Chapter 703
Beneath the Citadel, my training and mining sessions with Ava carry on.
I begin using the same instinctual ether summoning I did to block her attacks, but this time, I cover my fists in the warm white glow.
My footwork and movements are slow, and I can't land a single attack on the hobgoblin's body. However, she lets me practice my punches, slowing her movement speed to block with her hammer instead of going fully on offense during our sparring sessions.
After three hours pass, and 30 more ether stones are collected from two other mining pits, it's clear I've improved a lot.
I'm able to block all of her attacks, summoning ether extremely quickly to cover the areas on my body where she makes contact.
Before, I was lucky to stop one out of ten attacks, but now I can block every single one.
I'm even able to imbue my footsteps with warm streams of ether to dodge and counter; however, Ava is able to do the same with much greater efficiency.
Using this lower ether setting, our attack power is identical, but every time I have a breakthrough with my speed, she manages to outmaneuver me.
She speaks up, breathing heavily after we finish our latest session. "Not bad... Looks like you're getting used to your Ether Commands. Your natural fighting instincts are extremely sharp, maybe even sharper than mine. It's just that Premium Avatar of yours. Your level threshold when you ascended must not have been very high. Your speed and strength are similar to the non-ranked-up goblins."