Edric stood in the heart of the dense forest, blindfolded, his pointed ears twitching at the faintest sound.
The world around him was alive with whispers of leaves, the snap of twigs, and the subtle hum of arrows cutting through the air. His chest rose and fell steadily, his steel knuckles clenched tight, ready to strike.
**WHOOSH**
The first arrow zipped past, its sound sharp and clear. Edric shifted his weight, leaning just enough for the projectile to miss his ear by a hair's breadth.
His head tilted slightly, listening, sensing. Another arrow came from his left. He ducked, the shaft slicing through the space where his head had been.
**Thump!**
His boot pressed into the soft earth as he twisted to the side, avoiding two more arrows fired in quick succession.
The shooters were good, but Edric's heightened senses were better. The faint stretch of bowstrings, the creak of wood under pressure, even the ragged breathing of his enemies gave them away.
He dashed forward, weaving between the trees like a shadow. Crunch. A broken twig. He spun to his right, raising his arm just as an arrow streaked toward him. It grazed his gauntlet, deflecting with a metallic ping.
"Too slow," he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips.
More arrows came. Five. Six. Seven. Each one aimed with deadly precision. But Edric was a storm, untouchable. He leapt, flipping over a low branch as two arrows buried themselves into the bark.
Another whizzed toward his chest; he dropped to the ground, rolling under a moss-covered log and springing to his feet without hesitation.
The archers were closing in, thinking they had him pinned. Big mistake. Edric stilled, his senses locking onto every movement around him. A faint whistle. An arrow aimed at his back.
He spun sharply, raising his fist. His steel knuckles smashed the arrow mid-flight, splintering it into pieces. Without pausing, he lunged toward the sound of an archer's panicked breath.
However, before Edric could have taken down the Archer, someone attacked him from the left, sending him hurtling towards the ground.
**DHAK**
Edric collided against the tree, a painful grunt leaving his throat as he complained,
"I was told to dodge the arrows only." He said as he lifted the veil from his eyes.
"But never expect your enemy to stick to only one tactic. Adapt to the situation faster, Edric." Eric reprimanded the intern with a stern look on his face.
The teenager raised his hands in defeat, "Okay, understood. Anyway, how was my detection skill?"
He has been working really hard in this field for some time now. When it comes to brute strength, Edric has two forms that could be used. However, not only does he requires his elven form against an agile enemy, he wanted to increase the duration of that form as well.
Eric thought for a moment before telling him, "You are developing…however, you still are far from that point where mere heartbeat can give you the location of your enemy."
Edric heaved a sigh of frustration, however, it wasn't like he didn't expect it.
Eric's brows drew closer as he asked, "Why are you hasty about developing your senses so much? I mean, with those skills you can become a top ranking soldier easily."
Edric shook his head, "My goal isn't just to become a soldier…now my goal is different."
Eric raised his brows, "What do you mean?"
Edric explained, "I want to surpass Alex."
Although Edric didn't explain it to Eric, his original goal is to surpass that technique of his which Alex recently developed.
The Moon Dance.
Edric couldn't believe how silent and untraceable Alex becomes while performing that technique.
Last when they were training, Alex's presence became so faint that even his elven form failed to detect when Alex approached him.
That technique alone can slaughter any being as of now.
Until now since Edric didn't have someone who could have posed a challenge to him, Edric's ambition always remained limited.
However, now, he has someone he wants to catch up with.
In a very short duration Alex has become a very strong warrior. And Edric's new goal was to surpass him.
Eric walked closer to the younger one and said, "Don't rush your progress. You have a lot of time in your hand and not like Alex is growing exponentially every second…unless he gains control over that form of his."
Eric couldn't help but frown as he remembered that night when he faced a true beast in human flesh.
Alex's berserk state was not something he was ready to face. If anyone in the human realm could have incapacitated that being then it was Lord Steelhound himself.
Edric shrugged, "True. Now, can I go back and rest?"
"Before that, I must tell you that you will be leaving for the Capital tonight."
Edric frowned, "But why?"
"Because the King has summoned you."
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Alex chased after Celestria who was rushing toward the back side garden.
He didn't know what he would say or do to make her calm down.
He wasn't obliged to explain things to her, however, leaving her like this…felt wrong.
Maybe because he knows how much she cares about him? Or because she gifted him so many things? Alex didn't know exactly.
"Celestria, wait." He finally reached near her and draped his hand on her shoulder.
Without looking at her he could tell that she was crying. Her frail shoulders were trembling.
"I-It's okay Alex…you don't need to say anything. I now know…where do I stand."
Alex heaved a sigh before holding her hand and pulling her, "Come with me."
She didn't resist and while large droplets of tears continued to rain down her eyes, the girl got dragged by him.
Once they reached the resting bench under the tree, Alex made her sit down first and took out a handkerchief which he received from the Saintess to wipe her tears.
Once she calmed down a little, he sat down beside her and finally revealed,
"....there's a reason why I said I cannot have a romantic relationship with you."
—-------**--------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.