When morning broke, light filtered through the cracks in the barracks' wooden walls, casting stripes across Delmo's face. He blinked against the brightness and sprang up, excitement pulling him from sleep. Elara was already at his door, stretching with a determined expression as she prepared for whatever lay ahead.
"Ready?" she asked, tying her blonde hair back into a neat braid.
"More than ready," Delmo replied with a grin.
Delmo rubbed the sleep from his eyes, still buzzing from the previous day's events.
Elara stepped closer, her gaze sharp and focused. "Marcella said she'd prepare something special for you today. Something stronger than bandits."
"Stronger?" Delmo raised an eyebrow, curiosity bubbling beneath his excitement.
She nodded, a hint of mischief dancing in her blue eyes. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."
They both hurried to dress, pulling on sturdy clothes that still bore remnants of their harrowing escape from Eldham. As they finished tying their boots, Elara turned to him, her expression turning serious.
"Whatever it is, be careful," she warned, her voice low but steady.
"I will," he promised, trying to mask the tension knotting in his stomach.
The barracks bustled with villagers preparing for the day ahead. Jax moved through the crowd, barking orders and rallying those willing to lend a hand. Delmo admired the old blacksmith's determination.
As they stepped outside into Brighthaven's cool morning air, Delmo felt a sense of purpose swell within him. They made their way toward the courtyard where Baroness Marcella had instructed them to meet.
A small group gathered near a training area surrounded by tall wooden stakes adorned with various weapons. The scent of fresh earth mingled with anticipation hung in the air like a brewing storm.
Baroness Marcella stood at the center, her presence commanding as she surveyed those before her.
"Delmo!" She beckoned him forward with a firm nod.
"I want to introduce you to someone who will help us assess your abilities. Meet Kael, my most skilled bodyguard."
From the back of the group stepped a tall figure with a commanding presence. Kael had sharp features, a scar running down along his right cheek, and eyes that gleamed with a knowing confidence. Clad in heavy armor, he looked every bit the warrior one would expect from Marcella's side.
"Delmo," Kael greeted, his voice deep and steady. "I'll be testing you today. The objective is to see not just your strength, but how well you adapt under pressure."
Delmo felt a mix of excitement and cautiousness. "What kind of test?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Kael stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied Delmo. "We'll start simple. I want to see how you handle yourself against a real opponent."
Delmo stood firm as Kael approached, the bodyguard's imposing figure casting a long shadow over him.
The crowd murmured, eyes flicking between the two. Kael's presence radiated authority, and he seemed to cherish the opportunity to unsettle Delmo.
Kael's voice boomed, echoing off the walls of Brighthaven. "You think wielding that blade makes you a warrior?"
Delmo felt his heart pound, but he forced himself to meet Kael's gaze. The man leaned closer, narrowing the distance between them. "You've seen combat against weaklings, boy. It takes more than skill to survive out here."
With every word, Kael aimed to chip away at Delmo's resolve.
"What will you do when faced with real fear? When blood spills again? Will you cower? Will you run?", Kael continued.
The pressure pressed down on Delmo like a heavy stone. Doubt crept in, but then something flickered inside him.
The Supreme Skill Synthesis System recognized his need, and Guardian's Resolve activated like a shield wrapping around him.
He focused on Kael, who loomed over him like a mountain.
"I'm not afraid," Delmo declared, each word punctuated by rising confidence.
Kael smirked at Delmo's sudden shift. "You're braver than I expected." He stepped back slightly, reassessing the boy before him.
Delmo inhaled deeply, drawing strength from the confidence blossoming within him. "I'm not afraid of you," he declared.
"Oh?" Kael tilted his head slightly. "Then let's see if that holds true when we spar."
Delmo gripped the hilt of his wooden sword tighter, readying himself for whatever came next. The whispers around them faded into silence as anticipation crackled in the air.
Kael shifted into a fighting stance, muscles coiling like springs ready to release.
Instead of faltering under pressure as Kael had hoped, Delmo anchored himself in place, feeling Guardian's Resolve fortify his mind. With each step forward that Kael took towards him, Delmo channeled that energy into more clarity and focus.
Kael eyed Delmo's Blade of Verdant Tempest, its verdant energy swirling like a storm. The older man's expression shifted from amusement to contemplation.
"Interesting weapon you've got there," Kael said, stepping back to create space between them. "But let's see how well you handle a common wooden sword."
Delmo frowned, uncertainty creeping in. He had relied on the Blade of Verdant Tempest since its summoning, feeling its power resonate with him.
Kael tossed a wooden sword toward Delmo, who caught it easily. The weight felt foreign in his grip.
"Use that," Kael instructed, motioning for Delmo to take his stance.
With determination solidifying in his chest, Delmo nodded and shifted into position. His feet settled firmly on the ground as he took a deep breath. The crowd surrounding them watched in silence.
Kael stepped forward with fluidity, brandishing his own wooden sword as if it were an extension of himself. "Show me what you've got."
Delmo launched into an offensive strike, swinging the wooden sword with all the strength he could muster. Kael sidestepped effortlessly, deflecting the blow with ease before countering with a quick jab aimed at Delmo's side.
Delmo reacted instinctively, twisting away just in time. He felt the air rush past him as Kael continued to press the attack, striking high and low with calculated precision.
Kael pivoted and aimed another swing at Delmo's head. This time, Delmo raised his sword high to block but stumbled slightly as he met Kael's forceful strike.
"Better! But you're relying too much on your speed," Kael noted between strikes. "Balance is key!"
Delmo felt frustration bubbling beneath his skin but held it back. He could not use the Verdant Tempest Blade to strengthen the wooden sword and to power himself up since Kael wants to purely test his swordsmanship.
Delmo gritted his teeth, dodging another swift strike from Kael. He could sense the seasoned warrior's experience weighing down on him. Kael continued to press the attack, but then a familiar voice echoed in the back of his mind.
You possess the ability to merge and unmerge skills.
Delmo's breath quickened as he recalled the Supreme Skill Synthesis System's reminder. His heart raced at the thought of harnessing a new skill—a skill that could shift the tide of this sparring match.
Use 1 Synthesis Point to create new skill from Verdant Tempest Blade?
The idea struck him like lightning. A fusion of speed and precision was exactly what he needed. Delmo barely managed to parry another strike from Kael before he focused inward, feeling for the energy that coursed through him.
Unmerge skill?, the System asked, pushing him forward.
Delmo took a breath and with one swift motion, he imagined breaking apart his current skill set. He felt the Verdant Tempest Blade skill ripple within him. It pulsed with raw energy, just waiting to be molded into something new.
In that moment of concentration, Delmo visualized what it meant to dance. Fluidity, grace, and agility were all intertwined with combat. He felt himself shifting mentally as he released his hold on the Verdant Tempest Blade skill and embraced something lighter.
Delmo felt the transformation wash over him, a surge of energy flooding through his veins. As he visualized the fluidity and elegance of movement, he sensed a shift in his very essence.
Skill Synthesis Complete!
A screen flickered to life before Delmo's eyes, displaying his updated stats.
Delmo felt the shift in his abilities take root, a rush of exhilaration coursing through him. The System projected an interface in front of his eyes, illuminating the air with vibrant text.
Current Status:
Name: Delmo
Level: 2
Age: 17
HP: 100/120
Mana: 100/105
Experience Points: 820/1000
Attributes:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 18 (Increased by +1 due to Dancing Blade skill)
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 9
Skills:
Basic Healing (Lv. 1): Restores a small amount of HP.
Forest Affinity (Lv. ): Increased movement speed and awareness in forested areas. (Passive)
Dancing Blade (Lv. 1): A fluid combat style that emphasizes agility and speed. Combines swift movements with precise swordplay.
Wood Elemental Skill (Lv. 1): Ability to manipulate wood elements in combat and surroundings.
Guardian's Resolve (Passive): Increases defense and resistance against intimidation effects.
Delmo's heart raced as he observed the changes displayed before him. The Verdant Tempest Blade had vanished into nothing but Delmo knew that he could just fuse the skills again later on. Hopefully, the Synthesis Point used would be refunded to him later on.
"Dancing Blade," he mumbled.
Kael's eyebrows shot up at Delmo's sudden transformation. "What just happened?" he demanded, momentarily distracted by the energy radiating from the boy.
Delmo felt different. He was lighter on his feet, sharper in focus. He could sense every shift in the air around him as if it sang to him, urging him to dance.
With a grin tugging at his lips, Delmo gripped the wooden sword again, feeling an almost instinctual connection to its weight. That was what he needed.
"Let's go again," he challenged Kael, confidence igniting within him.
Kael narrowed his eyes but nodded, accepting the challenge. Delmo could see a silver of respect behind Kael's guarded demeanor.
The crowd murmured their intrigue as Delmo settled into position once more, his mind buzzing with excitement over what lay ahead. Their sparring match had only just begun, and now he wielded something more than just raw power. He possessed a new Skill.