CHAPTER 168: FLASH KNIGHT-CONCLUSION

The duel had gone on longer than anyone expected.

The barrier vibrated faintly, healing shallow cuts and bruises as Nero pushed himself far beyond his usual limits. His chest rose and fell sharply, his grip tightening on the hilt until his knuckles turned white. Yet even in exhaustion, his eyes gleamed with unyielding fire.

Across from him, the old man stood tall, his breathing calm, his blade steady. Not once had his stance faltered. His presence radiated the weight of decades, every movement honed into effortless perfection.

And still—there was no malice in his strikes. Only guidance.

Nero lunged again, his blade arcing upward in a desperate slash. The old man blurred, light bending around him as he reappeared at Nero’s flank. Their swords clashed, sparks bursting like miniature suns.

"You’ve adapted well," the old man said calmly, voice steady even mid-battle. "At first, you were chasing my shadow. Now, you’re reacting to me directly. Not many can do that in so short a time."

Nero gritted his teeth, forcing the old man back a step with sheer strength. "Then I’ll... keep adapting—until I land a hit!"

His blade carved the air in relentless succession. Wide slashes, thrusts, sudden feints—all thrown with everything he had left. Each strike grew sharper, his instincts more refined, but...

The Flash Knight was still a wall.

With every clash, the difference became clearer. Where Nero’s swings carried raw power and passion, the old man’s counters were clean, measured, efficient. He wasted no movement, no energy. His every step flowed with the rhythm of light itself.

Lux’s brows furrowed as he watched.

"Nero’s improved mid-fight, but... it’s not enough. The difference in experience is too vast."

Adam clenched his fists. "Come on, Nero... just land one strike!"

As though answering their plea, Nero roared, pulling every ounce of strength into his next attack. His blade shimmered faintly with prana, flame gathered around it as he swung downward with a crushing blow.

The old man’s expression softened. "A good strike."

Then—flash!

In an instant, he vanished. Nero’s blade struck only air, the force of the missed swing shaking his arms. Before he could recover, the old man reappeared at his back, his sword resting gently against Nero’s neck.

The barrier flared, signaling the end of the match.

Nero froze, sweat dripping down his temple. His grip on his sword trembled before he finally exhaled, lowering it in defeat.

"...I lost."

The old man sheathed his blade in a single smooth motion. "No shame in that, boy. You’ve spirit—and more importantly, you learn. That’s worth more than victory in a spar."

Lux and Adam rushed onto the platform, their expressions a mix of awe and relief.

"You lasted longer than I thought you would," Lux admitted with a small smile.

"Against the Flash Knight, that’s no small feat."

Adam clapped Nero on the shoulder, grinning. "Damn impressive. Most would’ve been cut down in the first minute."

The old man studied Nero quietly, then nodded. "Your swordsmanship is self-taught, isn’t it?"

Nero glanced up, surprised. "...Yeah."

"It shows," the old man said, his tone not mocking but thoughtful. "Your movements are wild, unpredictable—good for catching opponents off guard. But against a seasoned fighter, the flaws are obvious. Too wide in your swings. Too heavy in your steps. You’ll need to refine them, or they’ll be used against you."

He paused, then placed a firm hand on Nero’s shoulder. His grip carried the weight of experience, but also warmth.

"But you’ve got something that can’t be taught—instinct. That fire in your eyes... it reminds me of myself, long ago. Keep training, keep learning, and one day, you may surpass even me."

Nero’s chest tightened, but this time not with exhaustion—with pride.

"...Thank you," he said, bowing deeply.

The old man gave a rare smile, faint but genuine. "You’ve earned my respect today. Next time... perhaps you’ll give me a true challenge."

As Nero straightened, Lux and Adam exchanged glances. Both of them had seen something more than just a spar. This was a passing of knowledge—a bridge between generations.

And though Nero had lost, the fire in his spirit burned brighter than ever.

The spar had ended, but the tension of the fight still lingered in Nero’s muscles. His body felt like lead, and yet the fire in his chest would not let him rest. Every slash, every step of the Flash Knight replayed in his mind, burned into his memory like an eternal lesson.

"Come on," Lux said, clapping him lightly on the back. "We’ve earned some rest. The baths are waiting."

Adam stretched his arms with a groan, his muscles protesting after their earlier training. "Yeah, before I collapse right here. Let’s go."

The three left the training platform, their sweat-soaked clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin. The villa’s training wing connected directly to the bathing hall—an extravagant chamber lined with white marble, its walls etched with delicate golden veins that glimmered faintly in the lanternlight. Steam rose gently from the wide indoor bath, the faint scent of herbs drifting through the air.

Nero stripped away his training gear without hesitation and slid into the water. The heat rushed over him at once, seeping into every sore muscle. He leaned back against the smooth stone, exhaling a long sigh.

"...He really was on a different level," Nero muttered, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. The steam blurred his vision slightly, but the memory of that sword against his neck was sharp as ever.

Lux dipped in beside him, water rippling around his lean frame. "That’s the Flash Knight for you. He once held the record for fastest knight in the empire—few could even touch his shadow. But you lasted longer than most ever do. That alone is worth something."

Adam splashed into the bath, groaning in bliss as the warmth wrapped around him.

"Tch, worth something? It was insane! I could barely follow their movements. It was like... like light itself was fighting."

Nero chuckled faintly. "Yeah. And yet, even then... I still thought I could reach him."

The three sat in silence for a moment, letting the bath’s warmth soothe their weary bodies. It was a rare moment of peace, the sound of faint water trickles filling the chamber.