Lightning Is the Only Way

"See? That's what I've been telling you all this time," Jeros shouted from the side at William. "Your Martial Styles might be strong against inexperienced opponents, but their weaknesses get quickly exposed by an experienced one!"

"Shut up!" The young man couldn't take it anymore and stood up. "You don't understand the strengths of Martial Arts!"

"Be quiet!" shouted William and looked at the young man with narrowed eyes.

The young man lost some of his drive. "But Master! They are insulting our Martial Arts," he continued.

William took a deep breath and sighed. "That might be true, but they have the right," William said between deep breaths. "I am the strongest person in the Martial Hall, and they have both defeated me," William bitterly smiled now. "If I, who has mastered most Martial Styles, lose to two people with their own fighting styles, it only shows the weakness of our Martial Styles."

Gravis was impressed by William. William was an old man and had, probably, practiced Martial Arts and Martial Styles for his whole life. Renouncing his own experience and ideology required a strong heart and will. Being able to do that was very rare, and Gravis felt like he had met another incredible man today. The young man, on the other hand, went silent and continued watching.

"Yet," William turned to Gravis. "Martial Styles might be useless to you, but Martial Arts could still improve your fighting strength." William's eyes were blazing. "Martial Styles mostly imitate the strengths of beasts, but Martial Arts take advantage of the human body to increase their power. Watch!"

sword slashed downwards with incredible speed. Gravis could hear

William lifted his sword again, and Gravis felt a peculiar sensation emanating from William's body. "Is the Wind Splitting Chop!" William shouted as his body bent slightly to the back, and his sword cut down with even more speed than before. Yet, this time, Gravis could not hear the wind getting cut. The attack was

second one felt like it could cut

fire burning in his eyes. "You might not have the muscle

your attack, but the wind-up time is longer too. If someone took advantage of that time, you have no way to

with impressive strengths, but also with weaknesses." William smirked slyly. "But you are not required to use it every time you attack. Wait for a chance, where the enemy is not ready for a counterattack and use it. Martial

and he pondered more. If he timed an attack right, he might be able to even injure middle-grade demonic beasts. Having a

and try to kill me with that! As long as you don't follow up with another attack, nothing will

and his knees shook. "If we were in a real fight, I would lose the initiative, and you would overwhelm me with your

got pushed to the side, Gravis' eyes following him. "Parrying is a better way to block an attack, but it requires better

again. This time, William jumped back. "If I retreat from your attack, you will keep

stop an attack is a dodge. Yet, without perfect timing,

He wanted to see what William would do. Gravis used another chop, but suddenly, William vanished from his sight. Gravis was shocked because he couldn't find William with his eyes. Yet, he somehow felt William to his left and turned his head. Sure

I have only moved as fast as you,"