Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 40: Successful Trainings and Forging Weapons

3RD POV

BOOM!!

Nicholas dodged another dark slash, sprinting toward the forest as boulders crashed around him. Once under the trees, he zigzagged through the trunks, using the canopy to block most of Selin’s attacks, but she was close. A metallic jingle warned him just before her chain-blade tore through the branches. He could slow and shield himself, but that would leave him open. So, he pushed forward, glancing up just in time to see a massive branch falling. His body tensed, then the Tree-Trooper, a thick root shooting up, knocking the branch aside.

Nicholas staggered, but his legs kept moving. The forest’s edge was in sight, just a little further and he’d finally finish the run. But Selin dropped from above, dark magic wrapped around her fist. Her hand snapped open and a swarm of pitch-black moths burst out, rushing toward him like a living storm. Nicholas froze for a heartbeat, but didn’t stop. He braced himself, trying to find a way through, but the Tree-Trooper reacted first. The roots coiled up his body, layering until he was encased in bark and vine, only his eyes left uncovered.

With a sharp cry, Nicholas leapt. The root-armor launched him higher than he expected, flipping him through the air. He crashed through the swarm, the roots absorbing the blow. As he spun past, he locked eyes with Selin, her red gaze tracking him from below. Then he twisted, landed on his feet, and kept running without breaking stride.

Finally, Nicholas burst out of the tree line, his boots skidding against the dirt path beyond the forest. His legs wobbled beneath him, and the root-armor cracked apart, falling away in splinters. He staggered a few steps before collapsing onto his knees. Sweat ran down his face, but even through the exhaustion, a grin spread across his lips. He'd done it. At long last, he'd made it through. Selin emerged from the shadows moments later.

    Selin: - You finally made it to the end.

She said at last.

    Selin: - But don't let that victory fool you. You were sloppy. You hesitated more than once. You wasted too much energy when a cleaner route was possible.

She gestured back toward the forest.

    Selin: - And that jump? You let the Tree-Trooper control the pace. You should've been the one in control.

Nicholas's smile faltered. For a moment, he thought she'd dismiss his efforts entirely.

    Selin: - Still, you didn't give up. You pushed through, even when the odds stacked against you, and worked with your little companion in better harmony. That's progress.

Nicholas looked up, his smile returning. The weight of her words sank in, and for once, he felt the spark of genuine accomplishment burn stronger than his exhaustion.

    Nicholas: - Right!

    Selin: - Go take a shower kid, then head to the dining hall for breakfast.

The black-haired woman instructed, before vanishing into thin air. Nicholas let out a small sigh. He was very pleased with himself, but he knew Selin wasn't fighting seriously, having witnessed her true strength during the battle near Lunar Lake. Would he ever be strong enough like her? Hunter had magic. Nicholas was certain that the explosive blonde would achieve greater heights than he ever would. But it was alright. As long as he could be of use and not a burden, then everything else was a trivial matter. After washing up, he put on the new clothes that appeared right from within the wall.

    Nicholas: - Thanks, House.

Once dressed, he made his way to the kitchen where he found no one except Kenju and Severed.