Alaric had only managed to exchange a few brief sentences with Eva, their conversation flowing with the gentle rustle of leaves in the crisp air, when the sudden creak of the cabin door cut through the moment like a knife.
Emerging from the shadows of the dimly lit interior was Oliveria, the striking woman whom Tian had spoken of with such reverence. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing a face that was both beautiful and intimidating.
Her deep-set eyes bore into Alaric with an intensity that made the hairs on his neck stand on end, and he couldn't help but feel the intense tension radiating from her. The underlying hostility in her demeanour sent a chill down his spine, instinctively prompting him to adopt a more guarded posture. He recognised that if she intended to inflict harm, he would be powerless to defend himself against her.
"You two will be having a duel," Oliveria declared, her voice cold and devoid of emotion, each word slicing through the air like a sharp blade.
In stark contrast, Eva, who had moments before appeared tentative and unsure, suddenly broke free from her anxious shell.
"What? No!" She exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm, resonating through the clearing and almost startling Alaric, who stood just inches away. He winced at her outburst, shocked by the unexpected ferocity in her tone.
Oliveria, still maintaining her cold, detached expression, replied, "You will do as I say, Eva."
Eva's heart raced as she met Oliveria's steely eyes, and she instinctively recoiled, a tremor of fear coursing through her. This was the first time she had encountered her guardian's frigid side. Until now, Oliveria had showered her with warmth and kindness, but today, something is wrong. She seemed... Upset?
In that fleeting moment, the facade Oliveria wore almost shattered. A flicker of vulnerability danced across her expression before she ruthlessly clamped down on it. There was no going back from this.
With a subtle wave of her hand, Oliveria harnessed the swirling origin energy that enveloped them. The air vibrated with quiet power as she moulded it, shaping it into a form. From the shimmering currents of energy, she altered its properties, creating a wooden sword that was vivid and tangible, with a smooth surface that was to the touch. She extended the creation to Eva, who gazed at it before grabbing it by the handle.
Meanwhile, the chosen who stood nearby was left utterly speechless. His mouth hung slightly open, disbelief etching across his features. 'What... What was that? Did she just create matter?' His mind whirled with confusion.
Though he could not perceive origin energy for now, his keen analytical skills told him with certainty that the sword before him was not an illusion; it was pure, unadulterated wood, as authentic as the very trees that breathed life into the forest.
Oliveria's voice sliced through Alaric's reverie like a blade, pulling him from his tangled thoughts. "What is your choice of weapon?" she asked, her gaze intense.
"Senior, do we really need to fight?" Alaric asked solemnly. He didn't want to engage in a fight with anyone, let alone a child, unless necessary. It felt like bullying.
"Indeed, it is necessary. If you wish for her to be your life partner, you must prove your worth," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for debate. "Now, do you want a weapon of choice, or will you rely on your bare fists? Although I highly recommend against that. Ultimately, the choice is yours."
'Prove my worth?' A wry smile crossed Alaric's lips. From what Old Tian had shared regarding the blessed and their life partners, he was convinced he was the only one bound by such expectations. Most would leap at the chance to bond with a blessed, enamoured by the benefits that came with it.
Lost in thought, he recalled a particular monkey friend from his past. Memories flooded back, and an overwhelming sadness washed over him as he remembered the night he lost everything. Images of that spirited friend spinning a stick too large for him flickered through Alaric's mind, a desperate attempt to impress him, or get a reaction from his emotionless self at the time, now a bittersweet recollection.
'In memory of Kong...' he thought, the name echoing in his heart.
"A bo staff," he declared, surprising even himself with his choice. He had no experience wielding such a weapon, but learning had always been within his grasp, just as it was now after the enhancement of his eyes. He felt a surge of confidence, knowing he could adapt and overcome any learning hurdle.
With a stoic nod, Oliveria conjured a sturdy, elegant brown staff, handing it to Alaric. He grasped it firmly, feeling its inherent balance and weight, before attempting a spin. His initial efforts were clumsy, the staff slipping from his grasp.
Oliveria's unamused gaze lingered on him, taking in the disastrous display of novice skill before she turned sharply, choosing not to dwell on his ineptitude. "Follow me," she ordered, her voice leaving no room for debate.
Alaric obediently picked up the staff and trailed after her with Eva tagging alongside, determination sparking in him. He tried spinning the staff again as they walked, and this time, with no surprise, the movements flowed with newfound ease. By the time they reached the open space designated for battle, he had already demonstrated an enviable proficiency, twirling the staff with a ferocity that showcased his adaptability.
Eva, walking beside him, couldn't help but look on with awe in her face, while Oliveria held a solemn expression. She had thought he would have a hard time using a weapon he had never used before, but seeing him improve at such a monstrous pace is quite eye-opening. She should never have underestimated a blessed and their broken abilities.
'His ability is related to enhanced comprehension. That would be troublesome if given enough time. I wonder if he has an innate technique as well. If he does, I hope it is not those that can be used as a mortal. If not, this battle would be meaningless.' She thought.
Some innate techniques require a certain level of cultivation to use, while others can be used by mortals who haven't touched upon the concept of cultivation.
Having such a monstrous comprehension ability is an unfair ability in any battle, not to mention innate abilities that could sometimes be conceptual in nature. If given enough time and appropriately nurtured, she was sure that this young blessed had the potential to surpass most other chosen she was aware of.
She stopped at an open space some distance away from the cabin. This was where she typically gave lessons to Eva every day. It was a flat grassland with no obstruction in sight, bar a single massive tree where she typically lay down while instructing her.
"We're here," Oliveria announced, glancing back to find Eva mesmerised by Alaric's performance, her face lit up with admiration. A tick mark appeared on Oliveria's temple at the sight, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior.
'Just like that insufferable old man,' she thought with an inward sigh, shaking her head slightly before focusing her attention back on Eva.
"Eva," she called, her voice cutting through the girl's stupor. Eva jolted back to reality, hurrying to her mentor's side.
Oliveria knelt to meet Eva's gaze, her eyes serious. She leaned in, whispering intently into the girl's ear, "Fight with the intention to kill."
The words struck Eva like a lightning bolt, freezing her in place as she grappled with the gravity of such a request. Never before had she contemplated taking another's life, let alone someone she yearned to befriend.
She thought back to what little she could remember about the first four years of her life. She never had any friends; the closest she came to friends were other kids who bullied and laughed at her. Those quickly turned to fear, causing her to become isolated. Seeing someone her age, who was willing to talk to her despite being a dark elf, was a first for her. She wanted friends, too; she wanted someone to play around with, someone she was down for any game with, as long as it didn't involve stabbing each other. She was game. She resolved to befriend him no matter what.
So when she heard what her mentor just requested of her, she instinctively answered.
"No," with a resolute tone.
"*Sigh, do as you wish then," Oliveria said, her voice tinged with resigned acceptance. "Just do your best to win."
Before long, Alaric and Eva stood across from one another, ready to face the challenge before them. Eva clasped her hands together, a wooden sword poised at the ready, apprehension and determination mingling in the air as they prepared to clash.
Eva's fingers intertwined tightly, her wooden sword held at an angle, pointing to the earth, as she called out, "Vishna Kahul," her voice a blend of determination and urgency.
Alaric stood a few paces away, bewilderment flickering across his features. 'Is this some ancient battle salute?' he wondered, tilting his head ever so slightly in confusion. Old Tian had never shared such customs with him, leaving him to navigate this unfamiliar territory alone. Trying to adhere to the unspoken rules of combat honour, he mirrored her posture, but a ripple of uncertainty washed over him. "Vishna—"
Before he could finish the invocation, an oppressive weight settled upon him, flooding him with dread. His tongue twisted rebelliously in his mouth, and beads of sweat traced a cold path down his spine, as his heart drummed a frantic beat against his ribcage. His pupils widened, a claustrophobic fear tightening its grip around him, an instinctual warning echoing in his mind: do not utter that name. Alaric had prided himself on his courage, yet at that moment, he stood like a statue, paralysed by a force he couldn't comprehend.
'What is happening to me?'
Eva and Olivia, oblivious to his internal struggle, perceived only his paling complexion and the trembling flutter of his body as he gasped out a single syllable, "Vishna."
Eva's brow knitted in concern as she called out to him, "Alaric, are you okay?"
In an instant, her voice snapped him back into reality, jolting him as if he had been awakened from a profound dream. The frigid sweat still clung to him, a stark reminder of the fear that had enveloped him, but he fought to regain his composure.
"It's alright. Let's begin," he declared, his voice steadier than he felt as he twirled his staff with a flourish. But as he did, he sensed an unmistakable shift in the air around Eva, a palpable vitality that was impossible to ignore.
When he first laid eyes on her, lurking behind Olivia like a timid sheep, he had underestimated her capabilities despite recognising her training. Now, however, the softness had vanished from her expression, replaced by a fierce resolve, and her stance radiated a quiet power. A strange, iridescent aura coiled itself around her wooden sword, distorting the very air around it like a heatwave shimmering on a summer's day.
This sheep was a wolf all along.
'What the hell kinda BS is this?' He thought this would be an easy wirecognisinging everything he had learned during their month-long journey. Still, seeing as even his intuition is telling him he might lose, he couldn't help but adopt a serious expression.
With Olivia, Space beside her, twisted as Old Tian appeared with a solemn expression. Seeing him like this brought a smirk to her face. She was joyful knowing the man who had broken her heart for a long time was about to lose to her.
"Is that...?" Old Tian asked in bafflement.
Still smirking, knowing full well what he was asking. "Yes, that is resonance. She unlocked it about two months ago."
"Do you still think he would win this fight?"