Spell Weaver [Book 2 Complete]

Alex sat on a small cushion, only half watching as Warrior sparred with Robert. Legs crossed, he watched his clone sway to the right, shoulders rolling with the Willow Branch Sways. Robert’s heavy blow passed less than an inch from his chest, though even as Warrior prepared to strike back, Alex could tell he was losing the exchange.

Aisha and Luis sat near Alex, watching with their full focus on the training.

Warrior’s palm was midway through the strike to connect with Robert’s abdomen when the bruiser’s elbow connected. The blow was clearly pulled, preventing the use of his full stats, but the resulting force was still enough to send the clone sprawling to the ground.

Robert’s rhythmic humming slowly stopped as his feet slid backward, and he took his stance once more, scanning the exits of the cavern as he did so.

“Same,” Luis said.

The quiet man’s words drew Alex’s attention from his lap, where his notebook and palm rested. The notes were open to old notes on the flow of mana and control nodes, while over his hand, he practiced forming a tiny disc shape over and over. “What?” he asked Luis as the man pointed to Warrior and back.

“I think he’s pointing out that you and Walter have similar fighting styles. How long have you three been a team?” Robert asked while holding out a hand to help Warrior off the ground.

Alex tried not to laugh. “Not too long. But we were all trained by the same person, so it makes sense our fighting styles are the same.”

Luis shook his head. “Same.” This time, his tone was firmer, which made Aisha raise an eyebrow.

Alex didn’t answer, but Robert offered some advice.

“Regardless, you both have a similar issue. You need to stop thinking so much. The small amount of time it’s taking for you to think about your next move is allowing me to flow into mine and gain a tempo advantage.”

Walter scratched the back of his head and listened.

Alex wasn’t sure how much he agreed with Robert. While what he said made sense practically, Alex and his Fractured Bodies were probably thinking about way more than Robert even knew was possible in the middle of a fight.

Between the focus and speed of thought required to maintain the mana threads, form spell circles, solidify intent for a rune, cast the spell, and plan his next moves while maintaining movement and distance, Alex truly wasn’t sure what could cut down on the amount of thinking he had to do. Each fight felt like a 6D chess match as it was.

“Practice.” Mage’s mind chimed into his thoughts. “It’s what has gotten us this far. Training and fighting over and over. Testing and finding what works best is what’s going to cut down on that for us.”

Alex thought over his own advice, though his thoughts and the conversation were interrupted by a blue screen appearing in his vision.