The Day After
Early in the morning, outside Rudeus's mansion, the solitary figure of a blond-haired young man was visible. The freezing air of Ranoa didn't seem to affect him at all, as he was immersed in the strenuous exercise routine he had maintained daily.
Arthur was in the middle of a push-up session, with an enormous rock resting on his back.
"Four hundred..." he groaned, making the minimal pause before lowering himself. "Four hundred and one... Four hundred and two..."
Each repetition was a test of raw strength and physical control. His muscles tensed under his shirt, and the dirt ground creaked with the effort. Finally, he reached his morning goal.
"...Five hundred."
With a single powerful exhale, Arthur abruptly stood up, discarding the weight. The huge rock fell to the ground with a dull crash that shook the tranquility of the garden. Arthur stood, regulating his breathing, the sweat quickly evaporating in the cold air.
After a brief rest, he grabbed his wooden sword, feeling the familiar, balanced weight of the weapon in his hand. It was time to move from body strength to technique.
He connected his mind with his artificial intelligence companion.
"Great Sage, activate simulation. Other Self."
In that instant, a black and somber figure materialized about two meters away from him, but **only in Arthur's field of vision**. It was a featureless human outline, completely covered, wielding a sword identical to his own. It immediately adopted the same combat stance as Arthur, ready for the duel.
'We'll see if you can win this time,' the Great Sage's voice resonated in Arthur's mind. 'I've raised the difficulty by at least 20% more.'
Arthur ignored the comment and concentrated. The shadow attacked first, at great speed. Arthur instantly blocked the invisible attack with a dull *clack* (only audible to him), starting the duel.
His feet moved quickly over the snowy ground, performing turns and cuts against the air.
Meanwhile, at the mansion's front door, Ruijerd stepped out to get some air.
Upon opening the door, the Superd felt a slight tremor and saw Arthur in the yard. Ruijerd stopped, observing him with interest.
Arthur was moving with incredible intensity, dodging, blocking, and attacking against the air.
Ruijerd tilted his head.
What a peculiar young man—Ruijerd thought, acknowledging the great effort and discipline. He let his friend continue with his solitary practice.
With a final glance at the blond young man, he prepared to leave but then saw someone approaching Arthur that he instantly recognized, and he frowned fiercely.
It was a muscular, large man with six arms. It was none other than BadiGady —who didn't see Ruijerd—he only saw Arthur in his training. Then he spoke, "Hey kid."
Arthur, who was concentrated, stopped upon hearing the voice to look at the person. He was slightly surprised to see someone with such a peculiar skin tone and six arms.
Having the boy's attention, he continued, "Hello, my name is BadiGadi. You look strong. What do you say we compete?" he said, smiling with his huge fangs.
If you defeat me, I'll award you the title of Hero. How does that sound?"
Before Arthur could reply, the Great Sage let out a warning.
'Hey, don't you dare accept. I'm sure you already realized it, but a vast amount of *Touki* emanates from his body. You probably won't cut him.'
'But this is a great opportunity to test my power! I feel like I'm almost entering the King-Rank,' Arthur replied internally.
'You're an idiot! If you truly want to compete with him, you'll probably have to use King-Rank magic to defeat him... possibly,' the Sage countered.
I'd love to," Arthur responded, ignoring the internal commentary. He adopted his style's stance.
Oh wow, what a peculiar stance! As a token of your bravery, you'll have the first strike.— So, don't hold back, kid, hahahaha! BadiGadi exclaimed.
Arthur exhaled, tensing his muscles. Then the Great Sage spoke.
Damn idiot... Listen, his Touki is increasing irregularly. If you try to defeat him only with the sword at your current rank, you won't be able to do much.'
Arthur frowned slightly. "Yeah, I noticed... but this is my chance," he replied inwardly.
BadiGadi opened all six arms, adopting a posture that mixed brute force and ancestral technique.
"I told you you'd have the first blow. Take advantage of it, boy!"
Arthur needed no further invitation.
In a blink, Arthur disappeared from the ground. His near-King speed left a trail of rising snow.
BadiGadi barely had time to arch an eyebrow before Arthur appeared by his side, spinning on his axis with an upward slash.
Saint Dawn Style — Dawn Cut.
The blade resonated like thunder as it impacted the demon's torso.
Arthur felt like he was cutting metal.
BadiGadi didn't even flinch. He just looked down, observing the superficial mark left on his Touki-hardened skin.
Interesting. It's not common for someone to tickle me.
With an almost casual movement, he tried to grab Arthur with two arms. Arthur immediately retreated with lateral jumps, taking advantage of an opening to launch another thrust.
The second technique was faster.
Rising Sun.
A vertical cut imbued with Touki.
But BadiGadi deflected it with a forearm blow, laughing.
"This is getting fun, kid!"
BadiGadi propelled himself with monstrous force; the ground exploded beneath him. In an instant, he was in front of Arthur.
Arthur crossed his sword to block.
The clash generated a shockwave that cleared the snow for tens of meters.
Arthur was pushed backward, his feet carving trenches in the frozen earth.
'Impact calculated... you are at the limit of Saint-Rank. If he continues to increase his Touki, it will be basically impossible for you to match him.'
I already figured that out,— Arthur replied through clenched teeth.
BadiGadi charged again.
Arthur spun, dodged by inches, and seized the momentum to counterattack with a horizontal slash wrapped in Touki and magic.
'I'll have to push my limits much further.'
"Resonant Cut of King-Rank."
It was more than a blow: a magical vibration seeking to pierce the Touki defense.
This time, BadiGadi was actually pushed a few steps back.
The demon opened his eyes in surprise... then smiled widely.
A CUT WITH MAGIC AND TOUKI?! HAHAHAHA! That truly is incredible, BOY!
Arthur breathed raggedly. He had left a long line of blood on the demon's chest.
'Arthur... forget about just using the sword. Use better spells. You'll have much more opportunity.'
I know... but I feel like I'm close to the next level.
Arthur exhaled. His Touki surged, his sword seemed to become heavier and lighter at the same time.
BadiGadi applauded.
Good boy! Then it's my turn now! GET READY!
The demon unleashed such a bestial amount of Touki that the surrounding snow vaporized.
Ruijerd, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes. 'That demon... he's serious.'
Arthur inhaled. There was only one thing he could do.
Arthur propelled himself forward.
BadiGadi did too.
The clash was so brutal that the sound arrived an instant later.
Arthur managed three consecutive cuts:
"Shin—"
"Zen—"
"Gekki."
BadiGadi received them head-on, laughing like a monster.
GOOD! GOOD! GOOD!
Kid... you're impressive. But now it's my turn.
Arthur raised his sword, panting—
Come on...
BadiGadi disappeared.
Arthur only managed to hear a roar:
TOUKI EXPLOSIVE IMPACT!"
A strike with all six combined fists collided with Arthur's torso as if a divine beast had charged him. RAAAAAAAM!
The impact created a crater.
Arthur was shot tens of meters away, hitting a mound of snow and becoming partially buried. His eyes blurred, his breathing shaky.
BadiGadi prepared to advance and declare the official end of the fight, but then he heard firm footsteps behind him.
Rudeus, Sylphie, Norn, and Aisha came out to see what happened. Upon exiting, they saw Ruijerd interposing himself in front of a stunned Arthur lying on the ground.
I think that's enough,— Ruijerd said, a bead of sweat on his forehead.
Aisha and Norn rushed to rescue Arthur, using healing magic to treat him slightly.
End of Chapter.