Berserk Experiment (2)
Just in case, I'll say it upfront: I know my place all too well. No matter how hard I push, I can't beat Lize. I'd just end up getting thrashed like a dog in the dog days of summer. I learned that the hard way sparring with Lord. And Lize is even stronger than him. So this is purely a spar—no real intent to win. The last thing I want is her drilling etiquette into me. Plus, outside of Lord and Lize, there's no one else who can take my full-powered attacks without issue.
I've got some experiments to run, too.
Ever since getting my hands on the Usk axe, a ton of ideas had flooded my mind. Top priority: refining my fighting style. I'd relied solely on Ragnarok until now, but with two weapons at my disposal, things were changing. Sure, I'd have to return it eventually, but until then, I'd make good use of it. It wasn't going anywhere anytime soon anyway.
"Having second thoughts? You got wrecked by the president last time."
"Nah. I'll be polite."
"If that's all... fine."
Kara had fretted the moment I mentioned sparring with Lize. Probably because of how Lord had beaten the tar out of me. It had hurt like hell back then. But today was different. Time to tweak my style—and test something extra. If it worked, my insane regeneration would synergize beautifully with it. And for that, I needed Lize.
I hate pain as much as the next guy, but still.
"Don't overdo it, okay? This is just sparring today, right? Promise?"
"Yeah."
"At least you answer properly."
Kara chuckled at my quick replies, shaking her head like she couldn't stop me.
Soon enough, we headed back to my dorm, where Lize and Luna were training. Normally, opposite-sex students weren't allowed in each other's dorms, but Lize's presence made it possible—for acquaintances only, but that was plenty.
"Raaagh!"
The door swung open to a booming shout. No surprise who that was. Inside, Luna was deep in training, with Lize in her Kwonseong mode riding piggyback as usual—arms crossed, looking utterly imposing.
"...She always trains like that?"
"Yep. Every day."
"No wonder she was whining every morning. Mystery solved."
Kara finally pieced it together watching Luna. From now on, even if Luna blabbed Chaos secrets, Kara would just shrug it off.
I approached the duo quietly. Lize glanced our way, then refocused on Luna.
"Five more to go. Keep at it."
"Ugh... hngh..."
Sweat pooled on the floor like puddles—she'd been at it a while. Or maybe the intensity had ramped up. Lize jacked up the difficulty weekly whenever Luna showed progress. It had started in saint form, and they'd stick to this for a bit.
Anyway, time to speak up. I strode to Lize and declared boldly.
"Lize."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Fight me."
"Gah!"
Thud!
I'd said it to Lize—why are you collapsing, Luna? Her shaky arms gave out the second I issued the challenge. She looked drained, but that wasn't my problem. Lize was.
"Fight... meaning a spar?"
"Yeah."
"Fascinating. Sivar asking first."
I agreed—it was unusual. I'd always just followed her lead, crushed by her aura. But not today. New weapon, new ideas. If they panned out, even Lize might be shocked. Technique training aside, of course.
"Still five left. Up."
"No... strength..."
"Hm. Very well. We'll stop here. Same routine next week."
Not exaggeration—Lize relented easily. Even after she dismounted, Luna lay there spent.
"Shall we go now?"
"Yeah. Let's."
"What about Luna?"
Kara pointed at the floored girl. Lize glanced over. Luna breathed steadily like a dead mouse, barely movable.
"I'll... come..."
Body wrecked, but mouth still worked. She'd overheard and croaked a reply. She dragged herself up—stamina lingered, though a shower would sap it all.
"No need to follow. Rest here if you're tired."
"No... alone... someone might come..."
Luna meant: alone in my room, what if someone showed? Lize could bluff it off, but solo? Risky. Fair point—Lize agreed, but ordered a quick shower.
"Shower here?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Kara's face twisted oddly at the idea of Luna showering in my room. No weird misunderstandings needed—it was just a rinse before heading out. Luna would be too wiped to twitch, supposedly passing out the second she hit the bed.
Pffft!
"All clean..."
"Then let's go. The forest for sparring, I assume."
Lize shifted to saint form for appearances. Her chest was... prominent, in other ways. She'd probably prefer Kwonseong, but as the "saint," she had to play the part.
We headed to our makeshift arena in the forest. I grabbed Ragnarok first. Dual massive axes in hand—it felt like true barbarian mode. Weirdly right.
"Kara sis."
"Yeah?"
"Why'd Sivar challenge her? Doesn't make sense."
Luna whispered to Kara up ahead, thinking I couldn't hear. Still unaware of my sharp ears, huh? I tuned in.
"Why whisper? Just say it. He'll hear anyway. Right?"
"Yeah."
"Uh..."
No need—Kara spilled it loud and clear. Luna blinked in shock, then grinned sheepishly. Abandoning subtlety, she asked outright.
"He wants to get beat again? President wrecked him last time."
"..."
You'd better brace yourself, missy. How do you even plug that mouth? As I inwardly facepalmed, Kara sounded baffled too.
"You... clueless or just bold? How do you say the wildest shit?"
"What?"
"Never mind. Truth is, I dunno either. He just said he wanted to spar out of nowhere."
She blinked innocently, oblivious. Cute enough to let slide. Her words invited misunderstanding, but never malice. Better than nothing.
"Got it. So that axe—from Usk blade-tusks?"
"Yeah. Wanna see?"
"Yes!"
So eager—practically glowing. She'd appraise it soon enough. Luna took the curved sword from Kara, eyes sparkling sapphire as she inspected it.
"Sis."
"Good, right?"
"I made bank on stocks lately. Sell it to me?"
"..."
That mouth—legendary in all the wrong ways. How does she pick the most jaw-dropping lines? Kara snorted in disbelief, took the sword back, sheathed it, then casually draped an arm over Luna's head.
Squeeze!
"Eek!"
"You little mooch. Free lunch, huh?"
"Ow, hurts!"
"That's the point."
Luna wriggled in the headlock, desperate to escape. Training had drained her, though—Kara knew and went easy.
"Want it? Ask Sivar. Might say yes for you."
Not pure teasing—she knew about the double-bladed sword order. Just poking for reactions. Wonder what quip she'd fire next.
"No way. I wanna get it as a gift, like you. That's why I'm getting stronger."
"...What?"
"Can't say. Pride thing."
Pride, yeah. I'd told her no weapons till she matched Kara's strength. Kara couldn't know that, staring puzzled before shrugging.
"Do you. He'll give it if he wants."
"How to get strong quick like you?"
"Real fights. Been slicing people since 13."
"That's... intense."
Beyond slicing—she'd seen it all. Nomad life. Even Hector realized post-founding Tatar it was wrong. Hence his current turmoil. Kara was slow on that uptake, but I'd seen her grow mentally lately. Father-daughter reunion might spark deep talks.
"This spot works."
We found a suitable clearing—not my usual turf.
Fwoom!
"May I ask why the spar?"
Lize, back in Kwonseong, radiated pressure just standing there. Facing that muscle mass without feeling it would be weirder. Still, duty called.
"Berserk."
"Berserk training?"
"Gonna use it."
I wanted full control over Berserk. Style tweaks after. If this experiment clicked...
Power awaited. Stamina and regen would tank, but fine. Lize would calibrate.
"Understood. Then..."
Whoosh!
Lize closed in instantly. My hairs stood on end. Her pot-lid fist rocketed at my face.
My Wild Instinct screamed: Dodge! No dodge, 100% death.
Kwaaaaang!!
I didn't. Watched it come, death etched in my mind. Reason frayed.
Berserk has been triggered!
Vivid death triggered it. Lize's fist halted dead.
Last time, too fast to blink. Now? Crystal clear. I stared, awaiting doom.
Outcome same, but aftermath differed—from her withdrawal.
"How's that? Now..."
Whoosh!
She pulled back—I swung the Usk axe upward with my left. Reason flickered, but pure will.
"Game on."
Lize dodged effortlessly. Her slow retract vanished. I clung to reason, holding Berserk. Chest burned to burst.
Detonate it, reason gone. Wake in bed.
"Hoo..."
"Heart hot, head cool—as they say."
I knew. Charged, axes raised high. Gaps galore with dual weapons. Lize stood firm, prepping counter.
And...
Thwack!
Her fist nailed my face perfectly. Vision blanked momentarily.
Normally, I'd flinch. Not this time.
Whoosh!
Face smashed, axes still swung down. Lize yanked back, retreated.
I pursued, pain ignored. All reason suppressing Berserk—pure instinct fight.
Thud! Smack!
Every swing met her fists pummeling me. Yet no flinch.
Lize clocked it late, voice laced with shock.
"Could it be..."
Experiment: success.
"You feel no sensation?"
I nodded silently. Lucky my regen and stamina—or no one could try this.
Wonder if fighting sans reason's okay.
Dunno. Just fight.