Two days had passed since the intense training with Selena. Today, fortunately, the mastery was different. We were no longer in the training field but in a deep valley, where I was training the art of the spear alongside Serapynhe.
Kid, the spear is like any other weapon, but, like all weapons, it has its specialties and differences. Today, we will dive deeper into mastery. It is divided into four levels: apprentice, experienced, master, and grandmaster. Above that is the divine grade—achieved only by a few rare beings.
I myself have reached the grandmaster level in the art of the spear and in hand-to-hand combat, while with all other weapons my mastery remains at the master level. It may sound arrogant, but it's the minimum needed to have an unbeatable foundation. After all, you never know when you'll need a specific weapon.
For the next three days, we will stay in this ravine, called the Vale of a Thousand Shadows. Here, I will help you maximize your mastery as you deepen your connection with the spear.
Serapynhe finished and threw me a simple shaft spear, advancing toward me to begin the training.
With spear in hand, I moved forward to confront her. Our weapons nearly collided, but Serapynhe's spear spun in the air, cutting my arm with the lightness of a dance. She advanced, took my weapon, and using the shaft, struck my ribs, throwing me backward.
"Terrible," she said. "You have always relied too much on strength, a massive dependence on those transformed strikes. Your mastery is miserable. At best, a low-level apprentice."
My arm was already recovering from the impact when I launched myself forward, attempting a low attack.
The spear spun and cut toward her legs, but it only hit a residual image. Serapynhe disappeared slowly and struck me with a kick to the spine.
Before I could react, she advanced with a swift stab to my chest. I tried to parry, but the attack passed through, leaving a deep cut on my left arm.
I struggled to stay upright, adjusting my center, but she didn't stop. Now she used no force, only mastery. I tried to attack and defend, but only mastery could change the course of the fight. Every movement of hers, even without force, was precise. Serapynhe was truly dancing with the spear.
Hard to admit, but it was beautiful. How could something be so graceful? The spear was undoubtedly a magnificent art.
She kept advancing, showing her style and control. Was this really just grandmaster level? How could such movements exist?
Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.
With every second, I grew more excited watching her style. With respect, she advanced, and I absorbed every detail, big and small.
The degrees her feet turned as she spun, the position of her fingers holding the spear, the direction of her eyes — everything, limited by the ravine, displayed her skill. While I stumbled, hitting walls and misstepping, she moved gracefully, dancing with the spear.
The metallic clash echoed through the valley with every spear strike. We danced, but the rhythm was entirely controlled by Serapynhe. She instinctively decided every move — the footwork, the spear's position, everything.
She controlled it all, keeping me constantly on the defense. She wanted me to watch and learn. She said almost nothing; just judged and reprimanded me.
I already knew her training method, but now she seemed even more serious. Maybe because the spear was her main weapon, and she wouldn't bother teaching someone unworthy.
I gave my all; the spear in my hands advanced and retreated, attacking and defending.
Then Serapynhe started applying more force, delivering a sequence of strikes impossible to dodge, putting me in a passive position again.
Crack!
My spear broke with a heavy impact against the ravine wall. Serapynhe stepped back, watching the damage before speaking:
"Terrible. Your mastery is ordinary. I don't know if I can fix it in three days."
She raised her hands and summoned countless spears around, making the space even narrower.
Vush!
Something tore through the sky and passed beside me, cutting my face—it was one of her spears. Without giving me time to think, she advanced, grabbing more spears from the ground, alternating fast, lively movements.
I only managed to grab one spear and tried to defend. She threw spears I could barely dodge. Before they touched the ground, she collected them again, redirecting them at me in a deadly hail of steel.
At that moment, I could only dodge. Using the spear against that storm was suicide, especially against Serapynhe, whose cruelty was obvious.
Better keep my eyes on her. That way, even if she advanced, I could keep the fight under control.
Boom!
Or not. She moved with extreme speed and, spinning midair, sliced my collarbone, nearly severing my arm at the base.
Without letting me feel the pain, a kick hit me square in the face, slamming me against the ravine wall.
"Come on, kid," she taunted, "where's your creativity? Your ingenuity? You fought like a snake in that war, with traps and creative attacks. And now, with your mobility limited, your ordinary mastery has fallen to deficient?"
"Keep advancing, and the spear will see your heart, just like the flame sees your effort. If you fall behind, it will be a pity," Serapynhe said, as if urging me to figure something out.
But I'd heard that before... where?
At that shop, yes, the one that disappeared. That old bastard said the flame sees your effort, and the spear will respond to your heart.
What did that mean? I wondered, while Serapynhe continued to assault me. The spear responds to my heart? What is in my heart for the spear to respond to?
As we fought, I thought about it. The spear would respond to what was in my heart? My heart only wanted to grow stronger and improve my mastery of the spear...
I fell silent for a few seconds until I understood.
What was in my heart was the spear's intention.
As soon as I realized that, a spear-like aura coursed through me, and my eyes shone intensely. From my heart, the aura enveloped the spear, as if preparing for a devastating move.
Serapynhe, standing before me, showed an excited look. The same aura grew around her, falling upon her spear.
I made a diagonal cut while she parried with a thrust. The clash created shockwaves in the heart of the ravine, producing a deafening sound and a cloud of smoke.
After a few seconds, the smoke slowly rose, revealing Serapynhe, spear in hand, smiling.
"Well, looks like you're not so bad after all. Congratulations. What you just learned is the Spear's Ray, called Lança Vi," she said. "This marks your true opening into apprentice mastery."