Chapter 74 Chapter 18.3 - Small but not small help
At that moment, she felt like the aura surrounding him suddenly changed. Mana of the crimson color surrounded him like he was a demon.
'Blood Magic?'
Maya asked herself. It was not a common sight to see such color of mana elsewhere. But, it was not only the color of his mana but the feeling it gave.
She felt the bloodthirstiness that came from the exact moment.
Following that was a sight she was not expecting in her life.
The boy she thought was weak suddenly bolted towards the dummy at a rapid speed incomparable to before.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH
And he started attacking the dummy rapidly.
The daggers spun in his hands, creating a crimson crescent that sliced through the air.
THUD THUD THUD
The attack was relentless, an unyielding storm of blades that sought to overwhelm the PhantomGlide Dummy.
Consistently, a crescent crimson blade formed of crimson mana tried to pierce through the dummy, and even if it didn't touch the dummy, the blades of crimson color went past it and smashed the walls behind like a wave of wind.
The dummy's defenses faltered, unable to keep up with the sudden assault. It was a fierce dance of steel and shadows, a battle between will and mechanism.
He looked like he poured his essence into every strike, each movement a testament to his growth.
'What?'
Maya was surprised. It was an incredible sight, a sight that made her blood boil in excitement.
'You can do it.'
CHUMP CHUMP CHUMP
Unbeknownst to her, she started eating her chips rapidly like she was at the climax of a movie.
'His attacks are trapping its movement.'
The purple eyes of the boy turned slightly crimson, his irises shining.
'You can do it!' She silently cheered, her heart swelling with a mix of excitement and admiration.
After all, he was putting his everything on the line.
'He is getting injured.'
She couldn't ignore the strain on his body. Veins bulged on his muscles, a testament to the physical toll his relentless assault was taking on him. But he pressed on, his resilience shining through even in the face of adversity.
'His mana control is still immature, but it is like he instinctively knows how to use it. It must be either his [Trait] or his [Skill].'
Maya's insight as a skilled mage allowed her to see beyond the surface. While Astron's mana control still showed signs of immaturity, there was an instinctive quality to his manipulation. It was as if his [Trait] or [Skill] granted him an innate understanding of mana, compensating for his lack of formal training.
It was a dance of blades.
The dance of blades continued each strike a calculated move to surprise and overwhelm the dummy. Astron's attacks were relentless, each movement a reflection of his determination to succeed.
'He is trying to overwhelm it with his technique.'
SWOOSH SWOOSH
In the midst of his rapid assault, a particular strike caught Maya's attention. It was a slash of different speed and trajectory, a deliberate attempt to catch the dummy off guard. The dummy, accustomed to its pattern, barely managed to evade the strike, showcasing its waning defenses.
SWOOSH
Then, following it was another slash from the reverse side, aimed at the dummy's lower side.
SWOOSH
But the dummy once again evaded his strike.
'Another one.'
However, Maya could see that Astron had already predicted the parry.
Another strike aimed at the reverse side was approaching.
SWOOSH
And the dummy responded in the last second, evading the strike.
None of his strikes hit, but they were not blocked either because the dummy couldn't keep up with the speed.
'Huh? Another attack? But, it is too late?'
Maya immediately saw another attack aimed right at the core of the dummy, but the dummy was already about to dodge the attack.
'Huh?'
But it didn't.
Rather, it couldn't.
Because surrounding it were a bunch of red threads formed all around its body.
'This is?'
Even she herself didn't realize the little amounts of crimson-colored mana left on the air like threads. She was far too focused on his attacks that even as an outsider, she forgot.
CLANK TOK
And then, it happened.
A triumphant clash – the sound of his daggers meeting the dummy's defense one final time.
The Phantom Glide Dummy couldn't evade the strike, and neither could it parry it since the attack came too fast.
The crimson-colored dagger pierced through its defenses, but at the same time, the threads of crimson above the dummy immediately descended, closing the cage.
PUFF
The PhantomGlide Dummy faltered, its form flickering before dispersing into nothingness to be repaired by the magical engineers.
"He actually did it."
Maya's heart swelled with exhilaration as she witnessed Astron's victory. The intense battle had been won, not through brute force, but through strategy, determination, and the unyielding will to succeed. It was a testament to his growth, his potential, and his unshakable spirit.
But at the same time, it was a feeling that she had forgotten in a while.
The thrill of battle, the sense of challenging one's own limits.
Just as before coming here, she had talked with the instructor about how she challenged her limits constantly, but that couldn't be more wrong.
In fact, rather than challenging herself, she was simply doing what she was comfortable with.
As a Nature Mage with good Elemental abilities, she always felt comfortable inside the Elemental Chamber rather than challenging herself. She felt like she was in her home while training there using her nature magic.
And since the Elemental Chamber was a place that was always thought of as hard, everyone thought she easily endured it because she was a genius.
That was true, but it was not because she was a genius but because she was a nature mage. From the first moment she stepped there, she never felt uncomfortable at all.
"Ah….."
And, now witnessing such a thing happening before her eyes, she couldn't help but feel exhilarated. It was like getting simply inspired and hyped.
'What was I doing?'
But that didn't mean she never pushed herself. No, she did. Before coming to the academy or in the first months of her education, she pushed herself.
A triumphant smile graced her lips as she watched Astron's form, his chest heaving from the exertion of the battle. It was a moment that resonated with her own memories of pushing her limits, a reminder of the thrill she used to find in challenging herself.
But as the adrenaline began to ebb away, Maya's awareness shifted to Astron's condition. She noticed a telltale sign – his staggering steps and the faint waver in his stance.
It was clear that the intense battle had taken a toll on him, depleting his energy and leaving him on the brink of exhaustion.
THUD
Following that, he collapsed on the ground, not being able to stand anymore.
Without a moment's hesitation, Maya closed the distance between them, her concern overriding any remaining barriers. Her steps were swift and purposeful, her heart now filled with a different kind of empathy.
"Are you all right?" she asked gently, her voice laced with genuine concern as she reached out a supportive hand towards him.
"Hufff….Hufff….."
Astron's breath was labored, his shoulders rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. He gave a faint nod, his expression a mix of exhaustion and a hint of pride.
"Wow! That was incredible!" Maya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I've never seen anyone take down the PhantomGlide Dummy like that before. Your technique and determination were amazing!"
Astron grumbled softly, his voice barely audible. "It was nothing..."
Maya's grin widened, undeterred by his modesty. "No, seriously, you were like a whirlwind out there. Your moves were so precise, and that final strike was just... wow!"
Astron's gaze remained fixed on the ground, his exhaustion evident. He was clearly not used to receiving praise, especially not from someone as energetic as Maya.
"I mean, not many students can even land a hit on that dummy, let alone defeat it," Maya continued, her excitement contagious. "You really know your stuff!"
Astron's response was a barely decipherable grumble, but Maya wasn't discouraged. She was on a roll and determined to make him see his accomplishment.
"And that thread technique you used to trap the dummy – that was so smart!" Maya's eyes shone with admiration. "I've never seen anything like it. It was like you had the dummy dancing to your tune!"
"Tch." However, the response she received was a click of the tongue. Astron's lips pressed into a thin line, his exhaustion and discomfort evident.
He disliked when other people learned about his skills and meddled with his affairs.
"You should be really proud of yourself, Junior," Maya continued, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "You faced a tough challenge and came out victorious. That takes real skill and determination." Her hand was on her chest as she spoke like a general on the battlefield.
In fact, she even imagined herself in such a manner.
But Astron could no longer tolerate the girl's rambling. His gaze finally lifted, meeting Maya's earnest blue eyes. He couldn't deny that her words held a sincerity that was hard to ignore, but he also didn't want to admit it.
"How long have you been watching?" He asked, with a silent protest. It was like he was trying to say it is rude to watch other people's techniques.
Pondering about his question for a second, she realized she had been watching him for quite a while. "Hmm? Probably from the start?"
"Tch? Don't you know it is rude to watch other people's skills?"
"Hmm? Is it rude?"
"It is."
"I see….But, then, why are you training on the open field if you don't want to show your skills?"
"That…." Astron hesitated. Even with him being very good with words, her point also made sense. Also, he didn't want to argue.
Seeing him not answering her words, Maya put a proud expression on her face.
"Nihihihi…." Followed by a hearty laugh.
"What is so funny?"
"Nothing…"
"Tch."
"Anyway, Junior," Maya addressed him with a mixture of warmth and respect, sticking to the playful term she had chosen earlier. "You are really skilled. It is my first time seeing a freshman landing a hit on the PhantomGlide Dummy."
Astron's annoyance was momentarily replaced by a flicker of surprise. It was clear that Maya's praise held a genuine quality that he hadn't anticipated.
"However…" Maya's expression shifted to one of thoughtful analysis. "There's room for improvement."
"You've got great technique and instincts," Maya began, her tone focused. "But there's a certain finesse you're missing. It's like you're commanding your body to move, but your body is unable to follow your commands."
She slowly lowered her gaze into his body, observing the leanness. Even though he looked weak, she could see the developing muscles underneath the clothes.
"But the last technique you used. You just learned it, right?" Maya just nailed the point, her eyes piercing through him.
"….."
"It was obvious, you know. When you were facing off against the PhantomGlide Dummy," Maya continued, her gaze intense, "you were using your mana without any control. It was powerful, no doubt, but raw. You've got to learn to shape and guide your mana like a sculptor creating a masterpiece. But at that moment, while using that movement, you did it on your own."
"Senior Maya, you are really something."
Maya offered a light chuckle at his remark. "Of course, this lady here is the first rank."
"Sigh…."
"Hey, if you're interested, I can help you with your mana control skills," Maya suggested with a friendly smile.
Astron's brows furrowed as he regarded her with skepticism. "Why would you want to do that?"
He didn't believe in helping others without benefits. Everyone had an agenda of their own in his eyes.
Maya's smile didn't waver, but her eyes held a mixture of sincerity and determination. "Consider it a repayment, Junior."
Astron blinked, confusion crossing his features. "Repayment? For what?"
Maya's gaze softened as she looked at him. "For reawakening something in me – the desire to challenge myself, to push beyond my comfort zone. You see, it's easy to get caught up in routine, to stick to what's familiar. But seeing you face that challenge head-on, with no fear or hesitation, it reminded me of what it's like to truly test your limits."
Astron's expression remained neutral, though her words did make him pause for a moment. He had never really thought about how his actions could impact someone else, especially someone as accomplished as Maya.
"I've been too comfortable, too complacent," Maya continued, her voice tinged with a hint of self-reflection. "But watching you today, it struck me that I've been holding back, just like you were against that dummy."
Astron's gaze remained locked with Maya's as he absorbed her words.
"So, if you let me, I'd like to help you refine your mana control," Maya said, her tone resolute. "And in return, you'll be helping me challenge myself again, just like you did today."
Astron's expression remained neutral, his thoughts racing. The idea of helping someone else challenge themselves appeared out of the blue, and it was not certainly a normal idea.
"Think about it," Maya said, her smile returning. "No pressure, Junior. If you're not interested, that's okay too."
But, for Astron, this was an opportunity that would never come back in the century again.
"No, there is no need to think. If it is you, senior, I accept it."
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