Chapter 25 - First spar

Derek continues to train with his sword even after a small distraction from the messages.

Derek decides to continue his training in the swordsmanship of the Night and explore more of the Ascension Training Grounds.

He wants to push his limits and see what else he can accomplish in this mysterious place.

As he continues his training, Derek begins to feel a sense of accomplishment. His skills are improving at an unprecedented rate, and he feels that he is becoming more powerful with every swing of his wooden training sword.

[You have been training for 8 Earth hours.]

[You have been training for 24 Ascension Training Grounds hours.]

[Your Intermediate swordsmanship (E+) has levelled up.]

[Your Agility has increased by 2.]

[Your Dexterity increases by 1.]

[Your Intermediate Swordsmanship (E+) has levelled up.]

"…Sh*t! It's already morning."

Bam-!

He muttered as a Mana Blast that never stops charging. Although the Stamina Regeneration of 500% greatly helped him, his mental exhaustion was something else as his mind seemed to turn clouded due to sleep deprivation.

As if a ridiculous idea surfaced in his mind, a grin formed in his mouth before a laugh escaped from it.

"…Hahaha!"

What he thought about was sleeping in the Chaos Training Grounds with the Time Difference of 1:3.

For some reason, he couldn't change the Time Difference when he was at the Chaos Training Grounds.

'1 to 3 is still okay–'

Bam-!

"Argh!"

His laugh and thoughts were broken by the Mana Blast that hit his abdomen, causing him to lose consciousness as though the Elderwood Training Dummy had told him to sleep.

Derek takes a deep breath, readying himself for the counterattack. But as the seconds tick by, he realizes that the attack never comes.

Confused, he checks his HUD and sees that the warning message has disappeared.

He cautiously peeks out from behind the rock formation and sees the Elderwood Training Dummy standing still, its Mana Blast attacks halted.

Derek is surprised but relieved. He decides to take a risk and try something he's never done before.

He drops his Chaos-infused weapons and approaches the dummy with his hands raised in surrender.

To his surprise, the dummy stops its attack completely. It seems to sense that Derek is not a threat and poses no danger.

Derek takes a moment to catch his breath and recover from the tension of the past few minutes.

He realizes that he has learned something valuable from this experience. Sometimes, the best way to win is not through force or violence but through understanding and communication.

He picks up his weapons and continues his training, feeling confident and empowered by his new insights.

He knows that the Ascension Training Grounds are full of challenges and dangers, but he feels ready to face them head-on.

He decides to explore the Ascension Training Ground, which he has heard offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

As he enters the training ground, he sees a large arena with various weapons and equipment scattered around.

He approaches the control panel and requests a sparring partner with the same level of swordsmanship as himself.

The system beeps in acknowledgement, and a holographic figure materializes in front of him.

Derek takes a moment to size up his opponent, taking note of their stance and weapon.

He feels a sense of excitement knowing that he is about to test himself against a worthy adversary.

Derek stepped forward, his wooden sword held firmly in his grip. Across from him stood his sparring partner, an enigmatic figure whose wooden sword mirrored his stance.

The tension in the training grounds was palpable as the two warriors prepared to engage in a friendly yet intense spar.

Their wooden swords clashed with a resounding thud, the echo of the impact reverberating through the air.

Derek and his opponent circled each other, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze that sparked with determination and competitive spirit.

The sound of their footwork was almost imperceptible as they moved with grace and precision, their bodies seemingly attuned to the ebb and flow of the duel.

Derek's heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins, as he assessed his opponent's movements.

He could feel the weight of the wooden sword in his hands, the smooth grip reassuring as he prepared for the next exchange.

He parried a swift strike aimed at his left side, redirecting the blow with a deft twist of his wrist.

His adversary was quick and agile, evading a counterstrike with a graceful sidestep that showcased their skill and finesse.

Blow after blow, the two swordsmen exchanged a dazzling array of strikes and parries.

Each motion was deliberate, and calculated, as they sought to outmanoeuvre and outwit one another.

Derek noticed the fluidity in his opponent's footwork, the way they seamlessly transitioned from one technique to the next.

It was like watching a masterful dance of blades, and Derek couldn't help but be captivated by the display of skill before him.

As the spar intensified, Derek's opponent displayed an uncanny ability to anticipate his moves, almost as if they could read his mind.

It was a testament to their experience and mastery of swordplay.

Derek's respect for his fellow swordsman grew with each passing moment, even amidst the friendly competition.

He knew he was facing a formidable adversary, and he relished the opportunity to tess his own abilities.

His opponent executed a swift series of feints, aiming to deceive Derek and create an opening.

Derek's instincts kicked in, and he held his ground, resisting the temptation to take the bait.

Instead, he chose to focus on maintaining a solid defence, waiting for the opportune moment to strike back.

He could feel the excitement building within him, the thrill of the spar pushing him to his limits.

Their wooden swords clashed and twirled in a mesmerizing dance, the crowd watching in awe as the battle unfolded before them.

Derek made a daring move, executing a spinning manoeuvre that would have caught many off-guard.

But his opponent was no ordinary swordsman; they skillfully evaded the strike, leaving Derek momentarily exposed.

In a split second, he managed to regain his balance, barely dodging a counterattack that whizzed by his shoulder.

The spar continued with unyielding intensity, both warriors fully immersed in the contest.

Their movements were like poetry in motion, a symphony of strikes and parries that showcased their prowess.

Both Derek and his opponent knew that this was more than just a friendly spar; it was a chance to prove themselves and push their limits.

As the spar neared its climax, a brief moment of stillness enveloped the combatants. Derek and his opponent locked eyes, their breathing steady and controlled.

They could feel the energy crackling in the air, the tension reaching its peak. They knew that the final exchange would determine the victor.

With a burst of determination, Derek initiated a daring combination of strikes, each move flowing seamlessly into the next.

But his opponent met him head-on, skillfully countering each blow with a finesse that left Derek in awe.

It was a thrilling back-and-forth, a battle of wills and skill that left both combatants fully engaged.

The spar concluded with a moment of mutual respect. Both warriors stepped back, their wooden swords lowered in acknowledgement of the other's prowess.

Sweat glistened on their foreheads, a testament to the intensity of the battle.

The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the display of skill and camaraderie between two formidable swordsmen.

As Derek and his opponent exchanged a nod of admiration, they knew that this spar had not only sharpened their skills but had also forged a bond between them that would last beyond the training grounds.

[You have been training for 16 Earth hours.]

[You have been training for 48 Chaos Training Grounds hours.]

[The Constellation, 'The creator of disasters' has used a cosmic skill: The eye of the hammer.]

[The Chaos Treasures that had been bestowed to you by the Constellation, Mistress of Twilight' has been partially unlocked!]

[The artefact of Chaos Origin: Mask of Night (EX) has fully unlocked its functions!]