(Continuation…)
(Next Day Morning)
(Jackson David's POV)
.
–fuss~
"Towards your right!"(Rai)
A voice announced his attack before launching, edged with urgency.
"I could see it, damn it!"(David)
I snapped back, a hint of exasperation tinging my retort.
Swiftly, I dodged to my left and executed a nimble back roll to create a safe distance between myself and the attacker.
My gaze wavered a little, capturing his form in a mix of dumb-foundedness, admiration, and confusion.
Confusion because, why does someone with this level of skill have skipped the Entrance Test?
Is he trying to be an underdog?
This question reverberated in my mind as I assumed my position inside the sparring ring present on the training ground, preparing for the already started spar without my permission.
And in the midst of it all, a taunting voice broke the silence.
"What? Don't tell me that's all you have."(Rai)
The opponent's voice carried a hint of mockery, and his words were a playful challenge.
Had the-Person-in front of me not been the-One-he is, I would have let out a string of curses for looking down on me.
But what can I do as he is the Prince of an entire Kingdom-Silverthorne Rai Karnal.
"I am coming."(Rai)
As the signal came from Rai, I immediately heightened my senses to full alert without even replying.
Rai sprang forward in a whirlwind of controlled aggression.
His initial move was a swift jab aimed at my midsection, but I quickly responded and deflected the attack with a deft block.
Sh*t! That hurts!
A jolt of pain shot through my forearm, which absorbed the impact while my body swayed slightly to the side, allowing me to maintain my balance.
However, Rai continued his onslaught relentlessly.
Each strike seemed calculated and precise to exploit the weakness in my defenses, and I couldn't help but inwardly acknowledge his skill even as frustration bubbled within me.
It irked me that he targeted vulnerable spots, as if he had an innate understanding of where I might falter.
Honestly, it was kind of underhanded for Rai to aim for my vulnerable spots.
But the fact that Rai's main proficiency is Archery and the Martial Arts are just his secondary pursuit makes my throat bitter to speak out.
On the other hand, since my childhood, I have solely focused on only Martial arts and mainly hand-to-hand combat.
But the fact remains that I was mostly self-taught.
Still, I could tell that if we just consider skill and power, I had the edge, but Rai's battle awareness and reactions surpass mine.
On top of that, his initiative in finding a weak spot is uncanny.
–Gulp~
If at all this battle was a serious life and death battle, I would have long since dead.
It was as if Rai was accustomed to having such barbaric death battles, but in a more stylized way.
I wonder if his actual identity is that of a hooligan in some backward alley fighting for death every day just to fill his stomach.
Right at that moment, a face flashed from yesterday's party in my mind, and my heart was full of condolences and pity for him for being so ignorant of one.
But Damn! How did I even end up here?
=====
(Ten Minutes Back)
—creek!
—thud!
I walked out of my room, closed the door behind me, and stepped into the hallway.
The dormitory's door for other students was still shut as I strode purposefully towards the training grounds.
Due to the tranquility, my footsteps were muffled by the worn rugs that lined the passage.
My training outfit was simple yet purposeful.
The garment clung to my form and was woven from sturdy fabric that promised durability and flexibility.
The muted, earthy hues of the fabric seemed to resonate with the fortune it may cost.
Overall, this is something I would never dream of wearing in my life.
However, due to an unexpected turn of events, I ended up in the same room as the Prince of a Kingdom as his roommate.
It's been a couple of days since we became acquainted.
And even NOW, if it weren't for the undeniable proof I received yesterday at the Orientation Ball, I would still believe he was just fooling me.
Even the attire I am wearing was offered to me by him.
I did not reject his generosity.
Well, they are the perks of sharing a room with a Prince, I guess.
He also said to use his belongings as I see fit, didn't he?
.
Soon, as I slowly headed towards my destination, I caught a glimpse of the sun hanging in the sky.
The time was six o'clock, an early hour.
However, Rai had already gotten up early in the morning, at five.
He even woke me up gently(:kicking) and informed me about the training attire he put aside on my bed and asked me to join him by six in the training grounds.
Can you believe it? Me, a Commoner was woken up by a Prince of a Kingdom personally.
Such a privilege.
My parents would have already rushed to his Kingdom to beseech to spare my life if they had witnessed the scene.
.
I stepped onto the training grounds area.
The Academy had yet to begin.
…that's not far off, as today marks the beginning.
Guess, many are just too lazy to get up on the first day, like me.
Consequently, the training grounds appeared quite empty, with only a handful of individuals scattered around.
Then I found the person with little to no difficulty.
And surprisingly, Kavir wasn't there.
Rai was doing push ups.
At first, he began with the traditional pushup - his body lowering and rising, his arms bearing his weight as he pushed the ground away.
But then he surprised me. With a swift movement, he shifted his legs upward into the air, his body now inclined at an angle.
The pushups continued, now more challenging as he worked against gravity's increased pull.
As I watched, he shifted his weight onto one hand, his body twisting gracefully as he performed one-handed pushups.
His free hand extended outward, a counterbalance to his body's controlled descent and rise.
The sweat on his brow was evidence of his exertion, yet his expression remained nonchalant.
Switching between his two hands, he continued to perform these one-handed pushups.
His movements were a dance of dedication and discipline, a symphony of effort and resilience that echoed in the quiet morning air.
The term-showoff-would have crossed my mind only if more people had surrounded us.
Following this, he lay down(:collapsed) on the ground on his back, completely out of breath.
Remarkably, after a two-minute break, he was completely normal.
If not for the sweat that was still soaked by his training outfit, it is hard to believe he has been training for one and a half hours.
I always prided myself on doing my best with the resources available to me…
But after witnessing this same scene for the second consecutive day, I changed my mind.
Yeah, this Prince right here did not stop his training even during the Opening Ceremony.
"That outfit suits you, David."(Rai)
At last, my presence was acknowledged by Rai, who indirectly gave himself a self-compliment as he was the one to give me this outfit.
"Yeah, thanks for the outfit."(David)
I replied.
"No need to thank me.
–Rai said, his hand waving casually while the other folded around his torso.
"Because you are going to pay for it in one way or another."(Rai)
–He added, his attitude was as carefree as ever. However, an uneasy feeling settled in my gut, hinting at something ominous.
Alas, soon it became reality.
??!!...!!
Without warning, a sidekick to my head came flying at lightning speed, and I had no time to dodge it in any way possible.
Instinctively, I raised my hand to shield the left side of my head, attempting to block the attack.
But I also underestimated the power behind the attack.
–thud!
A dull-thud-resonated as our attacks collided.
The contact between the attacks was almost pushing me backward from the force.
Strangely, Rai's leg remained in the same extended position, not retracting after the impact.
My hand was still slightly numb, making it difficult to pull back immediately.
For a few seconds, we remained frozen in that position, locked in a strange standoff.
Only then did I catch a clear glimpse of the attacker.
"You got some good instincts, David."(Rai)
Rai Karnal remarked, a mischievous smile on his face accompanied by a cocky grin that could annoy even a saint.
In that instant, a strong urge surged within me to punch that smug expression off his face.
"That could have been really dangerous, Karnal."(David)
I managed to say, my smile wavering.
"Hey, don't worry.
–Rai reassured.
"We are just getting started."(Rai)
And that's how we ended up here.
====
(Back To Present)
"Focus David."(Rai)
Rai's voice cut through, redirecting my attention as his attacks continued.
Throughout the spar, I concentrated on infusing my movements with fluidity while maintaining caution.
Meanwhile, Rai flowed seamlessly, weaving, bobbing, and parrying with an almost innate sense of timing.
His feet seemed to glide across the floor as if intimately acquainted with its texture.
Next, he launched a roundhouse kick towards my head, which I countered with a low sweep of my leg, aiming to knock him off balance.
Rai, however, anticipated the move and leaped, his body soaring gracefully over my sweeping leg.
It was a moment of breathtaking agility as his body sailed over, just inches above the ground, and his eyes focused keenly on me.
Though I was primarily on the defensive, I was far from passive.
I seized openings whenever they arose, launching quick counter attacks that forced him to recalibrate his approach.
Rai's strikes seemed fueled by unyielding determination, and yet, my defensive maneuvers were uncanny in their effectiveness.
As the sparring neared its conclusion, our breaths grew ragged, and his assault only intensified.
With lightning speed, he closed the gap between us, his fist aimed at my face with unerring accuracy.
My heart raced as I pivoted, his fist grazing my cheek with a mere whisper of air.
In a fluid motion, I countered with a quick hook kick, aiming for his exposed side.
With almost supernatural reflexes, he leaned back, my foot's sole brushing against his clothing.
However, as our movements gradually subsided–
"I win!"(Rai)
Rai's fist came to a halt just inches from my face, a victory gleamed in his voice.
.
(To be continued…)
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Chapter words : 1780
Total words : 48.01K