Lightning Is the Only Way

"In this spar, I will try one Martial Style after another. In case you don't know what a Martial Style is, let me give you an explanation. Martial Arts have one or several different attacks, while a Martial Style encompasses the whole way you fight," William explained.

Gravis thought about it and nodded. Fighting against different styles would help him get used to various enemies. He had fought many beasts before, but he had never really fought a human who was an actual danger to him in a real fight. If Gravis didn't have experience against humans, then that could spell his doom when he fought one.

William smiled. "Alright, I'll start with the Flowing Crane Style." With that, William changed his sword's hold so that his sword arm looked up like it was imitating a crane's neck. His sword drooped down like it was mimicking the long beak of a crane. "You can start whenever you want."

Gravis looked at William's stance and didn't see any opening. William could reach and block every direction easily. Gravis was also sure that William had already tempered his muscles. If he hadn't, then how could he have gotten his position inside the Martial Hall? So, overpowering also fell through.

Gravis decided to directly attack him with a slash. He charged at William while lifting his saber. When Gravis got close, though, he realized the best way to counter his attack would be a single stab forward. Gravis would not be able to complete his slash before the hypothetical thrust took his life.

CRRRSH!

Gravis rammed his feet into the ground to stop his charge. He was still about three meters away from William. Even though this seemed to be an excellent opportunity for William to attack, he didn't take it, and instead, continued watching Gravis.

Gravis watched William's stance again. Any kind of slashing was a no-go since a counter stab would arrive faster than a slash. Stabbing was also a no-go since the opponent probably out sped him. On top of that, sabers were not made for stabbing. Gravis felt like he was actually looking at a low-grade demonic beast crane.

'Then why not fight like I would fight a crane?' Gravis thought to himself. In his mind, he pictured a crane. Three meters tall with a long slender neck and thin, fast legs with sharp claws. If he neared it, it would stab him with its beak, and if he attacked it from its side, it would stab its claws at him.

'Yet, there is one major difference between a crane and a human,' Gravis concluded. Now, he had an attack plan.

Gravis ran at William and lowered himself to the ground while keeping his saber horizontally close to him. He reached William's range, and William stabbed towards Gravis' head. If Gravis couldn't defend, William could stop the attack. He didn't want to kill the young man.

CLANK!

sword upwards with his saber. This had required perfect timing. Yet, due to his combat experience, Gravis had felt the perfect

have killed Gravis. Not everyone was ready to go all-in right at the start

one of his legs for a kick, but what he saw next shocked him immensely. Gravis was not targeting his body with his slash, but the place where William's leg would be. From an outsider's perspective, it looked like William was kicking right into Gravis' slash. 'NO!'

CLANK!

side of the saber hit William's shin. His leg was not hurt too badly. It only spouted a slight red bruise, yet if Gravis had used the sharp side of his saber, the leg would

to the side to no one in particular. "This is one of our highest fighting styles. How can it lose to someone without any martial training?" All the thoughts in the young man's head were swirling

shook his head. 'It was

heard a lough laugh from Jeros. "You lost only after a single exchange!" Jeros shouted

kick?" he asked Gravis, intense interest showing in his eyes. He had intended to show Gravis the mistakes in his fighting style, but William now realized that he could maybe use

I realized that a crane has his beak and his claws as a weapon.

widened. This was definitely not obvious! The kick was the secret weapon of the Martial Style, and it always caught people by surprise. When people with weapons fought,

another

"I want an additional free Martial

accept this trade? William would have to pay Gravis' expenses, out of his own pocket, but gold could be found anywhere. Yet,

of him. His muscles swelled, and he looked like a tiger

lion and the tiger popped into his mind. This would

with unbelievable speed. Gravis felt like he was fighting the tiger from Wilderness Town again. William lifted his sword and chopped

he fought the lion in the last practical test. He timed it just perfectly and wasn't hit by the