In a swift motion, Ewaan seized the disarmed sword, now holding the advantage.
The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs of surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
Though momentarily stunned, Ivan quickly regained his composure, ready for the next phase of the duel.
Ivan advanced once more, this time with a powerful punch aimed straight at Ewaan's chest.
With a calculated move, Ewaan skillfully defended against the blow, his expression contorting in apparent struggle as he maintained the inside stance with his sword.
However, as Ivan's fist approached, Ewaan swiftly swerved to the right, using the momentum of Ivan's punch to his advantage.
The impact seemed formidable, causing Ewaan to stagger backward convincingly under the pressure.
The crowd watched with bated breath as the intense exchange continued, Unaware of Ewaan's strategic intentions, they marveled at his seemingly struggling defense, believing him to be overpowered by Ivan's skill.
Little did they know, Ewaan's apparent weakness was merely a ruse, making himself seem weak from the prying eyes.
As Ivan's might broke the wooden sword, Ewaan discarded the shattered remnants of the wooden sword.
Without missing a beat, he shifted into a left lead fighting stance, his posture radiating confidence and readiness for the next phase of the battle.
Impressed by Ewaan's reflexes, Ivan acknowledged, "Good reflexes! Let's see if you can also avoid…" with a quick disappearance and reappearance behind him. "this!" Ivan launched another punch.
Ewaan, anticipating the move, skillfully turned to the left, blocking the blow with his left arm. Seizing the moment, Ewaan countered by striking Ivan in the stomach with apparent force.
However, Ewaan strategically retreated, maintaining his guard, subtly conveying that the punch had no significant effect on the seasoned guild master.
Ivan stood firm and uttered, "That's enough." As soon as Ewaan heard that, he straightened up, awaiting further instructions.
Without a word, Ivan tossed a wooden rod towards him. "Now let's see what you've got with this!"
The sparring session took an interesting turn as Ewaan adjusted to the new weapon.
He held the rod in his left hand, showcasing his flexibility by spinning it above his head and over his right shoulder with remarkable fluidity.
The effortless movements hinted at a certain level of proficiency with the unfamiliar weapon, impressing both the spectators and Master Ivan himself.
Observing the sparring match, Ayami nudged Maya, her curiosity piqued. "Isn't your brother a swordsman? Why does he seem so proficient with polearms also?"
She gestured towards Ewaan, impressed by his adaptability and versatile combat skills.
Maya, her brow furrowed with concern, shared an insight with Ayami, still watching the sparring match, not missing a moment.
"His grandfather was a Martial Artist who ran his own dojo, he taught Ewaan everything he knew." Maya explained. This revelation shed light on Ewaan's impressive combat skills.
Ayaka's surprise was evident as she turned to Maya with a puzzled expression. "Wait… His grandfather? Aren't you two siblings?"
"Hm?" Maya clarified, "Oh, we are, but not blood-related! My mother married his father, and that's how we got related."
Her tone was casual as she offered a brief explanation to clear up the familial connection.
Ayaka lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with a mix of surprise and understanding as the revelation settled in.
Clutching her mouth with her right hand, she thought to herself,
– No wonder… It makes sense why she always had a sparkle in her eyes whenever she looked at Mister Ewaan. I thought it was weird for a sister to have that kind of affection for her own brother!
°°°
Their wooden rods continued to clash with a resounding clang.
In the midst of the heated confrontation, Ewaan attempted to utilize his Dark attributed elemental skill, "…‹Shadow Movement›…" only to face an unexpected failure.
Confusion clouded his expression and frustration etched across his features, hinting at the uncertainty brewing within him.
To make the best of the moment, Ewaan intentionally allowed himself to be caught off guard by Ivan's swift attack with the wooden staff, deliberately slowing his response to create the appearance of succumbing to Ivan's strike.
As he fell to the ground, he carefully controlled his movements to maintain the illusion, ensuring that his actions appeared convincing to the onlookers.
Ivan taunted, "What's the matter, boy? You're dead meat if you behave like this against enemies and monsters! Come on, stand up and demonstrate your true capabilities." His words carried a mix of challenge and encouragement.
Ewaan swiftly regained his footing as Ivan lunged forward with surprising speed.
As Ivan aimed for Ewaan's head, Ewaan reacted instantly, grabbing his rod just in time with both hands and intercepted the blow, demonstrating his quick reflexes and adaptability in combat.
"Heh, you didn't think I'd give you any handicap, did you?" Ivan remarked with a confident smirk, his tone teasing yet playful.
Ewaan, his determination unwavering, tightened his grip on the rod. Feigning a struggling tone, he retorted, "I didn't ask for, nor do I need, any handicaps from you!"
With a swift movement, he shoved Ivan aside and resumed his attack, prompting Ivan to respond in kind, "It'd be most appreciated if you don't give any!"
The two engaged in a dynamic exchange of strikes, each countering the other with swift movements.
Ewaan, unfazed by the earlier setback, demonstrated agility and determination in his attacks, pushing Ivan to match his intensity.
The clash of the wooden rods echoed in the practice ground as the sparring continued.
Noticing a flaw, Ewaan intentionally changed his movements and aimed for Ivan's right shoulder.
However, just like before, Ewaan made it seem as if his strike had no effect. Ivan effortlessly disarmed Ewaan and swung his rod from above.
As Ewaan crossed his arms to deflect the blow, Ivan halted the spar with a satisfied smile.
The subtle intention behind Ewaan's actions remained unnoticed, even by Ivan.
"Impressive, young man. You have potential. You saw through my flaws and managed to come at me every time! Keep honing your skills, and you shall become a formidable adventurer one day,"
Guild master Ivan praised Ewaan with a nod of approval, acknowledging him as an adventurer.
He asked further, "Tell me, boy, what's your name?" His expression softened as he awaited Ewaan's response.
Ewaan took a moment to gather himself before responding, meeting Ivan's gaze with a composed demeanor. "It's Ewaan, Ewaan Tempest." he replied confidently.
"Where did you learn to fight with such impressive skills? I've never encountered someone quite formidable like you before," Ivan questioned further with genuine curiosity in his tone.
"I... learned from my grandfather," Ewaan answered, his tone carrying a hint of reverence for his mentor. "He was a skilled martial artist and taught me everything I know."
Ivan's expression shifted, revealing a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Your grandfather, huh? He must have been a great warrior," he remarked, acknowledging the influence of Ewaan's martial lineage.
Ewaan's voice carried a hint of sorrow as he continued, lowering his gaze, "…He was…"
His voice trailed off briefly, memories of training with his grandfather and his last moments at the hospital was still vivid in his mind, as a mix of gratitude and grief surfacing within.
Ivan nodded approvingly, tapping Ewaan's shoulder with apparent strength, he uttered, "Haha~, You've passed my test, boy."
With a dignified and serious expression, he added, "Congratulations on becoming an official adventurer, Ewaan Tempest. I'll promptly notify Analyst Razzak to make you an ID." The announcement sparked a wave of excited chatter among the onlookers.
"I noticed you tried to cast a Darkness spell without an incantation earlier… don't you know the fundamentals of spell casting?" Ivan asked, his tone tinged with curiousity and confusion.
Furrowing his eyebrows, Ewaan scratched his head with a hint of embarrassment. "I haven't had much formal training in magic, to be honest. Just picked up a few things here and there."
He spoke with a lowered head and closed eyes, conveying a sense of humility and sincerity.
"You have good fighting prowess, but your knowledge in magic is shallow. I recommend you to visit the public library to learn about basic spell casting before taking on any job or quest requests," Ivan advised, his tone laced with wisdom and encouragement.
After a brief pause, he turned, adding, "I hope to see you stronger than your current self next time, boy. May your journey ahead be filled with challenges and triumphs. Hahaha~"
With those words, he left, leaving behind a sense of mentorship and aspiration.
A thoughtful expression settled on Ivan's face. Pondering Ewaan's prowess and potential, he contemplated the idea of acknowledging the young adventurer's skills and potentially suppressing his true strength during the spar.
Intrigued by the notion of Ewaan potentially being the Hero, Ivan decided to notify the Church and the Emperor about this promising newcomer.
A silent determination filled his eyes as he envisioned the impact Ewaan could have on the future challenges the Empire might face.
••• ••• •••