Chapter 166
He had yet to get any rewards related to katanas or similar weapons, so he was using it as much as he knew about a rapier.
He and she were fighting toe-to-toe.
Next was Daniel, and Oliver had to admit that he was the best and most skilled with weapons. Despite not being on their level, he was able to contend with all of them.
And with his thunder spirit, his speed and power were unparalleled now, even more so than Alphonso with his wind spirit!
Clang!
Oliver blocked an incoming sword strike towards his chest.
Clang!
He pressed forward, pushing the sword away from him and attacking the opponent. His movements were swift and calculated, each strike delivered with precision.
It was Daniel whom he was sparring with. The usual mischief on his face was replaced by a certain seriousness as he swung his weapon. The intensity in his eyes was unmistakable, a fierce determination driving his every move.
Oliver could not help but secretly exclaim at the change on this guy’s face. He rarely saw such an expression on his face.
“You’re wide open!”
Daniel said as he swung the hilt of his sword at Oliver’s blind spot, near his hip.
“Ugh-!”
Oliver retreated. So far, only Daniel had ever managed to hit him, other than Bella and Nadia.
He smiled, “You’re indeed interesting. I rarely ever see you with such seriousness.”
Daniel’s expression did not falter as he readied his sword once again. He said, “Focus on the spar. I know you are holding back, and it is making me angry.”
His eyes glinted fiercely, the grip on the sword in his hands tightening. The air around them seemed to vibrate with the intensity of their confrontation, each poised for the next move.
“Give me your all. I don’t care what happens next, I want it! I want to experience the strength of someone way above me in talent despite being my peer.”
He lunged forward, again aiming for Oliver’s blind spot. However, this time, Oliver twisted his hand and parried the strike without even moving from his spot.
He smiled wryly as he looked at Daniel’s angry look. Daniel wanted him to give his all. How should he tell him that if he really went all out, he might not survive for even a second?
That would truly break his spirit if he said that. He had been refraining from using espera or any artifact; all he was relying on was his brute strength.
“Don’t insult me!” Daniel roared as he saw him smiling wryly. He wildly swung his sword, wanting Oliver to be more serious with him. However, he was unable to hit him even once.
It almost looked like the earlier hit he had given him was through a stroke of luck or Oliver’s deliberate approach to get hit once.
His eyes were slowly turning bloodshot. He really hated it when others underestimated him. It felt disrespectful to him.
Gritting his teeth, his sword moved like a python, flexible and agile, wanting to strike the target, but the latter was just like a wall. No matter how or where he was hit, there was no effect!
Amber, who was watching this duel from the side, could not help but clench the bottle of water in her hand.
“He’s doing this again…” she whispered to herself in a strained voice.
She could barely keep up with their movements using her eyes.
But seeing Daniel’s struggling expression, his bloodshot eyes, and his remarks, she felt a resonance with him.
Was he feeling the same way as her?
Was Oliver like this to others too?
While he spoke to them normally and praised their abilities, his eyes never held even a flicker of interest or curiosity towards them and their abilities.
She could see it, his lack of interest, that boredom whenever he sparred with them. He did not feel the same way as them.
She considered herself a good judge of others’ intentions. She knew she was just a kid and was getting ahead of herself by claiming to be experienced in such things, but she really was.
At least she considered herself to be. However immature she may be to others, but to herself, she was someone who could tell how the other person was feeling towards her.
Even if she was wrong, continuous interactions with Oliver and her keen observation of him and his eyes made her more sure about her conclusions.
She had sparred with others too, but never once had she seen them make such an expression.
She loathed this side of Oliver.
“OLIVER!!”
A voice yelled.
Oliver paused as he looked ahead. Daniel was sweating profusely, his eyes were red, cheeks flushed as he panted.
“GIVE ME YOUR BEST FOR ONCE!” he roared again.
“If you are my friend, from this moment forth, you will give your all.” Daniel gave the ultimatum, his tone was heavy as he poured out his emotions.
He no longer cared. He considered Oliver his close pal; they had gone through a lot together. He wanted to be serious with him no matter what.
He brought his sword close to his chest as he aligned the sword in a vertical pose. It looked as if he was going to use a sword art.
“I will now be using a sword technique I cherish. If you really consider me your friend, reply to me with your sword.”
Oliver looked at this scene and sighed. He knew Daniel was not the type to care about anything. He only cared about swords, duels, and power. He was a simple-minded individual.
“Fine…” Oliver lowered his katana, his eyes turned serious, “Come at me.”
Daniel, who saw this, could not help but smile. His grip on the sword turned stronger.
‘Finally.’ His eyes focused as he recited the movements of the sword art he cherished