Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra Chapter 26: Combat Training Class [2. Adrian vs Emeric | Ext

"..." The brown-haired boy stopped what he was doing and looked at the instructor. "It's because I have mastered them long ago, so I thought I would practice other things."

Instructor Valeria raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the boy's confident response. The students nearby glanced at each other, curious about the exchange.

"Mastered them, you say?" Valeria approached the boy with a critical gaze. "Let's see what you've got then. Demonstrate the combat stance, footwork, and a defensive maneuver."

The brown-haired boy, identified as Adrian, nodded calmly. He assud the combat stance with practiced ease, his movents fluid and controlled. His footwork displayed a level of precision that hinted at a thorough understanding of the fundantals. As he executed a defensive maneuver, deflecting an imaginary strike, it beca evident that Aurelius was not exaggerating.

Instructor Valeria, despite her initial skepticism, couldn't help but acknowledge the proficiency in Adrian's skills. A murmur of surprise rippled through the observing students.

"Well, it seems you're not bluffing," Valeria admitted, her stern expression softening slightly. "Impressive. It's rare to find a first-year with such mastery over the basics. Since you're already well-versed in these, let's move on to offensive techniques. Show a basic strike and a follow-up combo."

"Instructor Valeria, may I have a suggestion?" Suddenly asked Adrian.

"Yes. What is it?" Valeria replied, her curiosity piqued.

"Why don't you let demonstrate it in a real battle?" Adrian suggested with a calm expression. "Moreover, I know who can accompany in this battle. Student Eric, can you co up and fight with in a friendly duel?"

Instructor Valeria arched an eyebrow at Adrian's unexpected proposal. The students in the training area exchanged knowing glances, intrigued by the sudden turn of events. Eric, despite his initial surprise, flashed a confident grin.

"Sure, why not?" Eric replied, his competitive spirit reignited. "I have been wanting to see what the first-ranked student is capable of for a long ti."

Instructor Valeria considered the proposal for a mont before nodding in agreent. "Very well, a friendly duel it is. But keep it controlled, and no unnecessary aggression. Rember, this is a practice session."

"Yes, instructor." The two responded before moving into the center of the training area, creating a circle where the impending duel would unfold. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and other students gathered to witness the clash between the first and fourth-ranked Awakeners.

Adrian and Eric faced each other, both adopting a combat stance. The training ground fell silent as everyone focused on the impending duel. Instructor Valeria stepped back, giving them the space to engage.

"Begin!" she declared.

The training ground held its collective breath as Adrian and Eric faced off. As the fight started, Eric took the lead by launching a series of attacks consisting of punches and kicks. While Adrian only focused on dodging them or defending.

'Huh, is this all he got? I was worried for nothing.' Eric, fueled by confidence, wasted no ti and launched a series of swift attacks. However, he didn't notice Adrian effortlessly dodging and parrying each strike with calculated precision. In Eric's eyes, Adrian only looked like being cornered.

"Is this all you've got, first ranker?" Eric taunted, his grin widening. "I expected more from soone with your reputation. Maybe you're not cut out for real combat."

Adrian, seemingly unfazed, continued to defend with calm composure.

"Feeling helpless, aren't you?" Eric grew confident, convinced that Adrian was hesitant or inexperienced in a true battle.

"You're just hiding behind your rank. I bet you've never been in a real fight before," Eric jeered, attempting to provoke Adrian further.

The spectators watched the exchange, so intrigued by the psychological warfare unfolding between the two Awakeners.

"Look, it looks like Eric is gonna win."

"Yeah, he is clearly overpowering Adrian."

"Haha, is that a first ranker? I bet even I can do better than him!"

Eric smirked as he heard his classmates' words. 'The crowd is on my side.'

'Laugh as much as you want, it doesn't matter to .' Adrian thought while studying Eric's movents. 'Because I already know the outco.'

Little did Eric nor his classmates know that he was just biding his ti, analyzing his opponent's movents, and waiting for the opportune mont. He wanted to finish in one clean move.

'Now!'

As Eric continued his barrage of attacks, Adrian seized the chance. With a precise movent, he exploited a slight opening in Eric's defense, swiftly transitioning from defense to offense. The sudden shift caught Eric off guard as Adrian's strikes beca relentless, driving him backward.

The tide of the duel turned, and Eric, now on the defensive, struggled to keep up. The realization that Adrian was not to be underestimated dawned on him. The onlookers sensed the shift in montum, and murmurs of surprise replaced the earlier taunts.

"Wow! Adrian is so freaking cool!"

"He was hiding his powers!"

"He instantly overpowered Eric. Is this the difference between the first rank and fourth rank?"

"Haha, Eric is struggling to even keep up with Adrian's speed."

"...."

Feeling overwheld and humiliated, Eric's frustration reached its peak.

'You left no choice! Even if I will be punished for this, I can't let you continue humiliating !' Without a mont's hesitation, he summoned a gleaming spear from a pocket dinsion, a weapon concealed within his ring. The sudden appearance of the weapon drew gasps from the crowd.

"W-what?"

"A weapon?!"

"But, the rules!"

Eric, with a determined yet desperate expression, attacked Adrian with the spear, aiming to end the battle with one strike.

"You couldn't wait anymore, huh?" Eric heard Adrian's cold voice behind him. "I must have overestimated you, then."

Adrian, having anticipated this move based on Eric's impulsive nature, skillfully dodged the powerful thrust and then spin of the weapon.

"Don't you dare to mock !"

The spectators watched in awe as Adrian effortlessly maneuvered around the spear, his movents calculated and precise. The training ground transford into a stage for a display of skill, and Eric's frustration escalated.

Valeria initially wanted to stop the fight as soon as Eric took out his spear and broke the rule. However, maybe it was her gut feeling, she stopped. Or she just wanted to see what the dark horse of the first years was capable of.

'Let see why the principal spoke so highly of you despite you being an affinityless...'