~Omniscient Pov~
.
.
.
Their instructor had left them both to train, or specifically, Johnathon for training his younger friend.
'What is Johnathon even gonna teach me? Doesn't he specialize mainly in close combat arts?' Yohan was wondering what he would even gain from doing all this. His past self preferred the manipulation arts, rather than the close combat ones.
He essentially had no talent for the former... However, he liked the idea of wielding swords and such, 'I might as well, I have the capability of utilizing the best of both worlds. I might as well make the most of it.' Yohan made up his mind and readied himself.
He picked up a sword similar to what Johnathon had chosen.
Johnathon glanced at Yohan, raising an eyebrow as he noticed the younger boy pick up a sword. "You sure about that, Yohan?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. "I didn't think you were the sword-fighting type."
Yohan gripped the hilt of the blade tightly, meeting Johnathon's gaze. "I wasn't before, but things change."
Johnathon chuckled, spinning his own sword casually in one hand. "Yeah? Well, let's see if you can handle it!"
Yohan's mind ran. He knew Johnathon specialized in close combat, particularly with weapons like swords... This wasn't Yohan's strong suit—his talents had always leaned towards energy manipulation and ranged attacks. But now, with his new skills and abilities; there wasn't any reason he couldn't excel in both. He just needed to prove it, not only to Johnathon but to himself.
Johnathon assumed a make-shift battle stance, his eyes having just a slither of anticipation, "Alright, first things first. Forget whatever you've been doing up until now. In close combat, it's about instinct, not just skill... You've got to feel the weapon in your hand like it's an extension of yourself."
Yohan nodded, mirroring his stance, though a bit awkwardly but he kept his face composed. He had no intention of backing down. The sword felt foreign in his grip, but he knew that with time, it would become familiar—like everything else he had absorbed.
"Come at me when you're ready," Johnathon said with a smirk, gesturing with his sword for Yohan to make the first move.
Taking a deep breath, Yohan stepped forward, tightening his grip on the sword. He swung, aiming for Johnathon's midsection, but before the blade could make contact, Johnathon sidestepped with ease, countering with a swift strike of his own. Yohan barely managed to parry the blow, the force of it sending a jolt up his arm.
"Too slow," Johnathon taunted. "You're hesitating."
Internally, Yohan was a tad bit annoyed. 'Despite my vision being many times greater than what it should be for someone of my level, he's still too fast for me.' Yohan gritted his teeth at it all. He wasn't about to let this turn into an easy win for Johnathon.
Instead, he steadied himself, adjusting his stance slightly. The weight of the sword still felt awkward in his grip, but his abilities gave him some confidence... Johnathon circled Yohan, eyes sharp, waiting for his next move.
"Come on, Yohan," Johnathon said with a grin. "You can't just stand there, or are you still unable to even handle even this?"
Yohan narrowed his eyes, tuning out Johnathon's words. This time, he focused, letting his instincts guide him. He lunged forward, feinting a strike at Johnathon's side. As expected, Johnathon moved to block, but Yohan quickly switched his grip, slashing toward Johnathon's legs.
Johnathon's eyes widened, surprised by the move, but he was fast—faster than Yohan could have even anticipated. He dodged and, with a powerful swing, knocked Yohan's sword aside, sending him stumbling back.
"You've got some neat tricks, but you're still not thinking like a swordsman," Johnathon said, shaking his head. "You've got the power, but you're not using it right."
Yohan clenched his fists, frustration now bubbling beneath the surface. Even if he had power now, mastering the sword was a different kind of challenge. Yet, he wasn't one to back down. His thoughts briefly drifted to his Plunder ability—he had taken the strength and talents of others, and this would be no different.
He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Johnathon's. "Let's go again."
Johnathon smiled, "Let's stop for a moment... You don't even have the proper stance."
Yohan froze, the fire in his eyes dimming slightly as Johnathon's words sank in. "Stance?" he muttered, with a touch of annoyance in his tone.
"Yes," Johnathon said with a half-smile, lowering his sword. "You've got a bit of strength, but without the foundations, you're just swinging a metal stick."
Yohan's pride took a slight hit, but he knew Johnathon was right. Swordsmanship wasn't something that came naturally to him. He needed to learn the fundamentals...
Johnathon walked up and slowly began shifting his stance again...
Johnathon knelt slightly, adjusting Yohan's footing with swift taps of his foot. "See?" He smiled, "You're slightly off-balance. Power means nothing if you can't control it. Widen your base a bit," he instructed, moving Yohan's legs. "There, now bend your knees—just a little. You should feel like you can move in any direction at a moment's notice."
Yohan already felt the tension in his muscles shift as he bent his knees, realizing just how much he had been relying on raw force. He hated to admit it, but this minor adjustment already felt like an improvement. He wasn't just standing anymore; he was grounded, ready.
"Now, your grip," Johnathon continued, stepping back to assess him. "You're holding on too tightly. You're trying to overpower the sword, not wield it." He tapped the hilt in Yohan's hands. "Loosen up, and feel the weight of the blade. You control it, not the other way around."
Yohan adjusted his grip, the sword now feeling lighter, more like an extension of himself. His frustration was still simmering beneath the surface, but the logical part of his mind knew this was necessary. He wasn't going to get by just relying on his plundered abilities—he'd have to earn his skill.
Johnathon smiled, clearly pleased with the changes. "Better. Now, swing." Even if he didn't particularly fancy the interaction much, he had to give credit where credit was due...
Yohan hesitated for a moment, but then he gripped the sword again, this time more mindful of his stance and the way he held the weapon. With a swift movement, he swung the blade in a clean arc. It wasn't perfect, but it felt far more controlled than before.
"See the difference?" Johnathon asked, stepping back. "It's not just about strength. Precision and control will carry you further than brute force ever will..."
Yohan nodded, understanding sinking in... "Alright," he muttered, determination flooding back into his eyes. "Let's do this, again." Yohan was wondering if what he experienced earlier with his older friend was just a matter of bad timing, he was actually helping him now...
'Maybe he isn't so bad after all.' Yohan thought offhandedly.
"Alright, now that you've gotten the basics, I'll teach you the way I've learned it..." Johnathon began unsheathing his blade, "I'll tutor you while we spar... I'll even limit my strength level to yours as well, so..." He then smiled. "See if you can land even a single scratch on me."
Yohan smirked at Johnathon's challenge, his pride flickering back to life. The idea of finally landing a hit on his older friend stirred something competitive within him. "A scratch? I'll do more than that," he muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
Johnathon chuckled, positioning himself in a relaxed stance. "We'll see."
Yohan lunged forward, attempting to take advantage of his newly learned stance. His movements were sharper than before, but Johnathon deflected his attack with ease, his sword barely moving as he parried the blow. Yohan staggered slightly but recovered quickly, trying again.
The clang of metals echoed in the air as their swords clashed. Johnathon moved gracefully, his movements fluid and eerily controlled, while Yohan's were more somewhat rigid, still adjusting to the feel of his blade... Despite this, Yohan hadn't back down, pressing forward with each swing.
"Focus, Yohan," Johnathon said calmly, dodging a strike aimed at his shoulder. "You're attacking wildly. Think about where you're aiming, how you're moving."
Yohan grit his teeth, trying to rein in his frustration. He could feel the gap between their skill levels, and it was maddening. Each time he thought he had an opening, Johnathon effortlessly countered, pushing him back without even breaking a sweat...
"Aim higher!" Johnathan chided, and Yohan followed.
But then, something clicked. Yohan slowed down, watching Johnathon's movements more closely. He started to focus less on brute strength and more on precision—exactly as Johnathon had said. He fainted to the left, then swiftly swung his sword low.
Yohan swung his blade higher, aiming for Johnathon's shoulder. But just as he thought he might land a decent hit, Johnathon sidestepped with ease, his sword catching Yohan's mid-swing. The force sent a jolt through Yohan's arm, and he stumbled slightly.
This went on for hours, Yohan and Johnathon clashing...
~
*Clang!*
*Clang!!*
*Clang!!!*
*Clang!!* *Clang!!!*
"Focus, Yohan," Johnathon said calmly, dodging a strike aimed at his shoulder. "You're attacking wildly again. Think about where you're aiming, how you're moving."
Yohan clenched his teeth, trying to rein in his frustration. He could feel the gap between their skill levels, and it was maddening. Each time he thought he had an opening, Johnathon effortlessly countered, pushing him back without even breaking a sweat.
But then, something clicked. Yohan slowed down, watching Johnathon's movements more closely. He started to focus less on brute strength and more on precision—exactly as Johnathon had said. He fainted to the left, then swiftly swung his sword low.
Johnathon's eyes widened just a fraction, and Yohan's blade grazed the clothes of his lower leg, barely drawing a line of blue...
Yohan froze for a moment, his heart pounding. He had done it... A scratch! He fell to the ground after the attack, laughing almost hysterically.
'I fucking did it!!!!' Yohan yelled in his mind, dropping to the floor. However, he had heard his system once more, and instantly he could see the stats of Johnathon, 'Is this even real!?'
_____________________
Name: [Johnathon El Melvistar] Age: [18] Height: [183.1 cm] Race: Human
-Physique;
Sword King: You are blessed with the gift of the sword king... All sword-related learning, understanding, and comprehension will be boosted by +1000%. This also increases the energy gained by the user by +50%.
-Physical Growth Rate: {A-}
-Mental Growth Rate: {B-}
Attributes;
Strength: 52.5
Agility: 53
Endurance: 52.4
Intelligence: 11.1
Control: 42.4
Perception: 54.2
Skills Tab: Active Skills (Toggleable);
Body Amplification {A-}: A technique that allows the user to amplify their physical attributes by a maximum of 3 fold.
Greater Fire manipulation {B+}: Allows the user to create and manipulate fire, with flames as hot as 3500 degrees Celcius...
Greater Lighting Manipulation {B++}: Allows the user to manipulate lightning, can be used to boost and stun enemies.
Greater Absolute Counter {A-}: A technique that if performed correctly, will allow the user to counter attacks with 2.5 fold their force.
Minor Shadow Step {A-}Effect: Allows teleportation up to 10 feet, evading attacks and repositioning instantly.
Intermediate Ethereal Blade {B+}: A technique that allows the user to channel their energy into their blade. Increases weapon sharpness by +100%...
Elemental Infusion {B++}: Adds 1.5x elemental damage to strikes and applies elemental effects (burn, freeze, shock) for 10 seconds.
Wind Dash{B+}: Increases movement speed by 60% for 5 seconds, creating wind gusts that disorient enemies within a 10-foot radius.
Phoenix Strike {B++}: Deals 3x normal damage on a hit and creates a fiery explosion with a 15-foot radius...
__________________________
Yohan's eyes widened, 'How can someone so young be this ridiculously powerful? Not to mention his talents, passives, and skills either. His physique and growth rates were annoyingly high as well.
'I knew he must have been suppressing himself against me immensely... But to think the gap between us was this vast...' Yohan felt a bit underwhelmed. However, he cheered back up knowing that he could gain something from Johnathon.
He hadn't expected his skill to activate, he didn't defeat Johnathon, unless...
'No way, my skill actually acknowledged that win condition?' Before they got serious, the whole point of that last spar was for himself to get a scratch, and he successfully did so...
"I can't believe it... he actually pulled it off..." Johnathon said, he didn't know why, but that fact irked him greatly. Even if he was suppressing himself, he didn't think there would be a world where Yohan would actually manage to touch even the string off his clothes.
'I shouldn't have underestimated him...' he thought, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade as he sheathed it.
In comparison, Yohan felt a wave of disappointment wash over him... He could only choose three things to plunder from Johnathon, and while his ability acknowledged the win condition; it didn't view it as a true victory, he only sighed at the fact, 'At least I get something out of this...'
He looked up to see Johnathon, looking back at him with suspicious eyes, "You did well today... We can start back tomorrow..." Without looking back, Johnathon had essentially disappeared...
...
Yohan slowly stood up, brushing off the dirt off his clothes... After a few seconds, he felt his muscles and stamina recovering rather quickly...
'...Now that he's gone, I can take any three things I want, and I already see them.' Yohan grabbed Johnathon's physical and mental growth rate, as well as his ridiculous physique... Now, he just needed to get home before his mother did to absorb them all.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
END