[73] There's always something V

It had been several hours since the two companions set sail on the open sea, escorting a merchant ship towards West Point. Throughout the journey, Alex talked incessantly, trying to initiate various conversations, though often ignored by Levi. However, there were moments when Levi showed a slight interest, even if only for the sake of small talk.

"Yeah, yeah. That's what rich kids usually say," Levi retorted with a deliberately teasing tone, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Hey! That's not true, okay! Just because I come from a noble family doesn't mean I enjoy all the old traditions they hold dear," Alex replied, feeling the need to defend himself. "I often complained, and every time I did, my father wasn't shy about giving me a rather harsh lesson."

Levi merely shrugged, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was pondering something else. "I wouldn't know how that feels," he muttered softly, as though speaking more to himself than to Alex.

After that, silence fell, and the atmosphere became still. Levi gazed far into the horizon, his eyes narrowing in concentration. Suddenly, he sensed something approaching, something out of the ordinary. A chill ran down his spine, making him stand up straight, his eyes sharply scanning the sea. Levi's sudden movement caused Alex, who had been lounging relaxedly, to become bewildered and quickly follow his friend's lead.

"He's close," Levi murmured in a low voice, almost like a whisper. However, the tension woven into his words immediately put Alex on alert.

Without hesitation, Alex stood up, his body instinctively preparing for the possible threat. Meanwhile, the other crew members, who had been busy with their tasks, began to sense the shift in the atmosphere. They exchanged glances, trying to understand what was happening between these two fighters. The tension escalated when one of the crew members, who was positioned high on the sail, suddenly screamed loudly, breaking the silence that had enveloped them.

"There it is! The serpent is here!" he shouted, panic and fear lacing his voice.

The shout drew everyone's attention to the sea. In the distance, large waves began to swell, as if something massive was moving beneath the surface. The faces of the crew turned pale as they realised they were about to face the sea monster that had long been a nightmare for sailors. Alex felt his heart pounding, yet his gaze remained focused, filled with determination. Meanwhile, Levi, with a more calm yet vigilant demeanour, prepared himself to face the imminent challenge.

Levi and Alex quickly ran to the ship's bow, trying to get a clearer view of the monster's movement. The rolling waves grew higher, giving a brief glimpse of the enormous creature lurking beneath the water's surface. As per the information they had received earlier, the creature was as large as the ship, measuring up to 15 metres in length, its body covered in sharp corals that hid most of its scales, making its name, the Coral Serpent, a perfect fit.

-Screeech!

The Coral Serpent's roar echoed through the air, so loud that it sent tremors throughout the ship. The crew, who had previously tried to maintain their composure, could no longer hide their fear. However, Alex, rather than feeling afraid, seemed even more exhilarated. His eyes sparkled with the thrill of battle.

"Wow, wow! This is the first time I've fought a monster this big without my father. It's really got my blood boiling!" Alex exclaimed enthusiastically, not at all intimidated by the creature's terrifying scream.

Levi, who remained calm and composed, cast a brief glance at Alex before refocusing on the Coral Serpent. "Is that so? But remember, don't get careless. I won't help if you become a burden," he said coldly, adopting his well-mastered sword stance.

"Hah! Who do you think you're talking to!" Alex retorted, feeling provoked by Levi's words. His eyes blazed with fighting spirit. With swift and decisive movements, Alex drew his sword from its sheath, the blade's gleam reflecting his resolve to showcase his true abilities.

The Coral Serpent burst out of the water with surprising speed, its massive body creating a huge wave that slammed into the ship. Seawater splashed in all directions, forming a thin mist around them. Amidst the chaos, Levi and Alex stood firm, without the slightest hint of fear. They both knew this was a decisive moment.

"Ready?" Levi asked, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of the waves.

"More than ready!" Alex replied with a confident smile.

Levi was the first to move. With lightning speed, he leapt into the air, swinging his sword with perfect precision. Levi's blade gleamed in the sunlight, slicing through the air with incredible speed. He used the Water Stream technique he had perfected—a technique that emphasised fluidity of movement and precision, allowing him to cut through the Coral Serpent's hard scales as if they were no more than paper.

Meanwhile, Alex was not to be outdone. With a battle cry, he swung his sword, using the North God Style technique he had mastered. Each swing was full of power, as if he was channelling all his energy into every strike. His sword struck the Coral Serpent's body with tremendous force, creating large cracks among the thick coral scales. Alex's technique relied not only on sheer strength but also on speed and accuracy. He moved like an unstoppable storm, combining powerful strikes with agile movements.

The Coral Serpent felt the impact of their attacks. Its body trembled violently each time their swords hit, its hard coral scales beginning to peel off one by one. The monster raged, trying to retaliate by writhing its massive body, attempting to coil around and crush the ship. But Levi and Alex were too fast. They moved in perfect sync, dodging each of the Coral Serpent's counterattacks while continuing to rain down deadly strikes.

Levi employed smoother movements, targeting the creature's weak points. With every slash, he aimed for the more vulnerable parts of the Coral Serpent's body—such as the gaps between the coral scales and the monster's eyes. Each of his attacks not only inflicted physical damage but also caused the Coral Serpent to lose balance and control over its movements.

On the other hand, Alex used more explosive techniques. He leapt into the air, spinning his body with incredible speed, and slashed with enough force to shatter the corals. Every time his sword struck the Coral Serpent's body, bursts of energy filled the air, causing the creature to stagger.

At the peak of the battle, Levi and Alex converged at a single point in the air, right above the Coral Serpent's exposed head. With combined strength, they launched their final attack—Levi with a horizontal slash that flowed like a river's current, and Alex with a vertical slash that descended like a hammer of lightning. Both swords shone with a bright light, cutting through the air and striking the Coral Serpent's body with tremendous force.

-CRAAACK!

A horrific sound echoed as their swords penetrated the Coral Serpent's head, slicing the creature in two. Blood mixed with seawater, creating a large red wave. The Coral Serpent's massive body fell back into the sea with a thunderous crash, creating a small tsunami that surged around them.

Levi and Alex landed back on the ship's deck, their breaths heavy, but their expressions triumphant. The terrifying sea monster now lay helpless beneath the ocean's surface, slowly sinking to the bottom of the sea. The crew, who had initially been consumed by fear, now erupted in cheers, unable to believe that these two young men had managed to defeat such a colossal creature with just their swords.

"I have to admit, Levi... you're truly amazing," said Alex, smiling wearily but with satisfaction.

Levi, still with his calm expression, merely nodded. "So are you," he replied, his tone as composed as ever.