CHAPTER 180: ARCHERY

In a heartbeat they closed the distance. Linda drew an arrow midstride, her expression unreadable as she attempted to read Damian’s tiny shifts and tells. She sharpened her senses—tracking the faintest change in his breathing, in his stance.

I can predict him, she thought confidently. She loosed a string of arrows, each one streaking toward Damian with expert precision.

Damian moved like water—soft, precise, untouchable. He dodged with minimal motion, and whatever openings Linda thought she saw collapsed before she could take full advantage. Her arrows thudded into the ground, into trees, or hissed past harmlessly.

She jumped back, reassessing. How am I supposed to land one on him? she wondered. His timing is off the charts.

From the side, Nolan watched closely. Damian kept his movements restrained, not wanting to overwhelm her, yet even that restraint made him dangerously difficult to read.

Damian thought to himself, I’ll hold back. I don’t want to hurt her. But I’ll make this a good fight—enough for her to learn, not enough to break her.

Linda reset her form, breathing in and out. Her eyes flicked to Nolan for a fraction of a second, then locked on Damian again. "Alright," she whispered. "This time I’ll be faster."

"I’ll try my best to read his moves this time," Linda said, gripping her bow tightly. "I’ll shoot with everything I’ve got."

She drew an arrow, her expression sharpening. Mana flared around her eyes—her pupils glowed a bright sapphire as the world began to slow. The breeze froze mid-sway, the sound of leaves dulled into silence.

Even Damian... slowed down.

"Yes," she whispered, smiling faintly. "Now I can see him."

She released. The arrow ripped through the air, glowing faintly blue. But even as it flew, Damian blurred out of sight—tilting his head just enough for it to miss.

"Tch—!" Linda hissed, already nocking another arrow. She fired again, faster this time. The arrow gleamed with wind energy, slicing through the air with a high-pitched hum.

And yet—he dodged again.

Linda’s eyes widened. Wait... I infused mana into my vision—this should’ve put me on another level. The mana Master gave me boosted my senses, speed, and focus far beyond normal. If he can still dodge all this... then how strong is he, really?

She gritted her teeth, sweat trickling down her face. "Fine, then. Try dodging this!"

Three arrows appeared between her fingers. She fired them in rapid succession, her movements blurring as the mana in her arms flared. She twisted her energy flow—canceling the wind around one of them to hide its trajectory.

The first arrow whistled past Damian’s shoulder. The second grazed his arm. The third—silent and invisible—slammed directly into his chest.

Only... it bounced off.

The arrow hit the ground with a dull clink.

"What...?" Linda muttered, her eyes wide. "That was my strongest shot."

Damian smirked faintly. "You’re fast," he said, his voice calm but confident. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance and appeared before her. His fist moved—quick, controlled—landing a strike that pushed her back slightly.

She grunted but stood her ground. He stepped forward again, delivering another light punch to her shoulder. "You’re good at mid-range," he said, "but close combat... not quite there yet."

Linda clenched her jaw and swung her bow, trying to parry his hand. But no matter how hard she pushed, it was like striking a wall of steel. He’s too strong... I can’t even move him.

She leapt backward, trying to gain distance. But Damian flashed in front of her again—his hand catching her wrist mid-motion. "Going somewhere?" he teased.

He lifted her easily by one arm, his strength overpowering her resistance. "You’re improving fast, but—" He spun and slammed her into the ground with reduced force. The impact kicked up dust and shook the garden floor.

Linda gasped, the breath leaving her lungs. "Wh-Why do I feel... so weak?" she thought as Damian pulled her up again, holding her gently by the collar.

"Sorry, but this is the difference between our levels," he said softly. And before she could respond—he tossed her upward. She soared into the air, spinning helplessly.

"D-Damian, stop!" Nolan shouted, already moving. His body blurred, leaving afterimages behind. Just before Linda hit the ground, Nolan appeared beneath her, catching her in his arms.

"That’s enough!" Nolan said sharply, his voice echoing with power. "You’re taking it too far—I told you to hold back!"

Damian froze, eyes widening slightly. Then he bowed his head, his tone calm but remorseful. "I’m sorry, Master. I forgot myself. I was... just enjoying the moment."

Nolan’s expression hardened as he faced Damian. "Next time," he said firmly, his tone carrying quiet authority, "don’t ever let something like this happen again."

Damian bowed his head slightly, voice low and remorseful. "Yes, Master. It won’t. I swear—I wasn’t trying to lose control."

Nolan exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. He turned his gaze back to Linda, still cradled gently in his arms. Her breathing was steady now, her eyes wide with lingering shock. Nolan smiled faintly and lowered her to the ground.

"You’ve grown strong, Linda," he said softly. "Don’t be discouraged."

Linda clenched her fists, a small tremor in her voice. "I know, Master... but still, you made me look weak—like I was nothing."

Nolan chuckled lightly, then shook his head. "You shouldn’t feel ashamed. You fought well. The reason you couldn’t beat him..." His tone deepened, becoming serious. "I didn’t tell you all this before—but Damian isn’t human."

Everyone froze.

"What...?" Linda whispered, blinking rapidly. "Then what is he?"

Nolan crossed his arms. "He’s a Divine Dragon King."

For a moment, silence fell over the garden—so complete that even the wind seemed to stop. The words hung in the air like thunder.

Linda’s eyes widened in disbelief. "A... Divine Dragon King? Those are only myths! I used to hear about them in legends when I was young. Beings of eternal flame and impossible power..." Her voice trailed off as she stared at Damian. "Then why is he in human form?"