Realm Lord
Chapter 156: A Tense Face Off

Chapter 156: A Tense Face Off

The metallic echo of their footsteps rang through the narrow corridors as Aziel and Arthur made their way from the training room. The adrenaline from their intense sparring session still coursed through their veins, making every step feel lighter despite the exhaustion that was beginning to settle into their muscles.

Their destination was clear—the locker room beckoned with the promise of hot water and clean towels. The training had left them both drenched in sweat, their clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin. The ship’s recycled air carried a faint metallic tang that seemed to emphasize just how much they needed that shower.

The locker room was a welcome sight, with its pristine white tiles and rows of gleaming fixtures. Steam already filled the air from other users, creating a misty veil that provided a sense of privacy. Aziel and Arthur claimed adjacent shower stalls, the hot water cascading over their tired bodies like liquid relief. The warmth worked its magic on their tense muscles, washing away not just the physical evidence of their training but also some of the mental fatigue that came with such intense focus.

Arthur let out a satisfied sigh as the water ran down his back, "Nothing beats a good shower after training like that." His voice echoed slightly off the tiled walls, mixing with the steady rhythm of multiple showers running simultaneously.

"Agreed," Aziel called back, running his hands through his wet hair. "Though some food might be a close second."

After what felt like an eternity of blissful hot water, they finally emerged, toweling off and changing into fresh clothes. The contrast between their previous sweaty state and their current cleanliness was stark and incredibly satisfying. Their hair was still damp, but they felt human again.

The cafeteria was their next stop, and the journey there took them through several of the ship’s main corridors. The cafeteria itself was a bustling hub of activity, with dozens of tables arranged in neat rows and a serving area that seemed to stretch on forever.

They grabbed trays and made their way through the line, selecting from an array of options that was surprisingly diverse for a ship-based facility. Aziel opted for something hearty and protein-rich, while Arthur chose a more balanced meal with plenty of vegetables. Finding an empty table near one of the large viewing ports, they settled in to enjoy their dinner while watching the stars streak by outside.

"You know," Arthur said between bites, "this place really is something else. The facilities, the technology, even the food—it’s all top-tier."

Aziel nodded, swallowing a large mouthful before responding. "They’re really trying to butter us up before we land in district 3."

Their conversation continued as they ate, touching on everything from their training to their observations about the ship and its other occupants. The dining experience was surprisingly pleasant, with the ambient lighting and gentle hum of the ship’s engines creating an almost restaurant-like atmosphere.

With their hunger satisfied, curiosity got the better of them. The ship was vast, and they had only seen a fraction of it so far. They decided to explore, wandering through corridors and discovering various facilities—a library filled with both physical books and digital terminals, a medical bay that looked like it belonged in a major hospital, and several other training rooms of different configurations.

Eventually, their exploration led them to the recreation room, a spacious area filled with various forms of entertainment. Pool tables, gaming consoles, comfortable seating areas, and in the center of it all, a ping pong table that seemed to call out to them. The room was dimly lit with ambient lighting that created a relaxed, almost club-like atmosphere.

"Fancy a game?" Arthur asked, picking up one of the paddles and testing its weight in his hand.

Aziel grinned, grabbing the other paddle. "You’re on. But I should warn you, I used to be pretty decent when I was younger."

What followed was an intense battle of will and determination. Both competitors approached the simple game with the same focused intensity they brought to their combat training. Their eyes were locked in concentration, sweat beginning to bead on their foreheads despite the cool air of the rec room. The sound of the ball striking paddles echoed rhythmically through the space, punctuated by the occasional grunt of effort or exclamation of frustration.

The match was fierce, with both players diving for difficult shots and executing moves that would have impressed professional players. Will and intent seemed to ooze from them in their confrontation, as if the fate of the world hung in the balance rather than a simple recreational game... of ping pong.

"Shit!" Aziel yelled, throwing his hands up in the air angrily after Arthur scored yet another point with a perfectly placed shot that barely clipped the edge of the table.

Arthur couldn’t help but laugh hysterically at his friend’s dramatic reaction. "You can’t be good at everything, Aziel... but damn, you’re really bad at this." His laughter was infectious, even causing a few other rec room occupants to glance over with amused expressions.

Aziel snickered in frustration, shaking his head as he retrieved the ball. "Whatever, the game ain’t over yet." His competitive nature wouldn’t let him concede defeat so easily, even in something as trivial as ping pong.

Aziel grabbed the ball and positioned himself for the serve, his stance betraying the seriousness with which he approached even this simple game. "Yeah, but the last three games are over, and this one is gonna end the same way as those... crushing defeat," Arthur taunted playfully, unable to resist poking at his friend’s wounded pride.

Aziel shook his head with determination before serving the ball. Electricity suddenly coiled around his arm, the paddle, and even the ball itself. The paddle smashed against the sphere, sending it flying across the table at unbelievable speeds that should have been impossible to react to... unless you were Arthur, who reacted perfectly and hit the ball back with ease, his own abilities allowing him to match the supernatural speed.

What followed was a rally that defied physics and logic, with the ball moving at speeds that created small sonic booms each time it struck a paddle. Multiple hits were exchanged in rapid succession, each player pushing their abilities to the limit over what was supposed to be a casual game. Eventually, despite the enhanced speed and power, Arthur managed to win the point with a subtle angle change that sent the ball just out of Aziel’s reach.

Aziel threw his paddle down in disgust, the implement clattering across the floor. "It’s no fair! This room is so damn dark your enhanced senses are off the charts! If we played outside, it’d be a different game for sure!" His complaint was both legitimate and petulant, the frustration of consecutive losses finally boiling over.

Arthur continued to laugh, his amusement only growing at his friend’s dramatic protests. "Yeah... but we’re not outside, are we? And you... just lost four games in a row." The teasing was good-natured, but it struck at Aziel’s competitive pride nonetheless.

Lightning covered Aziel’s skin lightly as he glared at Arthur, his powers responding to his emotional state. "Whatever... I’m going to bed."

Arthur continued to laugh as Aziel stormed out of the recreation room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he made his way back to their shared cabin. The dramatic exit was so perfectly in character that it only made Arthur’s amusement grow. Eventually, Arthur’s laughter subsided, and he too made his way back to their quarters, crawling into the top bunk where sleep came easily after the day’s activities.

The next day arrived. Their routine began identically to the previous day—wake up, grab breakfast, and head to the training room for another session of combat practice. However, when they arrived at the training facility, something was different.

The crowd was significantly bigger than before, and strangely, none of the gathered people were training. Instead, they seemed to be waiting, their eyes turning expectantly toward the entrance as Aziel and Arthur walked in. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, creating an almost arena-like feeling that made both young men uncomfortable.

Aziel and Arthur exchanged glances as they looked around awkwardly at the assembled crowd. The attention was unnerving, especially since they had no idea what had prompted such interest. Aziel leaned closer to Arthur and whispered, "What the hell’s going on?"

Before Arthur could formulate an answer, a new voice echoed through the training room with confident authority. "You made it!" The voice carried a tone of familiarity that neither of them recognized, causing both to turn their attention toward its source.

A man was walking toward them with the confident stride of someone who owned whatever space he occupied. He had short brown hair that was perfectly styled despite the early hour, and he wore no shirt, displaying a physique that spoke of serious dedication to physical conditioning. His black combat pants were military in style, and most notably, he wore a smug look on his face that seemed specifically designed to make people want to punch him.

He approached Aziel and Arthur with the casual confidence of someone greeting old friends, though neither of them had any idea who he was. The crowd seemed to part slightly as he moved, suggesting he held some position of importance or respect among the ship’s population.

Arthur and Aziel stared in confusion until Arthur finally spoke up, his voice carrying a note of wariness. "And you are?"

The man laughed as he came closer, the sound carrying an edge that suggested he was enjoying some private joke. "A fan... I saw your spar yesterday, and might I say, it was brilliant." His tone was complimentary, but there was something underneath it that felt calculating rather than genuinely appreciative.

He continued, his eyes moving between the two young men as if evaluating them. "You see, there’s not many suitable sparring partners around here, and I’ve been dying for a good workout..." The pause was deliberate, building tension as the crowd around them seemed to lean in with anticipation.

"So what do you say? Which one of you two wants to give me the honor?"