Chapter 99: Isn't This What A Girlfriend Would Say?

A week quickly passed by.

Thanks to the training we have been having with Aurelius and his group, our strength and teamwork have improved greatly. The same could be said for them. And as I thought, they learned everything fast, too fast.

Our first tactic wouldn't work on them now. But they were still unable to beat us.

Today's mock match was proof of that. We won against them in two matches while one ended up in a draw.

Maybe the Instructor sensed it would be us who could truly hope to win against the second years, she kept teaching us during the week, even joining us when we were practicing. Truly a respectable teacher.

But, I know it is still not enough to ensure our victory. The second years are strong. They aren't called the Golden Generation of this decade for nothing. There are a few quite important characters among them as well.

That's why, I need something which can be used as a hidden move. And that's where Instructor Darius came in.

Since my hand was healed, I started visiting him after learning his schedule. I wanted to master The Whispering Cut or The Phantom Step if possible, but it would a long time, more than a month to do that. And I am short on time.

I explained the situation to Instructor Darius and asked what should I practice and learn.

Then, he showed me a simple yet effective footwork technique called the Shadow Glide. Unlike the Phantom Step, which took months to master, the Shadow Glide could be learned quickly but still provided a significant advantage in battle.

The Shadow Glide allowed for rapid, almost imperceptible movements that made it difficult for opponents to predict your next move. By reducing the visibility of your footwork and enhancing your agility, it created openings for counterattacks and evasive maneuvers. While not as complex as the Phantom Step, its simplicity made it perfect for our upcoming match against the second year.

For the past week, I dedicated every spare moment to practicing the Shadow Glide. I also practiced in mock matches and training to simulate real combat scenarios and asked others to provide feedback on my progress.

Even then, I haven't fully mastered it yet.

And the joint class will be held on the upcoming Monday, just two days later.

Thankfully, I have a big chance to improve myself. Because we are going to another Ruin afternoon. Though it won't be as difficult as the first one, it is still a Ruin, a place filled with danger and monsters.

After lunchtime, about 1 hour later, everyone who was eligible to attend the course gathered in the same place. This time, there were only two instructors, one naturally being Professor Maunt.

We used the same flying ship to arrive at the Ruin.

It was called Jade Mine Ruin.

The Jade Mine Ruin was known for its labyrinthine tunnels and caverns filled with luminescent green crystals. Unlike the Thunderclap Ruin we previously explored, this ruin had a reputation for its network of underground passages and the unique monsters that inhabited it. The glow of the crystals provided a surreal, eerie ambiance, casting shifting shadows on the walls.

The main monsters that occupied the Ruin were Jadeaters, Red Kobolds, and a single powerful monster called the Jade Golem.

The Jadeaters were small, insect-like creatures that fed on the glowing crystals. Individually, they weren't much of a threat, but they often swarmed in large numbers, overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers. Their mandibles were strong enough to break through stone, so caution was necessary when dealing with them. Yeah, they were the thunderflies of this ruin.

The Red Kobolds were more intelligent and organized than the Jadeaters. They lived in tribes scattered throughout the mine and were known for setting traps and ambushes. Their cunning and teamwork made them dangerous opponents, especially in the confined tunnels of the ruin. And they would be the biggest help to improve my Shadow Glide.

The Jade Golem, on the other hand, was the most formidable creature within the Jade Mine Ruin. Towering over any human, it was a massive construct made of the same glowing crystals that illuminated the caverns. It was said to be nearly indestructible, with a core that radiated immense power.

Taking down the Jade Golem would be no easy feat, and it was known to guard the deepest part of the mine where the most valuable crystals were found. And just like in the artificial Ruin, the Golem was the guardian and its core was the artifact.

As we disembarked from the flying ship and approached the entrance to the ruin, I took a moment to address my team.

"Good luck to you guys."

We already discussed what to do once we enter the Ruin. Today, I was going to act alone, well until the fight with the Jade Golem would start.

If I were with them, I somehow tend to lose a part of my focus. Probably worried or cautious.

And when I am alone, I can act and do whatever I want.

"Be careful." I heard Aria's voice just as we were about to enter the Ruin. "...D-Don't do anything too dangerous..."

Is she worried I will end up being injured like last time? Or...

....

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"Yes, thank you for worrying about me," I replied with a sincere smile.

Our relationship has still yet to improve(she is still avoiding it for some reason), but having the courage and will to say those words to me...

I don't know whether I will fall for her at this rate...

Isn't that what a girlfriend usually would do? I shook my head to clear my thoughts and focused on the task ahead.

Ah, damn it!

Thankfully, others didn't hear her, or they would misunderstand the situation more than me.

...

Whatever, let's enter the ruin.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the Jade Mine Ruin, the dim green glow of the crystals casting eerie shadows on the walls, many paths being connected and parted. The air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of earth and minerals.

Let's start the training then.

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