The Battle Begins
Alex walked up to the towering ice giant, his resolve as solid as the beast's icy form. He could feel the cold radiating from its body, but his determination burned hotter than any flame.
"Get ready to taste my blade and go to hell, you pest," Alex snarled, gripping the handle of his katana.
He closed his eyes, shutting out the world around him. The noise and chaos of the village faded, replaced by the sound of his calming breath. He could feel the magic coursing through his veins, pooling in his legs and flowing into his blade.
With a deep breath, he crouched, gathering his strength. The ground beneath him cracked and shattered as he launched himself towards the ice giant with incredible speed.
A Single, Decisive Strike
Alex moved so fast that he was a blur, his katana slicing through the air. The ice giant barely had time to react before Alex's blade met its waist. The force of the strike was immense, the blade cutting clean through the giant's torso.
The upper half of the ice giant's body toppled to the ground, shattering into pieces. White blood splattered everywhere, covering the faces of the villagers and even Thrain, who watched in awe.
The lower half of the giant stood for a moment longer before collapsing, the entire village shaking with the impact. The fight was over in an instant, the ice giant defeated by a single, decisive blow.
A Moment of Shock
Everyone stood in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had seen Alex fight before, but this was something else entirely. His speed, his power, his precision—it was as if he had become a different person.
Even Thrain, who had trained Alex and seen his potential, was stunned by what he had just witnessed. He quickly cast a wind spell, stopping Alex from crashing into the ground after his powerful leap.
Gratitude and Reflection
Alex landed gently, thanks to Thrain's spell. He stood up, dusting himself off, and walked over to Thrain. "Thank you," he said, his voice calm despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.
Thrain nodded, a proud smile on his face. "You've come a long way, Alex. I'm proud of you."
The villagers began to cheer, their fear replaced by admiration and gratitude. Alex looked around, his eyes meeting Yuki's. She smiled at him, her eyes filled with pride and relief.
Conclusion
As the village began to return to normal, Alex and Thrain took a moment to reflect on what had just happened. The battle with the ice giant had shown just how far Alex had come and how much he had grown. It was a testament to his strength, his training, and his determination.
But more than that, it was a reminder of the journey that still lay ahead. There would be more challenges, more battles, and more opportunities to grow. And with friends like Thrain and Yuki by his side, Alex knew he was ready to face whatever came next.
This concludes Chapter Twenty-One.