'I really hate this guy,' Noa thought, coughing as his vision blurred.
He would have lost his footing if he hadn't chugged the potion only moments ago, but now he was on the verge of emptying his stomach.
Thankfully, with the sheer determination to deny the man the pleasure of seeing his suffering, Noa grinned and straightened his back.
"Now you are getting on my nerves.
You look like a man of honor—someone who called me a girl only moments ago, but seeing how you act, I guess I have to reevaluate you."
He spoke calmly, coughing only once.
As for Haric, he cracked his knuckles, his face devoid of any emotion except curiosity.
"Hmm. What do you think of me now?" he asked. "Are you scared?"
"No," Noa shook his head. "It's just I didn't know that our commander was a little bitch."
"What was that?" Haric raised a brow.
Noa glared at him down and spat, "You know what I meant. Now stop bitching around and teach me."
The commander stepped forward.
"Good. This might be more entertaining than I thought," he said, taking a proper stance. "Now, punch me with all your might. Prove that I am a little bitch."
Noa smirked.
He knew beating Haric would be stretching his luck, but he clenched his fist, a hint of pride burning in his chest.
Then he swung.
It felt like a smooth motion, especially as his fist glided through the air.
But hitting the opponent was the hardest part, as Haric shifted his weight and moved his arms just enough to catch Noa's fist.
It stopped all of his momentum.
In the next second, Haric twisted Noa's wrist and swept his leg out.
Noa hit the ground, pain pulsing through his back.
"Again," the man said, smirking.
Noa snorted before standing up. He tried again and again, each time finding himself either on the ground or bent over from the punch.
Yet he didn't stop.
The pain lingered, intensified even, but with each exchange, his movements sharpened.
If he made a mistake once, the aching sensation remained itself so he wouldn't repeat it again.
Haric told him what to do, and Noa was great at mimicking him.
His footwork improved, echoing Haric's own, like he was moving like a shadow.
'What's happening?' Noa questioned.
He felt it, but wasn't sure how he was doing that.
Yet his steps blurred, and the more he moved, the more he trusted his instincts; his shadow stretching in tune with his intent.
Haric noticed it as well.
But instead of stopping, he wanted to see it more, and he aimed high.
Noa stepped back.
Yes, he was slow, but his foot landed in the same exact position Haric had used a moment earlier.
He was like a shadow, following and learning his patterns.
'What a monster,' Haric said to himself, twisting his ankle to dive one more time.
Dodging the attack was beyond Noa's current skill level, but his eyes still tracked them, and his mind raced through the actions he needed to take.
Shadows shifted as well.
Not because of magic. Noa had yet to master how to control them, but they leaned to his rhythm.
However, even Haric's experienced eyes remained ignorant of this change. He couldn't see how shadows under his legs left unseen marks for Noa to follow.
When he ducked or pressed in to attack, his shadows stretched just a bit faster, and Noa saw every little change within them.
Instead of using mana, Noa continued to depend on his instinct.
Something he had from the beginning, but only found in this mana-rich world.
"You are trying to copy me?" the commander asked, after seeing how Noa repeated his actions.
"I am not trying," Noa said, grinning. "I am doing it—learning, proving."
Then he swung again.
His legs loosened, no longer fighting themselves, and mirrored Haric's footwork.
His attempt wasn't even close.
It lacked years of precision and experience, but considering his quick improvement, the commander knew he stood against real talent.
Haric didn't block the attack.
He stood there, waiting for Noa's fist to strike his gut.
It hit.
Same way as he had punched Noa not long ago.
Though the boy lacked the force, his ability to learn this quickly amazed him.
Noa was the fastest learner he had met, and considering how many youngsters he had trained over the years, it wasn't a small feat.
Haric's eyes flickered.
'He is absorbing my stance, and even my martial arts.'
The commander narrowed his eyes.
'If he continues at the same pace, he should be able to unlock the Second Threshold in two months.'
As for Noa, his chest heaved.
He was bruised and was hurting, his forehead wet from the sweat.
Yet he didn't want to stop.
Contrary to running around the field, fighting seemed to be much more fun.
Especially when it helped him notice how shadows moved, and how well his body adapted to the change.
But nothing compared to the satisfaction he was getting from seeing Haric's complicated expression.
So, after hitting the man once, he dived right back in.
The way his steps curved at the right angles, cutting across the field to search for every possible opening, was too precise for a beginner.
And in every move, his shadow matched Haric's and showed Noa what to do.
Suddenly, he was hit in the face, pain exploding through his jaw as his feet lifted off the ground.
The fist was faster than his senses, faster than his instincts and shadows.
It caused ringing in his ear, and he barely heard Haric.
"Enough," the man said. "Today's lesson is over."
"Why?" Noa asked, confused.
"You were getting cocky. And I know you have practiced with Darik as well. I don't want to hear his complaints."
Noa wanted to argue.
The battle was just getting heated, and ending it this soon felt like a loss.
"Young Master, you looked so cool. I didn't know you could fight this well," a suddenly familiar voice was heard behind him.
It was Thalia, watching him with awe.
"What are you doing here?" Noa asked. "No, wait, how long have you been standing there?"
He couldn't even notice her approach; he was that immersed in the combat.
"Hmm. I got here five minutes ago," Thalia answered innocently.
'I have never been in such a strong flow state in my entire life,' Noa considered, glancing at Haric's departing figure.
"Young Master, follow me," Thalia said, guiding him toward the courtyard. "Darik is waiting for you."