Martial Arena

"I should go to the martial training area and test out my new strength. Most of the other kids should be training weapon skills right about now."

Alex started walking towards the martial training area, arriving there a few minutes later. He looked towards the training grounds and noticed all the other kids we're sparring with weapons, with several Elders instructing them on how to improve.

"Alex, have you decided to join us for today's weapon training?" asked Elder Rong. Elder Rong was one of the older and more powerful Elders, and was the lead Elder in charge of training the children. He had a bald head and a full white beard, with a slightly large belly protruding out. His powerful arms looked as if they could tear apart boulders with ease.

"Yep," replied Alex. He walked over to the elder and said his greetings.

"Alright. "Jacob over there needs a sparring partner," stated Elder Rong. Elder Rong then shouted out, "Jacob, Alex will be your sparring partner. Remember, this is a weapon training session only. Do not use your cultivation base."

Jacob was fourteen years old and had a cultivation at the Body Refinement realm. He was the son of one of the elders of the clan and was decently talented for his age. Jacob turned towards the Elder as he heard his name called out before looking at Alex, who was approaching him.

"Alright," replied Jacob, with a slightly annoyed face. For the weapon sparring training, using one's cultivation base was not allowed, as the purpose of the training was to improve on weapon skills, not overwhelm the opponent with power.

Ever since Alex realized he couldn't cultivate, he has focused intensely on all the areas that he could improve on. These areas included academics, martial theory, and weapon skills. Out of all the children in the clan, Alex was the most skilled with the sword, and everyone knew it, but who cares?

It didn't matter what he learned if he couldn't cultivate; he couldn't beat them.

Alex approached Jacob, who was standing in the sparring circle. On his way, he picked up a dull sword from the nearby weapons rack. The weapons available during weapon training were dulled to make sure that no serious injuries were inflicted on the participants.

Alex stepped into the sparring circle, stood ten feet away from Jacob, and raised his sword. Both participants held their swords in their right hands. Alex quickly took two steps forward, raised his sword, and slashed down at his opponent's head. Jacob raised his sword and met Alex, successfully parrying the attack.

"Peng!"

While Alex's sword was still above his head from the parry, Jacob extended his arm in a counter-attack and stabbed toward Alex's head. Alex was quick to react and was able to dodge Jacob's counter-attack, leaping back from the sword before it could strike, and as he landed, he shifted his footing and charged forward, trying to thrust his sword deep into Jacob's chest.

"Peng!"

Jacob was able to block Alex's attack, the sound of metal clashing reverberating through the air as Jacob raised his sword to parry the thrust, but he was pushed back by the force of Alex's blow, struggling to maintain his footing.

He was so taken aback by Alex's strength and speed that he didn't even try to hide his surprise as he prepared for another counter-attack. Despite his surprise, Jacob maintained his composure, drawing strength and tightening his grip on his sword.

"Peng!"

Sparks flew as the two swords clashed again, sending vibrations through Jacob's hands as he desperately parried against his opponent.

"How does this loser have such strength? For God's sake, he was in the third body refining realm. Jacob cried aloud in his head as the seemingly unstoppable attack pushed him further back.

Not only was he taken aback, but the other kids who were practicing also came to a halt and gathered around to watch the sparring match. They were also astonished.

"Hey, is Jacob actually going to lose?" Everyone watched with bated breath as the attack continued, unsure of what the outcome would be.

"No, don't forget, Jacob is already at the third stage of the body refinement realm; even if he isn't using his cultivation, his body is still stronger than that loser, who is only a mortal."

"Yes, you are correct. I'm not sure how much that waste Alex changed, but he's still a mortal, and there's no way he can defeat Jacob." With that in mind, people were sure that Jacob would come out the victor.

Elder Rong had been watching the fight; because of his higher cultivation, he was able to sense something amiss, "Something isn't right here; Alex shouldn't be able to have such strengths and speed."

It wasn't the power that a non cultivator can achieve; "maybe..." Elder Rong's eyes widened in shock at his realization.

The fight was still going on, and Alex clearly had the upper hand; he appeared to be faster and stronger than his opponent.

"Peng!"

Both Alex and Jacob had no idea how many times their swords clashed against each other; both were focused on defeating the other, but Jacob appeared to be struggling. His breathing became more labored with each passing second, and it was clear he wouldn't last much longer.

He gritted his teeth and pushed his sword forward with a powerful lunge, hoping to catch his opponent off-guard. Alex easily turned his body and dodged the oncoming sword, and with the handle of his sword, he struck Jacob's hand, causing him to drop his sword. Alex had won this fight.

Silence engulfed the area as all the spectators witnessed the sudden victory.

"What just happened?" All the spectators were left in shock, as they had not expected Alex to emerge victorious.

Jacob, who had been certain he would win the match, slammed to the ground in shock.

"IM-IMPOSSIBLE!!" He shouted, He couldn't believe his own eyes. He couldn't bring himself to accept that he'd lost. He rose from the ground, reclaimed his sword, and stared in disbelief at the victorious Alex, no longer able to contain his rage and frustration.

"ALEX!" he yelled, sprinting toward Alex.

To Be Continued...