Chapter 194 - Relief (1/2)

Without most of his thought process preoccupied with his apprehensions against Muzan, Nik felt a surge of motivation the moment he commenced his training. As taxing as the fine control of a single strand of gravitational wave turned out to be, Nik simply wasn't exhausted. His face still showed a bright expression as he simply sat in meditation, waiting for Saeko's arrival while looking back at his own mistakes.

He had spent too much time on fearing Muzan that he had completely written off the option to actually face him head-on. Of course, even now, there is no real need of facing him head-on. He could simply squash Muzan, too.

After all, with enough control and magnitude, Gravity could destroy cities, not to mention a single, ancestral demon. And the thought of fearing someone even without meeting that person for once disturbed Nik greatly.

His mentality is still somewhat flawed, that Nik now understood and all he could do is enjoy the process of his training to the utmost before actually standing in front of Muzan when the time called for it.

He would definitely survive the month-long mission, not for Elizabeth's present, well... that, too, but also, he wanted to survive and overcome his own fears.

Or at least, try to accomplish that objective.

”You look refreshed.”

Saeko tapped Nik's shoulder before letting her arms slither through the gap between his arm and torso as she hugged his chest while kissing him on the side of his neck.

”With a girl like you, no man can go stale.”

”Sweet talk won't save you from the beating.”

Saeko smirked as she allowed Nik to take her chin into his index and thumb before Nik pecked her on her lips and then the tip of her nose as he broke into a wide grin.

”I think this time, things will go a bit differently.”

Nik stood up and walked up to the surface of the water and instantly, the ripples of Hamon spreading through the base of his foot grew a bit erratic before Nik willed his Hamon to return in a constant state of release as Saeko chimed from behind.

”Ohya? Already losing your foot? That's not like you.”

Without replying, Nik smirked and entered the stance with his wooden sword while Saeko jumped and immediately unleashed her strike. Unusually, Nik even failed to raise his sword on time for the strike struck past a blow due to a few inches of difference, right across Nik's chest.

But instead of flying around, as usual, Nik was only forced to take dozens of steps back in a hasty retreat while Saeko frowned and observed her own hand.

'Right now... this feeling...'

She looked back at Nik with a confused expression as he slowly steadied himself over the pool while cleaning the thin trail of blood leaking through his cheeks.

Silently, Nik entered the stance once again as Saeko rushed forth. During the spars, instead of words, emotions and intentions are conveyed through attacks. Of course, Nik wasn't skilled enough to express himself through his technique and movement, but he was able to understand Saeko's curiosity as she struck minor blows to properly gauge the most recent change within his body.

After a few precise, non-parried strikes, Saeko finally narrowed her eyes and inquired softly.

”You are heavier... unnaturally so.”

She waited with her wooden sword ready to strike as Nik nodded and smiled happily.

”I guess, controlling a strand of the gravitational wave without fearing it makes the entire process easier and smooth.”

For a moment, Saeko couldn't process Nik's words. Her mouth remained hung open as she looked at Nik with a dazed expression.

”Come again?”

Nik smiled and extended his sword over to Saeko's, placing it above her arm and immediately, she felt the increased weight.

”We are entering the fun and progressive phase of training, dear. Don't get so shocked just yet.”

Nik winked and entered the stance to once again take a beating. Of course, this time, with additional weight pulling him, making him focus on his own Hamon control deliberately, his situation grew worse than usual, but all in all, the training was effective.

Due to the additional pressure, the greatest benefit of the spar was the much-awaited qualitative improvement to his sword skills. Even though Nik has never been a blade enthusiast, he did invest a lot of his time and hard work to polish his skills.