Chapter 154: The Spar
They lined up facing each other on opposite ends of the sparring platform, their eyes locked in an intense stare-down that seemed to crackle with unspoken challenge. If you didn’t know them personally, looking at them now you’d think they were mortal enemies preparing for a fight to the death, the way they were glaring at each other with such focused intensity. Gone was any trace of their earlier playful banter—this was serious business.
The transformation in their demeanor was immediate and striking. Lightning began to crackle and dance all over Aziel’s body, blue-white electrical energy coursing across his skin like living serpents of pure power. The air around him seemed to shimmer and distort from the electromagnetic energy he was generating. His spear materialized in his grasp with a flash of brilliant light, the weapon appearing as if forged from condensed electricity itself, its metal surface gleaming with barely contained energy.
Meanwhile, Arthur’s shadow began to crawl and writhe around his body like liquid darkness given form, the tendrils of darkness materializing into his armor that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. The shadow-forged protection enhanced his natural abilities, boosting his strength, speed, and reflexes. The feeling of power flowing through him was intoxicating—every muscle felt coiled and ready, every sense heightened to razor-sharp awareness.
After his armor fully formed, Arthur’s sword appeared in his hand—a blade as black as the deepest midnight and almost as long as he was tall. The weapon seemed to drink in the light around it, creating an aura of absolute darkness that made it difficult to track with the naked eye. His shadow stretched and flowed to cover the blade as well, wrapping around the steel like a second skin that pulsed with malevolent energy.
Almost immediately, the attention of every other chosen filling the massive training room began to be captured one by one. Conversations died mid-sentence as people turned to stare at the two young men on the platform. Murmurs began to fill the air as more and more spectators gathered around the sparring area.
"Are they sparring with real weapons!"
"Are they crazy?"
"They look like they want to kill each other!"
"Should we stop them?"