CHAPTER 511: TRAINING

The air was thick and heavy with tension; it felt like even time had paused to watch. The silence between the clash of swords was deafening, filled only by ragged breaths and the distant crackle of lightning splitting across the sky.

The ground rumbled, and tables and chairs shook in the nearby palace from the tremors. The air itself was pulsating with energy, very dark and intense.

Cedric’s swords crashed with Thamiel’s. The 6th prince effortlessly fended off his attack before pushing him back. Thamiel’s eyes flickered, and he switched to the side to block another attack.

A proud smile crept onto his lips. Cedric had started to infuse teleportation in his style. "Not bad, but you need to work on your speed." He mentioned. Their swords were against each other. Cedric’s teeth were grinding.

Thamiel smiled, then kicked Cedric away. He stumbled on the floor. Rolling a few feet before he stopped moving. Thamiel rolled his shoulders and then adjusted his stance.

He knew Cedric was going to get up again. The boy just didn’t know when to stay down. That’s what made this fight more interesting.

Cedric managed to get up. His sword was pinned to the ground to give him some support. His grip tightened around the hilt.

"Take a while to heal your wounds," Thamiel mentioned, then turned around, strolling towards a bench. He wasn’t bothered that Cedric might aim a surprise attack.

Cedric’s jaw slacked, Thamiel’s taunts were annoying. " I won’t get the chance to properly heal amidst battle." He huffed, struggling to catch his breath.

Cedric’s chest heaved. Sweat rolled down his face, stinging the open cuts along his skin. Blood seeped through his torn clothes, sticking to his body like a second skin.

Thamiel got to the bench and grabbed his water bag to take a sip. His Adam’s apple gobbled as he swallowed. Thamiel leisurely finished his break before glancing back at Cedric. Thamiel smirked, "This isn’t a battle."

"That’s why you need to train more to accelerate your regeneration and merge more with your dark side. So far, you have improved, but you still have a long way to go." Thamiel then wiped his lips with the back of his palms.

Cedric gritted his teeth. He knew that the gap between them was still enormous. Cedric could tell Thamiel was holding back pretty well yet he didn’t stand a chance.

Cedric glanced at his hand. The marks were still there but he could feel the difference. The energy flowing through his veins was starting to feel more like his power and not something borrowed.

He stood up then pulled out his sword from the ground. He stumbled a bit but quickly gained balance. "I still have a lot to learn."

Thamiel smirked, "Then show me what you are made up to then."

Cedric’s sword felt heavier in his grip, his arms trembling under the weight of exhaustion. But his eyes still burned.

He lunged forward and they clashed again.

Metal against metal sparked like fire in a storm. Thamiel moved with terrifying ease, every strike sharp and precise, while Cedric forced his aching limbs to keep up, fighting like a man with nothing left to lose

He was losing; anyone could see it, but still, he didn’t stop. The faster he gains control of his abilities, the faster he can leave here. With that in mind, Cedric didn’t slow.

"Learn to conceal your presence more. Your present state might be fine for humans, but I can sense you from miles away." Thamiel instructed before successfully forcing him away.

Cedric gasped struggling to catch his breath. He didn’t know the last time he fought this hard, not even his last battle with Lucien. He was still holding back because he had to protect Abrielle but here he could put his all.

Cedric’s brows furrowed. What did Thamiel mean? He spoke as if he might end up clashing swords with gods.

His boots scraped against the stone as he staggered back, knees buckling. He dropped down hard, the sword digging into the ground to keep him upright. His breath came in short, painful gasps.

The world around him blurred, but Thamiel remained crystal clear in his sight.

Cedric glared at him, jaw tight, eyes wild with defiance.

Thamiel stared back, calm, confident and a bit careless to taunt him. Thamiel was still slightly wary. He knew if Cedric lost control he might end up fighting that terrifying presence.

Cedric sucked in a deep breath. Sharp, controlled. And then, without warning, he pushed off the ground and charged again. The clash rang out, echoing like thunder across the empty field. Thamiel blocked him, but something changed. His eyes narrowed. He saw it too.

A flicker. Thamiel grew cold, but he still taunted. "So this is your best. What a waste!" Thamiel’s words were filled with disdain.

Something finally snapped in Cedric. His mind drifted to Kaiden’s last confrontation. He wasn’t a waste. The air shifted, his grip tightened. Cedric’s eyes turned cold..they were originally black because he was using his demonic abilities but something seemed different now and even Thamiel sensed it

A crack in Thamiel’s formation.

For the first time, his steps faltered not much, but just enough.

Cedric noticed.

And so did Thamiel.

The air shifted like a breath held in suspense before they broke apart again, both panting, both watching. His movements were faster, but more subtle, Thamiel had let go of his restraint as they fought.

The battle wasn’t over.

But the tide... had begun to turn.

They clashed again, the blows were harder this time with no hesitation. The fight drew attention. Raziel watched quietly from a window; his face was calm, making it hard to know his thoughts.

Beside him was Damael. The 1st prince of Netheralis’ attention was also drawn to the fight. "He has gained more control," Damael mentioned.

Raziel glanced away from the window and continued on his way. "The fight is already over," Raziel said. Damael’s brows furrowed. There was no way Cedric was going to beat Thamiel

But then the men clashed again and broke apart. Cedric was about to attack again. His feet wobbled, and he fell on his face, completely blacking out. Damael was stunned. He finally understood what Raziel meant.

Cedric has gotten better control; he might not realise it himself, but he was able to use his full strength while being conscious of his actions. Both sides had synchronised but....

It required a lot of energy. It wasn’t effortless for Cedric, making him pass out after a short while.