Realm Lord
Chapter 155: The Spar (2)

Chapter 155: The Spar (2)

Arthur’s frustration burned like a fire in his chest as he steadied himself on the platform. The crowd’s excited murmurs faded into background noise as he focused entirely on his opponent. Aziel stood across from him, electricity still dancing across his skin in crackling arcs, that familiar cocky grin plastered on his face.

’Not this time,’ Arthur thought grimly, his shadow armor pulsing with dark energy as he prepared his counterattack.

Without warning, Arthur launched himself forward, his shadow-enhanced speed carrying him across the platform in a blur of motion. His blade came down in a vertical slash aimed at Aziel’s shoulder, the shadow-wrapped steel singing through the air with deadly precision.

But Aziel’s reflexes were equally impressive. He twisted his body sideways, the black blade passing mere inches from his chest, close enough that he could feel the cold emanating from Arthur’s weapon. In the same fluid motion, Aziel brought his spear up in an upward thrust, aiming for Arthur’s exposed ribs.

Arthur saw the counterattack coming and pivoted on his heel, using his momentum to spin away from the spear point. His shadow armor absorbed the glancing blow that would have otherwise torn through his side, the dark energy dissipating the electrical charge that sparked on contact.

The two fighters separated, circling each other like predators as the crowd pressed closer to the platform. Spectators were pointing and whispering in amazement at the display of power they were witnessing.

"Their speed is incredible!"

"I can barely follow their movements!"

"Is that really a darkness ability? I’ve never heard of that!"

Aziel made the next move, his spear crackling with concentrated lightning as he thrust it forward in a series of rapid strikes. Each attack left trails of blue-white energy in the air, creating a dazzling light show that had the crowd gasping in appreciation. Arthur parried desperately, his sword meeting the spear in a symphony of ringing metal and crackling electricity.

The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying in all directions, some electrical, others born from the grinding of steel against steel. Arthur could feel the numbing sensation of electricity trying to creep up his blade with each impact, but his shadow armor was doing its job, absorbing and neutralizing much of the electrical energy before it could reach his body.

Finding an opening between Aziel’s rapid thrusts, Arthur stepped inside his friend’s guard and brought his sword around in a horizontal sweep. The shadow-wrapped blade moved like liquid darkness, nearly invisible in its speed. Aziel barely managed to get his spear shaft up to block, the impact sending vibrations up both their arms.

But Arthur wasn’t finished. He pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes that had Aziel backpedaling across the platform. His sword work was fluid and precise, each cut flowing into the next in a deadly dance. The shadow armor enhanced every movement, making him faster and stronger than any normal chosen.

Aziel’s feet found the edge of the platform, and for a moment it looked like Arthur might actually drive him off. But Aziel’s combat instincts kicked in, and he planted his back foot firmly as lightning coursed through his entire body. With a yell of effort, he thrust his spear forward with both hands, the weapon blazing with electrical energy so intense it temporarily blinded several spectators.

Arthur was forced to leap backward to avoid the devastating attack, the lightning-charged spear passing through the space where his chest had been only a heartbeat before. The electrical energy discharged harmlessly into the air above the crowd, drawing awed gasps from the onlookers.

"Did you see that?!"

"The lightning nearly hit the ceiling!"

"These guys are insane!"

Both fighters were breathing heavily now, sweat beading on their foreheads despite the cool air of the training room. The intensity of their battle was taking its toll, but neither showed any signs of backing down.

Aziel wiped his brow with the back of his hand, his grin never wavering. "Getting tired already, Arthur?"

Arthur’s response was to surge forward again, his legs propelling him across the platform with explosive force. This time he feinted high before dropping low, sweeping his blade in a wide arc aimed at Aziel’s legs.

Aziel jumped, electricity crackling around his feet as he used his lightning abilities to enhance his leap. He soared over Arthur’s blade, spinning in midair as he brought his spear down in an overhead strike that would have split Arthur’s skull if it connected.

Arthur rolled forward, feeling the wind from Aziel’s spear as it crashed into the platform where he had been standing. The metal surface of the platform actually dented from the force of the blow, drawing shocked exclamations from the crowd.

Coming out of his roll, Arthur immediately transitioned into an upward thrust, his sword point aimed at Aziel’s midsection. But Aziel’s enhanced reflexes served him well—he twisted his body impossibly fast, the blade passing through empty air as he brought his spear around in a horizontal sweep.

The two weapons met in a thunderous clash that sent both fighters skidding backward across the platform. The impact was so violent that several spectators involuntarily stepped back, and the ringing of metal on metal echoed throughout the entire training room.

Arthur could feel his arms trembling from the force of the impact, and he could see that Aziel was similarly affected. Both of them were pushing their abilities to the limit.

"Is it just me, or are they getting faster?" someone in the crowd whispered.

"Look at the way they move! It’s like they’re not even human!"

The battle continued with neither fighter able to gain a decisive advantage. Aziel’s lightning gave him incredible speed and the ability to electrify his attacks, but Arthur’s shadow armor provided both protection and enhancement that kept him competitive. Every strike was met with a parry, every advance countered with a retreat.

Aziel attempted his signature spear throw again, this time following it up with a lightning-fast sprint that carried him around Arthur’s flank. But Arthur had learned from the earlier exchange and was ready for the tactic. As Aziel grabbed his spear out of the air, Arthur’s shadows suddenly erupted from the platform surface, wrapping around Aziel’s ankles like dark chains.

"What the—" Aziel started to say, but Arthur was already moving. His sword came around in a wide arc that would have caught Aziel across the chest, but at the last second, Aziel discharged a massive burst of electrical energy that shattered Arthur’s shadow constructs and sent both fighters flying in opposite directions.

They crashed into the platform simultaneously, both rolling to their feet with weapons at the ready. The crowd was on their feet now, cheering and shouting encouragement to both fighters.

"This is incredible!"

"I’ve never seen anything like this!"

"Who’s going to win?!"

Arthur’s chest was heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His shadow armor was flickering slightly, a sign that he was pushing his abilities close to their limit. Across from him, Aziel looked equally exhausted, electricity still dancing across his skin but in weaker, more sporadic bursts.

They circled each other slowly, both looking for an opening that might end the fight. Arthur feinted left, then darted right, his sword coming up in an uppercut that Aziel barely deflected with his spear shaft. The proximity of their weapons allowed Arthur to grab onto Aziel’s spear with his free hand, and for a moment the two friends grappled in close quarters.

Aziel tried to electrify his spear to force Arthur to let go, but Arthur’s shadow armor absorbed most of the shock. In response, Arthur attempted to use his shadows to bind Aziel’s arms, but Aziel’s lightning-enhanced strength allowed him to break free almost immediately.

They separated again, both breathing hard and showing signs of fatigue. The crowd could sense that the fight was reaching its climax, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Arthur made one final desperate charge, pouring everything he had left into his shadow enhancement. His speed increased dramatically as he closed the distance, his sword becoming little more than a blur of darkness as he unleashed a combination of strikes that pushed Aziel to his absolute limit.

But Aziel wasn’t finished either. Drawing on reserves of power he didn’t know he possessed, he met Arthur’s assault with one of his own. His spear moved like lightning itself, creating a web of electrical energy that seemed to fill the entire platform.

The two friends clashed in the center of the platform, their weapons meeting again and again in a display of skill and power that left the crowd speechless. Sparks flew in all directions as steel met steel, shadow battled lightning, and two of the most talented young fighters anyone had ever seen pushed themselves beyond their limits.

Finally, both fighters attempted their most powerful attacks simultaneously. Arthur gathered his shadows into his blade, the weapon becoming so dark it seemed to absorb light from the entire room. Aziel channeled every bit of electricity he could muster into his spear, the weapon blazing like a captured bolt of lightning.

They rushed toward each other with everything they had left, their weapons meeting in the exact center of the platform. The collision created an explosion of light and shadow that forced everyone in the crowd to shield their eyes. The sound was deafening, like thunder and breaking glass mixed together.

When the light faded and the echoes died away, both Arthur and Aziel were standing motionless in the center of the platform, their weapons locked together, neither able to overpower the other. They stayed frozen like that for several long seconds, muscles straining, faces contorted with effort.

Then, almost simultaneously, both of their abilities gave out. Arthur’s shadow armor flickered and disappeared, while the lightning around Aziel’s body sputtered and died. Both fighters staggered backward, their weapons clattering to the platform surface as they struggled to remain standing.

For a moment, the training room was completely silent. Then someone in the crowd started clapping, and within seconds the entire room erupted in thunderous applause. Both fighters had pushed themselves to their absolute limits and beyond, creating a spectacle that none of the spectators would ever forget.

Arthur and Aziel looked at each other across the platform, both breathing heavily, both exhausted, but both grinning with the satisfaction of a fight well fought. It had been a true stalemate—neither had emerged victorious, but both had proven their worth.

"Not bad," Aziel panted, still trying to catch his breath.

"You too," Arthur replied, equally winded but smiling despite his exhaustion.

As the crowd continued to cheer and congratulate both fighters, Arthur and Aziel helped each other off the platform, their friendly rivalry intact but their respect for each other’s abilities clearly enhanced.

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