Azel exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as he straightened his posture.
His body was drenched in sweat, his trunks clinging to him uncomfortably, but he could feel it — the difference was real.
He crouched slightly, then hopped upward.
His movements were sluggish, yes, but far smoother than when he had first activated the bracelet's gravity.
After three grueling hours of push-ups, squats, and running under double gravity, he could at least move just slightly slower than his usual speed.
"That's progress," he muttered, brushing damp strands of hair away from his forehead.
His reflection in the polished wall panels showed someone who was exhausted but determined, his lean frame shimmering with effort.
If he could reach ten times gravity, he'd not only be faster and stronger — his entire body would be trained to function in environments most people couldn't survive in.
'Gravity mages won't even be a threat if I push this far…'
They were very troublesome beings in this world, they always spammed gravity fields in battles but this was the best kind of training.
The sound of the door creaking interrupted his thoughts.
"Azel."
He froze.
That voice was familiar.
Turning, he spotted Captain Mira at the doorway, and immediately felt his ears burn.
She wasn't in her usual commander's light armor right now, it seemed she had taken it off.
Instead, she wore a black singlet tucked neatly into form-fitting trousers.
The simple outfit left her toned arms and shoulders bare, her figure sharp yet unmistakably feminine.
The curves of her breasts were shown pretty well in this outfit.
Azel quickly looked away, forcing down the instinctive reaction of the adult mind he still carried.
'Focus. Swordplay. Training. Don't be weird.'
Mira caught his hesitation and smirked knowingly. "What's wrong? Never seen casual training clothes before?"
He cleared his throat, feigning composure. "I just didn't expect the Captain to look… less armored."
Her smirk widened, her violet eyes glinting with amusement.
"I'll take that as a compliment." She stepped into the room, her presence commanding despite her informal attire.
Then her gaze settled on him, sharp as ever.
"Did you figure out how to use the bracelet?"
She doubted it, the third Emperor and his descendants couldn't figure it out, how could a child do it?
Azel flexed his wrist, showing her the band. "Yes," he admitted. "I poured aura into it until the gems changed color."
Mira tilted her head, intrigued. "Changed?"
The bracelet gleamed faintly as Azel twisted it in the light.
The once-clear gems embedded into its surface now shimmered an obsidian black, almost absorbing the glow of the training room's lights.
"And now," he said, gesturing vaguely at the space around him, "I can increase or decrease the gravity in my immediate area."
Mira blinked, then glanced at his stance, her brows furrowing.
It was subtle but noticeable — the faint pull in the air, the heaviness of the atmosphere pressing downward.
She could feel it in her own boots as they weighed slightly more than usual against the floor the more she approached him.
Her lips parted. "So it's true… the relic was never useless after all."
On the outside she tried hard not to look surprised but inwardly she was amazed.
Azel shrugged lightly, though inwardly he smirked.
'Better they think I just 'figured it out.' Less suspicion that way.'
"Anyway," Mira said, crossing her arms, "does your earlier offer still stand?"
He raised a brow. "Offer?"
"To spar," she clarified, her expression sharpening into a challenging grin. "I'm curious to see if you can actually keep up with me."
Azel's grin matched hers. "I was hoping you'd say that."
The two of them walked through the corridors until they reached the weapon training room which was right opposite the physical training room.
It was massive — an open, field-like chamber with polished marble floors and high ceilings, lined with racks of swords, spears, and practice weapons.
Sunlight spilled in through enchanted windows, illuminating the vast space.
Mira strolled casually toward the weapon racks and plucked a training sword from the wall, testing its balance.
Azel followed suit, his fingers brushing over the polished hilts before settling on a simple steel longsword.
They faced each other on the polished floor, standing about ten meters apart.
"You ready?" Mira asked, twirling her sword with effortless grace.
"Always," Azel replied, lowering into a stance.
His bracelet was still active, the gravity pushing down on him relentlessly.
He'd decided to keep it on.
If he could keep pace with her even under this weight, it would mean his progress was real.
Mira's lips curved into a grin. "Good. Try not to embarrass yourself."
The spar began with a blur of motion.
Mira lunged forward, her sword flashing in a clean horizontal arc.
Azel twisted his torso, narrowly sidestepping before countering with a quick downward slash.
Clang!
Their blades clashed, sparks dancing briefly between the steel.
Mira pushed forward with sudden strength, forcing him back a step.
"Not bad," she teased.
"Same to you," Azel grunted, rolling his wrist and swinging upward in a diagonal slash aimed for her shoulder.
But Mira was faster.
Her sword blurred in a violet arc — the first form of her Violent Serpent Style.
Her aura surged, snaking around her blade in a faint shimmer of purple light as she twisted her body, bringing her weapon around with a whip-like motion.
Azel's eyes widened.
'There it is!'
Seeing the first form of this style was nostalgic since he had seen it many times in the game.
He moved on instinct, angling his sword just in time to intercept her strike.
The force rattled his arms, his knees buckling slightly from the gravity pressing him down.
Still, he held his ground.
"Impressive," Mira admitted, her grin widening. "You blocked my attack."
Azel didn't reply, instead he pushed her back and twisted his sword free.
His breathing was heavier now, but adrenaline surged through him.
He stepped in quickly, delivering a rapid series of strikes.
Mira parried effortlessly, her movements fluid and precise.
She danced around him like a serpent herself — her blade lashing out unpredictably, forcing Azel on the defensive.
He could barely keep up.
Each clash rang sharply through the room.
His arms strained, his grip tightening on the hilt.
But he was excited, this was the first time he'd ever had a serious spar with someone.
The gravity was killing him, slowing his swings by just enough that Mira could see openings before he even made them.
"Your form's good," she said between strikes, knocking his blade aside with a powerful swipe before pivoting low, "but you need to put more speed in your attacks."
"I'm aware!" Azel growled, ducking under her follow-up slash.
His heart pounded, his lungs burning.
He darted forward, faking a slash to her left before spinning into a real strike from the right.
Her eyes gleamed. "Nice try—"
She twisted her blade mid-motion, catching his strike and locking their swords together.
For a brief moment, they pressed against each other, steel grinding against steel.
Azel's muscles screamed under the doubled weight of gravity as he fought to hold her back.
His teeth clenched.
But Mira was simply stronger. With a fluid step and a deft twist of her wrist, she slid his blade aside and stepped into his guard.
Her sword's cold edge pressed lightly against the side of his neck.
"Yield," she said smoothly.
Azel exhaled, lowering his sword with a small grin despite his defeat. "I yield."
Mira smiled, pulling her blade back and resting it casually on her shoulder. "Not bad. You lasted longer than I expected."
Azel collapsed to the ground breathing hard, Mira was really strong and it looked like the battle had barely shaken her.
But inwardly… the Purple haired beauty was steadying herself.
The spar was one of the best she had in ages, even though she used only her first form and her opponent was restricted by gravity, she had a feeling that if he wasn't, the match could have lasted a lot longer.