I was currently inside the warehouse with Luna. Today would be our last sparring session, as I would be starting at the academy tomorrow.
I couldn't help but feel butterflies in my stomach.
Although I managed to adapt to this world thanks to Silas's memories, entering the academy where all the main characters and heroines would be was extremely nerve-wracking.
That academy is where the story progresses, and all of its dangers will come straight to my front door.
Luna noticed my nervousness.
"Is it the academy?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"I didn't expect you to be scared about the academy. That's quite spineless, you know."
"Shut up! It's not the academy itself, but the people who will be there," I clarified.
Luna shrugged. "They're just kids like you. What's there to be afraid of?"
When she put it that way, I realized I didn't fully understand my own nervousness. Although they were all geniuses destined to fight and save the world, they were still just teenagers.
"Never mind, let's just complete this sparring session," I said.
Luna smiled. "You're eager to get beaten up again."
I wanted to punch her for that comment, but I knew I'd probably end up with a slap on the back of my head for trying.
"I'm going to use my power today. Think of it as a graduation ceremony," Luna announced.
"Absolutely not! I'm not your punching bag!" I protested.
Luna shrugged. "Too bad."
I took my stance, eyes fixed on Luna, who stood with the calm confidence. Her hands were relaxed at her sides, yet there was an undeniable aura of readiness about her.
"Are you prepared, Silas?" Luna's voice was steady, a hint of challenge in her tone.
I nodded, muscles tensed, ready to spring into action. Luna's eyes flickered with a brief spark, and suddenly the ground between us shifted.
Roots and vines emerged, weaving through the earth, creating a living battlefield.
I launched myself forward, aiming a powerful punch at Luna's chest. She sidestepped gracefully, her movement causing a vine to rise and entangle my leg.
I yanked free with brute force, but the delay allowed Luna to deliver a swift kick to my side. I stumbled, but regained my footing quickly.
"Remember what I taught you," Luna called, her voice a calm island in the storm of our fight.
I pressed on, my strikes powerful but wild. I swung with all my might, each punch with all of my physical strength.
Luna evaded with minimal effort, her movements fluid and controlled. She guided a branch to block a high kick, then swept my legs out from under me with another.
Frustration began to mount within me. I attacked again, faster and harder, but Luna's wooden constructs moved with her, shielding her and retaliating in perfect harmony.
A branch caught my arm, another wrapped around my ankle, pulling me off balance. I reacted quickly, tearing the vines away, but Luna was already behind me, a hand poised to strike.
"You're using too much force, Silas," she said, her voice firm. "And you're reacting, not anticipating."
I growled, pushing myself harder. I swung at Luna, but she bent like a reed, my fist meeting only air.
A vine wrapped around my wrist, pulling me forward into Luna's outstretched palm, which connected with my chest and sent me sprawling.
Panting, I pushed myself up. My body ached, but my determination to land a hit made me forget of the pain.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to center myself as Luna had taught. I launched a more measured attack, mixing feints with genuine strikes. Luna smiled, sensing the shift.
But still, my reliance on strength betrayed me. I overcommitted to a punch, and Luna seized the moment, guiding a branch to trip me and then pinning me with a series of rapid strikes. I struggled against the wood, but it held firm.
"Feel the flow of the fight," Luna instructed, releasing him. "Don't just fight the opponent; understand the rhythm."
I got up, determination blazing in his eyes.
I adopted Luna's stance once more, this time with a clearer mind, ready to embrace the lessons I had learned and face the battle with a new perspective.
Luna nodded approvingly, ready to continue the sparring session, knowing that with each clash, I was growing stronger and wiser.
Taking another deep breath, I focused on Luna's movements. This time, I didn't rush in blindly. I observed, predicting her next move.
When Luna launched a vine towards me, I sidestepped smoothly, avoiding the attack without overextending myself. I anticipated her follow up strike and countered with a precise jab, catching her off guard.
Luna's eyes lit up with approval. I was no longer just reacting; I was reading the flow of the fight. I moved like an entirely new person, my strikes controlled and my defenses tight. When Luna tried to trip me with another vine, I hopped over it effortlessly, landing a light tap on her shoulder as a mark of my success.
"Well done, Silas," Luna said, a genuine smile breaking through her usual composure. "You're learning to control your power and anticipate your opponent."
I felt a surge of pride, but I remained focused.
I continued to spar with Luna, matching her movements with precision and skill.
After finishing our sparring session, I collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Luna, however, approached me without a drop of sweat.
"It felt so good to finally land a punch on your face," I said, expressing my satisfaction at managing to hit her after so long.
Surprisingly, Luna didn't get angry. "Took you long enough. Now, instead of using only one percent of my strength, I'll use two," she said, joining me on the floor.
"I'm surprised it took you that long to learn how to use control and precision instead of raw power," she continued. "Especially with telekinesis, it should have been easy."
I stayed silent. The reason it took me so long to get the hang of her fighting style was because I kept trying to incorporate strength into it. If I use her fighting style, my ability becomes very limited, as it relies on control. However, my ability is inherently destructive and lacks control.
"I have something to tell you," I said.
Luna looked at me expectantly.
"My ability isn't telekinesis. It's something called The Absolute. It behaves similarly to a black hole once it gets enough rings," I explained. To my surprise, Luna didn't seem shocked or angry.
"You knew?" I asked.
She nodded. "I didn't know the exact nature of your ability, but I suspected that the telekinesis was a lie. You were wise to keep such a powerful ability a secret, and I advise you to continue doing so," she replied.
"Also, if you ever have time come and meet me. I'll help you use your ability with my fighting style."
I smiled and nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt for ever always her trustworthiness.
"Now then, head to the Fighting Tower today and show everyone how strong you've become," Luna said, standing up and offering me a hand.
I stretched my limbs, "If I lose, it's your technique's fault," I joked.
"You need to have more respect for your master," Luna replied, folding her arms and shaking her head in mock disappointment.
I smiled, left the warehouse, and prepared for what lay ahead.
***
Watching Silas leave the warehouse, Luna's friendly demeanor vanished, replaced by an eerie darkness. She took out her phone and dialed a number.
— "Hey boss~!" a flirtatious female voice echoed from the phone.
"The Raven boy has The Absolute. Tell everyone to begin preparation for phase one," Luna said calmly.
— "Boss, you're so scary~! You manipulated your own student. How naughty~!"
Luna hung up the phone and disappeared into the darkness without another word.