Hunt Race

Kael closed the distance in a single step.

His breathing remained steady.

His eyes never left Cedric.

The old examiner didn't move.

He simply watched.

Three steps.

Two.

One.

Kael struck.

Shhk!

The first slash cut toward Cedric's shoulder.

Before it could finish...

The momentum carried naturally into the second strike.

Ripple Slash.

A smooth, flowing combination.

It was the technique Kael had spent weeks perfecting.

Cedric finally moved.

Clang!

His sword rose just enough to meet the first slash.

The impact echoed through the arena.

Then...

He twisted his wrist.

Clang!

The second slash was redirected with equal ease.

Kael immediately retreated.

Neither of them had gained an advantage.

Cedric lowered his sword.

"Again."

Kael attacked once more.

This time...

He changed the angle of the first slash.

The second followed from below.

Clang!

Clang!

Both attacks were blocked.

Again.

Kael stepped in.

Again.

His sword flowed.

Again.

Cedric defended.

Not once...

Did the old examiner take a step backward.

Several Association officials exchanged glances.

One of them quietly nodded.

"The technique is genuine."

Another replied softly,

"But it's still immature."

Cedric heard them.

"So do I."

He looked back at Kael.

"Do you know why you haven't touched me?"

Kael remained silent.

Cedric answered anyway.

"Because you've become attached to your technique."

Kael frowned.

Cedric continued.

"Ripple Slash is your weapon."

"It is not your master."

"If your opponent prevents the second slash..."

"What will you do?"

Kael didn't answer.

He had never thought about it.

Every beast he had faced...

Had fallen before reaching that point.

Cedric raised his sword once more.

"This time..."

"I'll attack."

The distance between them vanished.

Kael's eyes widened.

Fast.

Far faster than he had expected.

Clang!

He barely blocked the strike.

The force pushed him back several steps.

Before he could recover...

Cedric's second attack arrived.

Then a third.

None were particularly powerful.

Yet every strike flowed into the next.

There wasn't a single wasted movement.

Kael defended desperately.

His arms grew heavier with each collision.

Finally...

Cedric stepped back.

Silence returned to the arena.

Kael's breathing had become uneven.

Cedric's...

Hadn't changed at all.

The old examiner sheathed his sword.

"Your technique has been mastered."

A faint smile appeared on Kael's face.

Then Cedric added,

"But your understanding of combat is still shallow."

The smile froze.

Cedric looked directly at him.

"You created Ripple Slash."

"Now..."

"Learn when not to use it."

Kael lowered his head slightly.

"I understand."

Cedric nodded.

"You've passed the first stage."

"The second..."

His gaze shifted toward the gate on the far side of the arena.

"...Will determine whether you become a Bronze Rank hunter."

A loud rumble echoed through the training grounds.

The heavy iron gate...

Began to open.

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