Chapter 29 - Combat Experience

There were no more ranged attacks—only melee now. Fang approached the kneeling figure with Sonic Cut ready.

Frightened, Garret prepared Sonic Cut as well. Although it was better than Vincent's, it was to no avail.

Crack!

Garret’s arm flew back, broken, and Fang started to slash down once again.

Am I going to die?

Garret’s eyes flashed with fear because he couldn’t muster any energy to defend himself against that—if it connected, he would surely be crippled.

However, the Sonic Cut stopped centimeters away from his chest.

“Get out, and don’t bother Blue. If we meet again… I may not be so lenient.”

Although Fang hated Garret, it wasn’t like Garret had done anything against Mii. Also, unlike Vincent, becoming a 4th grade intermediate at this age likely involved a powerful background. If Garret were crippled for life, Fang might offend someone he couldn’t afford to have as an enemy.

Garret raged; he had confidently sought a match, but the weakling from a month ago had simply defeated him. There was nothing he could do—in the presence of so many people, he had lost and failed dismally.

Fang walked off the arena field and approached his roommate with a smile. “Oh, Blue, don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t trying to help you. It’s just that on the first day, this guy provoked me and got on my nerves. I wanted a chance to give him a good beating.”

Of course, Fang didn’t really think this.

He and Blue went to the training grounds for some practice, and Blue wanted to be his opponent. As far as he knew, Blue wasn’t comfortable with using energy, and facing off against Garret meant humiliation. His roommate did have quite an introverted and eccentric personality, and if they were to be insulted, Blue’s trauma might return. It reminded Fang of his days in Victoria City, where no one would stand up for him—being Blue’s friend and roommate, he wanted to use his strength to protect him from bullying.

Truthfully, there was no telling what the outcome of that fight would be; after all, he was trying to fight someone beyond his level for the first time. But Fang believed that even if he lost, it wouldn’t affect him as much as it would Blue.

However, he needed an excuse so Blue wouldn’t feel weak and depressed again, hence, the “hatred” he felt towards Garret.

Unfortunately, Blue wasn’t fooled and looked away from Fang. “Who asked you to fight for me? Mind your own business!”

At least that Garret was finished; he’d be stuck in Minuet City’s hospital for a month!

Fang knew right away that he hadn’t tricked Blue at all. He draped his arm around Blue’s shoulders and laughed. “Well, alright Blue, I know you’re strong, so the next time he comes, you can have a go.”

Even if Garret had been confident before, after this battle, he wouldn’t have the nerve to challenge Blue again.

Blue stiffened as Fang’s arm fell around her shoulders, surprisingly not reacting violently.

Well, although I didn’t get to do what I came here for, he did get rid of trouble for me and... uh, no, there’s no way, this isn’t over yet.

---

The following days were peaceful and quiet. No one on behalf of Garret came to bother them, and Fang mediated and practiced—he realized he still had a long road ahead after that fight.

Soon, the fourth holiday arrived, and once again, Fang visited Mii before heading off to Minuet City.

Rhodes didn’t come to the gates; it was Valeria’s request as she had her own busy duties to attend to rather than waiting with a Pegasus to escort Fang.

After two visits, Valeria’s home location was quite familiar, so Fang easily reached the looming tower and, presenting his invitation, got through the guards with ease.

Sipping wine, a person waited patiently. Rather than spending her time dealing with the finances of the chamber of commerce, she wanted to see the effects of the energy bath on Fang. He hadn’t stopped surprising her, and she hoped it would continue this way.

Bursting through the door, Fang shouted excitedly, “Valeria, the energy bath was so useful. I thought it would take some time to break into a 2nd grade intermediate, but I can already feel that it’ll happen soon!”

About to become a 2nd grade intermediate?

Valeria’s eyes couldn’t hide her astonishment. Going from 1st grade to 2nd grade in just a month—what monstrous talent!

Fang continued, “Also, didn’t you say that the energy bath took nearly a month to digest? It’s been around ten days, and the effect’s been completely dissolved.”

She was entirely speechless. The batch of energy she had brewed that day was quite powerful, and that month estimate was actually the shortest it had ever taken for all the energy to be absorbed. Within ten days, though, he had incorporated all that into his body while using twice the regular amount of medicine. Furthermore, the energy bath wasn’t omnipotent—the first solution shouldn’t have made such a huge impact, but his compatibility was so good that he fully immersed the energy without impurities or losses.

No wonder he improved so fast!

I really... have found a treasure!

Since Fang had already absorbed all the energy from the medicine, Valeria was certainly not opposed to staying up that night to repeat the energy bath process. Although Fang experienced moments of awkward stimulation, it was definitely not as embarrassing as the first time.

He slept the night again in the tower and meditated in the energy tower the next morning. However, the plan changed in the afternoon.

While he was eating lunch, Valeria remarked, “Fang, your ability to refine energy is amazing, to say the least. But the level of energy alone isn’t enough; combat experience is the most important factor that determines strength later on. If you don’t train now, the lack of knowledge will become a significant handicap; there have been many cases in history where a lower-level fighter with rich experience overpowered someone of a higher level. So, today, you’ll start to accumulate practical combat experience as well.”

Fang agreed. “I’ll head back and grab someone for that.”

In the training camp, he didn’t have many close friends, and he was reluctant to ask strangers to battle with him. There was always Blue—Fang’s roommate—but he wasn’t sure how Blue would feel if he lost. However, there was one guy who was perfect for this—Durin.

On the first day, the dwarf had stepped in against Garret, and during that brief set of exchanges, had been extremely fierce. Fang thought Durin would make a great opponent.

But Valeria interrupted his thoughts. “No, you don’t have to head to the camp. I’ve already arranged an opponent for today.”

“Who?” Fang asked. “A professional trainer?”

A professional trainer, with their experience, was qualified to point out and correct mistakes that rookies would make. Due to this, they were much more effective than a fight between two people.

Valeria said that in addition to supplements and access to energy enhancement, she would hire a professional to help him train.

Nonchalantly, she swirled her glass and smiled. “You’ll know when the time comes.”

Seeing her act mysterious, Fang couldn’t help but wonder about the identity of the professional. However, he didn’t ask, as it would soon be time to spar regardless.

After their lunch ended, Fang got up and went to the practice room, warming up.

The doors swung open, and someone entered. Gone was her business attire of black; she now wore a long ponytail and a different curved mask. A simple tracksuit covered her body, emphasizing her slim, flexible form. Although she hadn’t practiced for years, her body still remained in shape.

Fang couldn’t help but look foolishly.