Chapter 10 - Sparring [3]

General Nathan, he is someone most people in the empire looked up to and admired.

He was cheerful, straightforward, and most of all loyal.

He has achieved many feats in his life, be it from fighting or saving people.

He had also fought in the war many times. There he met and slain countless enemies.

He was very strong and it has been a long time since he had fought.

At most, he spar with people training to be a warrior or soldier for war.

But none of them could threaten him, even if he restricted his strength to their lever.

However, the youth in front of him, a man who had fought with sword for the first time in his life... Made him feel danger.

Whether it was out of instincts or experience, he knew as long the youth in front of him grows.

He would be a formidable existance.

However, currently he was still a man who grew stronger by the second.

Facing all of his strikes, the general didn't budge an inch from his spot and directly deflected all of Aither's attacks.

The attacks to his chest, arms, abdomen, head, all of them were leisurely parried off by him.

"Hey kid."

He spoke admist the fight as he continued to parry the attacks.

"Yes?"

"When was the first time you've held a sword?"

"The first time? It should be when you gave me this sword."

"Is that so, hahaha, you're really a monster."

(A monster?)

Aither questioned in his mind but he knew the generals words were correct.

Guessing from his reaction, he was already keeping up with the general each second he sparred with him.

And by each second they fought, he felt himself getting stronger and getting better at using the sword.

The same could be said for aura, however it only grew by a small amount.

But that was enough, he'll just continue improving.

Clang!

Then as if to snap him out of his thoughts, his sword left his hands and it flew to the air, landing on the floor.

His sword got deflected off his arms by a counter attack by the general.

All this time while Aither was attacking, the general was only defending against his attacks.

Not attacking but defending. As such, when he counterattacked when he saw an opening the sword in Aither's hand got deflected.

"I lost."

Aither said as he picked up.the sword from the ground.

"Don't be discouraged kid, you're improving at a much faster speed than a genius."

"So, in a months time, I think you'll be able to at least defend yourself against the prince."

"Are the princes really that strong? Even if I continue to improve at this fast pace?"

"Well, not to mention the princes, you wouldn't even be able to hold a candle to the princesses at their full strength."

"After all, they're people who had received training since they were young. That's why to be able to defend yourself against them in a months time is already a great feat."

"Thank you for informing me general, now that I know their strength I shouldn't get arrogant and be more cautious."

"That's more like it! Now then, do you have anymore questions?"

"Yeah, two more actually."

"Well, tell me, I'll answer them the best I can."

"First is... Who's the strongest amongst the Imperial prince and princesses?"

"Hmmm, well that's not a hard question. You see the princess in the first area?"

At his question Aither nodded.

"Well, she's the strongest out of all of them. However, fortunately for them she isn't interested in the throne."

"Why?"

"Well, I can't tell you. Also, you'll know when you're strong enough..... I think."

"Alright, then the last one. I want to know how you managed to form that thin aura on your blade."

Aither said and continued after giving his sword a glance.

"It was very strong, even my blade got chipped when I striked it."

"Well, as you can see I've gathered or more specifically condensed my sword aura to the thinnest I can."

"However, that is not enough. Even if you managed to condensed your sword aura you still need sufficient control to maintain it."

"If not, it will disipitate and return to normal."

"Is that so, it seems that I need to improve my proficiency in Aeven control before I even reach that level."

He wasn't talking to the general but to himself.

He needed to improve fast but too much haste can ruin his foundation.

With that thought in mind, both him and the general left the second area.

"Princess Amelia, thank you for letting us use the second area, I'll repay this favor when the time comes."

Aither said to the calm looking Amelia. She had already controlled her emotions on the surface.

If not, she would always be flustered when meeting him.

"Then, I'll take you up on that offer, farewell."

Nodding his head, Aither and the general left the place.

As for Amelia, she was feeling quite happy today as she was smiling while she continued with her sword practice.