Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)

Chapter 285: Yet Another Rampage

In order to ensure that the practice will have effect, Xiao Lin temporarily switched to a practice sword. It was not because he looked down on Cheng Ming, but because his Holy Soul Sword had been enhanced with Basic Swordsmanship. As a result, he would temporarily possess Basic Swordsmanship MAX. Meanwhile, Cheng Ming’s Basic Swordsmanship was only LV7, which went up to LV8 with the addition of his Swordheart talent.

Xiao Lin would have an overall advantage in that scenario, but that would defeat the purpose of their practice. The main objective was to train with each other, not to draw a distinction between who was stronger.

Both individuals acted with decorum regardless of the heckling from the surrounding crowd. Xiao Lin neither activated his Miracle state nor used the Phantom Step, while Cheng Ming did not use any of his own skills either.

It was a measure of pure swordsmanship. Without the enhancement of the Holy Soul Sword, Xiao Lin’s Basic Swordsmanship was LV7, only one level lower than Cheng Ming. If no other skills were in play, Xiao Lin would temporarily be at a disadvantage.

The disadvantage was not very obvious though. When one’s swordsmanship reached such a level, every basic movement would have already been deftly mastered, and one could react quickly to spot a move and counter it. However, the difference in their basic attributes became very obvious. On average, Xiao Lin would face difficulties in defending at least one out of ten of Cheng Ming’s moves.

Of course, getting hit was no big deal since neither of them were using real swords, but the feeling of giving it their all sent adrenaline rushing through their veins. Cheng Ming was enjoying the spar very much, as he had rarely gone up against someone who had reached that level of Basic Swordsmanship. The monitor who previously practiced with him was one level lower, but it appeared that he was trying to mislead others by deliberately suppressing his displayed strength to LV6.

However, the onlookers became a little disappointed. Although a few people gasped in awe at their swordsmanship, most others found the exchange uninteresting. After watching for some time, many people gradually left and continued with their own practice.

After clashing swords for half an hour, Xiao Lin and Cheng Ming were starting to pant a little. It turned out to be much more interesting to fight against someone of Cheng Ming’s caliber, and Xiao Lin thought to himself that his Basic Swordsmanship could improve faster precisely because he did not have any advantage in terms of pure swordsmanship.

Cheng Ming took a breath, and suddenly frowned, “Xiao Lin, are you concealing your true strength?”

Xiao Lin froze, then shook his head and denied, “Of course not!”

Cheng Ming was a very forthright person, and when it came to him, Xiao Lin did not want to use any tricks. He never even used the Phantom Step when he was losing the upper hand. If that skill had been used, he could counter Cheng Ming with his flexible pace even if he was weak in swordsmanship.

Cheng Ming was never one to hide what he felt and there was dissatisfaction on his face. “It’s not like I haven’t seen your strength during the monthly exam! It can’t possibly be limited to this!”

Xiao Lin did not know whether to laugh or cry, “I’m sure you’ve already guessed that my strength back then was only an explosive burst. It can’t be maintained for long.”

Cheng Ming moved his wrists. Sweat was dripping all over his body and he licked his dry lips before saying eagerly, “I know. I’m actually a little tired too, but at least let me see that explosive strength of yours before we take a break!”

There was an enthusiasm in Cheng Ming’s expression that stunned Xiao Lin a little. Everyone had thought of Cheng Ming as an honest and forthcoming person, but in reality, Xiao Lin had a good relationship with him and knew that he was someone who constantly pursued greater strength. Despite being a talented student, Cheng Ming continued to pour out even more sweat and effort.

“Okay.”

Xiao Lin agreed. They were only using training swords anyway, and there was no need to worry about accidentally hurting anyone. Still, Xiao Lin reminded half-jokingly, “You have to be careful though, even I get scared of my own explosive power!”

With the Miracle state activated, Xiao Lin immediately used his Phantom Step without holding back. Cheng Ming tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, and waited anxiously. He knew that his speed was inferior, so he took the initiative to be on the defense and wait for Xiao Lin’s to make the first move.

One minute later, Xiao Lin was oddly still frozen in place with his head lowered down. He hardly moved at all and did not respond to Cheng Ming, who called out his name a couple of times. Then, Cheng Ming noticed that Xiao Lin’s hand was trembling slightly while the sword was held.

Sensing that something was amiss, Cheng Ming ran over and reached out to support Xiao Lin’s shoulders. Upon contact however, he instinctively pulled back and shouted, “Damn, he’s hot!”

He could clearly feel that Xiao Lin’s body was exuding unimaginable heat even through a layer of clothing. Cheng Ming’s touch made Xiao Lin move. He raised his head strenuously, and his bloodshot eyes seemed to be filled with turbulent emotion. His voice was hoarse and anxious, as if he was enduring some kind of pain, “Go! Get away!”

“Xiao Lin! Are you injured? How is that possible? Oh yes, use the automatic treatment system soon!” Cheng Ming was so startled that he was clearly getting flustered.

Xiao Lin pushed Cheng Ming away abruptly, then took a deep breath. His roar resounded through the training hall like a thunderbolt, “Get away! Everyone, scram right now!”

The roar seemed to completely exhaust the last of Xiao Lin’s strength. He then hung his head weakly again, but the sudden change had already attracted the attention of everyone else.

Someone immediately flew into a rage: it was none other than Wang Dalin, an acquaintance of Xiao Lin’s. He had kept a low profile ever since Xiao Lin became the monitor, because only an idiot would dare to go against Xiao Lin during that period. However, it did not mean that the grievances in Wang Dalin’s heart had subsided. He probably felt that Xiao Lin’s words were targeting him, so in his rage, he came over and remarked unhappily, “What are you trying to say, Xiao Lin? You might be the official monitor now, but you have no right to look down on us!”

He felt that Xiao Lin’s words would definitely incite public outrage, but as soon as his completed his sentence, Cheng Ming quickly took a couple of steps back and shouted, “Don’t go near him!”

Unfortunately, it was too little too late. The berserk Xiao Lin raised his training sword, and he was about five or six meters away from Wang Lin. Cheng Ming’s well-intentioned warning did nothing to alert Wang Dalin, who laughed instead and said, “I think you’ve gone crazy. What are you doing with that sword, you…”

Thump!

Wang Dalin was not even able to finish his sentence when he felt himself flying up into the air. Scorching airwaves came rolling over, burning the clothes on his body and reducing them to cloth strips. He then landed with a thud, and someone immediately went over to him.

“Flame sword aura!” someone shouted right away.