fully unleashing his aura from the very start? It was a mistake.
A subtle golden aura shimmered along the length of his sword, subtly enhancing its appearance and hinting at the power it contained.
"Let's head straight into it again." He calmly inhaled.
Without a second thought, he charged forward, his every movement fueled by an unyielding determination to overwhelm his opponent with a relentless offensive.
'This is incredible!' he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement and awe. 'I've never felt so light and swift before. It's as if I'm gliding through the air!'
Overwhelmed by the surge of power coursing through his veins, he couldn't contain a joyous exclamation. The thrill of wielding aura was intoxicating, a sensation far beyond anything he had ever experienced.
With a deafening clang-bang, their swords met again, but this time, the collision was amplified by a surge of power that sent shockwaves through the air. His strikes, imbued with newfound strength, produced thunderous reports that echoed like gunshots, a testament to the heightened intensity of their battle.
"That's a noticeable improvement," she conceded, acknowledging his newfound determination. Despite his valiant efforts, the outcome remained the same – his attacks were rendered ineffective against her formidable defences.
"Thanks for the compliment."
With a roar that reverberated through the air, he charged towards her like a wild beast, his sword held high, the muscles of his arms straining with every step. With his eyes, fixed on his opponent.
As he lunged, his sword arcing through the air, she shifted her weight, her body moving with an almost supernatural grace that betrayed her human form. The blade met her defences clash of steel against the wood that echoed through the cavernous space. Yet, despite the force of his blow, her movements were fluid and precise, effortlessly deflecting his attack.
'I expected at least a flicker of surprise. This disparity in our strengths is truly astounding,' he mused, his eyes widening in awe at her strength.
"This immense gap in strength is precisely what fuels my determination to grow stronger right now," he declared, his grip on his sword tightening as his resolve solidified. The thought of vanquishing Alaya, despite her seemingly immovable stance, only ignited his fiery ambition.
"Let's get on it again!"
With a grunt, he redoubled his efforts, his sword raining down upon her in a relentless barrage of strikes. But she danced through his onslaught, her movements as fluid as water, her sword an extension of her will. Each party, each deflection, was a testament to her mastery of combat, a silent symphony of her skill.
"On god, It's unbelievable to think I'll need to be several times stronger than her to even have a chance against him," he gasped, his body finally succumbing to exhaustion. With a defeated sigh, he collapsed to his knees, his sword slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground. His eyes, filled with a mixture of admiration and resignation, met hers, acknowledging her insurmountable power.
'His skills remain unchanged, neither honed nor deteriorated. This is the outcome of his one-month training regimen, intended to compensate for the two years of lost practice.' She observed, her face laced with a hint of disappointment but not enough to be noticeable.
Her appraisal of his progress yielded a neutral assessment, devoid of either elation or dismay. Her countenance mirrored her impartial evaluation, reflecting a mild composure. Given the absence of any discernible deterioration in his skills, this outcome represented the most favourable scenario.
With the completion of these trials, the day's activities drew to a close, as the curtains of darkness had already descended upon the world outside.
Time's swift passage startled him, leading him to exclaim, "Wait... It's already night outside!"
To replenish his depleted energy reserves, she handed him another bottle of the energy drink.
"Indeed, it has. Time has a way of slipping away when we're engrossed in tasks. Nevertheless, you did an excellent job today."
With a subtle smile, she gave him a pat on the back, a gesture of encouragement and appreciation.
Exhausted after a long day, he devoured his dinner and quickly retreated to the comfort of his bed.
"We've officially embarked on the training arc. Well, it's been only a few days over a month since I arrived here, and I'm already starting to feel familiar with this world," he yawned, his eyelids drooping heavily. The day's exertions were catching up with him, and the allure of sleep was proving irresistible.
"Harnessing the aura's full potential felt nothing short of exhilarating."
Unable to contain his excitement, he eagerly recounted his experiences in this new world. However, the effects of the temporary energy booster Alaya had provided were waning, and his body, succumbing to fatigue, forced his eyes shut.
-----------------
In her room, Alaya diligently crafted a meticulous plan for Lloyd's growth, carefully noting down each step and strategy on the desk before her.
"His strengths lie in his explosive strength and remarkable aura utilization. Despite his limited experience and knowledge, he exhibits a remarkable ability to harness and maintain these abilities."
He possesses an innate talent for aura control, a gift he has carried since birth. Unlike others who let their aura flow freely, expending it without restraint, Lloyd meticulously controls its flow, conserving his energy reserves. This ability has proven to be a significant advantage in his training and development.
"His primary shortcomings lie in his lack of skills and experience. His moves are indeed quite predictable, as he primarily relies on raw power rather than strategic techniques. While his strength is impressive, it is his lack of time for proper training that poses the greatest challenge."
Indeed, his predictability was his most glaring weakness. While his exceptional natural abilities made him a prodigy, his fighting style lacked finesse and sophistication. However, this deficiency could be remedied through consistent training and sparring sessions.
The most regrettable aspect was the time lost in the grief of his parents' passing. Two years were consumed by grief and despair, a period that could have been utilized for training and development. Had he dedicated even a fraction of that time to honing his skills, he would likely be on par with his peers.
*****
Let's hit 500 by the end of this month. We could have easily hit 5k if I was consistent lol. Next chapter when? Soon.
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