12 Another Spar; Rentaro And Roy Vs Icrin (2/2)

'I can't control a single muscle, let alone my body. This restriction feels even more uncomfortable than the times I experienced the feeling of being in a strange s.p.a.ce when my body was reconstructing and the time when I was completing my Affinity Awakening.'

As Rentaro made the connection between those two moments and his current situation, ideas filled his mind. 'When my body was reconstructing, I felt as if I had been in a strange s.p.a.ce, but that was only because I was stuck in the form of my soul. When I was completing my Affinity Awakening, I was touching upon my heart, mind, and soul. Each of those events revolved around me touching base with the soul and mind. Right now, these restrictions are creating a similar sensation.'

'So, this is a type of mental energy technique after all? As for the gray aura, I can only imagine it's a type of element and Icrin is using it to boost his mental energy techniques.'

As he narrowed down his conclusions on Icrin's ability, a sigh resounded within his mind.

[Hah, your understanding is close enough, Lil' Bro. I didn't expect you to encounter such a freakish situation so early, so I don't mind helping out a bit here. That grey elemental aura is from a unique sub-element category, the element of illusion.]

[Icrin definitely doesn't possess a simple status in the Krose Clan, his right eye is a special bloodline awakening of the Krose Clan, known as the Eye of Apparition. Definitively speaking, the grey-eyed Icrin is just an apparition, a clone, thanks to one of his eye bloodline's innate abilities.]

Slight shock appeared on Rentaro's face as he pondered over the fact that the grey-eyed Icrin was merely a clone, before he shook it off and listened to Wilhelm's further explanations.

[As the Eye of Apparition is of the illusionary element, it can be used alongside his mental energy techniques to pull off techniques that would generally require a higher cultivation and techniques used would have a higher and more realistic quality than normal.]

[One day, he may be able to pull off the concept of ”turning Illusion into Reality”. Of course, such a concept can only be pulled off to an extent.]

'Alright, before you ramble off for too long Big Bro, any idea on how I can get out of this predicament?' Rentaro's uneasiness diminished as he started to figure out the concept behind Icrin's technique and with Wilhelm's support alongside him, a smile forming on his face.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

While Rentaro faced the complication of illusion and mental energy techniques, Roy had continued to go against the blue-eyed Icrin. Roy's defense appeared to be on par with Icrin's offense, his scales undamaged as he blocked Icrin's continuous attacks.

The flashes of lightning painted a beautiful picture for those spectating, whereas it painted a nightmare for Roy, forcing him to maintain a defensive position. As time pa.s.sed, Roy felt as if he were entrapped in a prison, Icrin unceasingly blocked any potential escape routes for Roy as he was always a step faster, clearly expecting Roy's next moves.

Roy's eyes flashed with slight irritation as lightning ceaselessly flashed across his body, when a sudden bolt flashed towards his underbody. Crouching down, Roy pressed his underbody against the ground, the lightning only managed to flash across his armor once again, not causing any damage.

However, a sudden feeling of numbness rapidly spread across his body as he attempted to stand back up, only to fall back down again. Icrin took this chance as the lightning repeatedly struck and danced around Roy's powerless body.

”Remember, once you fall down, it's not so easy to stand back up. In battle, there are times where you must accept your opponents attacks, even if it will draw blood and harm you. The moment you fall is the moment you relinquish your ability to continue fighting. If you can't stand back up, then this match is over.”

The blue-eyed Icrin walked away in the grey-eyed Icrin's direction, revealing the same expression of expectation as him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

'Roy! Can you hear me?' Rentaro once again used the system's method of communication with Roy.

'Huh? Yeah, hard to talk right now, Second Brother. I couldn't even use a single offensive technique against Icrin, he was too fast, forcing me to maintain a constant defense against him.' Icrin's voice transmitted across the system, taking on a weakened tone.

'Roy, are you okay? What's your situation like right now?' Rentaro's voice was filled with worry, hoping he didn't put Roy in a dangerous situation by contacting him in the middle of the spar.

'I'm alright. He completely crushed me in our spar. His lightning abilities have numbed my entire body and I can't even stand up right now. Oh yeah! Second Brother, you need to be careful! He went in your direction, so watch out!' Roy's tone was filled with disappointment as he spoke of his loss, until he reached the end of his sentence when it was laced with panic.

Sensing the panic in Roy's voice, Rentaro felt a warmth which made his current situation improve. Having Roy and Wilhelm on his side acted as a light for him to reach to, fueling his desires to push forward against the Spectral Chains that restricted and held him back.

'Hah, Don't worry, he's just meeting up with his clone. In fact, his clone was going in his direction as well. I've pretty much lost my spar as well.'

'His clone...?'

'Uh-hm, the grey-eyed Icrin was merely his clone, but his abilities were mysterious. His grey eyes are of the illusionary element and amplify his mental energy techniques.'

'Second Brother, is it really over just like that?'

'Why? Do you wish to give up just like that?'

'No! This is too... too disappointing! I don't care if I lose this spar, I don't care about anyone's outlook on how humiliating we may appear to them. I only care about standing up, fighting with all my ability, not feeling any regret!'

'Exactly! Neither of us wish to give up, that's why we must push forward. We haven't even had a chance to fight together yet, a chance to use any offensive techniques. Before we fight, this spar won't end.'

[I'm glad you two still have the desire to fight. Even if you lose in the end, you've grown stronger. That's what spars are all about.]

[Strengthening oneself, your abilities, your heart, soul, mind, resolve! This is the key to growth in the cultivation world! So strengthen your resolve, stand up even when you've lost, roar into the heavens if it brings you strength! Let out your bottled-up emotions and use them to fuel your rise! Do it for yourself, your companions, to reach a brighter future! Because the moment you stop fighting is the moment you've given up on pus.h.i.+ng forward in life!]

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