Sera’s eyes widened before a large grin spread across her face. She got up and walked over to Zayzal, giving him a few congratulatory pats on the back, knocking the breath out of him. “Hahaha! Good! About time you got stronger!”
“Ugh… Cough… Cough… Y-Yeah. It is.”Zayzal sucked in as much air as he could and gave a wry smile, scooting a few feet away from Sera. He inwardly sighed, still feeling the stinging pain on his back. ‘It seems she’s still stronger than me. I mean, it makes sense, but it’s still a little disheartening.’
Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts away and stood up. Turning to the sleeping Anders, he sighed again, both out of relief and guilt, and then grabbed his spear. “Wanna spar?” He asked, glancing back at Sera, who immediately sprung to her feet.
Before he knew it, the woman was already geared up, axe and shield in hand, standing in front of the door. “I thought you’d never ask! Let’s go!” She exclaimed before dashing out the door.
Zayzal chuckled and followed right after her, giving Anders one last fleeting look.
A few minutes later, the two stood out in a courtyard on the North side of the building, opposite one another, their weapons ready.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Although it’s just a spar, I won’t hold back.” Sera asked, but from the bounce in her step and excited look on her face, it was clear she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Giving her a firm nod, he lowered his position with a slight grin. “Do your worst.”
Sera burst out laughing as her eyes took on a more savage look than before. “Hahaha! Yes! That’s how a man should act!” Gripping her shield tightly, she stomped on the ground before saying, “Alright, here I come!”
With the force of a charging bull, Sera lunged forward, her shield leading as if it were the prow of a fierce warship. Zayzal braced himself, adjusting his grip on the spear. His heart hammered against his ribs, not out of fear but anticipation. He sidestepped at the last moment, feeling the rush of air as Sera's shield passed, missing him by inches.
Zayzal's spear then darted out, aiming for the gaps in Sera's armor. But she was swift, moving her shield to intercept each thrust as if she could predict his movements. When she found an opening, she sidestepped and struck the broadside of her axe.
Yet, Zayzal held his ground. "You'll have to do better than that!" he called out, trying to egg her on.
She responded with a grin. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just getting started!"
The spar continued, their figures dashing and darting all over the courtyard as the afternoon sun dipped in the sky. They were creating quite the spectacle. Onlookers had gathered, forming a ring around the courtyard drawn by the sound of the duel.
One of the people to show up was Dr. Ebersbach, who treated Anders.
“Uhhh… What’s going on?” She subconsciously asked, her mouth hanging wide open as she watched the two go back and forth. She’d never seen such a… fierce display before. It was like they were trying to kill each other! ‘My god, are they insane?!’
“We don’t know.” A male dressed in a nurse's outfit shook his head but still kept his eyes on the battle. “All of a sudden, we just heard yells and the clashes of metal and came to check it out.”
“At first, we wanted to stop them, but when we learned they were just sparring, we could only give up and back away.” Another chimed in.
“T-They’re sparring?” Dr. Ebersbach pointed at the craziness before her. Her eyes could hardly keep up with the movement of their weapons, they were going so fast. “Are… Are you sure?”
“Mmhm. We asked them. Plus, look at their expressions. They’re both smiling.”
Dr. Ebersbach looked closely, and indeed, the man was right. They were both smiling. “I-I see. I guess the world really has changed, huh?”
“...”
Nobody replied to her. They were all left with their own thoughts on the matter, with the primary one being: ‘I want to do that!’
Meanwhile, the two in question fought as if they didn’t realize a crowd had formed around them.
Zayzal could feel the subtle shift in his muscles, the ache of exertion, and the formation of new neural pathways as he engraved each spear technique, as rough as it might be, into his bones.
He was reaching his limit, and yet, there was a thrill in that, too. With each exchange, he learned more about his capabilities and their limits. He also learned how to use the spear a bit more efficiently. If he didn’t, Sera would knock him upside the head.
A sharp clang echoed as spear and axe locked together, Zayzal pushing against Sera's overwhelming strength. "Not... bad," he gasped out, the strain evident in his voice.
Sera pushed back with a crazed glow in her eyes. "Come on, Zayzal! Show me that new strength of yours! Don’t tell me that’s all you have left?!"
And so he did. Summoning his last bit of energy, Zayzal twisted his spear and broke free from the lock. He maneuvered swiftly, hopping over to her blind spot. He swung low, hoping to sweep Sera off her feet.
However, the woman was too experienced to fall for that. She lowered her axe to the side, deflecting his spear, then charged at him and bashed him to the ground. Before he could react, she stood over him with her axe raised up in the air.
“Let’s call it there.” She said, ending the spar. Getting off of him and lowering her axe, she offered her hand to Zayzal, which he promptly took and pulled him up.
Finally, Sera stepped back, her chest heaving. "That was amazing!" she said, a laugh bubbling up from within her. "You've got the makings of a great warrior, Zayzal. In no time, you’ll be leading your own tribe! Hahaha!”
Zayzal accepted her hand and rose, brushing the dirt from his clothes. His body ached from the encounter, but a sense of pride swelled within him because of her praise. It was similar to whenever his martial arts coach would comment on his growth or skills, yet different since it came from a friend. "Thanks."
She clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't thank me yet. You've still got a ways to go. And I expect you to catch up soon!"
With that, they turned to head back inside, leaving the courtyard behind. The gathered crowd, which had moments before been electrified by their fierce sparring, now seemed almost hesitant, as if unsure of how to interact with the two combatants after such a display.
Murmurs of awe and a twinge of fear at the raw power they had witnessed filled the air. They parted to let Zayzal and Sera pass with wide eyes, their minds racing with what they'd seen.
The pair walked back to the room in silence, each going over the duel in their minds. When they entered, they were greeted by the sight of Anders, who had awakened and now sat up on the bed. He had a somewhat distant and contemplative gaze, which gave them the impression he’d been up for a while.
Sera's demeanor softened at the sight of Anders awake. "Anders! You're up. How do you feel?"
Anders looked up, his eyes focusing on them. "Like I've been sleeping for a week," he said in a hoarse voice. He attempted a smile, though it was more of a grimace, as he looked at their states. "I see I missed quite the performance."
Zayzal chuckled and walked closer to bed. "Yeah, well, we had to do something while you were out. Couldn't let the day go to waste."
Anders nodded, accepting the light-hearted jest. "Seems like it was productive, at least for you two. You look... different, Zayzal. Stronger."
"It's all thanks to Sera here. She doesn't know how to go easy," Zayzal replied with a grin, shooting a glance at Sera, who shrugged unapologetically. “And because of one of the things you grabbed in the dungeon.”
He moved to a hidden spot behind a table and grabbed his bag, pulling out the “Mind’s Eye” technique manual. Handing it over to Anders, the man raised an eyebrow at the title. “I knew I grabbed something different. So, it was a book, huh? But how did this make you stronger?”
Zayzal and Sera then went on to explain the technique, causing Anders’s eyes to widen. “Really?! This thing is that good?!”
“Yup! We also think it’s possible for you to speed up your recovery if you master it!” Sera exclaimed with an infectious smile.
Anders returned it and firmly nodded. He could also imagine how it could help him recover. Although it wouldn’t be direct, he could use it to learn more about his condition without relying on modern machines or electricity. ‘Maybe if I learn how to use mana better, I can use it to improve my recovery rate? Or, I can target specific areas that need to be healed.’
He could think of several uses, and while they were just theories, they were like the light at the end of the tunnel. Who would want to be injured for weeks or months in this new world filled with dangers and opportunities? He sure as hell didn’t!
He’d already tasted the forbidden fruit that is power and, like any other human, wanted more. Whether it be helping out his community, the thrill of dungeon diving, or the process of breaking past previous human limitations and learning more about this new energy, he wanted to experience it all!
Not in six months or a year, but now!
‘If it can help me get back to my previous self, I’ll try almost anything.’ He thought, eager to test out the technique.
Still, before he made any big decisions, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was a lot going through his mind right now. Worry, fear, anxiety, a little bit of relief, envy, joy, anticipation… He felt them all, and that clouded his judgment.
‘Haaa… I should deal with the most pressing matters first.’ He sighed, finalizing his thoughts before he gazed into Sera and Zayzal’s eyes and said. “This is good, great, even, but… I know you two want to get on the road, and I don’t want to hold you back. You’ve done more than enough for me, so I want you to leave without me.”
Sera’s eyes widened before a large grin spread across her face. She got up and walked over to Zayzal, giving him a few congratulatory pats on the back, knocking the breath out of him. “Hahaha! Good! About time you got stronger!”
“Ugh… Cough… Cough… Y-Yeah. It is.”Zayzal sucked in as much air as he could and gave a wry smile, scooting a few feet away from Sera. He inwardly sighed, still feeling the stinging pain on his back. ‘It seems she’s still stronger than me. I mean, it makes sense, but it’s still a little disheartening.’
Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts away and stood up. Turning to the sleeping Anders, he sighed again, both out of relief and guilt, and then grabbed his spear. “Wanna spar?” He asked, glancing back at Sera, who immediately sprung to her feet.
Before he knew it, the woman was already geared up, axe and shield in hand, standing in front of the door. “I thought you’d never ask! Let’s go!” She exclaimed before dashing out the door.
Zayzal chuckled and followed right after her, giving Anders one last fleeting look.
A few minutes later, the two stood out in a courtyard on the North side of the building, opposite one another, their weapons ready.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Although it’s just a spar, I won’t hold back.” Sera asked, but from the bounce in her step and excited look on her face, it was clear she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Giving her a firm nod, he lowered his position with a slight grin. “Do your worst.”
Sera burst out laughing as her eyes took on a more savage look than before. “Hahaha! Yes! That’s how a man should act!” Gripping her shield tightly, she stomped on the ground before saying, “Alright, here I come!”
With the force of a charging bull, Sera lunged forward, her shield leading as if it were the prow of a fierce warship. Zayzal braced himself, adjusting his grip on the spear. His heart hammered against his ribs, not out of fear but anticipation. He sidestepped at the last moment, feeling the rush of air as Sera's shield passed, missing him by inches.
Zayzal's spear then darted out, aiming for the gaps in Sera's armor. But she was swift, moving her shield to intercept each thrust as if she could predict his movements. When she found an opening, she sidestepped and struck the broadside of her axe.
Yet, Zayzal held his ground. "You'll have to do better than that!" he called out, trying to egg her on.
She responded with a grin. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just getting started!"
The spar continued, their figures dashing and darting all over the courtyard as the afternoon sun dipped in the sky. They were creating quite the spectacle. Onlookers had gathered, forming a ring around the courtyard drawn by the sound of the duel.
One of the people to show up was Dr. Ebersbach, who treated Anders.
“Uhhh… What’s going on?” She subconsciously asked, her mouth hanging wide open as she watched the two go back and forth. She’d never seen such a… fierce display before. It was like they were trying to kill each other! ‘My god, are they insane?!’
“We don’t know.” A male dressed in a nurse's outfit shook his head but still kept his eyes on the battle. “All of a sudden, we just heard yells and the clashes of metal and came to check it out.”
“At first, we wanted to stop them, but when we learned they were just sparring, we could only give up and back away.” Another chimed in.
“T-They’re sparring?” Dr. Ebersbach pointed at the craziness before her. Her eyes could hardly keep up with the movement of their weapons, they were going so fast. “Are… Are you sure?”
“Mmhm. We asked them. Plus, look at their expressions. They’re both smiling.”
Dr. Ebersbach looked closely, and indeed, the man was right. They were both smiling. “I-I see. I guess the world really has changed, huh?”
“...”
Nobody replied to her. They were all left with their own thoughts on the matter, with the primary one being: ‘I want to do that!’
Meanwhile, the two in question fought as if they didn’t realize a crowd had formed around them.
Zayzal could feel the subtle shift in his muscles, the ache of exertion, and the formation of new neural pathways as he engraved each spear technique, as rough as it might be, into his bones.
He was reaching his limit, and yet, there was a thrill in that, too. With each exchange, he learned more about his capabilities and their limits. He also learned how to use the spear a bit more efficiently. If he didn’t, Sera would knock him upside the head.
A sharp clang echoed as spear and axe locked together, Zayzal pushing against Sera's overwhelming strength. "Not... bad," he gasped out, the strain evident in his voice.
Sera pushed back with a crazed glow in her eyes. "Come on, Zayzal! Show me that new strength of yours! Don’t tell me that’s all you have left?!"
And so he did. Summoning his last bit of energy, Zayzal twisted his spear and broke free from the lock. He maneuvered swiftly, hopping over to her blind spot. He swung low, hoping to sweep Sera off her feet.
However, the woman was too experienced to fall for that. She lowered her axe to the side, deflecting his spear, then charged at him and bashed him to the ground. Before he could react, she stood over him with her axe raised up in the air.
“Let’s call it there.” She said, ending the spar. Getting off of him and lowering her axe, she offered her hand to Zayzal, which he promptly took and pulled him up.
Finally, Sera stepped back, her chest heaving. "That was amazing!" she said, a laugh bubbling up from within her. "You've got the makings of a great warrior, Zayzal. In no time, you’ll be leading your own tribe! Hahaha!”
Zayzal accepted her hand and rose, brushing the dirt from his clothes. His body ached from the encounter, but a sense of pride swelled within him because of her praise. It was similar to whenever his martial arts coach would comment on his growth or skills, yet different since it came from a friend. "Thanks."
She clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't thank me yet. You've still got a ways to go. And I expect you to catch up soon!"
With that, they turned to head back inside, leaving the courtyard behind. The gathered crowd, which had moments before been electrified by their fierce sparring, now seemed almost hesitant, as if unsure of how to interact with the two combatants after such a display.
Murmurs of awe and a twinge of fear at the raw power they had witnessed filled the air. They parted to let Zayzal and Sera pass with wide eyes, their minds racing with what they'd seen.
The pair walked back to the room in silence, each going over the duel in their minds. When they entered, they were greeted by the sight of Anders, who had awakened and now sat up on the bed. He had a somewhat distant and contemplative gaze, which gave them the impression he’d been up for a while.
Sera's demeanor softened at the sight of Anders awake. "Anders! You're up. How do you feel?"
Anders looked up, his eyes focusing on them. "Like I've been sleeping for a week," he said in a hoarse voice. He attempted a smile, though it was more of a grimace, as he looked at their states. "I see I missed quite the performance."
Zayzal chuckled and walked closer to bed. "Yeah, well, we had to do something while you were out. Couldn't let the day go to waste."
Anders nodded, accepting the light-hearted jest. "Seems like it was productive, at least for you two. You look... different, Zayzal. Stronger."
"It's all thanks to Sera here. She doesn't know how to go easy," Zayzal replied with a grin, shooting a glance at Sera, who shrugged unapologetically. “And because of one of the things you grabbed in the dungeon.”
He moved to a hidden spot behind a table and grabbed his bag, pulling out the “Mind’s Eye” technique manual. Handing it over to Anders, the man raised an eyebrow at the title. “I knew I grabbed something different. So, it was a book, huh? But how did this make you stronger?”
Zayzal and Sera then went on to explain the technique, causing Anders’s eyes to widen. “Really?! This thing is that good?!”
“Yup! We also think it’s possible for you to speed up your recovery if you master it!” Sera exclaimed with an infectious smile.
Anders returned it and firmly nodded. He could also imagine how it could help him recover. Although it wouldn’t be direct, he could use it to learn more about his condition without relying on modern machines or electricity. ‘Maybe if I learn how to use mana better, I can use it to improve my recovery rate? Or, I can target specific areas that need to be healed.’
He could think of several uses, and while they were just theories, they were like the light at the end of the tunnel. Who would want to be injured for weeks or months in this new world filled with dangers and opportunities? He sure as hell didn’t!
He’d already tasted the forbidden fruit that is power and, like any other human, wanted more. Whether it be helping out his community, the thrill of dungeon diving, or the process of breaking past previous human limitations and learning more about this new energy, he wanted to experience it all!
Not in six months or a year, but now!
‘If it can help me get back to my previous self, I’ll try almost anything.’ He thought, eager to test out the technique.
Still, before he made any big decisions, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was a lot going through his mind right now. Worry, fear, anxiety, a little bit of relief, envy, joy, anticipation… He felt them all, and that clouded his judgment.
‘Haaa… I should deal with the most pressing matters first.’ He sighed, finalizing his thoughts before he gazed into Sera and Zayzal’s eyes and said. “This is good, great, even, but… I know you two want to get on the road, and I don’t want to hold you back. You’ve done more than enough for me, so I want you to leave without me.”
