Stalker IV

'But how?' Was what Noir's face showed.

He already expected Astor to be someone with Dual Resonance. But the question was how Astor knew Noir also possessed two Resonances.

Since noticing the shadow beneath Astor was gurgling like boiled water, Noir assumed one of Astor's Resonances would be related to shadow manipulation.

'That's the characteristic of a main character nowadays.'

Shadow or dark power, Necromancer, Swordsmaster, and exceptional agility. Those were the popular archetypes of a main character's ability in 21st-century Earthium.

'There's another one. Time travel.'

Noir suspected that Astor's second Resonance would be something that allowed him to see the future if not regression.

"Hey, are you a See-"

Before Noir finished speaking, he spotted Astor's shadow rushing at him. The lump of dark circle covered the distance of 20 meters in the blink of an eye, stopping behind Noir.

Realizing what would happen next, Noir turned around. As presumed, Astor emerged from the shadow, launching a surprise attack.

Well, it was supposed to be a surprise attack if not for Noir's awareness.

Noir avoided the attack by gracefully leaning backward, narrowly escaping the incoming threat. Then he did a back handspring several times, dodging the second swing that aimed for his legs.

"I thought it was going to bind me. But to think your first art is a shadow teleportation... that's cheating."

Astor didn't say anything. But he did smirk.

His shadow began gliding on the floor again, creating a distraction.

Every time the shadow glided, Noir's attention was divided.

Noir observed where the shadow was gliding to. As he did that, Astor lunged and attacked him with the wooden sword.

Managing to block all of them, Noir attempted a counter-attack. At that moment, Astor submerged into the earth and emerged from the shadow he had placed behind Noir again.

Thwack!

The wooden sword clashed with the wooden wristguard, producing reverbs in the room.

"That reflex of yours is really annoying," Astor said.

Deflecting the vertical swing, Noir twisted his torso and spun before dropping a kick. Although the kick was blocked, Noir managed to create a distance after dropping and backrolling.

Only after that did Noir reply, "Your shadow teleport is more annoying."

Astor inspected his weapon. Then he looked at Noir.

"Where did you learn to do that? The spinning dropkick."

Noir grinned. "I'm self-taught."

"Really?"

Finished speaking, Astor rushed in again. This time, he didn't hold back. 

While swinging his sword relentlessly, he said:

"Let me see your Resonance, Noir Teundre!"

But Noir kept on parrying and blocking, sometimes dodging. He had no intention to reveal his secret while still uncertain about Astor's own secret.

Does he really have two Resonances? If so, does the other one allow him to inspect someone's ability? Or is it one capable of giving one the power to play with time?

More or less, those were what went through Noir's head while suffering from Astor's on-point strikes.

Shortly after, Noir's defense crumbled, and he kneeled. 

Taking a deep breath, Astor grinned as his sword pointed at the fallen Noir, "I'm impressed. You're able to block most of my attacks..."

Noir flapped his hand and smacked his wristguard.

"My hands would have broken if not for this."

Astor had won the spar using the same tactic he used against Joshua. A strategy where he purposely drained his opponent's stamina.

The difference was Astor was the one who got aggressive, pressuring Noir, who was having a disadvantage in their chosen weapons.

"But it's a shame you didn't use your Combat Resonance," Astor said, disappointed.

Astor was the one who won the battle, but Noir won the war because he succeeded in hiding his [Stormbringer].

Hiding his smile, Noir sighed.

"I told you I don't have a Combat Resonance."

"Still with that lie? Alright. Then I will make you use your Resonance when fighting me again."

Noir chuckled.

'Too bad. No matter how many times you spar with me. No matter how many I will lose to you. I will never reveal my ace card.'

While they were arguing, hidden in the corners where the duo's gaze couldn't reach, someone was watching them.

Slowly, that figure retreated and disappeared from the location. Their steps were like a mist as they walked in the shade in the corridor. Light and silent. Unnoticed by many passersby.

"They're still the same."