The first rays of dawn painted the training grounds in a soft, golden light. Adrian stood alone, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving from the relentless sparring session with Captain Mohan. His body ached, but his mind was sharper than ever, buzzing with the potential of his [Copy] ability and his newfound strength at Tier 1, Stage 4. But something still gnawed at him—a sense that there was more he needed to learn, to master.
Mohan, standing across from him, was breathing evenly, his arms still folded, his gauntleted fists resting at his sides. Despite his age, the man was a wall of unrelenting strength, a fact that Adrian had become intimately familiar with over the last few weeks. Mohan's presence alone commanded respect, and it was clear that Adrian had only scratched the surface of his mentor's true power.
Just then, Mohan stepped forward, halting the spar.
"Let's stop for now, lad," he said, his voice calm but firm. Adrian, still catching his breath, lowered his wooden sword, waiting for what Mohan had to say next.
Mohan's eyes gleamed with something close to curiosity as he spoke again. "You've got good instincts, Adrian. You've improved fast. But there's something we haven't covered yet—what happens when you don't have a weapon?"
Adrian frowned slightly. He hadn't thought much about it. "Without a sword?" he asked, straightening up. "I guess I'd have to improvise."
Mohan nodded, his gaze never leaving Adrian's. "Exactly. There's always a chance you'll find yourself without your blade. Could be disarmed, caught off guard, or facing someone in close quarters. And when that happens, you'll need more than just your swordsmanship. You'll need your fists."
The captain lifted his gauntleted hands, flexing them slightly. "I've been training in martial arts for decades, using my fists, elbows, knees—my whole body as a weapon. With your ability, I think you've got potential to be more than just a swordsman. You've got the power to copy any technique you see, so why not expand that to unarmed combat?"
Adrian felt a spark of interest at the suggestion. The idea made sense. He'd already copied Karl's swordsmanship during their earlier fights—so why not use [Copy] to master hand-to-hand techniques? His heart pounded in his chest, not from exhaustion, but from the excitement of what this could mean for him.
"I hadn't thought about that," Adrian admitted. "But it could be useful. If I'm ever without a sword, I'll need something else to rely on."
Mohan grinned, his eyes filled with a mixture of approval and anticipation. "Exactly. And with your ability, you're in a unique position. You don't just learn techniques—you replicate them. Imagine having the versatility to switch between swordsmanship and martial arts, blending different styles depending on the situation."
Adrian considered this, feeling the weight of the opportunity in front of him. His [Copy] ability had already proven invaluable, but mastering hand-to-hand combat would make him a more complete fighter. It was more than just about strength—it was about adaptability.
"Alright," Adrian said, his resolve hardening. "Teach me."
Mohan's smile widened, and he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles inside his gauntlets. "We'll start with the basics. Footwork, stances, strikes—all of it. But I don't want you to just copy what I'm doing. I want you to internalize it. Make it your own. That's how you'll survive."
With that, Mohan assumed a fighting stance, his feet planted firmly on the ground, his fists raised and ready. "Watch carefully. This isn't swordsmanship. This is about using every part of your body as a weapon. Now, come at me."
Adrian didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, aiming a quick jab toward Mohan's midsection. Mohan blocked it effortlessly, swatting Adrian's fist aside with his gauntleted hand.
"Too predictable," Mohan grunted. "You're still thinking like a swordsman. Use your whole body—be fluid, adaptable."
Adrian nodded, adjusting his stance. This time, he tried to mimic the movements he had seen Mohan make earlier, shifting his weight more dynamically. He threw another punch, but this time, followed it with an elbow strike aimed at Mohan's ribs. The attack was faster, less linear, and it forced Mohan to take a step back, blocking the elbow with his gauntlet.
"Better," Mohan said with a grunt, nodding approvingly. "You're learning."
The sparring continued, with Mohan demonstrating a variety of martial techniques—low kicks, elbow strikes, knee attacks, and grappling maneuvers. Adrian copied each one with precision, but as the fight wore on, he began to blend the techniques with his own instincts. He wasn't just mimicking anymore—he was adapting.
As they sparred, Adrian realized that this was different from his swordsmanship. There was an intensity to unarmed combat that demanded creativity. His fists weren't just weapons; they were tools of improvisation. He shifted into a stance that allowed him to block Mohan's punches while countering with swift knee strikes and quick footwork.
"You're catching on," Mohan grunted, his own movements becoming faster as he tested Adrian's reflexes. "But remember, you need to think ahead. Every strike leaves an opening. Every block has a counter."
Adrian could feel the energy coursing through him, his mind racing as he absorbed Mohan's lessons. The movements, the fluidity, the power—it all felt strangely familiar, yet completely new. His body was already conditioned for combat, but now he was learning to use it in a whole new way.
Mohan stepped back, raising his hand to signal a pause. "You're a fast learner, I'll give you that. But here's the real question—what are you going to do with what you've learned?"
Adrian took a deep breath, his body humming with the adrenaline of the fight. "I'm going to integrate it. Combine what I've learned with my swordsmanship. I won't just be a swordsman anymore. I'll be a fighter who can adapt to any situation."
Mohan chuckled, a gleam of pride in his eyes. "That's the right answer, lad. You've got potential, more than you realize. But remember—strength without control is useless. And copying without mastery is dangerous. Take what you learn, make it yours, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Adrian nodded, his gaze focused and determined. "I'll keep training, Captain. I'll make it my own."
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Adrian felt a renewed sense of purpose. His journey was far from over, but with each new lesson, he was becoming more than just a swordsman. He was becoming a warrior who could adapt to any challenge—whether armed or unarmed.
And with his [Copy] ability, he knew there was no limit to what he could achieve.