The sparring arena was as grand as one would expect for a noble family's training facility. The gym was a vast hall with reinforced walls, glowing faintly with runic inscriptions designed to absorb mana attacks. Various weapons hung neatly on racks, ranging from simple training swords to intricate staffs pulsing with latent energy.
DK and Lucy then prepped themselves to spar in the gym. They wore protective gear to prevent any accidental injuries. DK decided to pick up a wooden sword from the inventory while Lucy put an artifact on the palm of her hand.
"What is that thing on your hand?" DK asked, gesturing toward the artifact Lucy wore as he practiced a series of fluid swings with the wooden sword. His movements were precise and deliberate, honed by years of mastering various sword styles as his Death Knight character in Fragmented Skies. The mental sharpness and muscle memory he had developed in the immersive game world had seamlessly carried over into this new reality, allowing him to adapt quickly to Aiden's physical form.
With each swing of the sword, the blade cut through the air with a sharp, satisfying swoosh. Lucy found herself momentarily mesmerized by the sight. This was not the Aiden she remembered—desperate, timid, and perpetually weighed down by his perceived inadequacies. The person before her moved with the poise and precision of a seasoned swordsman. Even though the wooden sword lacked mana enhancement, it seemed to radiate an intangible aura of mastery, as if it belonged to someone far beyond Aiden's supposed skill level.
Lucy cleared her throat and responded, "This is an artifact designed to channel and focus my mana attacks," she said, raising her hand to display the device. "Don't worry, I don't plan on using it against you. But you should know, I have a fire-type mana affinity, and my attacks can reach level three at their strongest."
Lucy noticed DK's intrigued expression and offered an explanation. "It's not just about the strength of the attack," she began, holding up the artifact and letting a faint glow of mana ripple across her palm. "The levels also account for factors like control, response time, and activation speed—whether the spell is offensive or defensive. For instance, a skilled mage could take a simple fireball spell and concentrate it with such precision and power that it becomes a level seven attack capable of leveling an entire town."
DK's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So it's not just raw power but finesse too?"
"Exactly," Lucy said, nodding. "There are thirteen levels in total, starting at zero. Lower levels are fairly standardized, but as you climb higher, the destruction and defensive capabilities become harder to measure. That's why higher-level spells are loosely defined at best. For example, in recorded history, there's only been one instance of a level thirteen defensive spell. It was cast several centuries ago to block an onslaught of simultaneous high-level attacks. People still talk about it as if it were a legend."
DK smirked, gripping his wooden sword tighter. "Sounds impressive. Let's hope I don't have to face anyone throwing level thirteen spells anytime soon."
Lucy chuckled, a playful glint in her eye. "You won't have to worry about that with me. My strongest attacks barely hit level three, and this is just practice."
"Got it," DK said, shifting into a ready stance. "Enough history lessons—let's spar. On the count of three."
Lucy's excitement bubbled to the surface as she mirrored DK's stance, her artifact glowing faintly as it prepared to channel her mana. As a noblewoman, she rarely had the opportunity to spar freely, especially against someone with DK's raw determination. "One," she began, her heart racing. "Two... three!"
As soon as Lucy finished saying "one," DK moved. Instinct took over as he let his upper body drop, using gravity to build momentum, and then darted forward with a fluid motion. His wooden sword arced upward in a powerful slash aimed at Lucy's chest. The speed and precision of the attack left her with barely any time to react. The blow landed cleanly, sending her stumbling back and onto the floor, her artifact flickering faintly as it struggled to respond to the sudden impact.
"Ah—ow!" Lucy exclaimed, clutching her chest where the strike had landed. She looked up at DK, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and indignation. "How the hell did you move so fast? I barely sensed your movement, let alone had time to prepare a defensive spell. And that slash—it was precise, almost... instinctive. Where did you learn to wield a sword like that?"
DK straightened, lowering his weapon as a faint smile played on his lips. "Just... exercise," he said, trying to sound casual. "Keeping the body limber and agile. I've been experimenting with ways to overcome my mana disability, and I guess during my coma, I was dreaming up techniques like this. Though let's be honest, that attack only works once on someone who hasn't seen it before."
Lucy blinked, still processing what had just happened. Her heart was pounding—not just from the physical blow, but from the sheer speed and power behind DK's movements. It wasn't just raw talent; there was a deeper, instinctual mastery at play, one that felt far beyond anything Aiden had shown before. She rubbed her chest and gave him a wary look. "You're telling me that's just... exercise? Don't sell yourself short."
DK shrugged. "Well, I'm learning as I go. That was just me testing something new. Come on," he said, extending a hand to help her up. "Let's go again. I promise I won't repeat the same move."
Lucy accepted his hand reluctantly, her mind still racing. She rose to her feet and adjusted her stance, this time more cautious. "Fine. But don't think I'll let my guard down again."
"You could try it," Lucy said, her tone steady but tinged with a playful challenge, "but I'm ready this time." She mumbled something under her breath, and for a moment, DK noticed a faint bluish shimmer envelop her body. The mana-enhanced layer seemed to ripple slightly, a subtle but unmistakable sign of her preparation.
DK took a deep breath, steadying himself as he analyzed the situation. This faint aura was his first close look at the manifestation of mana in this world. It wasn't just a tool for attacking or defending; it augmented the user in ways he was still beginning to grasp. His initial attack had worked only because Lucy hadn't expected it—a stark reminder that most mages likely lacked rigorous physical training.
Switching to a defensive stance, DK adjusted his grip on the wooden sword. He wasn't going to rush in again without a plan. He waited, his eyes locked on Lucy, who, sensing his hesitation, smirked.
"Fine. Let's see how well you defend," she said, raising her right hand equipped with the artifact. The air around her palm shimmered with heat as mana began to concentrate. She aimed directly at DK. "If I were you, Aiden, I wouldn't try to block this with that wooden toy of yours."
DK's instincts screamed at him to move. Trusting her warning, he ducked just as a massive bolt of fire erupted from the artifact, shooting past him with searing intensity. The heat was overwhelming, even from a near-miss. The bolt struck the reinforced wall behind him, leaving a charred scorch mark.
"Hey!" DK shouted, rising to his feet, the wooden sword still clutched tightly. "I thought we agreed not to kill each other!"
Lucy shrugged, lowering her hand slightly, though her expression remained focused. "It wasn't lethal. I held back enough to avoid causing permanent damage. But if you're not fast enough, you won't survive the Trials. Better you learn now than later."
DK grumbled under his breath, though he couldn't deny the truth in her words. He had caught a glimpse of the speed and power behind her mana-enhanced attacks, and it was clear that getting hit was not an option. He took a deep breath and reset his stance, holding the sword steady in front of him. "Fine. But at least tell me this: is there a way to figure out what level someone is at? Or how strong their attacks are?"
Lucy tilted her head, intrigued by the question. "Sort of," she said, circling him slowly, her hand still glowing faintly with residual mana. "A person's level or class is usually determined by their affinity, control, and mana reserves. Stronger individuals can release larger amounts of mana in a short burst or sustain it for longer periods. As for attacks, they're measured by intensity, precision, and impact. But it's not always easy to tell—especially in a real fight."
DK furrowed his brow, keeping his eyes on her. "So, there's no clear way to know?"
"Not always," Lucy admitted. "But experienced fighters can gauge their opponent's power by observing their mana flow. For instance, the way it concentrates or disperses during an attack can hint at their level. Of course, it's easier said than done when you're dodging firebolts."
"Well, thanks for the advice," DK said dryly, adjusting his grip. "Now stop explaining and start attacking again. I need to figure this out."
Lucy chuckled. "Suit yourself."