Genesis

"Can I get a partner?" Tanner inquired.

"Yes. We have training partners from the Basic to the Expert level." the woman answered.

"Can I get a Mid-Tier partner for an hour?"

"Yes, that'll be a hundred gold." the woman carefully replied.

"Hmm, quite cheap. Make it two then, in the same room I was before, if it isn't occupied, thank you." After the registration, he walked into the room he had paid for, with a Mid-Tier mage standing silently, holding a long saber. It was two metres long, and it glowed faintly red.

"Are you ready?" the man asked, somewhat aggressively.

Tanner stared at the paper in his hands. A bunch of information was written on it, like his blood type, height, weight, etcetera.

"Mr. John, forgive this junior for the offence." Tanner cupped his fists and bowed.

"At least you're humble. Anyways, this senior shall exchange with you for two hours."

Tanner nodded and immediately shot off from his position, not too fast or too slow.

John sheathed his saber. He spoke "This does not even required my saber. Let us clash! Fireball!"

A fireball shot out from his palm, heading quickly for Tanner.

"Water Wave!" A wave flew quickly at the fireball. Despite being suppressed by fire, it broke it into countless sparks and still head for the man, albeit weaker.

"Good technique. Efficient casting. You are qualified." John unsheathed his saber, and suddenly, a huge aura started to erupt from him.

"Saber Technique....." Tanner recognized this.

He didn't really know the specifics, but seemingly, people with high cultivations could create techniques, which were written in scrolls or manuals.

"Can you withstand even my first move? Erupt!" John shot out. Tanner was aghast. His speed was too fast.

He could barely follow with his eyes.....

"Bubble!" A small bubble enveloped him. At that exact moment, a saber chop came down on him, colliding with the barrier for a few seconds before splitting apart. However, this was enough time as Tanner quickly darted back.

"Water Wave!" Tanner swung his hand, and a wave with twice the speed of the last one shot out, colliding with John's saber and splitting in half.

"He's strong, especially with that Saber Technique. How do I do this?" Tanner muttered as he stared at John, who had already made a move.

"Again! Erupt!"

'Add ten points to Agility and Speed.'

[Agility – 23]

[Speed – 25]

"I don't believe I can't achieve a draw." With almost twice the speed, Tanner arrived before John.

'He moved later, but arrived first. He's quite fast!' John frowned. His chop instantly changed direction, from upwards to sideways.

'If I keep moving, the saber will instantly injure me. I moved so fast I can't change directions.' Tanner's brain racked for solutions.

"Bubble!" A bubble enveloped Tanner. However, it was a bit late and his shoulder got slashed. A shallow wound appeared, and blood dripped slowly.

'Damn! It hurts so much!' Tanner almost broke down that instant. He bit his tongue and counterattacked.

[HP: 95/100]

"Water Wave!"

A wave almost instantly struck John in the stomach, and he moved back a few steps, disrupting his next move.

"Ha!"

Tanner instantly moved. His body basically flew as he punched out with all his strength, sending John ten metres away in an instant.

John smiled. A bit of blood trickled from lips.

"Enthusiasm! That's what I love to see! Erupt, Second Chain!" A tearing sound spread out it the air.

The air had been torn apart as John entire body moved. To him, it seemed like he had just teleported in front of him.

"Bubble!"

Clang!

A tearing metallic sound rang out in the air. Tanner's defense was instantly broken and another wound appeared on his arm.

"A Mid–Tier mage so strong? No, it's that saber....." Tanner mind started to spin, looking for ways to defeat his opponent.

'John has exceptional skill with that saber, so I'll have to get close to deal actual damage. How though?'

"Haha!" Just as the saber was about to touch him, it's power instantly reduced by half.

"Huh?" Shocked, John wavered, giving Tanner enough time to cast.

"Water Wave, point blank!" He struck John in the stomach, releasing a Water Wave with the remaining Energy he had left.

John flew through the air violently, crashing into the wall behind him. He coughed out a bit of blood, but was still grinning happily.

Taking a quick break, they both ate some healing pills and replenished their mana.

Thinking back to the fight, Tanner analyzed the details of everything that had happened, using it to improve himself.