Chapter 203 - Fighting In Many Styles

After the first success Jien was relentless. It was like he could sense the potential in this path of fighting, to not spend the rest of his days working endlessly just for minor improvements when he would truly piggyback on the success of others it he needed. Eventually he found a path forward, a light trance, something that many fighters would achieve in the mix of things. When experiencing the battle trance and blending Combat Library with self Puppeteering he was able to reach the beginning threshold to use the technique he was currently using in the arena.His body was so limber and loose one would think he had fallen asleep on his feet. His eyes were as calm as an untouched lake, slightly glossy and unfocused as he faced Julie. In his vision he could still see her, though she was more of a silhouette on the backdrop of dozens of golden figures standing in defensive postures. His mind was cycling through dozens of different movements in a loop, ready to react to the slightest intent on Julie's part.The weaknesses of this joint technique that Jien had created were many. He had recorded many different attacks, defenses and movements, from both humans and beasts, but this did not mean that he could replicate them all. Even if he just considered those performed by humans he was still limited in what he could achieve. He had recorded how Rosalind would fight with her power packed body but he while strong was not strong enough to use the hammer she preferred as her weapon adequately. He likewise had tried and failed to use the same lithe and stealthy form as Barret's mentor Iris and had utterly failed on more occasions than he could count.Even beyond that, when he was able to replicate a movement perfectly there were more times than not that it would lack something that he couldn't make up for. Perhaps is was a certain method of mana manipulation through the body, maybe a spell at times that he was unable to hear or comprehend. Still, he would make due with what he had available to him that he could actually manage to replicate properly. He was determined to finish this match in this style to show Julie what he could actually do.Julie deepened her stance, now fully aware that her opponent was more of a danger than she had thought based on their first fight. The blow she had managed to dodge just now was terrifying, maybe more so than the ones in the Dungeon Ring to give her some of the scars that littered her body. She had to take this more seriously,theirs was her chance to prove to not only her teammates, but to Jien that she too could lead.She spoke up again, her tone firmer. "I will keep him busy, Olivia will be in charge of the second part for me." Olivia looked from her team leader to Jien with a grave expression before giving a firm nod and an "okay" in response to the new order. Alys and Robyn didn't know why the others on their team were so glum all of a sudden but they weren't going to look down on the reaction. They raised their guard even further before everybody seemed to explode in burst of sudden movement.Julie charged back in toward Jien, this time keeping her stance lower, firmed and defensively hidden behind her shield, ready for a long defensive fight. Jien himself seemed to track her movement calmly, his steps smooth as he advanced while keeping his body limber as could be. His vision still swimming with images made of golden specks of light.Olivia took the chance to charge forward to attack Andrew and Lesley while Rosalind moved forward with confidence to face a solemn Bernard. The Vanguard of Jien's team had never been a great match up against Rosalind. He was strong but after the years in the Warping Forest he had learned just how monstrous the boisterous girl was. However, his job according to Jien was just to buy time for Barret to take out as many as he could.Meanwhile Lesley, in the back of Jien's formation, loosed several blunted arrows at his girlfriend, praying in his heart that she wouldn't hold it against him. Of course, he would rather have a lover's quarrel than upset Jien. They had all learned that while Jien was pretty easy going and reclusive, if you pulled him into trouble, he was more likely to give you a lecture than even their mentors, and his tended to end with homework.Barret remained calm as he stepped forward with swaying steps, almost as if drunk. Alys warily eyed him but before her very eyes his figure seemed to warp and distort as if it was nothing but a mirage. Soon his figure had faded fully, leaving nothing but empty space in front of her. It was only when she heard a light clicking of a tongue next to her that she realized just where her opponent was, dodging to the side and loosing an arrow at close quarters from her bow in a hope to hit her opponent, only to find the boy wasn't there and her arrow heading somewhere unexpected.