Chapter 251: Lukas Vs Clavor (5)

That night, Lukas slept deeply, his body finally having recovered from the fatigue accumulated throughout the week. His mind as well, free from the worries and anxieties that had accompanied him in the previous days. And, for the first time in several days, there was nothing he needed to learn before going to sleep.

The next morning, Lukas woke early, his eyes opening even before the sunlight began to penetrate through the window. He had breakfast with his family while the activity in the mansion increased due to the upcoming journey, servants coming and going, luggage being prepared, and a commotion that contrasted with the house’s usual tranquility.

When they finished, Clavor stood up, his movements calm and controlled. Before leaving the table, however, he looked at Lukas with an expression he knew well.

"Bring your sword today."

Lukas blinked, confused for a moment. Then he realized. The wooden sword. Throughout the entire previous week, it had remained forgotten in the corner of his room, its familiar presence there but unused.

"Ah..." A smile appeared on his face, the memory of the weapon bringing a wave of nostalgia.

"Of course."

Lukas quickly went upstairs, his footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. When he returned, he carried the sword fastened to his waist, the familiar wooden hilt in his hand. There was something comforting about that sensation, the familiar weight of the weapon against his body.

He had spent so many days focused on mana and bodily reinforcement that he had almost forgotten how much he enjoyed wielding a sword. The technique, the precision, and the sensation of control.

Father and son followed the path to the clearing, their footsteps echoing through the silence of the morning. The path was covered by a thin layer of dew, each leaf shining with small drops of water that reflected the light of the rising sun.

The morning air was fresh and invigorating, and the forest seemed still asleep, as if waiting for the right moment to awaken.

When they reached the clearing, Clavor walked to the center, his eyes scanning the familiar space. Then he turned, his posture straight and firm.

"Today we will have two objectives."

Lukas immediately straightened his posture, his attention focusing on his father’s words.

Clavor continued, his voice calm but firm.

"First, we will fight with swords."

Lukas tightened his grip on the weapon, feeling the wood against his skin.

"Without mana?"

"Without mana." Clavor paused briefly, his eyes fixed on his son.

"I want to find out exactly where your swordsmanship is after a week of training exclusively your body. After that, I will decide the next training cycle."

Lukas nodded, understanding the importance of the evaluation.

"Understood."

"The second objective will be more important."

Clavor raised his own wooden sword, the blade shining beneath the sunlight.

"After this fight, we will fight again. This time, you may use Lunar Reinforcement."

Lukas’s eyes shone, a wave of excitement running through his body.

"Finally..."

Clavor almost smiled, a slight movement of his lips.

"You already possess enough control to use the technique. But control is not experience."

He pointed the sword at Lukas, the blade aimed directly at his chest.

"In a real battle, you will not have time to consciously think about every little movement."

His voice became more serious, filled with warning.

"You need to reach the point where reinforcing your body becomes natural. Almost automatic. An extension of your instincts."

Lukas slowly nodded, absorbing the lesson.

"Understood."

"The less you need to think during a fight, the more attention you can devote to your opponent. The mind must be free for strategy, not basic control."

Clavor stepped back, his sword rising into a guard position.

"Now, position."

Lukas took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs. He held the sword with both hands, the wooden blade rising in front of his body in a guard position. Clavor did the same, his posture impeccable.

The two remained motionless, the silence of the forest enveloping them like a mantle. The wind passed through the clearing, moving the leaves and ruffling Lukas’s hair. A leaf slowly fell between them, spinning through the air in a slow dance.

Then Clavor advanced.

Clack! The sword descended in a vertical slash, fast and precise. Lukas tilted his body and narrowly dodged, the blade passing centimeters from his shoulder. At the same time, he rotated his hips and launched a horizontal strike toward his father’s side.

Clavor blocked, their swords meeting with a dry sound.

Tack! The swords collided, the vibration traveling through Lukas’s arms. Clavor immediately changed the angle of his blade, exploiting the opening created by the impact. Lukas retreated, the tip of the sword passing just centimeters from his chest.

He tried to counterattack with a thrust, his body extending toward his father. Clavor dodged just enough, the tip of Lukas’s sword passing beside his shoulder. At the same moment, Clavor spun, his sword tracing a swift arc.

Tap! The sword struck Lukas’s shoulder, a precise touch that marked the hit.

"One point." Clavor’s voice was calm, without triumph.

Lukas took a deep breath, adjusting his posture.

"Right."

There was no real pain, only the touch of the wood against his skin. But the blow served to remind him of the difference between them, Clavor was not merely stronger, he was far more experienced.

"Again." The order came firmly.

Lukas assumed his position, his eyes fixed on his father. This time, he did not wait. He advanced, one step, two, his sword cutting diagonally from bottom to top. Clavor blocked, and Lukas rotated his wrist, transforming the movement into a thrust. Clavor dodged, and Lukas continued with another strike and then another.

The movements were much faster than before. During that week, reinforcement training had altered the way he perceived his own body. Even without mana, he felt more stable, his feet finding the ground with greater confidence. His movements were more precise, his balance had improved, and his body awareness was sharper.

But Clavor was still on another level, a step above that seemed insurmountable. He did not waste movements, every block happened exactly where necessary, and every step had a clear purpose. It was like fighting a wall that moved.