The Prodigy's Overwhelming Might
"Whoaaaa!"
Kind let out a throat-shredding cheer the moment he witnessed the dazzling swordplay unfolding before his eyes. He wasn't the only one awestruck by Robed's technique. Cheers and gasps of admiration erupted from all sides—left, right, behind, everywhere.
Robed's swordsmanship really is a masterpiece of art.
Kind couldn't help but sigh in awe as Robed's illusory sword evolved from a handful of changes to over a dozen. Robed wielded her blade with vibrant, beautiful, elegant flair—like a goddess of war descended from the heavens.
Her sword, now far stronger and faster than before her molting, seemed unstoppable. Even someone like Aleck couldn't possibly block it easily.
Aleck's gonna have a tough time...!
Just recently, hadn't Aleck been on the defensive during their friendly spar? Sure, he'd molted too, but as a lesser mantis clansman, dramatic physical gains were unlikely.
Aleck hadn't built his legendary feats on raw physicality anyway. His unparalleled mastery—peerless even among equals—had carried him this far.
Aleck will probably avoid clashing directly, parry at key moments, and counterattack, right?
Having stuck close to Aleck for so long, Kind's eye for detail had sharpened. He could already picture the flow, painted vividly in his mind like a masterstroke.
But—
Clang, clang-clang-clang—!
Aleck's sword met Robed's with equal power and speed, weaving an equally intricate web of changes. Her aggressive illusory strikes were all repelled, sword lights flashing wildly in the air.
"...!"
Everyone froze in shock at the spectacle. Then, a burning heat surged in their chests. Unable to contain it, they unleashed it in a roar.
"Whoaaaa!"
"Insane, Aleck!"
"Wait... is that really the Aleck I know?!"
"Holy crap, his body's not just bigger on the outside—he's got the physicals to match now!"
Aleck's display of even greater physical prowess than usual left the onlookers floored. They'd assumed his post-molting size increase was superficial—no real substance. If anything, it might cost him his signature speed.
Those opinions had floated around before the match. But now? They were obliterated.
"Heh, truly matching that frame... no, surpassing it in power and speed."
"Yeah, I can barely believe my eyes. Molting at the Juvenile Stage and gaining this much strength and speed? That's elite shield mantis potential."
Bardwin and Norun exchanged wry chuckles as Aleck traded blows with Robed without yielding an inch. The outcome flew in the face of their predictions.
Bigger frame, proportionally greater power and speed. Just what... Aleck, are you really lesser mantis stock? Heh heh.
Norun, who could access Aleck's records, knew he'd grown up pure lesser mantis in a backwater village. That made it all the more unbelievable.
Definitely an Irregular...
Those rare souls who shattered clan—even species—limits. Aleck was surely one.
Makes me want him even more... heh heh.
As Norun eyed Aleck greedily, a shift rippled from Aleck's evenly matched blade.
* * *
Chiiiing—!
My sword clashed with Robed's, scattering brilliant sparks across the air.
Impressive, Robed. Top-tier talent among those I've seen.
I let out a quiet sigh of admiration at her illusory sword mastery—already far beyond my expectations.
"See? I knew it last time too, Aleck! You're holding back, aren't you?"
I flinched. She was right—I'd been moderating my power.
Sharp instincts.
Robed peered into my eyes, pouting as she pressed on.
"I want a real fight. Give me your all!"
Her gaze burned with seriousness—not the eyes of a girl fresh into Juvenile Stage, but a true warrior's.
I misjudged.
I exhaled shortly. Holding back against her earnestness was an insult. Her words made me realize it too late.
I gave her an apologetic look.
"Sorry, I was careless. From now on, full seriousness. Brace yourself."
Robed beamed, as if that's exactly what she'd hoped for.
I summoned my ether without hesitation.
I'll break her illusory sword with my own.
Illusory sword wasn't my specialty, but having glimpsed sword's pinnacle, I understood it profoundly.
Shimmer.
My blade tip trembled like a willow in a typhoon.
"...!"
Robed's eyes wavered. She sensed the impending storm—beyond her current capacity.
Shaaa!
My sword unleashed changes at least tenfold hers.
Thud!
Norun shot to his feet, eyes bulging as he grasped my level.
"F-Freaking insane...!"
The trainees blurted curses in shock.
No wonder. My illusory sword transcended Juvenile Stage entirely.
Really feeling the Juvenile Stage upgrade now.
Pre-molting, this was impossible. This time, the power surge dwarfed my prior Juvenile boost. Otherwise, I couldn't have pulled off half this.
"Urgh!"
Chiiiing—.
Robed desperately parried my onslaught—until her sword flew from her grip.
Whirr, thunk.
Her blade spun aside, embedding in the training ground floor.
"Hah... hah..."
Robed panted, staring at my sword at her throat. She wiped sweat from her brow and smiled brightly.
"I lost. Total defeat."
I sheathed my blade and offered a hand silently.
She stared at it a moment, then clasped it firmly.
"Good fight."
"Thanks, Aleck. My eye for talent's spot on."
"...?"
I tilted my head, not following. Had she predicted my unusual post-molting power?
"Hee hee, never mind. Anyway, gotta train harder. Next time, I won't go down easy—get ready!"
"Looking forward to it."
As we wrapped up warmly, thunderous cheers exploded from the trainees.
"Ooooh! Both amazing!"
"Whiiiiistle—."
"Robed was great, Aleck's unreal!"
"Damn... Aleck's straight-up broken."
"Seriously, that guy's no lesser mantis! Must be mixed blood!"
The trainees went wild for us. We'd shown Juvenile heights they hadn't reached—far above average, especially mine, rivaling early Growth Stage.
They instinctively favored my swordplay. Hence the jokes about my lineage.
"Aleck niiiiiim! You're my total role model!"
Kind plastered himself to my side like a clingy little brother.
He'd always stuck close, but now it looked the part. Pre-molting, he towered over me by at least 5 cm. Now I was the taller one—1.7 meters mid-range, up from 1.6.
No surprise everyone gawked at first.
"Whoa, epic... Aleck could lead our team league!"
"Duh. Can't you see? He's leagues above us!"
"Then Aleck as captain, Robed as ace!"
Just like that, Robed and I were unanimously the team league's top aces. Juvenile Stage made it inevitable.
But one felt the pressure.
* * *
Training ended, moonlight bathing the now-empty training ground. Or so it should have been.
One boy remained, pushing solo drills.
"Huff, huff."
A Juvenile with a physique believably beyond—a shield mantis, top of the current generation, historic prodigy Ruslan.
He heaved ragged breaths amid self-imposed hell.
I can do more.
Fingers numb, he gritted teeth and forced himself up.
Can't fall behind...!
Desperation blazed in his eyes. The day's duel replayed: Aleck and Robed, Juvenile physiques unleashing splendor that bred urgency.
Until recently, equals. Now they surged ahead, leaving him.
I haven't even grasped molting yet.
What if he never caught up? Anxiety gnawed, ballooning wildly.
Aleck...
The pale-skinned pretty boy's face surfaced. When had he become Ruslan's rival? The internal ranking loss?
Back then, it felt winnable...
Today, Aleck dominating Robed? Instinct screamed he'd lose overwhelmingly now.
No time to rest—even a minute.
Trembling hands gripped his greatsword.
"Huff, huff."
He arduously swung the heavy blade.
After a few more...
His blurring vision caught his blade tip wobbling wildly.
Don't lose to yourself, Ruslan!
I can still go.
He chanted inwardly, numb fingers hoisting the sword again.
As he swung once more—
Spin.
Wha...?
The world whirled. Darkness swallowed his sight.