Chapter 110: Sparring

Chapter 110: SparringThe Fist King noticed Apollo watching him and glanced back. The air around them grew heavy with an invisible oppression that sought to suppress Apollo, but he stood firm, meeting the Fist King’s gaze without flinching. This surprised the Fist King, who was taken aback by Apollo’s calm and steady demeanour.

He had encountered many young warriors from various noble families and different kingdoms, but he had never seen anyone like Apollo. It felt like he wasn’t facing a young kid, but a seasoned veteran warrior with unimaginable strength. The Fist King’s eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to study Apollo, intrigued by this unexpected resilience.

Master Aaron, noticing the silent exchange, approached with a knowing smile. "Fist King, this is Apollo, my first apprentice," he introduced. "He has been training diligently and has shown remarkable progress."

He was surprised to hear this, as he had never known Swordmaster Aaron to have an apprentice. This meant Apollo was a newly accepted apprentice, yet he was already this good.

"Ahh!" The Fist King’s exclamation was one of genuine surprise. "I had no idea Swordmaster Aaron had taken an apprentice. For him to speak highly of you, Apollo is quite the commendation."

Apollo, sensing the shift in the Fist King’s demeanour, offered a respectful nod. "Thank you, Fist King," he replied. "I have been fortunate to learn under the master’s guidance."

The Fist King’s expression softened, and his eyes carried a hint of respect as he nodded in acknowledgement. "I can see that," he said, his tone carrying a weight of approval. "You have a strong presence, Apollo. It is clear you have been trained well."

The other young geniuses, observing the interaction, seemed to take notice of Apollo for the first time. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to mild surprise.

The youngest one of them, a tall young man with a regal bearing and an air of confidence, stepped forward. "So, you’re Master Aaron’s apprentice," he said, his tone a mix of curiosity and challenge.

Apollo didn’t mind it and met his gaze evenly. "And you are?"

"I am Leon," the young man replied, his voice steady. "Ninth Prince of Rrioweth."

Another young genius, a girl with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, spoke up next. "I’m Seraphina of the Noble House of McKenna," she said, her tone carrying a hint of pride.

The third and oldest genius, a quiet guy with an intense gaze and an aura of calm, introduced himself last. "My name is Elias," he said simply, and he didn’t talk much.

Apollo nodded to each of them, recognizing the weight of their titles and the reputations they carried. "My name is Apollo, and it’s a pleasure to meet you all," he said, his voice calm and composed without feeling any pressure while talking to the genius of a powerful clan or royal family.

Although his family status was insignificant compared to these three, he wasn’t shocked or awed by their prestige. In just a month or two, he had witnessed many extraordinary events.

His own strength was also not weak; even if their families had ancestor saints, he had the power to take on a fourth-rank grandmaster, especially now that he commanded a powerful human chimera.

So, he didn’t feel inferior to them. Instead, he was curious about their talent and abilities, as he had never met the geniuses of his generation.

Whether it was the Divine Child of the Dark Heaven Court or any other adversaries he faced, they were always much older than him. In comparison, he was closer in age to these three, especially the Ninth Prince, who seemed to be sixteen years old—just four years older than him.

Apollo observed each of them closely, noting their demeanours and the way they carried themselves. Despite their reputations and the powerful auras they exuded, he felt no intimidation—only a keen interest in understanding what made them stand out.

The prince smiled, a mix of pride and humility on his face.

"I never knew Swordmaster Aaron had accepted an apprentice, so I would like to have a discussion with you, Apollo," he said, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "I’m curious to see you in action."

Elias and Seraphina remained quiet, but their intense gaze never left Apollo.

Master Aaron, noticing the interaction, decided to break the ice. "Why don’t we have a friendly sparring session?" he suggested. "It will give you all a chance to test your skills and learn from each other."

He knew these young nobles wouldn’t back down until they tested each other’s strength, so he directly urged them to battle, allowing them to gauge each other’s abilities.

The young geniuses exchanged eager glances, each one silently accepting the challenge. Apollo, though he remained composed, felt a spark of excitement. This was a rare opportunity to see the best of his generation.

They moved to the newly built training grounds, a large, open space with various training dummies and equipment scattered around. The area was soon cleared, and a circle was formed, marking the sparring area. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

Leon, the Ninth Prince, stepped forward first, as he was the youngest and seemed to be closest in age to Apollo. His bearing was regal, and his movements were fluid and precise. "Shall we begin?" he asked, drawing his sword with a flourish.

Apollo nodded, drawing his own weapon. And then they both appeared in the ring as they faced each other.

And with a signal from Master Aaron, the spar began.

The moment Master Aaron signalled, Apollo and Prince Leon both surged forward, their movements a blur of speed and precision. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the training grounds as their swords met in a shower of sparks.

Both of them were using ordinary swords, but their attacks were swift and devastating.

Apollo felt the strength of Prince Leon, as it wasn’t bad as he seemed to be at the peak of the first rank limit-breaker stage and could try to break through to become a second rank limit-breaker.

It wouldn’t be considered bad as he seems to be just sixteen years old, and his swordsmanship seems to be not bad.

Apollo was impressed by Prince Leon’s skill and strength. The prince’s movements were fluid and precise, each strike carrying the weight of his power. It was evident that Elias had undergone rigorous training to reach such a level at his age.

Prince Leon launched a flurry of rapid strikes, each one aimed at breaking through Apollo’s defences. Apollo met each strike with calculated parries and counterattacks, his movements sharp and deliberate. The clash of their swords created a rhythm, a deadly dance of steel and skill.

Both sides didn’t use any flashy skills or attacks, as it was sparring to see each other’s skills and battle instincts. Apollo even suppressed his strength to match Prince Leon’s level.

The prince’s strikes grew more aggressive as he tried to gain the upper hand, but Apollo’s calm demeanour and focused eyes betrayed no sign of faltering. With each parry, he observed the subtle shifts in Leon’s stance, looking for an opening.

As the intensity of the sparring match increased, Apollo decided to test Leon further. He shifted his stance slightly, feinting a strike to the prince’s left side. As Leon moved to the counter, Apollo swiftly redirected his attack, aiming for Leon’s right shoulder.

Leon reacted quickly, twisting his body to avoid the strike, but the tip of Apollo’s sword grazed his shoulder lightly. The prince’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Impressive," Leon said, his voice steady despite the slight breathlessness. "Your technique is exceptional."

Apollo smiled, appreciating the compliment. "Thank you, Prince Leon. Your skill is equally remarkable."

The sparring continued, with both fighters pushing their limits. Leon’s attacks became more strategic, incorporating feints and deceptive movements to catch Apollo off guard. But Apollo’s keen senses and adaptability allowed him to anticipate and counter each move.

Finally, after a particularly intense exchange, Apollo saw an opening. He stepped forward, delivering a precise strike that tapped Leon’s sword hand, disarming him. The prince’s sword clattered to the ground, and Apollo’s blade came to rest just inches from his chest.

Leon took a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Well fought," he said, a hint of respect in his voice. "You have bested me."

Apollo lowered his sword, offering a nod of acknowledgement. "You fought well, Prince Leon. It was an honour to spar with you."

He controlled his strength, engaging the prince in a respectful battle and delivering a defeat that honoured his status. He refrained from defeating him in a single blow, recognizing that such an act would be disrespectful and could shatter the prince’s pride.

Furthermore, making an enemy of the kingdom where his entire family resided would be foolish.

The other two watched in silent surprise throughout the entire sparring match; they weren’t astonished that he was also a limit-breaker at such a young age but were astonished by Apollo’s skill and swordsmanship.

Being older, they could discern more than Leon. They couldn’t help but marvel at Apollo’s technique, noting that he seemed to have become one with his sword and appeared to be just one step away from reaching Sword Aura.