Chapter 1251  When Did You Get So...?

"Even without sight, I can feel every move you make," Arthur said, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Lian"s beasts lunged at him, but Arthur evaded them effortlessly, his dagger flashing in the light as he deflected Ilia"s lightning bolts. He countered Koby"s magical a.s.saults with swift, precise strikes, using Nightmare to cut through the spells aimed at him.

Ramiel charged, his half-Minotaur strength propelling him forward like a battering ram. Arthur waited until the last possible moment before sidestepping and using the flat of his dagger to redirect Ramiel"s momentum, sending him stumbling past.

The group intensified their efforts, their coordination improving as they tried to outmaneuver Arthur. But he remained a step ahead, his dagger dancing through the air, a blur of dark steel.

Seraphine attempted to bind him with her blood magic, but Arthur antic.i.p.ated her move, using his dagger to sever the tendrils before they could wrap around him. "You"ll need to be quicker than that, Seraphine," he teased.

Ilia summoned a storm of lightning, aiming to overwhelm Arthur with sheer power. Arthur moved with uncanny speed, weaving through the bolts, his dagger a constant defense against the onslaught.

Whisker and Sarohan attacked in unison, trying to catch Arthur in a pincer move. Arthur ducked under Sarohan"s swing, deflecting Whisker"s claws with Nightmare. In a seamless motion, he spun and knocked Sarohan"s sword from his hand, then parried Whisker"s follow-up strike.

Lian"s beasts closed in again, but Arthur"s reflexes were impeccable. He moved through them like a shadow, using his dagger to fend off their attacks without harming the creatures.

Koby, seeing an opening, cast a powerful spell aimed directly at Arthur. Arthur leapt into the air, twisting his body to avoid the blast, and landed gracefully, ready to counter. "Nice try, Koby," he said with a grin.

Ramiel charged once more, but this time Arthur met his advance head-on. With a deft move, he sidestepped and used the hilt of his dagger to strike Ramiel"s pressure points, bringing the mighty half-Minotaur to his knees.

The sparring continued with renewed intensity as the team of seven regrouped and synchronized their attacks against Arthur. Recognizing their efforts to corner him, Arthur decided it was time to reveal his trump card. With a swift motion, he activated a hidden legacy rune embedded in his left forearm.

Golden runes flared to life across his skin, pulsating with power as his stats were amplified beyond their natural limits. His speed, strength, and reflexes surged, transforming him into a whirlwind of controlled chaos.

The battle escalated. Arthur moved with blinding speed, his dagger a blur as he deflected attacks and countered with precision. Seraphine"s blood tendrils were sliced apart before they could touch him, and Ilia"s lightning bolts fizzled harmlessly against his aura. Whisker and Sarohan"s coordinated a.s.sault was rendered ineffective as Arthur danced between them, disarming and outmaneuvering with ease.

Lian"s beasts, though powerful, were no match for Arthur"s enhanced agility and strength. He maneuvered around them effortlessly, his dagger deflecting their attacks without causing harm. Koby"s spells, potent and complex, were countered with swift, calculated strikes, each one nullifying the magic aimed at him.

Ramiel"s charges, once formidable, now seemed slow and predictable. Arthur met the half-Minotaur head-on, redirecting his immense power with a blend of finesse and force that brought Ramiel to his knees once more.

With a final surge of power, Arthur leaped into the air, twisting gracefully to avoid a combined attack from the seven. He landed with a flourish, his dagger poised and ready. The team, despite their best efforts, found themselves outmatched and overwhelmed.

Breathing heavily, they gathered around Arthur, their expressions a mix of awe and respect. "You"ve grown even stronger, Arthur," Seraphine admitted, a hint of admiration in her voice.

Arthur smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You all fought well. I"m proud of each of you."

As the group caught their breath, Diana entered the sparring area, her curiosity piqued by the commotion. She approached Arthur, her eyes glinting with intrigue. "That was impressive," she remarked. "Care for another round?"

Arthur blinked in surprise, and the rest of the team exchanged startled glances. "You want to spar with me, Diana?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Diana nodded, her expression determined. "I want to see just how powerful you"ve become. Besides, it"s been too long since we fought side by side—or against each other."

Arthur hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Diana. Let"s do this."

The team stepped back, forming a wide circle around the sparring area. Arthur and Diana faced each other, the air thick with antic.i.p.ation.

Diana"s flames ignited in one hand while ice formed in the other, creating a stark contrast that mirrored her dual nature. Arthur, his runes glowing faintly, readied himself for the challenge.

With a sudden burst of speed, Diana launched herself at Arthur, her flames and ice intertwining in a deadly dance. Arthur countered with his powers of creation and runes, summoning barriers and projectiles to match her attacks. The clash of elements and magic filled the air, creating a spectacle that left the spectators in awe.

Arthur weaved through Diana"s a.s.saults with grace, his movements fluid and precise. He conjured walls of energy to block her fire and ice, retaliating with blasts of pure mana that forced her to dodge and parry. Despite the intensity of the fight, Arthur"s strikes were controlled, his attacks measured.

Diana, sensing Arthur"s restraint, paused mid-attack. "You"re holding back," she accused, her voice tinged with frustration.

Arthur lowered his dagger slightly, his expression serious. "I can"t fight you with everything I have, Diana. Even if you wanted to kill me, I could never bring myself to hurt you."

Diana"s eyes narrowed, a mixture of disappointment and understanding crossing her features. "You think I can"t handle it? That I"m not strong enough?"

Arthur sighed, lowering his weapon completely. "It"s not about your strength, Diana. It"s about my feelings for you. I can"t fight you the way I fight others."

Before Diana could respond, the atmosphere in the dome mansion shifted dramatically. Wrathful souls began to materialize around Arthur, their presence sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. The once lively air grew heavy with a foreboding energy that made even the most seasoned warriors uneasy.

Arthur"s followers instinctively backed away, their expressions filled with apprehension. Diana stood rooted in place, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination as she watched the transformation.

Arthur"s demeanor changed, his blind eyes now glowing with a menacing intensity. He raised his dagger, his voice low and commanding. "You want to see my true power, Diana? Very well."

His aura darkened, the air crackling with energy as he announced, "G.o.dslayer Art, First Stance: Eternal Night."

In an instant, Arthur vanished from sight. The crowd gasped, their eyes darting around in search of him. Diana, her heart pounding, stood her ground, trying to sense his presence.

Arthur reappeared behind her, his dagger inches from her neck. The move was so swift and silent that it left Diana breathless. He held the position for a moment, the deadly silence pressing down on them.

Then, just as suddenly, Arthur withdrew, the fearsome aura dissipating as he stepped back. The wrathful souls faded into the ether, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Arthur lowered his dagger, his expression softening as he looked at Diana. "I will never hurt you, Diana. Not even in a spar."

Arthur waited for Diana"s reaction, expecting to see fear or disappointment in her eyes. Instead, she surprised him. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked at him with a mixture of pride and admiration. It was a look Arthur had never seen on her before, and it left him momentarily speechless.

Diana"s expression wasn"t one of fear but of something deeper and more profound. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound respect, and her lips curved into a small, almost shy smile. She nodded at Arthur, acknowledging his power, and then turned and left the sparring area in a hurry.

The rest of the team stood in stunned silence, watching Diana"s retreating form. Arthur took a moment to process what had just happened, remembering that Diana was from Alka, a world where strength was idolized and considered highly attractive. Her reaction suddenly made sense, and he couldn"t help but feel a bit fl.u.s.tered himself.

"Alright, everyone," Arthur said, turning to his followers. "We have work to do. I want each of you to start preparing for missions to help the people around the world. There"s a lot of work to be done, and we need to be ready."

The team nodded, their respect for Arthur evident in their expressions. They dispersed to carry out his orders, leaving Arthur alone in the sparring area. He took a deep breath and followed after Diana, curious and a bit concerned about her sudden departure.

He found her in his office, sitting on the edge of his desk, her face still flushed with embarra.s.sment. She looked up as he entered, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that made his heart skip a beat.

"Diana," he began, his voice gentle. "What"s wrong?"

She took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving his. "When did you get so attractive?" she asked, her voice a mix of wonder and frustration.