An awkward silence permeated the air. They both knew the other boy wanted to say something, thus choosing to stay silent, waiting for the other to initiate the conversation.

Half an hour later, Lu Tian broke the ice. “You go first.”

Zack hurriedly shook his head. “No. You should say what you want to say first.”

Another round of silence followed. Feeling the time flying away, Zack grew restless. He asked, “H-how about we start duelling?”

“O-okay.” Lu Tian readily agreed to the proposal.

Following the consent of the two, they took a few steps back, preparing to duel.

Lu Tian’s prior timidness vanished into thin air as he appeared as unmoving as a mountain, prepared to receive Zack’s blows. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and his muscles flexed.

On the other side, Zack’s eye revealed a look like that of a newly forged blade; strong but still rough around the edges. He took a stance. With a firm gaze, he looked at the imposing Lu Tian. Feeling his imposingness, the former grit his teeth.

Are Teacher Zhu’s students all like this? Zack couldn’t help but ponder. His expression dissolved into seriousness the deeper his thoughts ventured.

Taking a deep breath, he charged at Lu Tian.

Lu Tian didn’t move. His gaze remained fixated on Zack, not moving away for an instant. He spread his arms, revealing a predatory smile as he prepared to receive the other’s blow.

As if recalling something urgent, Lu Tian’s imposing demeanour crumbled. He stammered, “W-wait! Stop!”

Hearing the urgency in his voice, Zack stopped.

“W-what happened?” Zack stuttered.

“Before we start…” Lu Tian scratched his head awkwardly. “Can we use Ki? And what about Magic? Are we allowed that as well? Also, what about using weapons? What sort of weapons are we allowed? T-then the area as well…”

“I didn’t think of it before.” Zack nodded, agreeing with the latter’s concern. A few moments later, his expression turned odd. Subconsciously trying to sound imposing but failing miserably in his attempt, he said, “For weapons, Ki Arts and Magic Spells, you can do as you see fit. I won’t use any.”

I-I can’t use them, anyway. And even if I did use a weapon, I would look like a joke. Zack smiled bitterly. Recalling the query about the area, he hurriedly continued, “For the area… you can decide on it as well.”

Lu Tian thought for a while. Trying to sound older, he replied, “I won’t use any of those. And we can count everywhere here in the area. That’ll be easier.”

“So no condition for area, right?” Zack confirmed, scratching his head.

Lu Tian nodded.

With the sudden question releasing the tension between the two, they both relaxed. Looking at Lu Tian, Zack resumed his charge. Running past the latter, he kicked from behind, his foot swinging in an arc through the air as it aimed for Lu Tian’s shoulder.

In response to the incoming foot, Lu Tian’s burly hand moved. Like swatting away a fly, he pushed aside Zack’s kick like it was nothing.

The soles of Zack’s shoes dug small trenches into the ground as he stammered back. Using his right foot to push against the ground, Zack charged forward once again, straightening his forearm for a sweep.

Taking a step back to avoid a sudden increase in momentum, Lu Tian skillfully countered.

This feels… quite good. A sense of freedom washed over Zack as he felt his body move as per his will, feeling light and durable. Despite that, his brows remained furrowed. Despite his nimbleness, he couldn’t produce as much force as his opponent could, making him feel a bit depressed within. All the while, he stared at Lu Tian, constantly thinking of his next move.

Meanwhile, Lu Tian observed him carefully, trying to read and predict what the former would do next and how he would effectively counter it. His eyes remained firm, not wavering for even half a moment.

They both exchanged one blow after the other, with Zack being on the losing end in most of the clashes.

Immediately, looking at Lu Tian, Zack’s eye brightened. Inspiration struck him. A certain memory flashed past his eyes, causing his smile to turn a bit strained, yet excited at the same time.

Wanting to put his new theory to the test, he charged Lu Tian with full speed.

The latter took a step back, evading Zack’s incoming fist. Immediately, he sensed something from the right and raised both his hands to cushion his side, taking one of Zack’s kicks. But before he could recover, Zack attacked him again like a ferocious cheetah. His attacks came non-stop, which Lu Tian did his best to either counter or evade.

Just as he was about to block Zack’s incoming fist with his palm, the latter’s palm opened, curling around his hand. With an expression as if exerting a great effort, Zack pulled.

However, Lu Tian’s body showed little movement besides his posture becoming unstable. Instead, Zack’s forward momentum increased. Nevertheless, Zack smiled.

Since you have trouble keeping up in speed, I’ll use it against you. Don’t hold it against me. Zack thought resolutely while bracing for impact.

Placing his other arm before him, he bumped into Lu Tian.

*Thud!*

Lu Tian’s expression darkened. He looked at Zack falling to the ground before him as he took a few steps back to stabilise himself.

On the other hand, an astonished expression replaced Zack’s previous confident expression as he lay sprawled on the ground, stars spinning before his eye.

I did the same as Samuel did back when we sparred back then. But I still lost…

Recalling Samuel suppressing him using a barrage of attacks, Zack had attempted to copy a part of the latter’s style. However, in the end, he wasn’t Samuel, nor was Lu Tian the inexperienced Zack from back then. After he bumped into Lu Tian, instead of the latter toppling over as he planned, it was him getting repelled by Lu Tian’s dense muscles.

Sucking in a cold breath, Zack couldn’t help but envy those muscles. However, before he could finish, his breath got stuck in his throat.

He saw Lu Tian standing in front of him, looking down at him with a dark expression.

Before Zack could mutter a sound, the other boy kicked him hard.

“Aah!” Zack shrieked as he rubbed his butt in pain.

After the first kick, Lu Tian didn’t attack, instead staring down cross-legged on the spot with his hands resting on both his knees, staring at the ground in deep thought.

Looking at the latter’s solemn expression, Zack also got up before sitting next to him, imitating the latter’s posture.

After a few minutes, Lu Tian opened his mouth.