Chapter 27 - Training (3)
"I told you to watch your footing!" Niel barked. "You're moving too much without purpose. Every step should mean something. Conserve your energy."
This guy talks way too much! Benedict cursed silently.
As annoyed as he was, Benedict still tried to follow Niel's instructions, keeping his movements minimal to preserve stamina. But his body wasn't used to such strict battle discipline.
He relied on the raw strength of his new arm, but without proper technique, he felt clumsy and foolish.
Watching from the sidelines, Theodore's lips parted slightly. He hadn't expected the kid to last this long.
"How long has this been going, Leader?" Theodore asked Alice.
"Three minutes. He's already outlasted your prediction," Alice replied with a faint smile.
"...He's lasted longer than I thought," Theodore admitted, clearly impressed.
The fight pressed on.
Niel's attacks kept coming, unrelenting, ever-changing. He swung his wooden sword from above, forcing Benedict to block with strained effort.
Then came a sudden low slash aimed at Benedict's legs. He jumped to avoid it, but the landing threw off his balance.
"Don't just jump aimlessly!" Niel shouted. "Use your footwork! Rotate your hips!"
Benedict tried to copy Niel's movements, but his body just wouldn't cooperate.
The wooden sword in his grip grew heavier by the second. Sweat poured down his face, stinging his eyes. His vision blurred.
Niel saw an opening.
He darted forward, launching a fast cross-slash. One to the left, one to the right, targeting Benedict's sides.
Benedict tried to block both, but he was too slow. One of the strikes hit him hard in the ribs.
"ARGHH!" he groaned in pain.
Even though it was just a wooden sword, it felt like he'd been hit with a sledgehammer. The pain shot through him like fire.
"Your defense is full of holes, Benedict!" Niel scolded. "You need to protect your whole body, not just what's in front of your eyes."
Gasping, Benedict struggled to steady his breathing.
He knew he couldn't last much longer. His stamina was nearly gone. He could've used Hypnosis... but he refused. Not now. He needed to know where his true limits were.
Niel's assault didn't let up. Slash after slash rained down. Faster and more precise.
Benedict blocked, dodged, staggered back, surviving purely on instinct. His vision darkened at the edges. Niel's voice became distant.
"Hold your sword higher!"
"Is that all you've got?!"
"Come on!"
Each command was a verbal strike, matching the physical ones. Benedict's body was on the verge of collapse, but he kept going. Some stubborn will inside him refused to give in.
He had to get stronger. Strong enough to stand at the top of the academy. Strong enough to surpass Enzo, the protagonist.
Niel noticed Benedict's dry eyes, his shaky breath, his movement slowing almost to a halt.
This was the moment to end it.
With a final lunge, Niel unleashed one last attack, a straight thrust toward Benedict's chest. Strong enough to knock him down without causing injury.
Benedict raised his sword to block, but too late. His body had given out. His arms trembled uncontrollably.
THUD!
The wooden blade slammed into Benedict's chest. The impact sent him flying backward.
His sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the side of the field.
And then, something awakened inside him.
A primal surge, from the dark power now coursing through him.
With his sword arm flung away, he swung his bare left hand straight at Niel.
It was a raw, instinctive strike. Fueled by the terrifying strength of Miyabi's Necro Healing.
BOOM!!
The punch landed squarely on Niel's chest, with strength no normal human should have.
Niel stumbled back, his eyes wide in shock. The blow had knocked him several steps away, and he struggled to keep from falling.
What the hell was that?! Niel reeled in his mind.
He stared at Benedict's skeletal arm, then at the boy's glowing red eyes that radiated an eerie chill.
What kind of power is that?
But Niel was no rookie. His surprise lasted only a second.
He quickly regained his stance, hopping back to create distance. His expression sharpened, now fully serious. He raised his wooden sword again.
"Interesting," he muttered. "But you're out of stamina, kid."
He lunged once more, this time watching Benedict's left arm carefully, no longer underestimating its unnatural power.
Benedict had landed a shocking blow, but it had taken everything out of him.
His body gave out.
He dropped to the ground, unable to stand. Even though he'd pulled off that strike, he was completely spent.
He had lost.
But somehow, he felt satisfied. He hadn't expected to last that long against someone so experienced.
And the fact that he'd landed a punch that even shook Niel, that alone made him feel like he wasn't ordinary.
Niel approached, offering Benedict a hand. His expression was now full of respect, maybe even a hint of admiration.
"You did well, kid," he said sincerely. "Didn't think you'd last this long, let alone hit me with that."
Benedict could only lie there, gasping for breath. Every muscle screamed, his lungs felt scorched.
"That was a good fight," Niel added, helping him up.
"With the right training, your instincts could become a deadly weapon. And that left hand of yours... it's dangerous. You just need more experience, and a lot more stamina."
Benedict gave a weak nod, accepting the help.
From the stands, Theodore gave a low whistle. "Nearly six minutes, Leader. And that punch... damn. I'll admit it, I was wrong. That kid's got terrifying potential."
Alice's smile didn't waver. "I wasn't wrong when I found him, he defeated a Wolf on his own. Without even having an Essence System."
Theodore gawked at her. "W-WHAT?! He took down a Wolf without using the Essence System?! T-that's... this kid might become a monster, Alice!"
Alice rested a finger on her chin, watching Niel support Benedict as they walked toward her.
"Yes, that's exactly why I made him my Disciple."
Theodore glanced back at the boy, still standing, though he stumbled with every step.
Still...
What kind of monster had their leader brought in this time?