A few moments before Raven and Alec’s sparring start.
Everyone’s eyes are on me and Alec.
And they’re all dead silent. I can feel the tension around us.
Then, looking at the opposite side of the arena...
I can see Alec’s serious face while he’s on his fighting stance. He looks composed, fully focused. There’s an intensity in his gaze that tells me he’s taking this super serious.
’Sariel, appraise his stats.’
I instructed inside my head.
And Sariel quickly replied.
After that, he immediately projected Alec’s stats in the air on a bluish system window that only me can see—
And I immediately frowned after seeing Alec’s stats.
’His strength and stamina increased by a rank, his skills leveled up too...’
But my expression quickly came back to normal as all of Alec’s stats were higher than mine to begin with. I couldn’t afford to show hesitation now.
The reason I want to spar against him?
It’s to test my abilities. Alec’s the best opponent for that.
He’s the main character, after all.
Also... It’s to test Alec’s current strength.
No matter what happened, his existence is crucial to this world, or should I say this universe.
And there’s a possibility that the higher beings weakened him... They like to fuck things around the story.
This isn’t a novel anymore, I already know that ever since I fought for the first time against the red wolves.
Just like I can die here—
So dos Alec, the protagonist. And if that happen, everything will be messy as fuck!
’And that would be a big pain for me...’
So if by any chance, Alec is weaker than ’him’ in my novel, then I’ll give him a little help.
’And I’ll just get some of his future items for myself as an exchange...’
[Lol, you already plan to get them anyway.]
I replied inside my head.
Still, Sariel’s not wrong, I already plan to acquire all the items in the novel that could help me get stronger.
I know I’ll mess the story a bit by doing that, but I don’t care.
’I need to survive. I need to do whatever to do that.’
I declared to myself.
It was then, Curtis asked me and Alec that.
His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
And immediately after I heard his question—
I started collecting mana in my legs and feet.
The familiar warmth of mana rushing through my limbs gave me a little boost in confidence.
Then I covered my fists with mana next.
And after doing all of that— I silently nodded my head as a response to Curtis.
It seems like Alec is done preparing as well as he nodded his head too at Curtis’ question.
Then after that, without further ado...
Curtis declared the start of our sparring match!
’[Thought Acceleration]’
And I immediately activated that skill of mine as soon as it started!
I already learned how to use the to some extent that I wouldn’t receive much backslash.
All I need to do is to lessen the skill’s output.
Of course, the skill’s effect would decrease, obviously.
But in exchange to that— the burden of the skill in my body would plummet by a lot too!
So with that, time slowed down for me...
And to my surprise, Alec was already able to close the distance between us by few meters!
And he’s gradually coming closer every millisecond!
’He’s really fast, huh...’
But right now, with my skill on, Alec’s speed was no different than an average man running toward me.
So with a clear mind—
I kicked on the ground as hard as I could!
I immediately noticed that my speed was a bit slower than Alec’s.
Not that I care as I just activated another one of my skills, then I started processing information of everything around me—
And after that, I placed my left palm near my stomach.
Then I swung my right fist horizontally at the same level of my head.
And everything around me returned to their normal speed!
In that moment, my left hand caught Alec’s left fist that was aiming at my stomach.
And I was able to launch a punch toward Alec’s left cheek using my right fist!
Though, he blocked my attack by placing his right palm beside his cheek and catching my fist as well.
’So he’s not gonna let me have a hit that easy huh.’
I thought to myself, a small smile on my face.
"I didn’t see them move."
Every spectator in the arena was silent, even Curtis and the others.
Raven and Alec’s first exchange of blows happened so fast that not everyone of them was able to follow their movements!
And whether they saw it or not, they were all was quite surprised at what just happened!
On the other hand though, Alec and Raven are just looking at each other with a straight poker face.
Then Alec suddenly raised his left foot to launch a kick!
But his attempt failed as his foot was stopped by the sole of Raven’s right foot!
It was then, Alec’s figure disappeared from everyone’s sight again, including Raven’s!
He used one of his skills, !
Raven’s eyes twitched in dissatisfaction when he realized that.
Then Alec quietly reappeared right behind him!
Once he did, Raven immediately sensed Alec’s presence behind him!
So Raven quickly clenched his left hand into a fist, then he violently rotated his torso to the left!
And with a whip-like motion—
Raven used the back of his left fist to attack Alec who’s behind him!
Even though Raven’s attack was well executed, Alec was still able to block it by using his left arm.
But Alec was surprised, he didn’t expect Raven to be able to respond immediately at his teleportation skill!
And seeing him baffled, Raven decided to attack again!
He lightly jumped and fully spun his whole body to face Alec.
Raven punched out his right fist, aiming at Alec’s temple!
But Alec was also able to block that by catching Raven’s fist with his right hand!
Raven didn’t panic and immediately followed a stomp kick at Alec’s left knee!
But just like what happened to all of his attacks till now, it was blocked.
Alec raised his left foot at the right time.
So what met Raven’s right foot was Alec’s left foot!
’This is bullshit...!’
Raven exclaimed in his head.
Then he used his left foot to kick the ground and dash back, away from Alec and his grasp.
But Alec propelled himself almost at the same time, and he’s heading to where Raven is escaping to!
’I’m not letting you escape so easy...!’
Alec said in his head— He was able to predict Raven’s move!
Raven was absolutely surprised by this.
And Alec didn’t miss that chance as he immediately punched Raven on the chest!
Raven groaned and he was sent skidding a few meters away from Alec!
Alec got the first clean hit in their spar!
Raven stood up properly again, fixing his balance. Then he looked at Alec...
Alec’s expression didn’t change even a bit.
Raven thought as he touched his chest where he was hit.
Then... He suddenly crouched down.
And he stabbed his right hand in the ground and pulled out a chunk of the marble rock floor!
Alec had no idea what’s Raven up to, so he decided to put up his defense.
But after a while... Raven stood up again with a mana coated rock in his right hand.
Then he smirked, looking at Alec.
Alec asked inwardly with a small frown.
Just then, Raven suddenly dashed toward him!
And after he got near to Alec—
Raven threw the rock in his hand at Alec’s face as hard as he could!
Though, Alec easily caught it with his right hand.
But as soon as he grabbed the rock...
An unknown force suddenly moved the rock to the side!
And because Alec didn’t expect it, his hand was dragged along!
Leaving his face unguarded!
And of course, Raven didn’t let that chance pass by!
As a matter of fact, he was already in front of Alec!
He punched Alec straight in the nose!
And it was a fucking clean hit!