SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will

Lyra moved through it like water.

One step, a tilt. and shift.

Every attack missed by just enough.

But they weren’t done yet as she couldn’t stay completely still.

Torren’s pressure came with greater force, while followed in again.

Faster now and more direct.

No feint this time.

Just brute force as his steel cut through the air.

SWISH!.

Lyra blocked.

CLANG.

The impact rang out.

Torren followed immediately.

Another heavy strike of with his shield

BOOM.

The ground cracked slightly under the force.

Lyra stepped back this time.

A small step.

But it was something.

Arthur’s eyes sharpened.

They’re pushing her.

Selene didn’t stop.

Her arrows came faster now.

One missed.

The next almost didn’t.

Lyra tilted her head just in time.

"Better."

Then..

Ryn disappeared for a second.

Then—

He came from above.

Using Torren as a screen, he launched himself upward and dropped straight down.

Timing it with the moment Lyra dealt with Selene’s last arrow.

Arthur’s grin widened.

"Nice."

Ryn’s blade came down as he landed.

Fast and clean.

It was a perfect strike to break her balance.

But Lyra looked up without panic as her hand moved .

CLANG.

She caught his sword barehanded again.

This time tighter.

Stronger.

Then she twisted.

Ryn’s balance broke.

And with a simple motion.. she threw him.

THUD.

He hit the ground and rolled.

But he didn’t stay down.

He got up immediately, breathing heavier now, his expression serious.

No jokes or smirks. Keeping the same focus.

"...Again."

Lyra looked at him for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Good."

Meanwhile back with Arthur’s team where they watched every exchange.

Nox shook his head.

"They’re getting cooked."

Arthur didn’t respond immediately.

He was watching every movement.

Every reaction and every mistake.

"...No," he said finally.

"They’re learning."

Althea looked at him.

"You think they can win?"

Arthur’s smile didn’t fade.

"Maybe not."

Then his eyes sharpened.

"But they’re making her move."

And that mattered.

Back in the circle where the fight continued. Ryn stepped forward again.

Torren beside him.

Selene already drawing another arrow.

No one spoke this time.

They didn’t need to as they moved.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Each clash louder and each movement sharper.

CLANG. THUD. SHHK.

The rhythm built and the pressure rose.

But Lyra remained smiling all through the brawl.

The fight wasn’t going to end quickly as it stretched and dragged

Turning into something heavier than just a drill.

Ryn kept moving. Thinking. And adjusting.

"Torren, step in. Selene, angle right."

His voice stayed steady even as his breathing got rough.

Torren responded first, planting himself in front again, taking space with his presence alone. He didn’t swing blindly anymore. His movement now had purpose, trying to corner Lyra, trying to limit her steps.

Selene followed Ryn’s call without hesitation.

Her arrows came faster now, but not just fast, they were smarter. She didn’t fire where Lyra was. She fired where she would be.

SHHK. SHHK. SHHK.

Different lines. Different timing.

Lyra kept moved through the barrage of arrows, always just enough.

But this time, there was pressure behind it.

Ryn saw it.

"Now!"

Torren surged forward.

BOOM.

His strike forced Lyra back a step.

A real step.

Arthur leaned forward slightly.

"Ah... they got it."

Nox frowned.

"Got what?"

Arthur didn’t look at him.

"They’re pushing her out."

And they were.

For a brief moment, the three of them moved as one.

Selene cut off her escape.

Torren forced the space.

Ryn stepped in to finish it.

Lyra’s heel touched the edge of the circle.

Then.. Outside.

Just barely.

Arthur’s eyes sharpened.

"One..."

Ryn didn’t stop.

"Keep her there!"

Torren shifted again, blocking her path back in.

Selene fired two quick shots to pressure her movement.

"Two—"

Arthur’s voice was low now.

Focused.

But then.. Lyra smiled.

"...Cute."

Her body shifted.

And everything changed.

It wasn’t just speed or strength.

It was something else.

Her mana bloomed.

And suddenly... Torren’s presence felt lighter, Selene’s arrows felt slower. Even Ryn’s movement felt delayed.

Arthur’s eyes widened slightly.

How she’s doing it?...

It wasn’t just defense.

It was control.

Her mana wrapped around her like a second skin, but not like his.

It was deeper and denser.

Their attacks hit.. and lost weight.

THUD.

Torren’s strike landed, but it didn’t push like before.

SHHK.

Selene’s arrow came close, but drifted just enough.

Ryn stepped in.. But Lyra was already inside his guard.

Tap.

A simple touch to his chest.

And he staggered allowing her make her way back to the circle.

The count broke.

Arthur exhaled slowly.

"...Yeah. That’s unfair."

Nox blinked.

"What just happened?"

Arthur didn’t answer immediately.

His eyes stayed locked on Lyra.

"She’s not just reacting..."

He smiled.

"She’s deciding every of their attack."

Althea looked at him.

"...That’s possible?"

Arthur nodded slowly.

"For her? Yeah."

Ryn clicked his tongue as he pushed forward once more.

"Again."

He didn’t hesitate or complain. He couldn’t afford to slow down either.

Torren followed and selene adjusted to their movements.

Their coordination didn’t break.

If anything, it got sharper.

They pushed harder and faster.

Ryn’s voice cut through the movement.

"Left side. Close it!"

Torren shifted.

Selene changed angle.

They pushed her out of the circle again.

For a second.. It felt like it worked this time.

But Lyra stepped through them.

Her movements were simple.

No wasted motion.

A small twist here, A shift there.

A light push.. and Torren stumbled.

Selene had to stop her shot.

Ryn’s strike met nothing.

Lyra walked back into the circle like she had never left.

She looked at them.

Then she yawned again.

"I thought you said you had a second plan."

Ryn didn’t respond.

But Torren did. "We’re not done." as he charged again.

Harder this time.

Frustration was creeping into his movement.

Selene’s shots sped up too.

Less calculated and more force.

Ryn noticed it immediately.

"...Focus."

But it was already slipping.

Lyra saw it too.

And she used it.

She stepped into Torren’s heavy shield attack.

BAM.

A clean blow to the guts before his shield could recover its defensive position as he dropped to one knee.