Chapter 26: Chapter 26: System's Duel

The following days were a whirlwind of activity for Elio and his team.

The training field became their second home, filled with the sound of lances cutting through the air and shouts of exertion from dawn till dusk.

Elio watched with pride as his companions progressed.

Kriz had quickly mastered the recovery technique, his natural agility allowing him to execute maneuvers that even Elio found impressive.

Brok, on the other hand, compensated for his lack of grace with perfect symmetry and rapid shots, managing to throw the lances slightly farther than any of them.

Ren, ever analytical, had developed variations of the technique that Elio hadn't considered, such as rotating the lance mid-air.

Micah and Zara, though new to the team, were adapting rapidly.

Micah showed an innate ability for mana control, maintaining the lance's magnetism for slightly longer periods and from a greater distance than the others. Elio was starting to think Micah had been secretly practicing in his sleep.

And then there was Zara. Determined didn't begin to cover it. She practiced with a fervor that made everyone else look lazy in comparison.

Elio often found her still at the training field long after everyone else had left, probably trying to intimidate the training dummies into submission.

♢♢♢♢

While Elio's team toiled in the field, two figures discussed in hushed tones in a luxurious office. Two small frogs rested on their heads.

Von Lucien leaned over his desk, his eyes fixed on the man before him. "Raelar, the situation is more dire than we thought. We're not just dealing with incompetence anymore; this is willful endangerment."

Von Raelar, a man of serene appearance but with eyes denoting sharp intelligence, nodded slowly. "Explain... What fresh hell have our esteemed elders cooked up now?"

Lucien sighed, running a hand through his hair and nearly dislodging his froggy companion. The amphibian hopped onto the desk, looking mildly offended. "The elders... they've been reducing the mana in the turrets. One percent might not seem like much, but..."

"But it's enough to increase the number of cores they obtain," Raelar completed, his voice tinged with disgust. "How long have they been doing this?"

"Months," Lucien replied, his tone suggesting he'd aged years in those months. "And I fear the conscription suggests they won't stop there. If they reduce the mana even further, we'll be counting our dead by the thousands."

"And the boy, Elio? Do you think his technique can help reduce them?" Raelar asked.

Lucien nodded enthusiastically. "It's more than that, Raelar. Elio's technique could revolutionize our defense strategy. If all level 3 soldiers can learn it, we could forget the armor and equip all soldiers with lances. We could even upgrade to better mana lances across the board."

"Ditching armor sounds like a recipe for disaster," Raelar muttered.

"It's a gamble," Lucien admitted, "but if Elio can prove they can take down the monster before it reaches them, we could have a viable alternative. We could save thousands of level 2 lives, Raelar. No more defender squad fodder."

Raelar, who had been listening attentively, interjected. "If it works, it could revolutionize our defenses. Now I understand what you mean, taking them down before they reach us..."

Lucien nodded. "Exactly. And with the excess of level 3 soldiers we have now, this could be the perfect solution to optimize our resources. We might just turn this mess into a win-win."

♢♢♢♢

Back at the training field, Elio and his team were sprawled out like exhausted starfish after a particularly grueling session.

Elio's companions, who had been pretending not to eavesdrop, slowly approached, forming a protective semicircle around their leader.

The Summoner nodded, his expression turning serious. "Before you worry, I have a proposal. To make this more... interesting."

He pulled out two magical armors, their surface gleaming with intricate runes. "These are 10,000 mana point armors. They can resist 10 points of damage per day and give you 4 defense points. I'll use one and you'll use the other. See? It's safe."

Elio blinked, surprised. "That means you'll have 8 defense points. My lance throw only has 8 Ata..."

"8, wasn't it a steel lance?" Kairos interrupted. "Well, it doesn't matter, it would only be 3 points of magical damage to the armor... Your challenge will be simple: manage to hit me once. If you succeed, I'll consider your technique to have merit."

Murmurs of amazement and concern spread among Elio's companions.

"And if I don't succeed?" Elio asked, feeling a knot in his stomach.

Kairos smiled, a smile that would have made a used car salesman proud. "Then it will be clear that your technique isn't as revolutionary as some believe. Do you accept? Or would you prefer to stick to impressing level 2 soldiers and small children?"

"With all due respect, Von Kairos," Elio began, carefully choosing his words, "our technique is still in development. Besides, it's designed to attack monsters at a distance. I'm not sure a duel with a summoner is..."

"Appropriate?" Kairos interrupted, his smile becoming sharper. "Or perhaps you fear your technique isn't up to expectations? Don't worry, I'll be gentle. I'll even tie one hand behind my back."

Elio felt the blood boiling in his veins. Kairos's words, laden with condescension, painfully reminded him of the Varick from years ago. Those humiliations, he had sworn never to allow again, not from the families, not from anyone.

He clenched his fists, breathing deeply to maintain calm.

I can't let it happen again, Elio thought. I'm not the same helpless child as before.

Then, an idea crossed his mind. With the 10,000 mana point armor Kairos offered, plus his own 3 defense points, he would reach a total of 6 defense points. Added to the 10 resistance points of the armor, it seemed unlikely that he would suffer direct damage in a "friendly" duel... Right?

Perhaps, Elio reflected, the summoner is right and this is the opportunity to test the true potential of my technique.

The level 4 monster, according to what Von Lucien told me, is something similar to a flying lvl 4 soldier... Maybe this is like a practice run, but with more sarcasm and less chance of being eaten.

With each passing second, Elio felt how determination replaced the initial fear. He would no longer be the child who let himself be intimidated. He was a level 3 soldier, leader of his team, and developer of a technique that could change the way defense against monsters worked.

He was basically a big deal, minus the fancy robes and smug amphibian.

If I back down now, he told himself, how will I look my companions in the eye? How will I justify the faith Von Lucien has placed in us?

At that moment, Elio remembered his father's words: "Sometimes, son, we must face challenges for which we don't feel prepared. It's in those moments when we discover what we're really made of."

With a resolution he didn't know he possessed, Elio stood up straight and looked directly at Kairos. "I accept the duel, Von Kairos."

A murmur of surprise ran through the group.

Kairos, for his part, seemed momentarily disconcerted by Elio's acceptance, as if he'd been expecting to spend the next hour mocking a refusal, but quickly regained his composure.

"Excellent," he said, his smile now genuine but no less unsettling. "Tomorrow at dawn, then. In the level 3 testing field. It will be... educational."

With those words, Kairos turned and walked away, his blue salamander gleaming under the midday sun.