Chapter 23 (Arc 1)

(Arsenal)-Wade...Remember, don't spare me, they attack like you're going to kill me. And remember that I will do the same.

Said standing in the middle of the arena in front of Wade Arsenal. Who had a serious expression on his face while saying it, and was pointing a cybernetic right hand at Wade.

Meanwhile, in the stands that appeared moments earlier. And they looked like Juliet Caesar's lectern with more places to sit. Star looked worried at Grayson and spoke in a concerned voice.

(Star)-Isn't that too harsh.

At Star's innocent words, Grayson smiled uneasily. And he said in a composed, slightly uncertain voice. Scratching his head with his left hand.

(Dick)-Star .... everyone. You must know that Wade only recognizes such training. Arsenal knows this, so he has mentioned it now. Whenever me and Wade spar ourselves, beyond the limits, as we polish a specific fighting style. We fight as if our lives depended on it.

Grayson's statement was interrupted by Raven, who was seated two places next to him, between Donna and Star. She asked with a curious voice, but not showing it on her face.

(Raven)-But isn't that dangerous?I remember that so far our group trainings, not including those in simulations. They were ... less drastic.- She said looking at Arsenal and Wade fighting in the arena. Who really look like they'd like to kill themselves from a third party perspective.

(Grayson)-Yes, it may seem so. And there is probably some truth to that. And I admit that when Wade suggested it on our fourth or fifth sparring. I myself was skeptical about this idea. However, the effects of this training, as well as emotions, freeing yourself from limitations. Breaking your limits is not only exciting but also raises your combat strength better than the training we have in the tower.

(Star)-Understands. But to see our friends want to hurt themselves. Even knowing that they are pretending. It's still a terrifying sight for our friends to do that. It reminds me of my training on Tamaran.

(Grayson)-Yes ... The concept of a fight to the death with beasts. As a test at the end of training, it can be quite traumatic. But don't worry Star, now you are me and friends. And I promise that the only monster you'll fight is yourself.

(Star)-Thank you, Dick, you are a really good friend. Although I do not understand the reference. Because that's a reference right? Is there a monster in me?

(Grayson)-It's a Star metaphor. Relax ... Now let's focus on the fight. I didn't know Wade yet fighting someone with ranged combat and such high combat skills.

(Star)-Yes ... But I hope they don't hurt myself.

Meanwhile, a few moments earlier Wade and Arsenal were waiting for the signal to start sparring. And when they heard the siren, Arsenal launched the attack first, firing eight arrows straight at Wade. Crouching lightly on his feet, shooting and being ready to dodge at the same time.

Wade saw that, unlike Doctor Light's attacks, Arsneal arrows. They rotate like drill bits in flight. Which makes it difficult to cut them with a scythe blade.

And how Wade deflected three with short diagonal cuts at face height. Cut the fourth in half, crouching on your bare legs, preparing to take it off, and cutting the fourth with a vertical slash.

Wade, with the help of a double jump, jumped and made a forward somersault, being in the highest acrobatic point. Using two scythes, cut through the two arrows with a short vertical cut. And over the last two, Wade has become immaterial. And he penetrated them, and materializing immediately, slid onto Arsenal's legs.

However, Arsenal jumped at the last moment, quite high and backwards. And he fired a short volley of three arrows fired simultaneously, which struck the place where Wade was standing. Which forced Wade to dematerialize again with Black Fire Magic. However, something unexpected happened. Because the three arrows that hit the spot where Wade dematerialized and before he could escape to a safe distance. The shots exploded on impact, but instead of an explosion, they emitted a strong flash of light. Which disrupted Wade's mana flow and forced him to materialize. He was also slightly hit by the sudden deactivation of skills. By suddenly tensing your muscles but ignoring it. Wade continued to try to shorten the distance between them.

However, Arsenal unlike Wade. It has a rate of fire that really amazed him. And whenever Wade tried to close the distance, Arsenal did the trick to avoid. And fire a volley of arrows at Wade.

Wade was adjusting slowly to the fight, which had already been going on for about 15 minutes. Instead of relying on black fire magic, which has been shown to have a weakness for strong light. Wade used pure mane to dematerialize. However, it was taking too much mana. So he began to return fire before the arrows landed in his immediate vicinity. By countering the arrows with the least mana-consuming mana darts. Which contained little mana but was enough to destroy Arsenal's arrows.

However, as the fight progressed, and Arsenal learned. So Wade had to come up with new ways to drag the winning streak in his honor. Because Wade could not hit him directly from a distance, because Arsenal as a genius and specialist for ranged combat. It is able to calculate missile trajectories. So even when Wade was using a "triple stab" on the mana arrows. Wade was unable to hit him. And Arsenal alike, the fight was even. So Wade decided to take a slightly unpredictable and risky strategy. Because he had less than half the mana.

Wade after defending himself against a short volley of arrows. He quickly became immaterial with the help of pure mana. To then attach the scythes to the belt, and stick open palms behind you. And with the help of black fire magic, start creating mini explosions. Which, when materialized, launched him like a rocket at Arsenal. Who tried to dodge before being able to flip to the side. Driven by small explosions, Wade gave a kick to Arsenal's stomach. Which bounced several times and didn't move for a moment.

(???)-Qui... Atac....Ba... .

Wade heard a muffled shocked voice from someone in the audience. However, the explosions choked off most. And Wade was focused on Arsenal, waiting for him to get up.

However, instead, Arsenal. Still on his side, he lifted his left hand, thumb up. And he said.

(Arsenal)-Okay, you won ... But I will stay for a while longer.

Moments later it turned out after being scanned by Cyborg's medical device. That Arsenal got hit a little too hard in the gut. As a result, he felt a strong pain. However, an hour in the regeneration chamber and he will be healthy.

However, after Grayson briefly explained the importance of this form of Sparring. And discuss most of the fight so the rest of the team can get inspiration from it for some training.

(Dick)-Though I'm not sure how Wade came up with the last attack. It was obvious that necessity was the mother of a inventions. And he helped him think unconventionally, thanks to which he won the fight. Using a new tactic.

(Wade)-I just had a flash of inspiration after Arsenal's attacks.

Wade said creating a small explosion with his open right hand pointing upwards. Facing the group. Wade saw a brief smile on Raven's face. So he knew who his "mentor" was in this improvised movement.

For another hour later, before training was over. And a part of the team was to perform their duties in the tower. Or, like Wade, go out and patrol the city. Wade sparred with Grayson as usual. They didn't use reptiles because Dick wanted to perpetuate a new martial art. Which, at the urging of Wade, he began to learn.