Chapter 31: Demonstration (2)

Ethan's POV

From the shadow of a nearby rock, a small, dark dagger emerged, slicing through the air in complete silence. It aimed for my leg stealthy and precise as if to catch me off guard. But I had spent years surviving in the brutal environment of the Dark Forest and my instincts honed by countless battles screamed at me, and I reacted immediately.

Without a conscious thought, the chain at my back moved like a whip and the green crystal blade at its tip intercepted the dagger mid-flight. Sparks flashed in the dim light as metal clashed, but my relief was short-lived.

More blades erupted from the ground, rising like a rainstorm of death. There were too many, far too many. My eyes narrowed as I realized the sheer number and speed of the attack meant I couldn't rely solely on defence.

With a surge of my will, my three chains spun into motion, moving like a whirlwind around me. The blades collided against the green crystal knives in a flurry of sparks and shrieks of metal. Still, their increasing quantity and durability were wearing me down. They were relentless, pressing in from every side.

Gritting my teeth, I conjured a fourth chain from my magic energy, this one without any weapon attached to its tip. It lashed out like a snake, deflecting the incoming blades, but it wasn't enough. The chain dissipated after only a few clashes, the energy used to form it scattering under the strain.

I need to move. Staying in one place made me a stationary target in this storm of blades and that was as good as signing my death warrant.

Using my Shadow Spectre Movement Technique, I pushed off the ground, my body shifting like smoke as I darted away. My movements were sharp and unpredictable, crisscrossing my chains around me in a defensive pattern. The whirling chains acted as both shield and weapon, cutting down any blades that got too close as I glided through the shadows and tried to find the breakthrough I needed to turn this battle.

Nyx's POV

I watched the scene unfold with intrigue. When dark chains erupted from little Ethan's hands and connected seamlessly with what appeared to be decent-quality magical equipment, I was momentarily stunned. A boy of his age using such an ingenious technique and reacting to my shadow's ambush with such composure, was nothing short of remarkable.

For a child to dodge the sneak attack of my younger avatar's ambush that would have left many seasoned mages and demons frozen in place showed extraordinary instincts and talent. A rare combat genius, I mused.

I could see his potential through every movement. His magic power was pure and abundant, far surpassing others his age. Even more impressive were his instincts and reflexes, which displayed a raw, unpolished brilliance. My lips curled into a satisfied smile. I had discovered a diamond in the rough.

II was curious to test his abilities further so I willed my shadow to strike again. Dark daggers erupted in a swarm, darting toward him like predatory birds. Instead of panicking, Ethan moved fluidly, his body a blur of smoke and shadow as he evaded the onslaught. His chains spiralled protectively around him, deflecting blades with precise, deliberate movements.

Impressive, I thought, though I wasn't done yet. I considered pushing him even further, forcing him to a more desperate position to see how far his potential could stretch. But then, something unexpected happened.

Ethan turned his head, his crimson eyes locking onto me with steely resolve. Without hesitation, he suddenly charged straight toward me. Amused by his daring move I stopped my move to see what he wanted to do.

He's clever, I realized. Attack the leader to disrupt the soldiers. A sound strategy.

I wondered what he would attempt next and soon enough he showed me. As he closed in, he lowered his head slightly, his magic power rippling through the air. I felt the dark energy gather at his core and focus near his mouth. Before I could fully assess what he was doing, Ethan abruptly lifted his head and released a black ball of magic no larger than a chicken's egg.

The second the ball vanished, I sensed its presence again directly at my waist. A normal Elemental Sea Realm practitioner would've been utterly defenceless against such speed. My eyes tracked its form, and I was momentarily impressed by its speed and precision. Not bad at all, I mused.

The corrosive ball of dark energy struck my barrier, crackling as it tried to erode it away. But my defences were far beyond his current power. The attack fizzled harmlessly against the protective energy surrounding me, unable to even scratch it.

His expression shifted for the first time, betraying a hint of frustration. That composure he had worn so confidently cracked, and I smiled to myself. I could see him frantically scanning the cave, looking for my avatar while simultaneously deflecting the relentless swarm of daggers with his chains. He had quickly concluded that attacking me directly was futile, given how easily his strongest move had been neutralized.

But I didn't torment him any further. I decided to end this little test and willed my avatar to reappear. With its silent, instantaneous movement the shadow emerged once more now attacking with the same dark claw but it was twice as large as before, its edges glinting with an ominous purple light. The very air trembled as the claw swiped forward aiming to end the match.

Ethan's POV

I was frantically scouring the cave with every ounce of focus I could muster. My senses stretched to their limits searching for any trace of the woman's shadowy presence while I maintained my defence against the dark blades. Suddenly, I heard it, the unmistakable sound of air being cut. Sharp, fast, and deadly.

There!

Knowing I had only a split second to act, I poured every remaining drop of magic power inside my dark dimension into a single, desperate attack. My will commanded, and all three chains surged forward, twisting together into a single, massive drill. The thick construct spun violently, its sharp blades shrieking as it tore through the air.

The drill met the dark claw in a thunderous clash. Sparks and wisps of energy scattered as the two forces collided, locking in a furious struggle. My heart raced as I pushed all my strength into maintaining the drill. For a moment, I thought I might succeed but then I felt it.

The chains groaned under the pressure. The spinning slowed. And then, one by one, they snapped.

The shattering noise echoed in the cave as the knives at the ends of the chains clattered to the ground like fallen soldiers. My breath hitched and before I could react the claw shot forward with lightning speed, its sharpened tips stopping a hair's breadth from my neck.

Cold sweat ran down my face as the reality of the moment sank in. My heartbeat pounded like a war drum in my chest, louder than it had ever been. For the first time since my reincarnation, I had come this close to death. The cold edge of the dragon claw mere inches from piercing my throat reminded me how fragile I still was in this world.

I forced myself to stay composed, steadying my breath as best as I could while keeping my gaze locked ahead. The silence in the cave was deafening as the claw lingered for another moment before retracting into the shadows.

Suddenly, slow clapping broke the stillness.

"Not bad, kid," her voice rang out, its tone a mix of amusement and approval.

I turned toward her as the dragoness stepped forward, her imposing presence radiating a kind of otherworldly grace.

Then, with a sly smile, she said something that made me freeze in place.

At first, her words confused me but as their meaning sank in my heart leapt and excitement coursed through my veins like fire.