The next day, Rany came.
Without warning, he smacked the back of my head.
"Still alive?"
I smirked. "Barely."
We moved to the training ground.
The spar began.
I rushed in using Beast Footwork, zig-zagging to throw off his rhythm. My wooden sword aimed for a clean thrust.
Rany didn't move.
His halberd came crashing down from above.
Clang—!
Even with wooden weapons, the impact shook my arms.
Pain surged through my grip.
For a moment—
I lost control.
The sword slipped from my hand and fell.
I stepped back, breathing hard.
Rany lowered his weapon, unimpressed.
"Did I use too much force?" he said.
I frowned. "Then teach me."
"I can't teach," he replied. "Guild rules."
Then he added,
"But I'll give you something."
I listened.
"You're using the same strength from start to finish. That's wrong."
He tapped his weapon.
"Hold back… then release everything at the moment of impact."
I narrowed my eyes.
"A burst?"
He nodded.
"Exactly. One point. One strike."
I gave a small nod.
"Got it."
Another day passed.
Today—
I faced Khaun.
We met in the servant quarters' training area.
But we weren't alone.
Lerana stood at the side, arms crossed, watching.
I leaned toward Khaun. "Why is she here?"
He shrugged. "Wants to watch."
I clicked my tongue.
"Fine."
I picked up my weapons—a wooden spear and wooden sword.
Khaun only held his wand.
Lerana stepped forward, raising her hand.
Then—
"Start."
I moved instantly.
Beast Footwork.
The distance vanished.
Planting my right foot, I twisted my body and swung the spear with full force toward him.
It stopped.
Mid-air.
Like it hit an invisible wall.
Khaun hadn't even moved.
My eyes sharpened.
I pulled back and thrust again—straight for his face.
A magic circle formed.
Too fast.
Instinct screamed.
I forced my body back—
BOOM—!
The ground where I stood cracked open.
I landed a few steps away, staring at the damage.
Even in a spar—
this wasn't light.
I looked up.
"Trying to kill me?"
Khaun laughed.
"If I wanted that, you'd already be dead."
Another spell formed.
This time, I saw it clearly.
A spinning cone of mana.
He released it.
It tore through the air toward me.
I twisted—
—but it clipped my side.
The impact threw me across the ground.
I rolled, coughed, and forced myself up.
Pain spread through my ribs.
Khaun tilted his head.
"This is all…? I expected more from a dark knight."
That did it.
I wiped the blood from my nose.
No more holding back.
Dark aura surged through my body—reinforcing every muscle.
My senses sharpened.
I spread my sensory field
The world slowed.
I rushed forward again.
Faster.
This time—
I didn't aim to win with the spear.
I aimed to close the distance.
I swung once more—
The invisible shield appeared again.
And just before impact—
I let go of the spear.
The weapon struck the barrier and dropped—
—but my body didn't stop.
Using that moment—
that distraction—
I stepped in.
Inside his range.
My hand moved instantly.
The wooden sword flashed from my side.
A horizontal strike—
Too close.
Too sudden.
Khaun reacted late.
He shifted back, raising his wand—
—but not fast enough.
Thud—
The wooden blade struck his side.
Not deep.
Not lethal.
But clean.
A hit.
Silence fell.
I stepped back, breathing hard.
Khaun looked down at the mark.
Then—
He smiled.
"So that's your plan."
His eyes lifted to mine.
"Using loss… to create an opening."
A chill ran down my spine.
Then he raised his wand again.
Slowly.
"This is getting interesting."
The air around him changed.
He wasn't holding back anymore.
And for the first time—
I felt it clearly.
Danger.