Chapter 511:Spar.

Chapter 511: 511:Spar.

Standing near the doorway was a tall young and familiar man with an amused expression that Silver recognized immediately.

Shawn Ruddington.

Silver’s eyes widened before a smile graced his face and he immediately brightened.

"Well, look who finally decided to visit," he jokingly said.

Shawn folded his arms and pursed his lips.

"That’s a terrible way to greet your cousin."

He holstered his handgun.

"Depends on the cousin."

Shawn laughed.

"Still as irritating as ever."

He stepped into the training chamber and glanced toward the damaged targets.

"Although I have to admit, you’ve improved."

He raised an eyebrow.

"That almost sounded like a compliment," he quietly saud.

"Don’t get used to it," Shawn shot back.

Shawn approached him.

The two cousins clasped hands before briefly embracing, and Silver found himself genuinely pleased to see someone from his family who wasn’t immediately attempting to manipulate him.

Shawn had been away on several military assignments following the Hollow Creek incident, and although Silver had received occasional messages from him, they hadn’t had an opportunity to speak properly.

Shawn released him.

"How are you holding up?" He quietly asked.

His smile faded slightly.

"Better."

Shawn studied his expression.

"That’s not what I asked."

He sighed.

"Physically, I’m fine. Mentally..." He glanced toward the training dummies. "I’m working on it."

Shawn nodded.

"I heard about Elias."

Silver remained quiet.

Shawn continued.

"I’m sorry."

He lowered his gaze.

"Yeah, I’m sorry too."

For several seconds, neither spoke, then Shawn placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You did what you could."

He smiled bitterly.

"Everyone keeps telling me that."

"Probably because it’s true."

Silver looked toward him but Shawn just shrugged.

"Doesn’t mean it makes things easier."

He exhaled.

"No, it doesn’t."

Shawn removed his hand.

"Anyway, I didn’t come all the way here just to make you miserable," he jokingly said.

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Really."

Shawn smiled.

"I came to see whether all those ridiculous rumors about your progress are true."

He flatly stared, then laughed.

"Oh?"

Shawn gestured toward the training arena.

"Care for a spar?"

He smiled.

"You’re going to regret that."

Shawn laughed.

"That’s what I was hoping you’d say."

Ten minutes later, Silver found himself regretting his confidence.

Shawn stood across from him with a practice sword resting casually against his shoulder, his expression relaxed despite the fact that Silver had already attempted three different combinations of spatial movement and close-range attacks.

"Again," Shawn said.

Silver exhaled.

"Are you a sadist, you’re enjoying this," he grumbled.

"Immensely," shawn cheerfully replied.

He shook his head, then moved.

[Short-Step Lv3 Activated.]

He disappeared.

Shawn shifted his stance.

Silver reappeared behind him, his practice sword already descending toward his shoulder but Shawn moved before the strike connected and their blades collided. The sharp metallic sound echoing through the chamber.

Silver’s eyes narrowed. He immediately twisted his wrist, attempting to redirect the attack but Shawn stepped forward, the movement disrupting Silver’s balance.

A moment later, Shawn’s practice sword rested against his chest.

"Dead," he announced.

Silver stared at the sword and let out a sigh.

"Again," he quietly said.

Shawn smiled.

"That’s the spirit."

They separated.

Silver rolled his shoulders, then activated Spatial Sense.

[Spatial Sense Lv3 Activated.]

The surrounding environment became clearer. He could perceive Shawn’s position, the subtle shifts in his stance, and the movement of his weapon but perception alone wasn’t enough.

Shawn had considerably more practical combat experience, and unlike many academy students, he didn’t rely on predictable combinations.

Silver moved again.

This time, he didn’t activate Short-Step immediately; instead, he approached with his sword raised, forcing him to respond to a conventional attack.

Their blades collided over and over again, atleast three times without him being out matched

Silver adjusted his stance but shawn parried. He stepped backward and activated Spatial Displacement.

[Spatial Displacement Lv1 Activated.]

The space beneath Shawn’s leading foot shifted slightly. It was a small alteration, barely noticeable but enough to disrupt his balance.

Silver immediately attacked this loophole. His sword flashed toward his shoulder.

For the first time, Shawn’s expression changed.

"Oh?"

He twisted and the blade passed close to his arm.

Shawn stepped backward but Silver followed.

[Short-Step Lv3 Activated.]

He disappeared, and then reappeared beside Shawn, his sword already moving toward the exposed opening.

Shawn raised his weapon and their blades collided, but this time, Silver managed to force him four steps backward.

Shawn laughed.

"Now that’s interesting!"

Silver smiled.

"Getting nervous?"

"Hardly."

He suddenly changed his grip and Silver’s expression tightened. A moment later, Shawn’s sword struck his wrist and his weapon flew from his hand.

Before he could recover, Shawn stepped forward and placed the practice blade against his throat.

"Dead again."

He could only stare at the sword then he sighed.

"You’re insufferable."

Shawn laughed.

"Family trait."

He lowered his weapon while Silver retrieved his sword.

"How did you counter that?" He curiously asked.

Shawn raised an eyebrow.

"The displacement?"

He nodded.

Shawn smiled.

"Because you looked at my foot."

He froze.

"What?"

"You looked at my foot right before activating your ability."

Silver frowned.

Shawn continued.

"Your spatial manipulation was excellent. The timing was good, and the displacement was small enough that I couldn’t completely resist it. But your intention was obvious."

Silver considered.

Shawn tapped his forehead.

"You’re getting stronger very quickly, Silver. Much faster than most people your age." He gestured toward the arena. "But strength isn’t the same as experience."

Silver nodded slowly.

Shawn continued.

"Your abilities are dangerous because they’re unpredictable. But if you develop habits, experienced opponents will learn to exploit them."

Silver looked toward his sword, then smiled.

"That’s useful."

Shawn laughed.

"Of course it is." He raised his practice weapon again. "Now, let’s see whether you can apply it."

Their sparring continued for another hour.

Silver lost most of the exchanges but the difference between the beginning and the end was noticeable.

He began reducing unnecessary movements, combining his spatial abilities with conventional swordsmanship more naturally, and avoiding the temptation to activate a skill whenever a simpler movement would accomplish the same result.

Shawn repeatedly forced him into unfavorable positions, teaching him how experienced Contractors exploited hesitation, poor positioning, and predictable attack patterns.

By the final exchange, he managed to land a clean strike against Shawn’s shoulder. It wasn’t enough to win but it was enough to make Shawn smile.

"Good job."

Silver lowered his sword.

"Finally."

Shawn rubbed his shoulder.

"That one would’ve hurt with a real weapon."

He grinned.

"That was the idea."

Shawn laughed.

"Little monster."

Silver shrugged.

"Runs in the family."

Shawn’s smile faded slightly.

"Speaking of family..."

Silver noticed the change immediately and lowered his sword.

"What happened?"

Shawn glanced toward the observation room.

"Let’s talk somewhere private."