Chapter 47: Perfect match

Chapter 47: Perfect match

Chance quickly discovered that, no matter how hypothetically well he understood the moves, it was nothing on Lucy. His body simply couldnt move as fast as hers, and that meant he spent the majority of his time either flying through the air or on the ground.

Lucy didnt let up, even when he was thrown down. The sun continued to simmer overhead. The sparring turned to a blur, but if Lucy was doing anything new, Chance never discovered it. It just felt like she was fighting as she always had.

She continued to press him, not even giving enough time for him to ask questions. Frustration built within Chance, his inability to improve gnawing at him more and more. He could see Lucy doing the very moves shed taught him, and he knew exactly what she was about to do but he just wasnt fast or strong enough to do anything about it.

He crushed the anger, refusing to let it take hold or affect him. Instead, he put every fiber of his being into trying to find a way to overcome Lucy. As always, he had no idea how long they had been fighting when an idea sprung to his mind or rather, his hand.

The urumi leapt forth for the first time since hed arrived in the field, and he found himself swinging it before he even realized what his hands were doing. Lucy responded instantly, stumbling out of the way and catching him on the chin with a flailing palm.

Chance rolled back, staggering to his feet and continuing the strike. The blade whistled past Lucys nose, nearly catching her. It bought him just enough time to step in. He faked a stumble, redirecting his motion into a spinning kick.

It caught nothing but air, but he continued the spin, translating the motion into his urumi. Lucy leaned backward, dropping into an arch as his weapon passed over her. She then vaulted up, striking him in the chin with her foot.

Chance rolled with the blow and flicked his urumi as he fell. Lucy let out a curse, but by the time he was standing again, the attack had passed. His weapon retracted, a tiny splotch of blood on one of the links.

It faded away and he looked at Lucy in surprise.

I hit you?

So you did, Lucy said, rolling her shoulders.

Does that mean I figured it out?

Lucy pursed her lips. Im afraid not. You still dont have any Essence in your moves, but youve got a great conceptual understanding of this fighting style. Youve even managed to incorporate your weapon, but its still empty. How do you feel when fighting?

Feel? Chance asked, lowering his blade slightly. Im not sure. Like Im fighting. Im not certain I feel any way in particular. Were just training.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

I see. Im afraid I have nothing more to teach you, then. The style I developed does not fit you.

What? Why? I feel like Im learning a lot.

You are, Lucy said. But I am no longer able to guide you. Youve learned all the parts of my style that I can teach. Unfortunately, it doesnt look like youre a match. You have to discover what is missing and fill it in on your own.

To make myself embody my Essence when Im fighting?

Precisely. You will know when you have achieved it because fighting will become like cultivation. No matter what you are actually fighting against, your mind should be at peace. Once you have achieved that, then you have discovered your true fighting style. Only then will you begin to be able to begin along the road to a master.

Chance bit back a laugh. Thats only the beginning?

I met a Karma cultivator, and they trained me, Chance replied.

To his surprise, none of them looked particularly surprised.

I kinda figured you had someone teaching you, Yeo said, laughing at the expression on Chances face. I mean, come on. You were constantly leaving and growing at a crazy rate. That doesnt happen unless youre a complete genius or youve got someone helping out. What rank are they?

Im not sure, Chance admitted. He didnt know how to rank either the Old City or Lucy. But whatever they are, I just got a pretty big boost.

A Technique? Yeo asked eagerly.

No. Just physical combat training, Chance replied.

Really? Thats odd, Bella said. It takes a really long time to learn a fighting style, and your build looks about the same.

Thats not true, Pete said. Hes put on some muscle, and Chance is carrying himself differently than how he used to. Im not sure how I managed to miss that before. Were you hiding it on purpose? Or have my eyes really started to fail me?

No, youre fine. I learned all of it today, Chance replied. He quickly realized how that sounded and cleared his throat. My teacher sent me somewhere where time didnt flow and I kind of trained my mind, not my body.

They stared at him mutely.

What? Bella asked, breaking the silence after several seconds. Youre serious?

Yeah. I didnt gain any physical training from it, but the theory is all up here. He tapped his head.

I hate you, Yeo declared. The worst part is I know you well enough to know you wouldnt lie about this, which means you actually managed to get lucky enough to stumble into something this rare. Does the universe just love you or something?

Luck is kind of my thing, Chance said with a sheepish grin. But its not all sunshine. I owe the lady that taught me a favor if I survive long enough to pay it back, and I dont think itll come cheap.

Petes eyes narrowed. A dangerous bargain, but one I would have taken as well. Not one I would have ever been offered, though. Yeo is right. Your luck is something else, Chance.

Forget that, Bella said, setting her sandwich aside and jumping to her feet. Can you show me? I want to see. If they taught you some secret combat style, maybe I can learn something if we spar.

Sure. I need to get my body into shape to actually use this properly, so that sounds like a good idea to me.

Only if I get to go next, Yeo said. Are you going to fight at the Shikari training grounds or on the front lawn?

Lets use the training grounds, Chance said. Weve earned the right. Might as well use em until we have the money to spare getting an upgrade for the Whiteheart house.

Ill join you, Pete said, his eyes sparkling. Something from a cultivator powerful enough to pause time anywhere is sure to be enlightening. Perhaps Ill be able to push through my bottleneck with what I pick up.