Chapter 58: Spar (1)
Chapter 58
"Oh, how on earth did I find myself in this situation?" Zen groaned as he facepalmed himself.
Right in front of him was Kael, holding a wooden shield in hand, while the others stood a safe distance away. They were all inside what looked like a vast training hall, its atmosphere buzzing faintly with restrained energy.
Zen could only painfully flash back to what had led them here.
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"Meaning? We should go for a raid?" Rina asked.
"No silly, that would be reckless. I propose a sparring match." Kael said with a grin on his face.
"Sparring what?!" Zen shouted in shock.
"Yes. A sparring match. Think about it. You don’t know what your Veil is, neither do the rest of us. So what better way to find out than putting it to the test? A sparring session will let us see what it can actually do." Kael explained confidently.
"But isn’t that going too far?" Zen asked with a raised eyebrow. "Someone might get hurt."
"Relax. You’re now a C ranked Reaver. Surely you can handle something minor like a sparring match." Kael said, casually waving his hand in the air as if it were nothing serious.
"I feel like Kael is making some sense here." Jace chimed in as he stepped forward.
"Some sense?" Kael asked with a raised brow.
"Be grateful I praised you." Jace scoffed, then turned to Zen. "This is the best and safest way to test your Veil. And since we’ll likely be working together from now on, it’s also the best way to develop strategies by learning each other’s fighting styles."
"Safest way?" Zen muttered with a furrowed brow. "And I already said I’m joining no team. Solo, remember?"
"Whatever." Kael cut in. "So you in or what?"
"Do I look like I have any choice?" Zen asked flatly.
"Glad you realize that." Kael chuckled with satisfaction.
"So where to? We can’t spar here. I don’t want my room destroyed accidentally."
"That’s why the clan’s training hall is perfect for this." Rina finally spoke up, her quiet voice cutting in after listening all along.
"Training hall?" Zen repeated, genuine confusion flashing across his face.
"What? You don’t know the clan has one?" Kael asked, his expression screaming disbelief. When Zen’s blank look gave him the answer, Kael shook his head. "Sheesh. There are so many things you don’t know about this place."
"So let’s go. What are we waiting for?" Aria said, eager curiosity glittering in her eyes. She clearly wanted to see what Zen’s Veil could do.
"Fine. Lead the way." Zen said as he sighed, and the group made their way out. After a few minutes of navigating through the base, they finally stepped into the training hall.
The SilverFall Clan’s training hall was a massive underground chamber. The walls were made of smooth, polished stone layered with faint glowing runes that pulsed faintly like living veins, absorbing stray energy from battles to prevent collateral damage.
The obsidian-like floor stretched wide and sturdy, marred by deep grooves, cracks, and scorch marks left behind from countless sparring sessions.
Despite the scars, it gleamed faintly beneath the soft illumination of hovering crystal orbs embedded in the high ceiling, their light bathing the hall in a dim yet steady glow.
To the left side stood several tall wooden training dolls shaped like humanoid figures with jointed limbs. Some bore burns, cracks, and dents from repeated punishment, while others had metallic plates bolted to their chests and heads for testing physical and essence strikes.
To the right, a long rack of weapons leaned against the wall. The rack held no true battle gear, only sturdy wooden replicas carved into swords, spears, daggers, axes, and even odd-shaped implements for less traditional fighting styles.
Each practice weapon was carefully crafted, their surfaces smoothed from years of handling, some still carrying faint imprints of previous sparring users.
The whole place gave off a heavy, disciplined aura—the kind that made Zen’s stomach tighten.
The center of the room remained open: a spacious sparring zone large enough to accommodate multiple fights at once. Faint scuff marks and patches of faded energy residue lingered across the floor, silent witnesses of past clashes.
The air carried a faint earthy scent mixed with sweat and the sharp tang of old wood. Yet it wasn’t suffocating—ventilation crystals embedded high in the walls shimmered faintly, ensuring that fresh air continually flowed in while stale energy and dust were pulled away.
"And here we are." Kael announced with pride, spreading his arms slightly as though presenting the hall. His grin showed he was already enjoying this too much.
’I can’t believe I’m about to do this. This is insane. Still... I’m curious. I need to know what my Veil really is, and I also need to get used to my new stats.’ Zen thought, his stomach tightening with both dread and anticipation.
He watched as Kael strolled up to the weapons rack, scanned it, and plucked a wooden shield with practiced ease. He grabbed a katana-shaped sword as well and, without warning, tossed it toward Zen.
Zen caught the wooden sword neatly, though his eyes lingered on it as if it were some kind of puzzle he couldn’t solve. The weight felt awkward, unfamiliar compared to real steel, and he kept flexing his wrist while staring at the blade.
Jace, Aria, and Rina moved to the edge of the arena, their expressions curious, almost excited. They had no intention of interfering—they wanted to see exactly how this would play out.
"So how do we start?" Zen finally asked, lifting his gaze from the practice sword.
"I don’t know." Kael replied with an easy shrug.
"What do you mean you don’t know?!" Zen snapped, his voice rising in frustration.
"Think of what you want your Veil to be, I guess. Maybe if I attack you, picture flames or something. Maybe it’ll work." Kael said casually as he tightened his grip on the shield and slid into a fighting stance. The grin never left his face.
"You ready?" he asked, eyes gleaming.
"Whatever." Zen muttered as he adjusted his footing, holding the sword with both hands.
"Here I come." Kael barked before dashing forward, shield raised like a battering ram.
’Why does it look like he’s moving slower than before? No... not slower, I can actually keep up with his movements?’ Zen realized with wide eyes. His new stats were kicking in, his senses sharper, his body faster.
Kael’s shield swung upward in a sharp uppercut motion, aiming to slam into Zen’s chin.
Instinct screamed at him. Zen twisted his body aside in a sudden pivot, the shield brushing past his head by inches.
"Flame Veil: Thrust!" Zen roared, thrusting his sword forward with all his strength. He braced himself for fire, sparks, or at least a flicker of energy... but nothing happened. The strike was plain wood-on-air. Everyone stared, stunned by his dramatic failure.
"...Okay, maybe try another word." Kael said with a grin as he spun back into motion. His shield swept diagonally this time, fast and hard.
Zen bent backward, spine straining as the wooden edge whooshed past his face. His legs coiled, and with a sudden surge of power he snapped forward, planting a firm kick straight into Kael’s abdomen.
The impact echoed. Kael skidded a few feet back, dragging his heels to steady himself.
"Flame Veil: Twirl!" Zen shouted, spinning in place with the wooden sword outstretched. Again, nothing. The movement looked less like a warrior’s technique and more like some awkward dance routine.
"...Okay, maybe not flame but something else." Jace suggested, clapping his hands lightly as if trying to encourage a child.
"True. Let’s go!" Kael roared. His eyes lit up as earthy energy gathered around him. Tiny chunks of rock began to form and orbit his shield, grinding faintly as they circled.
Zen’s throat went dry. He gulped loudly. "Hey wait! This is going too far now..."