Arthur’s muscles tensed, making him montarily flinch from the pain in the gash on his leg. The wound from the Nightreavens’ battle throbbed, reminding him of his vulnerable state. It wasn’t bleeding anymore due to his enhanced body but it was still causing a lot of pain.
’Damn it, I’m already outmatched, but it’s also dayti and I’m covered in wounds. What does he really hope to gain from this? Or does he just want to hit ?’
Arthur rolled his eyes and then took a step forward. Then another, then he was running. His footfalls crushed the delicate rose petals beneath him, releasing their sweet fragrance into the morning air. Each step sent a jolt of pain up his injured leg, but determination pushed him forward.
Aziel didn’t move as he gripped his spear with a smile on his face, waiting patiently for Arthur to arrive. The lightning around him pulsed rhythmically, casting eerie blue shadows across his features. His stance was casual, almost bored, as if he faced no threat whatsoever.
Arthur was stomping through the ground with force, preparing a mighty swing with his sword as he closed in. The blade glead in the sunlight, consuming all the light around it as he raised it. His breathing ca in short, controlled bursts, his focus narrowing to Aziel’s exposed neck.
He made it in range and swung his sword diagonally at Aziel, who still didn’t move. The blade cut through the air with a whistle, its trajectory aid directly at the junction between Aziel’s shoulder and neck.
’Why isn’t he reacting? If this hits him, it will kill him... should I pull back? ...crap, too late.’
Arthur let his blade swing through the air and down at Aziel’s neck. But just as the concerned Arthur expected the sword to slice through his flesh, Aziel calmly pulled his head back at the last second, dodging the blade. The movent was so effortless, so precise, that it seed almost insulting.
Arthur’s blade t nothing but air, and with all the montum he had put into it, he lost balance as his body was thrown forward with the sword. His center of gravity shifted dangerously, leaving him completely vulnerable.
’Oh shit.’
Arthur was about to make a full spin when he felt the long steel handle of Aziel’s spear hit him in the torso. The impact was sudden and devastating, folding his body like a chair. Pain exploded across his ribs, and only a mont later, the force sent him flying backward.
Arthur went tumbling multiple feet back, his body rolling through the roses, crushing stems and petals alike. He was gasping for air after having the wind knocked out of him. Drool fell desperately out of his mouth as he tried to catch his breath, quickly stumbling his way to his feet before Aziel could finish him off.
The world spun around him, pain radiating from his chest. His vision blurred montarily, but survival instinct forced clarity back into his mind. Once he stood up and quickly gripped his sword, getting into a defensive stance, he realized Aziel still hadn’t moved from his spot where he stood before.
His face still possessed a grin as he faced Arthur, appearing completely untouched and untroubled by the exchange. The lightning around him hadn’t even flickered.
"Is that it?" Aziel’s voice carried a hint of disappointnt, as if he had expected more from his new student.
Arthur grunted, frustration building inside him. Tsk.
With renewed determination, Arthur launched himself back at Aziel, sword in hand once again. The pain in his leg was forgotten, replaced by a burning desire to land just one hit on his smug opponent. This ti, he opted for an overhead strike to the top of Aziel’s head, putting all his strength behind the vertical slash.
Aziel’s grin disappeared, replaced by an intently unamused face as he simply sidestepped out of the way. The movent was minimal, economical, and again, seemingly effortless. Arthur’s blade cut through empty air, missing its target by inches.
Arthur grunted and didn’t stop his attack, pulling up right before the sword hit the ground and redirecting it to slash at Aziel’s side. The swing was fast and strong, and Arthur was confident in it. The blade humd through the air, aid at Aziel’s unprotected ribs.
But Aziel was not worried as he simply planted his spear in the ground between him and Arthur’s blade at the last second, blocking the strike. The sword clanged against the tal shaft of the spear, sending vibrations up Arthur’s arms. The impact jarred his wrists, threatening to loosen his grip.
Arthur did not let up and quickly raised his sword overhead once again and brought it down with all his might. His face was twisted with effort, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool morning air. His muscles burned with exertion, but he pushed through the pain, determined to land at least one blow.
Sadly, it was to no avail as Aziel moved his spear to block the strike. But that wasn’t all—as he let Arthur’s montum slide down the handle of the spear, and once he was in the clear, Aziel popped Arthur in the head with the handle of his spear, sending him to the ground.
The impact sent stars dancing across Arthur’s vision. The tallic taste of blood filled his mouth as his teeth cut into his inner cheek. He hit the ground hard but imdiately spun around, ready to get back on the attack. The roses cushioned his fall sowhat, but the thorns scraped against his already battered body.
’I’m not done ye-’
But it was too late. Aziel stood above him with the point of his spear only a couple of inches away from his face. Morning sunlight glinted off the deadly tip, forcing Arthur to squint. Aziel’s shadow fell across him, a reminder of the vast difference in their abilities.
"You really do suck at this," Aziel said in an almost surprised tone, as if he had expected better despite knowing Arthur’s limitations.
Arthur rolled his eyes at the response, refusing to give Aziel the satisfaction of seeing his frustration.
The first lesson had begun, and Arthur was already learning the most painful truth about gaining strength—the path to power was lined with failure and humiliation.
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