39. Sparring with maru

"How did you see me?" Maru asked in shock and then Julius looked at him while blinking.

"I've been peeking at the door," Julius smiled and Maru only chuckled.

"Well, now that you're here, how about that spar? Fight me..." Maru said with a smile and Julius raised his hands.

"I just wanted to see that technique you used," Julius said and Maru frowned.

"Come on, you can use one of the wooden swords, it's harmless. Also, this would let you know how you are compared to me," Maru said and then Julius furrowed his brows and went to pick up a sword.

Maru held a wooden spear too and then he crouched before putting his hand down on the ground and looking at Julius like a predator.

'No way, is that... Hercules clan secret technique.' Julius thought and then he frowned.

He released his aura before wrapping his entire body in it and then he charged forward.

Meanwhile Maru shot forward with the spear. It swept below his feet and Julius jumped up as he managed to dodge and then he struck at Maru from behind.

They clashed multiple times, with their weapons and Julius was obviously at a disadvantage.

'Fuck, if not for my fast reaction, I wouldn't be able to dodge at all.' Julius blocked another attack coming from above and then he leapt backwards as a kick came from below.

Maru spun his spear with both of his hands as he approached from the front and Julius only held his sword tightly.(

'I guess I lose this time...' Julius thought and he smiled before he made one last attempt and went towards Maru.

He relied on his keen senses.

Before he knew it, he found himself in the air and he looked down to see Maru smiling at him.

Julius crashed on the ground and then he sat up and looked at Maru while shaking his head.

"Wow." He could only say.

"Haha... Don't be so down. Your foundation is strong, but you don't have any specific sword styles or art to follow. I have my clan's secret art for knights. And your aura isn't inferior to mine either," Maru said to the prince and then Julius steeled his resolve.

He now knew how important a technique could play in a fight. Maru's movement was always low and Julius had to fight below eye level which he wasn't used to.

His spear was like a snake that attacked him in every direction. Even if he was fast, it was hard, predicting and striking back was very hard as he couldn't even see any openings in the way he fought.

"You must feel pretty good now," Julius said as he stood up and Maru laughed.

"There are techniques sold at the school too. However, when I went to check them, even a normal one cost more than seventy thousand points. With really strong ones going up to five hundred thousand points." Maru said and Julius couldn't help but sigh.

"I haven't even gone to the shop. I think I got another fifty thousand points from the void ascension tower," Julius said as he threw the sword over to where it was kept normally.

"Ah, you already went in?" Maru asked in shock and Julius nodded.

"The rankings are going to start changing according to your performance in the tower."

Maru put a hand on his chin as he contemplated whether he would enter the tower or not.

"What about the challenge room?" Maru asked and Julius remembered this place.

"You can go there to see how long you'll last against the magic dolls. However, you get less points from there, but still good though," Julius said and then Maru nodded as he looked to the ground as he felt something scratching him and he looked down to see Aria and brought her up.

"Well, look who's warmed up to me,4" Maru smiled and then Julius only smiled.

*"Very strong and fast. I want to see again."*

Hearing Aria making cute growling noises Maru looked over at Julius for assistance.

"She said she want to see you perform your moves again."

Maru laughed at what she said and then he shook his head.

"Another time. For now, I'm heading back to the dorms."

...

After Maru rounded up and moved towards the dorm. Maru only had a smile on his handsome face while Julius was in deep thought.

'I wonder what sword style would fit my element. Apart from the sword and the bow I'm not really interested in any other weapon.'

"Hmm..." He pondered hard.

'I think I'll visit the spell shop after my classes tomorrow.' He finally decided and then they entered into the dorm.

The sounds of students reached their ears as they entered into their dorm building.

They saw a boy smiling as he beat up another kid mercilessly who was on the ground. He had side cut braided hair and he kicked the person on the floor who was already bleeding.

"What's the matter now?! Can't seem to stand up anymore?!" The boy trapped the one on the ground and he raised his fist to strike but as he wanted to move his hand down, he found it hard.

"Argh... What is this?!" He shouted as he pulled his hand and a silent footstep approached him and he was sent flying as a punch landed on his face.

Julius was stunned to see Levi there with a frown on his face. He turned around to the kid who was being beaten and then he checked and saw that the boy was still alive.

"Hahahahaha. Do you know what you've put yourself into your bastard?! I'm going to have fun playing with you!" The boy charged at Levi who looked at him with an frown and the boy suddenly had sparks of lightning on his body and he charged at Levi.

"Tsk... Huh?" Maru who was about to go forward to help felt himself being stopped and he gazed at Julius who stopped him.

"What are you doing? You know fighting isn't allowed and magic is strictly prohibited here," Maru said and Julius nodded to him.

"Calm down, I know. I want to see what Levi is capable of doing first." Julius said as he squinted his eyes and Maru too watched.