Chapter: 5
Jayden and Celina were locked in a flowing rhythm of motion, their wooden swords clashing repeatedly. Celina's style was like a flowing river—smooth, fluid, and elegant. Every step she took was calculated, her movements graceful yet precise. Her blade moved like an extension of her body, cutting through the air in seamless arcs.
Jayden, on the other hand, was unpredictable. His style, while fluid, carried an unconventional flair. His movements were sharp yet deceptive, transitioning between offensive and defensive maneuvers with a natural ease that kept his opponent guessing. His footwork was unorthodox, using feints and sudden changes in rhythm to keep Celina off balance.
Celina lunged forward, her blade slicing horizontally through the air. Jayden sidestepped, ducking low and aiming a sweeping strike at her side. Celina pivoted gracefully, twisting her body to avoid the blow and countering with an upward slash. Jayden leaned back just in time, their swords colliding with a loud crack as both fighters pushed against each other.
"Not bad," Celina said with a faint smirk, her emerald eyes gleaming with determination.
"Same to you," Jayden replied, his tone calm but his grip firm.
The spar continued, their movements a flurry of strikes, parries, and counters. Celina spun on her heel, delivering a powerful downward strike that Jayden deflected with a sharp upward block. Taking advantage of the momentum, Jayden stepped in close, aiming a quick thrust toward her midsection. Celina twisted her wrist, redirecting his blade while stepping to the side.
Jayden quickly shifted his stance, bringing his blade up in a sweeping arc that forced Celina to jump back. She retaliated with a spinning slash, but Jayden ducked under it and closed the distance once more. Their swords clashed again, the sound of wood meeting wood echoing across the field.
After what felt like an eternity of perfectly matched moves, they both stepped back simultaneously, panting lightly as they lowered their swords.
"A draw," Jayden said, breaking the silence.
"It would seem so," Celina replied with a satisfied smile.
As they caught their breath, Abigail approached them, her usual composed demeanor intact. She held out two wet rags, one for each of them. "Here, for your efforts," she said simply.
"Thank you, Abigail," Jayden and Celina said in unison as they took the rags and began wiping the sweat from their faces.
Jayden glanced at Celina as he lowered the rag. "So, I heard the treaty was finalized. When will you be heading home?"
Celina blinked in surprise, pausing mid-motion. "Huh? When did you hear that?"
"I overheard the maids talking about it on my way here," Jayden replied with a faint smirk. "Their gossip may be annoying, but it's not completely useless."
Celina sighed, shaking her head. "I was hoping to be the one to tell you... but yes, the treaty is signed. As for when I'm leaving, it's actually tomorrow morning."
Jayden's expression remained neutral, though his grip on the rag tightened briefly. "Ah, I see. Then you should probably go get packing. I've already taken up much of your time as it is."
Celina looked at him for a moment, her gaze softening. "You didn't take up my time, Jayden. I enjoyed it. Truly."
Jayden nodded, his tone quieter now. "Still, you'll need the rest of the day to prepare. I'll be here if you need anything."
Celina smiled faintly. "I'll hold you to that."
With that, she turned and began walking back toward the castle, leaving Jayden standing alone on the field. Abigail remained nearby, watching the interaction with a thoughtful look before clearing her throat softly.
"Shall we head back, Lord Jayden?" Abigail asked.
Jayden stared after Celina for a moment longer before shaking his head. "No, I still have some training to finish up."
"Understood. Is there anything you would like me to do?" Abigail asked.
"Yes, I would like you to draw a bath for me. I'll be back in thirty minutes."
"Of course, my lord." Abigail bowed before turning and walking off.
Jayden watched Abigail walk away before exhaling softly.
She's leaving tomorrow.
He turned his focus back to the empty training field, a flicker of determination lighting his eyes. Alright, time to finish this. I'm close. I can feel it.
Jayden took a deep breath and began his mana activation practice, focusing on pulling in the energy from the air around him. For the first time, he could actually see the mana as it swirled and danced in the air—a kaleidoscope of colors shimmering before his eyes.
Jayden stared in awe, momentarily distracted. "It's... beautiful," he whispered.
The mana seemed alive, vibrant and mesmerizing as it flowed toward him. The sheer beauty of it struck him. "How could kingdoms and religions outlaw something so beautiful?" he muttered, a mixture of frustration and wonder in his voice.
As he stood there admiring the spectacle, a sudden jolt coursed through his body. The pain was sharp and overwhelming, nearly knocking him off his feet. Jayden stumbled but quickly caught himself, his teeth clenched as the pain intensified. Yet, through the agony, a triumphant smirk crept onto his face.
"The final barrier," he murmured through gritted teeth. "It's been broken."
An aura of raw power began to radiate from his body, swirling like a storm. The colors of mana coalesced around him, drawn into his core as he gained control over the flow.
"I can finally wield mana," Jayden said, his voice filled with quiet triumph.
For a moment, he stood still, letting the mana settle and his body adjust to the newfound power. The energy hummed within him, a sensation both foreign and exhilarating.
As the aura around him faded, Jayden exhaled slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had achieved something forbidden, something powerful—and he knew it was only the beginning.
Chapter 5: End