Spar with Tiona

As the two took their fighting stances, Alex then remembered something.

"Please wait a moment. Let me prepare something for a moment."

Tiona who was standing in front of him, tilted her head with the sudden change but let him as she saw Alex taking a deep breath.

'Maybe he's just calming himself?'

Tiona concluded seeing that Alex was focusing on something. Alex on the other hand,

'I really hate that 10% chance of success but I hope I'll succeed this time.'

Alex grumbled in his mind as he picked two of his skills to fuse. It wasn't like Alex didn't tried to fuse his skills in this past week but because the success rate was only at 10%, he strangely failed every time he attempted to fuse his skills.

Hoping that his luck would bless him, Alex fused two skills that could go well with his daggers.

[ Skill 'Vital Strike (E)' and skill 'Assassinate (E)' are fused. ]

[ Fusion successful! ]

[ You have obtained 'Blinking Laceration Strike (D)'! ]

Seeing the system prompts, Alex breathed out of relief as finally, after a week of continuously failing, he had finally succeeded in fusing something.

[Blinking Laceration Strike Lv.1]

Rating: Uncommon

[* Teleports behind the target unit, momentarily slowing them and striking for 30% additional attack damage from behind with an increased chance of a critical hit.

* Using the daggers to slice into an enemy, unconditional bleeding will occur when the attack is successful.

- There is a very low chance to cause the 'excessive bleeding' condition that ignores the target's resistance.

Type: Active

Skill Proficiency: 0%

Cooldown Time: 30 Seconds.]

Reading the description, Alex smiled. Even though he lost one skill making him unable to follow up a combo, Alex didn't feel he had lost anything.

"Yosh, I'm ready."

His eyes was then fixed at Tiona and indicated he was ready to start. Seeing his eagerness, Tiona smiled.

"Even though I said I'll limit myself, I'm a level 5 so brace yourself, Alex~kun."

"Thank you for the concern but you don't need to worry. I won't hold back."

Alex said as he gripped his Splitting Edge and Assassin's Decree. The difference between them was clear. It was very wide that Alex couldn't measure at the moment.

'But it was at least a great chance to test my limits. '

A clear understanding of his limits would allow him to execute cool-headed judgment when taking action. From this experience, Alex clearly realized what his skills were capable of, and was able to further establish a solid foundation for his growth.

However what surprised Tiona, was the change in his eyes. Alex then threw his sword at her which Tiona dodged with ease. Alex immediately dashed straight towards Tiona.

"Your quite fast for a level 1 Alex~kun."

Tiona was surprised as she then brandished her weapon. She had heard earlier that Alex was only an adventurer for 3 weeks and didn't think that he was already a level 2. It was natural, the Loki Familia was on an expedition and haven't heard the news of Orario aside from knowing that Bell had become a level 2.

"However this is the end."

The amazoness grin as even she hold back, her abilities were still superior than him. With a speed that couldn't be avoided by a level 2, Tiona enthusiastically brandished the sword and struck the chest of Alex.

However, what happened next greatly surprised Tiona. Instead of bleeding from the slash or being thrown away, the figure of Alex dispersed into numerous crows.

"What is happening?"

Tiona murmured to herself unsure what was happening for this was the first time she had witnessed something like this. Looking at the numerous crows flying around her, Tiona couldn't help but gulp.

'Illusion is a success. She might have the development ability, Abnormal Resistance that negates the effect of abnormalities. However, just a second is more than enough.'

Alex gladly thought as Tiona's eyes become lifeless and any movements were halted as she made an eye contact towards the blood red eyes of Alex.

Alex drew several daggers .

*Swish*

And then he threw them in a fan shape. Five daggers appeared in his hand and threw it all at Tiona's direction. Suddenly, the claymore in her hands, swiftly moved and successfully deflected the dagger that was rushing to her.

"What just happened?"

After successfully defending from the daggers by instinct, Tiona was left confused to what just had happened. Unlike what happened earlier, she saw Alex standing in a distance, taking his stance.

Tiona noticed that it was the stance of Alex before he dashed towards her but strangely, she felt like what occurred earlier didn't happened at all.

'As expected. She broke out of the illusion on her own. Is this the result of the development ability, Abnormal Resistance of a level 5?'

Taking advantage of her confusion, Alex instantly appeared behind her as he used Blinking Laceration Strike. Even though Tiona was under the illusion for just a second, it gave Alex, who moved with swiftness the time to act.

Alex then swung his arm, targeting to struck the neck.

[ The effect of the skill 'Coup de Grace' has been activated, adding 230% critical damage. ]

As she was still on her confusion, Tiona wasn't able to stop Alex from strucking her neck. Feeling the drop of blood, she felt a chill that she wasn't able to react at all.

Fortunately, a body of a level 5 first class adventurer was very durable making Alex's attack bearable. She then swung her sword in every direction around her. Seeing her attacks, Alex immediately knew that her mastery in the sword was greater than his by a large margin.

Alex skillfully dodged the attacks as if he had eyes everywhere, he held his dagger backward while stabbing at his opponent's muscles and arteries, and threw several daggers to penetrate the neck.

Seeing that Alex was very skillful and full of surprises, Tiona wielded her sword and swung it downward, creating a massive crater on the ground.

"You're amazing Alex~kun. I've never saw or heard a level 1 as skillful like you.'

Saying her compliment, Tiona hurriedly swung her claymore and wielded her sword aiming for his neck. However, her eyes widened when she hit nothing but a crimson flash.

"Sorry, but I have apparently become a level 2 just a week ago."

She suddenly heared his calm voice behind her.

"Since when?!"

Tiona was shocked but before she could react, Alex had already unleashed his attack.

Stellar Pilgrim, Third Form- Celestial Flashing Strike.

In instant, 5 slashes were dealt.

[ The option effect 'Flames Explosion' has activated from the Splitting Edge. ]

[ You have hit the target's vital spot. Damage will be amplified. ]

[ The effect of the skill 'Reaper Stalker' has been activated, adding 60% critical damage. ]

[ The effect of the skill 'Coup de Grace' has been activated, adding 230% critical damage. ]

As it happened in just a second, Tiona was caught off guard. She didn't expected that Alex would be this fast. Before she could even do something, Alex had already dealt five strikes and it even made her, a level 5 to bleed.

As Alex had landed five attacks, the option effect of his Stalker's Gloves was activated, amplifying his attack damage by 5 times.

[Third Form- Celestial Flashing Strike]

[* Attacks the enemy by cutting the target five times in an instant that creates a chaotic vortex of powerful extremely long-ranged omni-directional slashes that destroys whatever is caught up within its attack radius.

* Deals 175%% of your attack power 5 times.

* Regardless of the attack speed, the number of strikes dealt will be fixed at 5 times.]

The spectators were also the same. Ais, Lefiya and many others were greatly surprised seeing the bloodied figure of Tiona. As they from the Loki Familia, they knew what Tiona was capable of.

They didn't expected that she would be pushed back by Alex. Even though, Alex had the advantage of element of surprise as none of the Loki Familia knew any of his abilities, it was too much for him to push back a level 5.

"Isn't he just an adventurer for 3 weeks?"

Lefiya unconsciously muttered as she was surprised at the abilities of Alex. She clearly heared him said that he was only an adventurer for 3 weeks earlier together with the executives of her Familia.

"Yeah, it's kind of hard to believe that."

Riveria who was at the side of Lefiya commented with a calm expression. Looking at the continous exchange of Alex and Tiona, she was inwardly surprised and impressed.

It was not just her but everyone who was watching had different kind of thoughts about how skillful and fast Alex was.

"Who was he?"

"How come I've never heard an adventurer with this caliber?"

As they were murmuring and releasing their exclamations while looking at the spar, Lilly's voice was heard by everyone.

"Alex Uchiha, now known throughout Orario with the alias of Crimson Flash."

Seeing that all of them had turned to her, Lilly was a little embarrassed by their gazes but continued on saying what was commonly known about Alex as she knew the expedition team of the Loki Familia wasn't informed on the current news that caused a ruckus in Orario.

"He was the record holder who broke everyone's record with his rank up in just 2 weeks time."

Everyone widened their eyes hearing that. The shock was tremendous as they were dazed for a moment unable to process the massive information.

Lilly didn't say anything further as her eyes was fixed at the spar. During the time they desperately struggled to arrive here, she had personally witnessed Alex's abilities but she didn't expect that Alex could contend against a first class adventure.

It was not just her. Bell and Welf was also greatly surprised seeing the spar. Everyone had their own thoughts in their minds looking at the crimson flashes and the annoyed look of Tiona.

Alex on the other hand, was smiling despite trying his best as he saw the notifications with satisfaction.

[ The proficiency of the skill 'Intermediate Blade Mastery' has dramatically increased 93, 95%…..100%. ]

[ Congratulations! You have reached the max level of your 'Intermediate Blade Mastery' skill. ]

[ Your understanding of blade weapons has reached a new level. ]

[ The level of Intermediate Blade Mastery has risen. ]

[ All stats related to your skill increase. ]

[ New skills are being searched for considering your stats. ]

[ The superior skill, 'Advanced Blade Mastery' has been opened. ]

[ The proficiency... ]

[ ... ]