Chương 380: Paragons training

(around the same time(paragon's POV)) Deep within the Undying Valley, few survived. Its endless landscape was a realm where death was not merely common; it was law. Jagged mountains pierced a sky forever drowned in ash, rivers carried crimson water through valleys littered with ancient skeletons, and forests of blackened stone hid predators capable of erasing entire civilisations.

Above even those monsters stood beings whose existence bordered on divinity, creatures so ancient that kingdoms had long forgotten their names. Anyone unfortunate enough to wander into the valley was all but guaranteed a gruesome end. Yet despite such overwhelming cruelty, some did more than survive. They thrived. They carved their names into the valley itself and claimed their rightful place among its strongest inhabitants. Steel rang against steel in one of the valley's countless forgotten plains.

Two blonde knights stood locked in a duel while three others watched from a rocky outcrop overlooking the battlefield. The first possessed short golden hair and piercing azure eyes. His gleaming white armor was remarkably light, designed to sacrifice protection in favour of overwhelming mobility and speed. Every movement he made was efficient. Standing opposite him was a blonde woman with radiant golden eyes.

Unlike her opponent, her armor resembled the traditional plate worn by the knights of old, heavier, sturdier, and built to endure prolonged combat. Neither carried a shield. Both relied solely upon a single sword. Their blades collided again. And again. To an outside observer they appeared perfectly matched, each exchange ending in a stalemate born from flawless technique rather than overwhelming strength. At least... That was how it appeared.

Artoria suddenly twisted her hips, deflecting Callum's blade before lifting her leg and driving a powerful kick into his abdomen. The impact launched him several meters backwards. He skidded across the cracked stone before planting his sword into the ground to halt himself. Artoria rested her blade upon her shoulder, wearing an amused grin.

"Come on, junior."

"You were stronger when you fought me for the machine's sake." Her golden eyes narrowed with excitement.

"So what changed?" Callum wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth before slowly rising back to his feet.

"I was wondering the same thing..."

"How long is this going to take?" Yuki complained, throwing herself dramatically onto a nearby boulder.

"I just want to go home already." She rounded on Caesar.

"Why aren't you fixing the mech? The sooner you repair it, the sooner we leave this damned valley. So why are you just sitting there doing nothing?" Caesar sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

"I already told you," he replied, mimicking her exaggerated tone with an annoyed wave of his cybernetic hand.

"I've repaired everything I physically can. Now I have to wait for replacement material to finish synthesising." If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"And that takes..."

"Weeks." Yuki's expression collapsed in utter despair.

"I hate this place." A quiet laugh escaped Evelyn. Yuki's head snapped toward her instantly.

"What exactly are you laughing at?" Evelyn merely smiled.

"It's just amusing."

"Even after everything we've been through, you still throw tantrums whenever you don't immediately get what you want." She tilted her head innocently.

"It's rather childish." A vein bulged across Yuki's forehead.

"Oh really? I'll show you exactly what this child can do!" She stormed toward Evelyn, fists clenched, but before she could take more than two steps, Caesar intercepted her, wrapping both arms around her waist.

"Caesar!" She kicked wildly.

"Let go of me, you bastard! I need to put her back in her place!" Caesar endured the barrage of kicks, and even several bites against his cybernetic frame.

"Will you calm down?" he sighed.

"We're going to miss the rest of the fight if you keep this up." Yuki glared down at him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Instead of answering... Caesar leaned forward and kissed her. Right on the lips. The valley fell strangely quiet. Yuki froze. Her face turned scarlet. Caesar smiled faintly before setting her back on the ground.

"There. Better?"

"Yeah." The answer barely escaped her lips. She crossed her arms, turned away to hide her burning face, and stubbornly refused to look at anyone. Caesar released a long, exhausted sigh before returning to his seat atop the rocks.

"Alright." He folded his arms.

"Now let's actually watch the duel."

"It's bound to be entertaining." Evelyn nodded, her emerald eyes drifting back toward the battlefield.

"It certainly will." Callum tightened his grip around his sword. A grin slowly spread across his face.

"You think I'm holding back?" Artoria answered by lowering her stance. A fierce smile mirrored his own.

"There it is." She pointed her blade toward him.

"Come on, junior. Face me." The ground exploded beneath Callum's feet. He crossed the distance between them almost instantly.

"Oh, I will!" His sword descended in a tremendous overhead slash. Artoria met the attack head-on. Steel screamed. Instead of resisting the force directly, she shifted her footing at the exact moment of impact, redirected his momentum through her own stance, and hurled him skyward. Callum merely laughed. Still airborne, he slashed at space. Artoria's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she swung toward seemingly nothing.

Invisible blades of compressed air collided with her sword before crashing into the valley floor, carving deep trenches through solid stone before finally dissipating. The instant the shockwaves vanished, Callum appeared again. Still falling. Their swords collided repeatedly as sparks erupted between them. Neither cared. The ringing of steel disappeared beneath the exhilaration of battle. Neither knight looked anywhere except into the other's eyes. They smiled. Eventually Artoria seized the initiative.

She stepped inside his guard, sweeping her blade horizontally before twisting her body into a precise thrust aimed directly at his heart. Callum reacted at the final possible instant. His sword snapped into place, knocking her thrust harmlessly toward the ground before redirecting the remaining force away from his body. Artoria laughed aloud.

"You've gotten better, junior!" She immediately followed with another slash before he had fully recovered. Callum sprang backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack. Lowering himself once more, he offered a small grin.

"I've had a good teacher." Artoria's expression softened imperceptibly. Indeed, she had taught him. Ever since they had become trapped within the Undying Valley, she had instructed Callum in the ancient swordsmanship of the Pendragons. Unlike Callum, Artoria was one of the originals. She had lived during the family's golden age, before its catastrophic massacre. Callum, by comparison, was merely the only descendant fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to survive its destruction.

Their style appeared deceptively simple. There were no extravagant flourishes or impossible techniques. Just perfect fundamentals refined beyond human comprehension. Yet despite being well documented throughout history, no outsider had ever mastered it. Not because it was secret. Not because it was complex. But because the style demanded something no ordinary warrior possessed. The bodies of the Pendragons themselves.

Every movement, every acceleration, every explosive release of force relied upon physical characteristics unique to their bloodline. Countless prodigies had attempted to replicate their signature techniques over the centuries. Every single one had failed. Now, one who should have died centuries ago stood passing that legacy to the next generation. Callum inhaled deeply. He silenced every stray thought. The Pendragon technique was never truly about the sword. The blade was merely the medium.

The true technique amplified the user themselves, their muscles, breathing, timing, and instincts, raising every existing skill to its absolute peak. Unfortunately... Within the Undying Valley, most supernatural abilities were suppressed. Callum was no exception. His power remained sealed. Only his body and his sword remained. After several long moments, he slowly exhaled. Then he sheathed his blade.

"That's enough for today," he called. Artoria studied him for another moment before nodding approvingly.

"Very well." She slid her own sword back into its scabbard with practised ease. The duel was over. Callum turned toward the others, wiping the sweat from his brow as he made his way across the broken battlefield. It was time to return to camp once again.