Our Dharma Masters are like this.

Chapter 115 Sword Skills
The thought filled Zellir with excitement.

Both Manlin and Marvin are high-level mages. And there's also a mentor named Lena whom I've never met before.

What kind of moves will they make in battle? And what kind of magic will they use?
It should be at least level four, and it might even be able to display level five or six magic.

Opportunities to witness high-ranking mages in battle are rare.

Moreover, Zellier still remembered the assessment criteria for intermediate mages.

You must master a four-level, multi-layered spell structure.

I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to witness it during this monster hunt.
There are still some days before the monster hunt officially begins.

Zellier silently calculated in his mind.

I need to use this time to make some preparations...

A thought suddenly popped into Zellier's mind.

correct.

This is indeed my biggest weakness at present.

……

Aoki Ryokan.

Zellier stood outside an old door and knocked.

No movement...

He increased the force and banged on it several more times.

After a while, a rustling sound came from inside the room, and the door creaked open from the inside.

"Who is it... so early in the morning..."

Gray rubbed his sleepy eyes, his blond hair a mess like a bird's nest.

When he saw who it was, he came to his senses a little more. "Oh... it's Zellir."

"Brother, it's almost noon, why aren't you up yet?"

Zellier was somewhat surprised to see him like this.

However, he soon found out the reason—a strong smell of alcohol was emanating from Gray.

Peeking through the crack in the door, you could see several empty wine bottles scattered on the floor beside the bed.

"We haven't been on any missions lately, have we?"

Gray yawned widely and said nonchalantly, "Since I have some free time, I might as well indulge myself a little."

He welcomed Zelier into the room, then casually picked up the dirty clothes that were draped over the chair and threw them at the foot of the bed, making room for Zelier to sit.

"The monster hunting arrangements have been finalized."

Zellier said, "The Adventurers' Guild should officially notify you at that time."

"Really? That's amazing!"

Upon hearing this news, Gray instantly woke up, his face lighting up with excitement. "That's really something! It's my treat tonight! Let's go to Drunk Wild Boar and have a good drink!"

"That's not necessary..."

Zellier waved his hand. "However, I happen to have a favor to ask you for."

"What?" Gray asked, puzzled.

“I want to learn swordsmanship,” Zellier said earnestly.

"what?"

……

Blackstone Town.

Sword training ground.

This is a training ground in town that is specifically open to adventurers.

The usage fee is not cheap; it costs a full three silver coins a day, which is more expensive than staying at the Night Flower Inn.

Most adventurers don't have the financial means and can only practice in their rooms or in the countryside.

However, for a better training environment, Zellir paid the fee without hesitation and chose to come here.

The training ground he rented was roughly an open-air courtyard enclosed by high walls, and the space was quite spacious, with a length and width of nearly ten meters.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of soft sand to cushion falls. Several tall weapon racks stood around the courtyard, filled with all sorts of training weapons.

From wooden swords, axes, and spears to unsharpened iron blunt weapons, everything was available, and there were even wooden dummies.

Gray, dressed in a practical outfit, was twisting his neck.

He glanced sideways at Zellir, who was also dressed in casual clothes, and still couldn't quite understand.

"Zelier, why did you suddenly decide to learn swordsmanship?"

"I'm trying to make up for my weaknesses as much as possible," Zellier said while warming up.

"Ha...that's true."

Gray smiled as he recalled the strength Zeril had displayed during their arm-wrestling match.

"You are indeed very strong, it's a real shame you don't practice swordsmanship. However, I must make it clear beforehand that while brute strength is one thing, you are still far from proficient in swordsmanship."

"Just try and you will find out."

Zellier's competitive spirit was ignited.

He picked through the shelves and drew out a standard wooden sword of moderate weight.

Gray also casually drew a wooden sword and walked into the arena.

"Come on, let me see how much talent you have in swordsmanship."

Zellir gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands, mimicking the swordsman's posture from his memory, with the tip of the sword pointing forward and the blade firmly positioned in the center line.

Soften your breathing and focus your gaze.

Gray, on the other hand, seemed very casual. He simply held his sword loosely with one hand, and even had his other hand on his hip.

The two walked slowly in the field, the sand making a slight friction sound under their feet.

As the distance between them closed, Zellir inexplicably felt a sense of pressure.

The usually carefree and irreverent Gray seemed to transform into a completely different person the moment he took up his sword.

His expression wasn't ferocious; it even carried a faint smile, but the aura around him was sharp and dangerous.

"It's only when you become an enemy that you realize how reliable your allies are," Zellier thought to himself.

Without further hesitation, Zellir launched the first attack!

He took a sudden step forward, slashing down with his wooden sword, using brute force to deflect Gray's weapon off-center.

Then, immediately following up with a vertical chop!
However, just as Zellir's wooden sword was about to strike, Gray slightly shifted his body, gripping the sword in reverse and holding it in front of him.

He steadily blocked Zeril's attack and then followed up with a backhand diagonal slash.

This forced Zellir to hastily switch from offense to defense, but Gray's offensive was as smooth as flowing water, turning slashes into thrusts, instantly breaking through Zellir's defenses.

"boom"

The end of the wooden sword struck Zelier squarely in the chest.

If this were in actual combat, Zell would have been dead by that one sword strike.

Gray wins the first round.

"You've got some skills," Zellier said, taking two steps back and rubbing his chest, which felt a little stuffy.

"Want to try again?" Gray easily sheathed his wooden sword.

"continue!"

The two men assumed their stances again, starting their fight in the middle of the stance, their sword tips facing each other from a distance.

This time, Zellir did not launch a rash attack.

He was mentally analyzing his offensive tactics and Gray's possible countermeasures.

If I still use a vertical slash, he will definitely parry with his sword again, and then slash his abdomen in the process...

So... what if we start with a thrust?
No, the thrust is more vulnerable.

With his speed just now, he could definitely have counterattacked before I could finish my move.

And what if he tries to deal with it in another way? Like... dodging to the side?
Or perhaps you could start with a horizontal slash, forcefully breaking through his midline defense...

"What, you're too scared to attack?"

Gray looked at him, who was deep in thought, and smiled provocatively, "If I take the initiative, your chances will only decrease."

(End of this chapter)