Chapter 209: Sparring.

Chapter 209: Sparring.

After spending some more time regaling each other with tales and tribulations wed undergone, Cerion and I got to discussing current events.

So whats this I hear about your dad, my uncle and Cerithal all being in the city at the moment?

Cerion sighed, briefly looking away. Thats the thing, man. Theyre not telling me a thing! Ive heard them arguing and bickering when I pass by their chambers, but I dont know about what. After hearing you describe what happened in Alterian, however, I can only imagine that it involves this continental meet that the papers have been raving about.

The meet? How would that involve your dad and Cerithal, though? I mean, I thought that was supposed to be a playground for the tier 7s of the continent.

At this, Cerion scoffed and shook his head. Its never that simple, you know. Could be theyre trying to come to an agreement or something, but its difficult to say for sure

At that moment, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Thatll be Emeri I said, moving to get up but interrupted by the door opening. Cerions father stepped inside, followed by uncle Robard. I hurriedly sat back down, caught off guard by their unannounced arrival.

Both men greeted me, uncle Roberts being the more enthusiastic of the two, though it still felt a little underwhelming compared to Cerions. They didnt bother sitting down, instead telling us to follow them.

Father, whats this about? Why barge in here all of a sudden? Does this involve the business youve been discussing the past couple of days?

You are about to find out, son. Follow. Hearing his fathers cold tone, Cerion grimaced.

Even uncle Robard and I didnt dare refuse, following the two after uncle gave me a shallow nod.

The trip turned out to take a lot longer than anticipated, as we were led outside the inn and guided to a carriage that was being pulled by two horse-like creatures with scales.

The carriage was more than large enough to carry the four of us, I noticed. That was also when I remembered that I had forgotten to notify Emeri of our departure. At this point, it was too late. She would simply have to continue exploring the gardens well into the night.

After a few minutes, I realised that the carriage was taking us outside of the city gates.

Where are we going and why? I eventually asked, tired of being led by the nose.New novel chapters are published on

We are heading to a nearby lake. With night surely having fallen by the time of our arrival, both of you will be in your respective elements. It is our intent to see the two of you face off, to see each others growth.

Sound like you lack skill.

I grinned.

Now, boys, before you- my uncle began, but he was too late, as I was already dashing through the sky to get to my opponent.

Cerion hadnt expected my noiseless approach, being used to my explosive [Aura step], but still reacted quickly enough to block my initial blow. While he reacted too late to parry, his strength still surprised me. Cerion had a dex build, so his firm stance didnt make any sense, unless

Youre tier 4.

Noticed, have you? Guilty! he teased back, before turning into a shimmering image of himself made of water.

The image glided as it zigzagged towards me, creating another water image each time it zigged or zagged. By the time it got to me, two dozen water-Cerions had surrounded me and were attacking me from different directions.

In response to his new trick, I turned a big glob of overloaded mana into chains, which I sent whirling around and above me. Most of the figures paused as they were shredded by the quickly spinning chains, before dispelling and unceremoniously dropping to the ground as a puddle.

One of the images, however, was only momentarily held back as it struggled against the chains. It looked like it, too, was about to fall apart, but the water itself surged forward and through my makeshift defences. Then, the water reformed into a full-sized Cerion, which regained its original colour and form and struck at me.

I brought my bastard sword forward just in time to block the strike, but had trouble as Cerion continued his assault.

Cerion was the better swordsman. I knew that. I had known that.

So why did it still sting to be so far behind, even after all this time? If anything, he had widened the gap even further

I was quickly put on the back foot, forced to make small sacrifices and watch as cuts appeared on my flesh, before quickly being sealed.

I had several options here. Unfortunately, breaking swipe was the best one. Issue was, using it would leave a guaranteed cure mark on Cerion. One that neither of us could heal anymore. As a result, I simply couldnt bring myself to use the skill.

That left plan B.

Plan B involved using my essence to blind Cerion whenever he got too close to me. Unfortunately, for Cerion, that is, this plan turned out to be ridiculously effective