The cheers of the crowd reverberated through the arena, a constant hum of adrenaline that fueled Seraphina's resolve.
Over the course of the afternoon, she had participated in several matches, each ending in swift victories with her as the one coming out on top. Her opponents were far from her level— not knights, even if they were trained or had experience.
Yet, each match added to her growing pool of combat experience, sharpening her instincts in ways that her structured training sessions couldn't.
Despite their lack of skill, the fights weren't entirely pointless.
Seraphina used the opportunity to test her movements and refine her aura control in real-time, she even went as far as purposefully limiting herself in order to gain better experience.
Every dodge, strike, and counterattack was an experiment, and her victories, though easy, were small triumphs that built her confidence.
By the fifth match, she was already gaining some attention and even a reputation amongst the crowd that lingered long enough. Spectators in the crowd had taken to calling her the Pink Fox, a nod to the striking contrast between her vibrant hair and the white fox mask she wore to conceal her identity.
However, it wasn't until her sixth match that things changed.
Her opponent this time was a lithe woman wielding twin daggers.
The announcer introduced her as Kaelyn, a Stage 1 apprentice knight known for her speed and precision— the first apprentice knight she had come across here, most spent their time training not fighting for money after all.
Seraphina could tell from Kaelyn's stance alone that this fight would be different.
As the match began, Kaelyn moved with a fluidity that was almost mesmerizing. Her twin daggers gleamed in the arena's light as she closed the distance between them within mere seconds and went in for an attack.
Seraphina's first few strikes were dodged effortlessly, Kaelyn countering with feints and rapid slashes that forced Seraphina to stay on the defensive.
Despite Seraphina's agility and boosted movements, Kaelyn's greater experience gave her an edge— she was able to react before Seraphina could move, even if Seraphina was quicker.
She anticipated Seraphina's moves, reacting with precision, Seraphina felt herself being pushed— her reactions weren't slow, but Kaelyn's experience allowed her to predict attacks before they even landed.
The crowd roared as the two exchanged blows, their clash more dynamic than any of Seraphina's previous matches and making everyone excited to see the outcome.
Each strike pushed Seraphina further, her aura surging to meet the demands of the intense combat.
Finally, in a decisive moment, Seraphina found an opening.
As Kaelyn lunged with a double strike, Seraphina sidestepped and twisted her body with great speed, her blade sweeping upward in a fluid arc. The tip of her sword rested lightly against Kaelyn's throat before the woman could counter— Seraphina had to pull herself back to stop the blade; almost accidentally cutting the neck of the lady.
The referee called the match, and the arena erupted in applause like a storm. Seraphina sheathed her sword and offered a slight nod to her opponent, who returned the gesture with a respectful smile, acknowledging the narrow victory.
As Seraphina exited the arena, she felt the weight of exhaustion settle into her limbs. The fight had been more demanding than she anticipated, but it had also been a revelation that she didn't expect to come upon.
Combat under pressure had forced her aura to respond in ways it didn't during training. It circulated faster, flowed more freely, and even strengthened her movements without conscious effort— this was something mentioned in the books she read before, but there was no proper way to use it to train.
She sat in the waiting area, reflecting on the match.
"Perhaps this is the key."
She thought.
"If I push my aura during combat, it might help it circulate more naturally, making it easier to condense my life seed."
Determined to test this theory further, she resolved to continue fighting in the arena as a part of her training. However, she needed to rest first, her body ached from the day's exertions, her stamina was waning and her aura was even somewhat exhausted.
Seraphina found a quiet corner of the waiting area and sat cross-legged, her hands resting on her knees as she slipped into a meditative state. She focused on her breathing, allowing her aura to flow through her body in gentle pulses.
The rhythmic hum of the crowd became a distant murmur as she centered herself.
Her meditation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, to which she opened her eyes, finding herself face-to-face with an older man, his gray hair neatly trimmed and his posture straight despite his age.
He wore simple leather armor, but the way he carried himself spoke of years of discipline and training.
"I watched your fight."
The man said, his voice steady but warm.
"You've got potential."
Seraphina studied him carefully.
He was a knight, that much was clear, though not of a high rank. His aura was faint, suggesting he was a Stage 1 knight— perhaps a veteran of his craft but far from elite, but she couldn't tell exactly, just feel it thanks to her eyes.
"I'm no prodigy."
Seraphina said carefully, keeping her tone neutral.
"Just someone trying to improve."
The man chuckled.
"Modesty's a rare trait in these parts. I'm Osric, by the way. I run a training hall here in Vesta. I think you'd benefit from sparring with some of my students— or perhaps even with me. I can teach you, the way of a knight if you haven't already taken your steps on it."
Seraphina tilted her head, intrigued but cautious.
She didn't reveal her true stage or training, knowing that a knight of Osric's level wouldn't be able to sense her rank unless she deliberately displayed it— he would only be able to tell a rough idea of it.
"That's generous of you. Why the offer?"
Osric shrugged slightly but held a regal posture.
"I've been around long enough to recognize talent when I see it. You've got the skill, but you're raw. With some guidance, you could be exceptional."
Seraphina considered his words.
She didn't need training in the basics, but the opportunity to spar against others and gain more experience was tempting— she was also tempted by his knight method.
It would also give her a chance to observe different fighting styles, which could be valuable for her growth.
"I'll think about it."
She said finally.
"Where can I find your training hall?"
Osric gave her the address, his expression pleased.
"Take your time. I'll be there whenever you're ready."
With a respectful nod, he turned and left, leaving Seraphina to her thoughts.
She spent a little longer resting before deciding to sign up for another match.
The day wasn't over yet, and she intended to fight until the sunset.