[Sorry for the late chapter guys! Please forgive me! I was planning on writing two chapters btw but felt too tight on time and did not want to rush it and damage the quality so I made one long chapter. I hope you enjoy it and hopefully I have the title to upload more chapters tomorrow. And please do try to support the back ok by voting. From rank 50 this month, we've dropped by several ranks. As long as you guys still read though, I'm happy. Thanks for reading!]
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[Ace POV]
The two warriors wasted no time, launching into a flurry of attacks. Despite being topless and unarmed, their movements were a testament to their mastery. They danced around each other, gracefully evading strikes and countering with precision.
As I observed the battle, I couldn't help but voice my thoughts to the emperor. "Their skill and technique are remarkable. Even without weapons, they exhibit a level of control and expertise that surpasses the previous fighters."
The emperor nodded, his gaze fixed on the warriors. "Indeed, lad. These men have honed their bodies and minds to a remarkable degree. It is a testament to their discipline and dedication. It is such a pity they did not take the chance to level up when the apocalypse came. They would have been much more powerful than this.
"How so?" I asked with curiosity evident in my voice.
"As you can see they're both old", the emperor stated and I nodded in return.
Seeing that he had gotten my attention, he continued from where he left off.
"These two are actually dojo masters and they know their stuff but due to wanting to protect the ones in their dojos from monsters, they actually never got out of the dojo till we came"
"So they had missed the chance to get powerful early before the monsters got stronger", I said, completing the emperor's words and when I saw him nodding, I knew I was right.
"It's okay now though since my warriors are level carrying them to become stronger in a world like this. I can't let capable people like them waste their potential", the emperor stated as we continued watching the fight that was ongoing.
We watched as the warriors exchanged blows, their bodies showcasing the muscles forged through countless training. Their movements were fluid, seamless, as they deflected and countered with calculated precision.
"They fight as if their bodies are extensions of their will," I remarked, impressed by what I was seeing.
The emperor's eyes gleamed with appreciation. "Indeed. True warriors have an innate connection between body and mind. It's a harmony born from years of training and experience."
"It's just a pity no one knew having some fighting skills will be helpful in the future", the emperor remarked as I once again nodded to his words.
The emperor was indeed true in his words. The reason I am alive till now is because I knew how to defend myself before the apocalypse came.
I didn't learn martial arts because I loved it but because I wanted to see if I could take it as a hobby or if it could invoke some sort of emotion in my head to make me enjoy it. It didn't happen though but It was one of the few things I continued to pass the time and take care of my body since martial arts encouraged having a good and a healthy fit body to be better.
I think my step brother even trained in martial arts as a hobby.
I'm not sure though.
Shaking my head to remove distracting thoughts from my head, I returned my focus to the fight.
The battle reached its climax, the warriors pushing themselves to the limits. The crowd held their breath, enthralled by the display of skill and tenacity. Finally, one of the warriors executed a flawlessly timed manoeuvre, sending his opponent crashing to the ground.
A wave of applause and cheers erupted from the spectators, acknowledging the victorious warrior's triumph. The emperor's gaze remained fixed on the fallen fighter, a mix of respect and contemplation crossing his face.
"These warriors may not possess formidable power, but their spirit and dedication are undeniable," the emperor said, his voice carrying a note of admiration. "They remind us that true strength comes from within, regardless of external trappings."
I nodded, silently contemplating his words.
Was most of my strength without external tools.
I thought about this seriously for a while and found out I was really strong.
I knew this before but this was actually the fight time I realised that for a while now since after I evolved, I mostly fought with nothing more than my body and abilities.
I barely had to take something from my storage ring to fight or assist me in my battles.
As pondered on this, the emperor seemed like he wanted his men to fight more so he called for another battle.
As the crowd continued to cheer, the emperor's voice boomed through the training grounds, commanding attention once again. "Bring forth another challenger!" he declared, his eyes scanning the assembled warriors.
A hush fell over the crowd as a new challenger stepped forward, a burly man with a scarred face and a determined look in his eyes. He exuded an aura of power and confidence, capturing the attention of everyone present.
"Let us witness the strength of a true warrior," the emperor proclaimed, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
The seasoned warriors acknowledged the challenge with a nod, stepping forward to face the new opponent. The air crackled with anticipation as the fight began, the clash of bodies and the thud of strikes resonating through the training grounds.
The new challenger proved to be a formidable adversary, unleashing a series of powerful attacks that tested the mettle of the seasoned warriors. However, the dojo masters were not to be underestimated. They fought with a grace and precision that belied their age, countering each blow with calculated manoeuvres.
I watched intently, captivated by the sheer skill and determination displayed by all three fighters. Each move was a testament to their unwavering spirit and unyielding resolve. The battle raged on, the warriors exchanging blow after blow, their bodies glistening with sweat.
As the fight reached its climax, the new challenger unleashed a devastating strike that sent one of the dojo masters sprawling to the ground. The crowd gasped in surprise, the tension thick in the air. But the fallen warrior quickly rose to his feet, determination etched on his face. He refused to yield, his eyes fixed on his opponent.
The other dojo master, seeing his comrade's resolve, rallied with renewed vigour. Together, they launched a synchronised assault, their movements perfectly coordinated. The new challenger fought valiantly, but he was ultimately overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught.
In a final display of skill and teamwork, the dojo masters delivered a joint strike that sent the new challenger crashing to the ground, defeated but not broken. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, recognizing the triumph of experience and unity over raw power.
The emperor's gaze lingered on the fallen challenger, his expression a mix of respect and contemplation. "Strength comes in many forms," he uttered quietly, his voice carrying across the training grounds. "But true warriors are not defined by their victories alone. It's their unwavering spirit, their resilience, and their ability to inspire others that set them apart."
I did not quite understand this spirit he was referring too but I still nodded.
As the training grounds gradually returned to its bustling activity, the echoes of the battles lingered in the air. The fights had reminded me of the importance of honing my own skills, both physical and mental, and appreciating the strength that resided deep within me.
Before I could think more, the emperor proposed for me to go to the mages training ground.
This was something that was easy to understand but still made me curious as to how it exactly worked.
I'm guessing the mages mentioned here would be lower level magic users who are self teaching themselves or something seeing as I do not think any human has become too knowledgeable to start teaching magic to others except they had a job that provided them with such extensive knowledge.
In any case, I'll know when I arrive at the mages training ground.
With this in mind, we left the warriors training ground under the emperor's lead.
As we made our way to the mages' training ground, I could not help but wonder what awaited me there. Magic was a realm that had always fascinated me, even though I had limited exposure to it. I had witnessed the devastating power of magic during my encounters with formidable enemies, and I knew that mastering it could greatly enhance my abilities.
Unfortunately we met the queen before we could arrive at the training grounds.
'I really wanted to see how it's done though' I thought as I observed the familiar face approach our direction from a distance.
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