CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 692: Zone-1

Asher’s hand became a swift blur, launching continuous assaults. Though Williams managed to parry each blow, he could sense the strain in Asher’s strikes, their weight and force gradually diminishing. Simultaneously, Williams observed his own swordplay improving rapidly in real time. After a certain point, he ceased his backward retreat, holding his ground with increasing steadiness.

Williams’ improved defense wasn’t due to instantaneous mastery of the blocking technique. Asher understood that without further dedicated practice to internalize this skill, Williams would simply regress. However, Asher offered no commentary, leaving this entirely to Williams’ discretion; it was no concern of his.

With this realization, Asher’s offensive strategy underwent an immediate shift. Since Williams had adapted to the blocking style, it was time to introduce the parrying method. Asher’s sweeping cut transformed into a sudden, swift thrust, its unexpected trajectory imbued with a sharp, aggressive intent that broke the previous, predictable rhythm.

Williams, having fallen into a comfortable cadence with Asher’s exchanges, faltered instantly at the abrupt alteration in pace and rhythm. He had become so engrossed in his own perceived improvements that he seemed to forget this training wasn't solely about blocking, but demanded constant adaptability and heightened awareness.

His response was sluggish and delayed. Before he could fully react, the tip of Asher’s rapier pierced his ribs, skin parting as blood began to trickle. Yet, Williams showed no outward reaction to the wound. His pain tolerance was sufficient for such a minor injury, and he knew Asher was not targeting vital areas. The wound was superficial, expected to heal within days without needing the Healing Department’s intervention.

Another assault followed, this time aimed at his shoulder. This time, Williams managed a reaction, his movements quicker, though still not fast enough. A second injury opened across his shoulder as Asher’s blade precisely met his flesh.

Williams instantly recoiled, creating distance to regroup. Asher, however, granted him no respite, closing the gap almost instantaneously, his rapier once more aimed at Williams’ ribs with surgical precision.

Williams attempted a block, his movement abrupt and slightly off-balance. The instant the rapier’s tip met the sabre’s edge, a metallic clang resonated through the kilometer-wide enclosed space, its echo faint against their resonating clash.

Williams felt his hand grow increasingly numb, his fingers yearning for rest, his shoulder aching for relief. Yet, he maintained his stance, his resolve unwavering. After all, this was far from his first training bout, and he was not one to yield under pressure.

“While this is sword training, it doesn’t mean you must always resort to blocking,” Asher advised in a calm, composed tone. “When your opponent disrupts your rhythm, causing you to fall behind, don’t attempt to block. Simply transition to evading, or employ any evasive maneuvers, much like I did when you were the aggressor.”

Williams remained silent, yet Asher’s words sank in, imprinting themselves deeply in his mind as he concentrated on survival and adaptation.

The moment Asher finished speaking, he resumed his attack, displaying enhanced accuracy and intensity, as if intent on pushing Williams to his absolute limit and extracting every ounce of potential his talent possessed, leaving nothing unexplored.

‘Feel the wind, ride the wind, move with the wind,’ Asher’s words echoed with increasing clarity in Williams’ mind.

As Asher’s strike approached, Williams shifted sideways, attempting to dodge. However, he was still slightly tardy in his evasion, not yet fully attuned. His skin split, and a trickle of blood cascaded down, yet neither Asher nor Williams paused their relentless exchange.

‘There’s hardly any wind to feel in this enclosed space,’ Williams mused internally as he dodged again. His skin broke once more, and he sustained another injury, his body gradually accumulating shallow wounds and cuts.

Thus, both figures became blurs. Williams continuously moved to evade, but Asher’s attacks consistently found their mark, albeit barely, grazing him rather than landing solid blows, indicating marginal improvement.

‘The wind is everywhere,’ he realized. After several minutes, he finally found his rhythm. His body shifted to the side, allowing him to perfectly sidestep one of Asher’s assaults. This time, he sustained no injuries at all, marking a subtle yet significant breakthrough.

With his newfound rhythm, his movements became more fluid, his speed increasing as he moved in harmony with the wind's direction. A smile, though imperfect, began to form on his lips, reflecting his palpable progress.

His lower body still possessed the vigor to move and continue, even as his arms cried out for rest. This allowed him to preserve his stance and nimbleness, despite the growing exhaustion.

’Ten minutes to grasp the wind's essence, not bad at all,’ Asher mused internally, initiating another swift attack. His expression remained serene, yet his eyes were sharp and assessing.

Naturally, Asher had not originated this technique. He had learned it from Instructor Jane during their inaugural lesson. Exhibiting his prodigious talent, Asher had mastered it after a single observation, perfecting the move within seconds of comprehending its principles.

Normally, it would demand considerable time and accumulated experience to truly understand the concept of moving in harmony with the wind, a skill that enables one to exert less force, move with greater grace, and conserve more stamina. However, Williams was currently immersed in a state akin to a 'zone,' where his innate talent blazed at its peak, allowing him to absorb knowledge that would typically take much longer to assimilate.

Therefore, despite the prolonged nature of their current engagement, Asher harbored no intention of ceasing their spar. While it might appear that Williams was absorbing every piece of knowledge presented, Asher understood the inherent limitations of such a process. Consequently, he felt no qualms about continuing to instruct Williams until his student reached the absolute limit of his comprehension within this particular exchange.

Personally, Asher recognized that excess in any form could prove detrimental. Thus, at a certain juncture, he might very well halt the training to prevent overwhelming Williams with an excessive influx of new concepts. It was always more beneficial to absorb new lessons sequentially, allowing each one to solidify properly before introducing the next.

’I wonder if I will ever achieve such a 'zone' state myself,’ Asher pondered, a flicker of curiosity briefly crossing his mind, even amidst his own extraordinary aptitude.

Much like their earlier drills focusing on defensive maneuvers, Asher and Williams had fallen into a synchronized rhythm. This cadence, it should be noted, was deliberately orchestrated by Asher, ensuring Williams could accumulate more practical experience and cultivate a more profound sensitivity to the wind's subtle shifts as their combat continued.

’I ought to increase the pace shortly; his 'zone' state is unlikely to persist indefinitely,’ Asher considered, meticulously timing Williams over the subsequent two minutes. He was preparing to significantly elevate the intensity of their training session.