Chapter 25 - Training Session
"So you are here," I said, as I continued my steps toward the back oasis of Suman's house.
After dinner, I decided to stop by to check on something and ask for a favor. I had no doubt he would respond to anything I asked, but that was no excuse not to ask him directly with respect.
"My Lord.. what are you doing here?" Suman bowed his head in respect.
"Haha, what am I doing.. looking for you. I wanted to ask you something, and perhaps a certain favor."
"I am at your command, My Lord.. whatever you order. Let me bring you some tea."
"Thank you.. I don't want to stay long. Just a question and I'll go. Tell me, Suman, those wolves you obtained in the battle.. can you summon them now?"
"Yes, My Lord.. they are already under my command."
"That's good.. very good. Perhaps you can help me with something then."
"What is it, My Lord?"
Before I could ask, a voice came from behind.
"You guys are here," Lois said.
"Welcome, Lois.." Suman spoke with dignity.
"What are you doing here? Are you two together?"
My lips spread into a mischievous smile.
Why are you surprised, haha.. of course I would think about this.. I bet you thought about it too. Hahaha, what else would I believe..
a woman coming to a man's house at night.. of course, my mind would see it as something between them.
"I wanted to ask Suman about something.. but what are you doing here, My Lord?"
"I wanted the same thing. So let's hear your question first."
"Actually, after seeing that technique of reviving wolves as allies.. I wanted to ask why he didn't try that technique on the male wolf."
It's a great question. I had thought of the exact same thing. Despite Lois defeating him, that wolf's strikes were truly violent.
"You shouldn't be surprised, haha," Suman smiled and continued, "All there is to it is that the spear, in its current state, cannot summon a beast of that strength. Perhaps if it were an Ancient weapon or higher, it would be easy. The five wolves are the maximum it can summon."
"I see.. so that's what happened. Still, 5 wolves seem like a good thing in the current situation.. just imagine if you could develop your spear into an Ancient weapon or higher.. what legendary beasts would be under your command!"
"Oh.. that's wonderful.. can I really develop my weapon?"
"What?"
"You just said, My Lord.. developing my weapon into Ancient."
"Haaa.. yes.. what I meant was if there were a way, hahaha."
"Hahaha," Lois laughed, while Suman frowned in disappointment.
"So My Lord, what was the question you came for?" Lois asked.
"I want to enlist Suman's wolves for training. More practice. That's why I came to ask."
"Actually, I want that too," Lois answered.
Then, several new steps paced from behind.
"I want that too. I want to train with fast beasts like those."
Jo's voice echoed, coming from the back.
"Well then, haha. What do you think of a secret training for all of us together?"
"That's wonderful, My Lord.. I agree."
"Me too."
"And me."
Everyone quickly agreed, and it was decided that the training would be tomorrow.
{ 9:00 AM }
"You are all here."
"Of course, My Lord.. for a long time. I woke up with excitement," Jo's face lit up with a smile as he continued, "I want to see the strength of the rest as well."
"You are very confident," Lois smiled. "Perhaps you should test your own strength instead of others."
"Hahaha.. everyone knows my strength, and I'll show it to you soon."
"Haha, let's see."
Yes.. a beautiful morning of competition, haha. I fear the training morning might turn into a real power struggle.
"So, shall we begin?"
"Yes, My Lord.."
"Good. The first match.. I will put Lois against Jo.. so they can complete their 'pleasant' conversation, hahaha."
Why hadn't I thought of something like this before? Training is very necessary in such cases.
Perhaps if I had trained with one of them earlier, I wouldn't have faced that embarrassment with the young wolves.
But what now? Shall I train? I am no match for any of them. It would just be an embarrassment. Perhaps I'll just ignore the matter.
"Are you ready to begin?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Begin!"
"Let's see how you'll hold up!"
Jo shouted, as he launched with his weight and massive axe toward Lois.
Step after step, his movement accelerated. Then he raised his axe and delivered a heavy strike.
Lois smiled. She was already wearing her gloves at that moment.
I expected her to counter the strike as she did with the wolf..
but..
she leapt back lightly, leaving the axe to dig its hole in the empty ground.
Why isn't she countering him? I couldn't find an answer. But she is a smart girl. I bet she has a plan.
"Fleeing.. is the mark of the weak," Jo smiled and raised his axe again.
He moved again and attacked. Lois evaded again. Then he attacked once more, and another, and another..
each time Lois evaded the blow.
"The difference in speed is clearly evident in their battle.."
Monali whispered near me.
"But.. is fleeing all she has? I saw how she defeated that wolf.. but Jo.. he previously took a strike much stronger than your brother's and wasn't affected. If all Lois has is speed and a strike of that power only... then I fear that—"
Suddenly, Jo's fighting style changed.
Instead of heavy strikes, he chose to move faster and strike with less power.
Under that strategy... Lois fell into his grasp.
BOOM..
Lois took the hit violently and was thrown away.
"Hahaha.. so where is your Ancient weapon and its abilities? Will you be defeated before the pure power of my axe?"
Lois didn't answer. Instead, she stood up with a smile. She raised her hands and prepared again for the next attack.
BOOM...
BOOM...
BOOM...
It continued for minutes. Jo delivered medium and light strikes, and Lois countered with difficulty.
Jo raised his axe and prepared to deliver his powerful strike.
"He succeeded with the medium strikes, why return to that blow? She'll just evade it like before," Suman wondered.
"I don't think so," Monali whispered.
"Why is that?"
"She is exhausted. I believe he lured her with those strikes to deplete the stamina that allowed her to flee repeatedly from his heavy blows."
"You're right.. but," I said in a quiet voice, then my eyes narrowed. "I think I've seen these scenes before."
"What?" Monali asked.
Meanwhile, Jo leapt high and fast. Faster than any time he had attacked before. He was hiding that speed for the final moment.
He raised his solid axe and delivered his strike.
As Monali expected, Lois didn't have enough energy to flee.
She raised her yellow glove, bit her lip, and the powerful collision occurred.
BOOOOOOM!
A large layer of the ground was completely caved in, and a large crater formed as a harsh reaction. Dust spread violently.
It was a decisive moment..
suspense in the air. Jo began to emerge from the dust..
as the dust gradually cleared.
"It's over," a calm, confident voice whispered, emerging from the rubble.
Everyone's eyes narrowed... as Lois stood with all her vigor among the rubble.
"This is impossible.. that strike? It pierced through my brother's defense.. how did it not affect her?"
Monali whispered in an audible voice.. while Suman stood in surprise. A grim silence settled over Jo in the arena.
Meanwhile, a smile formed on my lips.
"Just as I expected," I whispered to myself.
That girl truly earns my respect.. she's a genius. She practiced the same despicable plan against Jo that she did with the wolf.
But.. why didn't she counter Jo from the beginning?
"Is this your strongest strike?"
Lois laughed mockingly, as she brushed the dust off her clothes.
"Haha, I have much stronger ones. I'm glad you countered that strike. Now I can unleash my true power.. maybe you countered one.. but what about two? 5? 10? 50?"
"Hahaha.. do you have an unlimited reserve of accumulation? I doubt it. But.. regardless.. 100 strikes like that won't work anymore."
"Arrogance is what brings its owner down," Jo said, then raised his axe.
"But let me tell you something.. since we are training, you should know."
"What?"
"This yellow glove.. every time it counters a strike, its defensive power increases.."
"WHAAAT?" Jo's expression broke into shock.
Not just him.. all of us did.
"This is the first property of my Ancient weapon.. therefore, the strike it counters now, it will be able to counter later with 100% efficiency. And after twice or three times.. strikes of that power become nothing before its increasing defense. This means one thing."
"What?"
"While i increase in power, you increase in weakness against me.
But now, it's time.. to see what my other glove does! Hahaha!"