The training hall of Dawnkeep was situated at the midpoint between its north and south wings, serving as a daily practice ground for the palace guards.
In their spare time, most guards entertained themselves by sparring in the training area, an activity encouraged by Demacia and greatly admired by the nobility.
It was still early, and only a few individuals were training in the vast hall.
They greeted the steward with nods from afar as he arrived before continuing their routines.
Li Lin and Xin Zhao stood by the weapons rack on one side of the hall. The rack held an assortment of training arms, including daggers, short swords, rapiers, greatswords, and spears—all in a unified, silver-white finish with blue grips. The weapons had an elegant appearance, with simple and practical designs devoid of excessive ornamentation.
Spread across the segmented training grounds were wooden training dummies of various shapes and sizes, as well as sandbags filled with gravel for striking practice.
Since Li Lin had claimed to possess only basic combat skills, Xin Zhao initially intended to go easy on him during their sparring session.
However, Li Lin's assertion that even then, Xin Zhao might not be able to defeat him—and the confident manner in which he said it—ignited both Xin Zhao's curiosity and competitive spirit.
For a warrior like Xin Zhao, who was renowned throughout Demacia for his combat prowess, such bold words were enough to light a fire in him.
As these thoughts churned in his mind, Xin Zhao placed his signature three-pronged spear back on the weapon rack.
Although he was most adept at spear techniques, like many seasoned warriors, he had experience with other weapons and even unarmed combat.
Since Li Lin claimed to specialize in hand-to-hand fighting, Xin Zhao felt it inappropriate to use a weapon.
Glancing at Li Lin, Xin Zhao suggested, "Let me help you put on some training armor."
To his surprise, Li Lin shook his head. "No need."
"But—"
Before Xin Zhao could finish his sentence, he watched in astonishment as Li Lin's clothing suddenly transformed. Like the overlapping scales of a dragon, the fabric deconstructed and rapidly reassembled into the exact design of the armor displayed on the rack.
In truth, Li Lin had no need for such armor; his superpower, the "Iron Body," was more than sufficient.
But to make Xin Zhao more comfortable and allow him to fight without reservations, Li Lin had scanned the armor and reshaped his clothing accordingly.
Xin Zhao was rendered speechless, yet he could sense that this was not magic. Having trained in the spiritual forces of Ionia, he was sensitive to the presence of magical energy—and this clearly wasn't it.
Noticing Xin Zhao's stunned expression, Li Lin offered a lighthearted smile. "It's nanotechnology. You could think of it as something far more advanced than Hextech."
The term "nanotechnology" was unfamiliar and awkward to pronounce, but knowing it surpassed Hextech in sophistication was explanation enough for Xin Zhao.
"Such extraordinary, non-magical wonders exist in this world," he marveled aloud. "I thought my years of studying Demacia's extensive archives had acquainted me with the world's mysteries… But it seems I remain a frog at the bottom of the well, ignorant and narrow-minded."
"There's no need to belittle yourself, Chief Zhao," Li Lin replied as they walked toward a nearby training area.
"This nanotechnology is something I've recently developed. While it has vast potential applications in the future, I'm currently the only one capable of utilizing it.
"Even Professor Heimerdinger, one of Piltover's founders and its Academy's dean, doesn't understand this technology."
Xin Zhao had heard of Heimerdinger—a renowned figure in Hextech innovation. The name evoked thoughts of the Yordle scientist's contributions and reminded him of another prominent Yordle, General Poppy.
Taking his position opposite Li Lin, Xin Zhao seemed to recall something.
"I heard from Prince Jarvan that you restored the eyesight of the Royal Guard who had been blinded by magic. Was that also through this technology?"
"Indeed," Li Lin affirmed. "I even offered to perform a similar procedure for Prince Jarvan's former lieutenant, Ted, to regenerate his severed arm. But he declined."
Xin Zhao paused in contemplation. "Ted is a proud and honorable man. He likely views his capture as the greatest shame of his life and keeps his missing arm as a reminder of that failure."
Li Lin nodded silently, choosing not to dwell on such a somber topic. "Shall we begin?"
"Don't you need to warm up?" Xin Zhao kindly suggested. "I've already been training for a while, so I'm ready. But if you skip warming up, you might cramp or strain yourself during the fight."
"Thanks for the concern, but I'll be fine," Li Lin replied, stretching casually. "I covered a lot of ground last night looking for Zoe. Consider it an extended warm-up."
Zoe—the Twilight Aspect.
Xin Zhao remembered the brief encounter during last night's banquet and realized Zoe hadn't accompanied them back.
Though curious, he knew better than to pry into personal matters.
"In that case, I'll keep an eye out," Xin Zhao said, lowering his stance and adopting a ready combat posture. His expression grew serious.
"Will you take the first move, or shall I?"
"I believe the best defense is a good offense," Li Lin declared.
"Well said!" Xin Zhao grinned, finding the sentiment aligned with his own philosophy. "To charge is to embrace life or death. That's the spirit!"
"Prepare yourself, Chief!"
Li Lin gave one final warning before shifting his weight—left leg bent, right leg stepping back.
Xin Zhao narrowed his eyes, focusing intently on Li Lin's movements.
In situations where neither combatant was familiar with the other's capabilities, the initial strike often served as a probing attack.
But what happened next was beyond Xin Zhao's expectations.
Li Lin, who should have remained clearly visible, suddenly became a blur, surging forward at an inhuman speed.
Impossible…
Before the shock fully registered, Xin Zhao's combat instincts screamed at him to dodge.
Relying on muscle memory, he twisted his body just in time. Yet the sharp ache in his shoulder indicated he hadn't completely evaded the strike.
"Ugh…"
With a muffled groan, Xin Zhao staggered back a few steps, his face a mask of astonishment.
"Are you alright?"
Seeing Xin Zhao's state, Li Lin worried that even his restrained strike might have been too heavy.
"I'm fine… I'm just shocked at how fast you are," Xin Zhao admitted, hesitating as if debating whether to say more.
'Can such speed truly be achieved by a human?'
If Li Lin had known what was on Xin Zhao's mind, he would have burst into laughter and explained: "There really is someone like that! Master Yi, the Wuju Bladesman from Ionia, would like to have a word!"
"I've enhanced my body through special means," Li Lin explained. "Actually, this is my first time relying solely on my physical strength in combat."
"I can tell you weren't using your full strength," Xin Zhao said, exhaling deeply. "In that case, I have no reason to hold back either."
"That's exactly what I was hoping for!" Li Lin replied, eager to test his limits. "Shall we continue?"
"Get ready!"
Xin Zhao shifted into his stance once more, lunging forward with a speed nearly matching Li Lin's earlier movements. Surprised yet composed, Li Lin met Xin Zhao's relentless flurry of attacks head-on.
Fully aware that his strength couldn't match Li Lin's enhanced physique, Xin Zhao meticulously avoided counterattacks, though each evasion seemed dangerously close.
The gust from a narrowly missed punch stung his eyes, and the force behind knee strikes and elbow blows generated audible bursts of wind.
Neither man held back, as there was no need. Both were confident the other could handle whatever was thrown their way.
Were it not for Li Lin's lack of refined combat techniques compared to Xin Zhao's experience, the duel might have ended with Xin Zhao's defeat within ten moves.
Their sparring quickly drew the attention of not only the guards already present but also those arriving later.
Some watched in awe, thrilled by the rare sight of Xin Zhao going all out. Most, however, were shocked that someone could match him blow for blow.
Even Xin Zhao himself felt his heart racing.
How long had it been?
How long since he had encountered a worthy opponent?
The last time he faced such danger was in the Reckoning Arena against a ferocious and berserk Shadow Bear.
With comrades falling around him and his body battered, Xin Zhao defied all odds, unleashing his Crescent Sweep technique to decapitate the beast with the blunt end of his spear.
That fight had become his legend.
Xin Zhao wasn't one to seek glory in battle. In the arena, he had fought to survive; afterward, he fought to serve King Jarvan III.
Yet facing Li Lin reignited the dormant fire of a warrior's spirit within him.
"Ha!"
Xin Zhao suddenly drew back his leading leg, channeling his strength. His right fist shot forward with a force like a collapsing mountain.
But Li Lin, showing no fear, abandoned his defense entirely. Redirecting Xin Zhao's punch with his right arm, he locked it in place, then drove his shoulder forward in a precise Iron Body Strike, sending Xin Zhao stumbling back.
Xin Zhao steadied himself, quickly regaining his breath. His voice rang out: "Magnificent!"
With sharp eyes and taut muscles, he launched himself at Li Lin again, his body like a speeding arrow.
Li Lin squinted, realizing this would be Xin Zhao's final strike.
Instead of retreating, Li Lin took a bold step forward, throwing his own punch directly at Xin Zhao.
The surrounding soldiers, already holding their breaths, speculated in silence about the outcome.
Would it be a draw?
Or…
Just as their fists were about to collide, both fighters pulled back their strength at the last second, halting their charge.
Sparring should always end before either was truly hurt.
Understanding flashed in their eyes, and both men burst into laughter, stepping forward to clasp hands in a warm embrace.
When they parted, Xin Zhao sighed with deep admiration. "You're strong—stronger than anyone I've ever faced!"
His declaration left the assembled Demacian guards stunned.
To earn such recognition from Xin Zhao himself…
Before Li Lin could respond, Xin Zhao took two steps back, lowered his head, and cupped his fists in a respectful martial salute, an Ionian tradition.
"This match is yours… I, Xin, humbly admit defeat!"
[End of Chapter]