The Next Day
In the training room beneath William's villa, nestled within a secret underground facility, the relentless clash of swords reverberated through the air. The metallic symphony had been going on for so long that it seemed as though it would never cease. The noise was deafening, potent enough to rupture an ordinary person's eardrums, yet the combatants remained entirely unaffected.
Right now, William and Adam were fighting inside the training room as both struck one another with their own sword. Even though Adam was the one stronger among them, it was William who initiated most of the attacks while Adam blocked and then counterattacked.
As this continued, William struck at a point where Adam had to block it with his sword but instead of him backing down, he used his superior strength and while blocking with his sword he struck with huge force causing William to flew back.
At last, the cacophony subsided as William was sent hurtling backward, his body skidding across the floor. He thrust his sword into the ground to halt his momentum, taking a moment to steady his breath. His gaze never wavered from Adam, his instincts sharpened, ever alert for any sudden move that might bring him pain. Stay connected with m-vl_emp,yr
After catching his breath, William tightened his grip on the sword, forcing away any lingering battle weariness. He knew he couldn't afford even a moment of vulnerability. For if he did, Adam would be there to struck him down again.
Adam stood before him like an unyielding force of nature. He never tired, never lowered his guard, and his eyes never left William, waiting for the slightest lapse in defense. But today, there was a subtle shift.
William noticed a single bead of sweat sliding down the right side of Adam's face. It was a small, almost imperceptible victory, but it signified much. For the first time, William had managed to make Adam— usually so composed and physically impervious— sweat. Even more telling, Adam's breathing was just slightly irregular. But that was enough.
In the past, Adam had shown signs of fatigue during their training sessions, but only when he deliberately restrained himself to avoid seriously injuring William. Today, however, Adam had fought without holding back, unleashing his full power. William couldn't help but smile at this small triumph. Fueled by this newfound confidence, he surged forward, striking at Adam with all his might.
As expected, Adam effortlessly evaded the blow, shifting to the left and countering with a fluid strike of his own.
William's eyes struggled to keep up with Adam's speed, but his enhanced senses kicked in, allowing him to parry the strike and redirect its force rather than attempting to block it head-on. Before Adam could launch another attack, William sprang back, narrowly avoiding a slash that would have cleaved him in two.
He continued, "You had power and defense that far exceeded most at your level, but it was chaotic, unstable. You didn't know how to harness it, or when to deploy it. Your body would buckle under the strain of powerful blows, which would be a critical weakness if you faced a stronger opponent."
William nodded, acknowledging the accuracy of Adam's assessment. He had possessed raw power when they began, but lacked the control and mental fortitude to withstand the heavy blows that could break his spirit.
Adam observed William's introspection, giving him a moment to process before continuing.
"But now, things have changed," Adam said. "You've gained control over your body, and you've surpassed your previous physical limitations."
William raised an eyebrow, prompting Adam to elaborate, "Each time we fought, you reached a point where you were forced to step down because of the intensity. Sometimes you would lose and fall unconscious, but gradually, your body adapted. You've learned to endure greater pain and sharpened your sensory abilities."
"However," Adam added, "you still haven't achieved full control over your body. But that will come with time, as you continue to refine your skills."
William was still uncertain about the implications, so he asked, "Does that mean our training sessions will be less intense from now on?"
Adam nodded in affirmation.
"Wouldn't it be better to keep pushing, now that my body is in peak condition?" William inquired, not wanting to lose momentum.
"Yes, it would," Adam conceded. "But there's a limit to how much the body can endure before the mind begins to break. Pushing beyond that point is dangerous."
"So, it's like a break for me?" William asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Well... something like that," Adam replied, leaving William with a hint of curiosity.