Chapter 244: White Stride

The battle went on with both sides fighting spectacularly, yet evenly.

Behind the shield, Gustav’s forehead was drenched in sweat. His eyes were on Moon, who effortlessly played along with the game and brought forth the soldiers’ fighting spirit ablaze.

Moon phased before his eyes before hitting his shield once; then, a second later, he met his attack that had the most Echo he could concentrate on his sword with a light parry.

He used only the bare minimum of Echo so his blade wouldn’t break, and nothing else.

But he was also aware of what Moon was trying to achieve as the cheers erupted.

Moon wasn’t simply toying with him; he was trying to portray him as a powerful man while fighting evenly...

Gustav was slowly starting to realize the gap between himself and Moon, who was fighting with a stern face. Not looking strained or drained in the slightest.

The cheers brought more people to watch from the surrounding arenas, and gradually, the spar turned into a spectacle for the soldiers to watch.

Some ascenders also came to watch.

Realizing this spar was getting more attention than anticipated, Gustav reduced the Echo output to cope with the prolonged fight.

But that didn’t help much.

Clashing repeatedly, chasing after Moon without an end, Gustav was growing tired as fast as his Echo was getting drained.

Smack~

Their weapons clashed, and Moon leaned forward. "Should we stop here?" he whispered.

Gustav nodded with his eyes. The two locked weapons—

Tak~

Pushed each other back to the edge of the ring.

"That Combat Art of yours is very interesting," Moon praised, flicking his wrist around.

"Your footwork mastery and combat utility are astonishing, Sir Moon," Gustav said humbly before adding, "Our Combat Art is indeed unique, though it belongs to the Kingdom and not to me."

Moon’s eyebrows rose. "Everyone in the kingdom knows it?" he asked.

Gustav chuckled; his sweat had yet to dry. "Strand Academy holds the Art; anyone can study it, but not everyone can use it, not to mention master it."

Moon nodded, making a mental note to visit the academy whenever possible.

He wasn’t interested in the attack capabilities of the Art, but the gliding effects it offered.

Moon felt that it suited his style, and if he could somehow understand the principle behind it, he could control his Spark Echo to imitate it.

But that was something for the future Moon to be bothered with; right now, it was time for the drill to officially begin.

At this point, the ring was split in two halves; each half had one of the two ascenders with 5 soldiers trying to overpower him, or get beaten in the process.

Meanwhile, in the Control Centre.

Yutian, seated next to Ed, nodded. "That child is very considerate."

Ed nodded. "He looks crazy at first, but he has a good head on his shoulders."

He turned his gaze from the screens to Yutian. "Say, Old Yutian, is that the White Stride from back then?" Ed asked.

"Hohoho." Yutian laughed as an old man would. "You even heard of that?" he asked.

"Of course I did. I really wanted to see it up close one day." Ed shook his head with a sigh. "It was said that you were constantly chased for that art."

Yutian’s hands tightened on his armrest. "It... is a decent art, I would say," he said slowly. "But not anything impressive."

He turned his eyes to the screen. "It’s there; whoever wants it can have it, study it... I don’t care..." The old man said. "I let it be for everyone to study for centuries, but no one mastered it..."

The bitterness in the old man’s heart was palpable. Ed couldn’t help sighing.

A man who was once known for an art that was desired by many had laid it out for the public to use and study, but no one mastered it in the end.

Those who came to his kingdom to study it were not forced back; he allowed anyone who still remembered or wanted to see it to study it.

Yet in the end, it was poorly mastered.

Ed extended his hand, patting Yutian’s shoulder. "If it could bring these brats forward, even if they can barely use it, it’s not a waste."

Ed’s eyes returned to the screen, looking at Dorbish using a shield and a sword held backwards instead of an axe.

Barrett was using the Combat Art he had modified for him.

Talia fighting with calculated steps and force.

And Moon as well, doing his best to force the soldiers to bring their best without overpowering them.

Yet, he happened to see a face, a familiar one, all of a sudden on the screen. Facing Moon among the soldiers.

On the ring, a new batch stepped forward to face Moon.

Yet, the same face Ed recognized was now in front of Moon. A face he also recognized very well from one of the best days of his life.

"J-Joshua..." Moon exclaimed. "Is that you?" he asked the man with the white helmet with blue accents of the armour over his head, unsure if his eyes were playing a trick on him or not.

Joshua chuckled embarrassingly, taking off the helmet. "I couldn’t believe my eyes either when I saw you," he said, scratching his cheek.

Moon looked around, pursing his lips. "Let’s get some coffee together once we’re done here," he said before lifting his blade up for the other to start attacking.

Joshua put back his helmet with a nod.

Yet soon, Moon realized Joshua wasn’t the only familiar face in the drill... Soon—

"You again, brat." Moon couldn’t help exclaiming.

Lexie came wearing a set of armor like the soldiers, but she was too small compared to everyone around her.

Moon recognized her the moment she stepped on the ring.

"What’s your problem? You’re training everyone." She stopped, glaring with a finger pointed at Moon. "Why not me?"

"Didn’t I tell you to go find Talia?" Moon retorted. "Go away from here; now I’m busy!"

"You’re stronger than Talia, dammit!" She cursed into his face. "I’m here with a weapon and armor too; no fist fighting... what reason do you have to reject teaching me again?" She spat.

Moon dropped his sword on the ground and rubbed his face, before looking around, searching for the one person who could resolve this troublesome situation for him.

"What are you spacing out for? Let’s begin already!" Lexie wasn’t done; her fighting spirit was ablaze and her yearning for violence was undeniable.

Yet, thankfully, Moon found the one whom he could reason with.

Nola... There was no way Lexie would come here leaving Nola behind, or probably Nola wouldn’t leave Lexie alone to cause trouble.

He wasn’t sure, but he found her hiding at the back.

Moon pointed at Lexie. "Would you take that brat away, please?" he said to Nola, his voice loud enough to reach her ears.

Nola pursed her lips and walked down to the angry Lexie.

"Let me go." Lexie pointed at Moon. "You ingrate, I won’t help you ever again!" She cursed at Moon.

Nola whispered, "I’m sorry," smiling apologetically. Lexie’s armor rattled as she squirmed, trying to stay.

Now that the interruption was over, Moon resumed his work until the last group was panting for breath.

Everyone on the second floor could use Echo, though the number was very small. Yet, their mastery of the art, White Stride, was just poor for most.

The same went for Joshua, who was around average, since he was considered a senior among soldiers thanks to his age... Still, Gustav was the only exceptionally good one.

And now that the day was over, it was time to meet Joshua.