Liraen looked at him and allowed a soft smile to form.
He can still become a Realm Protector, he thought.
This human… he will be the one.
He drew his sword, Ralis, and pointed it toward Kael.
"Alright then," Liraen said. "Today, I'll teach you another sword skill, one focused on defense."
Kael nodded.
Training began.
From evening until nearly nightfall, Kael trained efficiently, resting between sessions and eating the meal Elvareth had prepared for him.
This method of training was something Kael had devised during his earlier rest, more flexible, more reliable.
As the light faded, they trained with resolve, Kael steadily learning how to defend and counterattack using his tech sword, Tesseract.
SWWOOSH!
Nylum swung his water-shaped blade toward Kael.
Kael reacted instantly. He recalled everything Liraen had taught him that morning, his footing, his timing and raised Tesseract at the perfect angle.
SWOOSH!
Water exploded outward as Kael successfully blocked the strike.
But this time, he didn't stop at defending.
Using the opening, Kael shifted his stance and counterattacked with a move he had learned during yesterday's session.
SWOOSH!
He thrust forward, aiming straight for Nylum's chest.
But Nylum wasn't that easy.
At the last moment, his body reshaped, water flowing aside, forming a hollow gap in his chest. Kael's blade pierced nothing but air, passing cleanly through.
"Tch!"
He reshaped his body…
Doesn't matter. I can do it again.
As Kael began to pull his sword back—
Suddenly—
ZUP!
Water surged upward, forming a tight sphere around Kael's head.
His vision blurred.
Ha—?!
Kael tried to inhale, but his mouth was submerged. No air, only water pressing in from all sides.
Nylum slid backward, watching as Kael fell to one knee.
"HAHAHAHA, Kaaaeelll~!" Nylum laughed, his voice rippling mockingly.
"You wanted tooo staaab meee, right~~?"
But Nylum didn't realize—
Kael was still fighting.
His chest tightened as he held his breath beneath the water sphere, blue eyes burning with stubborn resolve.
Not yet…
Kael planted his feet firmly, standing ready to strike again. His eyes met Liraen's, full of unwavering determination.
Nylum paused for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his watery form—Kael can hold his breath…
But Kael didn't have much time. He needed to act fast, or the water sphere would consume him.
With a decisive click, he activated the switch on Tesseract's handle. The black blade reattached, responding perfectly to his movements, even from a distance.
Without hesitation—
SWOOSH!
Kael slashed from afar.
Nylum twisted, dodging with fluid grace.
Kael adjusted instantly, the blade following every subtle movement of his hand.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
Again, Nylum evaded.
Kael's brow furrowed, but his grip remained steady. He refused to waste any motion—every strike had to count.
Kael's vision blurred, but he stayed on his feet. Nearly drowned, his body screamed for him to collapse.
Nylum, sensing Kael's struggle, prepared to cancel his water Might, but he didn't notice Kael had already closed the distance, rushing toward him. Even so, Nylum managed to dodge the strike.
"Alright, Kaellll, I think tha—"
"Oh…"
Nylum froze, just in time to feel the black blade swipe past him. His feet were slashed.
Kael tumbled to the ground, the water sphere around his head shattering.
Pant! Pant!
He gasped for air, each breath burning. His hands trembled as he struggled to regain control of Tesseract. The fainting feeling loomed over him, threatening to pull him under once more.
No… No… I can't faint now!
I need to fight. I need to stand!
Blue fire burned in his eyes, determination anchoring him as he fought against his own weakening body.
Kael's body trembled as he struggled to stand, muscles screaming in protest. Then, a light tap on his shoulder made him collapse back onto the ground.
"Take your breath… ma boy."
A familiar, deep, heartwarming voice filled his ears. Durmuk—Kael's boss, his father figure.
"Boss!" Nylum and Liraen immediately noticed his presence.
Kael didn't speak. He focused on stabilizing himself, slowly regaining his consciousness.
"It's okay, ma boy. Take your time." Durmuk's sturdy hand rested firmly on Kael's shoulder.
"Is the training done, Ren?" Durmuk asked Liraen.
"Yes, Boss. I think that's all for today's session," Liraen replied.
"Yess, Boss! That's all for today~" Nylum added, his watery voice rippling through the backyard.
"Great… that means ma boy will have his third session tonight, right?"
"Yes, Boss!" Nylum replied eagerly.
"HA! Ma boy," Durmuk chuckled, offering Kael a hand.
"For tonight's training, I'll be accompanying you."
"H...Huh?… Pant.... He look at Durmuk short dwarf figure. "I...if that so....alright....Boss…" Kael's voice trembled, each word a struggle.
"Good! But… it's still early, right?" Durmuk asked
"Y… yeah?" Kael murmured, his gaze fixed on the sky still tinged with orange, the evening not yet fully dark.
"Then why not rest first, ma boy?" Durmuk suggested gently.
"Ye....Yeah, Alright, Boss.... Sigh! I'm tired!" Kael admitted.
"HAHHAHA! I know, ma boy! That swing and slash ya give earlier must be tiring!" Durmuk laughed, stroking his long white beard.
But as Kael walked into the house, Durmuk's laughter faded. His expression grew heavy.
There was a reason he had insisted on accompanying Kael for the Tawan aspect training tonight—a reason only Kael truly understood.
Just a short chapter guys I will continue to write in like few days got a few things to settle down