Chapter 19: Broken Blade

Sunz and the Merchant then go to the "Sparing Zone".

Sunz: Why are we here? Am I going to battle against you?

Merchant laugh: Nope!

Merchant goes onto the arena and said "This is why I love going to futuristic universes." Then signal Sunz to get on to the arena.

After getting on, a message appears in front of Sunz's face

"Welcome to the Sparing Simulation

Choose your opponent

AI or Human"

Sunz: Um… Merchant, what should I choose?

Merchant: Pick AI. I'm not the one you're fighting against.

Sunz: Ok then. Now it said pick the difficulty level.

Merchant: Pick the highest one. Everyone in this tournament is way better than the AI's highest difficulty.

After choosing the difficulty level. A hologram appears holding a sword.

Merchant then leave the arena and said: I'm gonna repair your sword if it broke and patch your wound if you take too much damage.

Sunz said "Ok, thank you!" and getting in his position.

The battle start. Both Sunz and the AI rush at each other. Their blade come in contact and… Sunz's blade broke and the AI blade stop at his head.

Sunz "What just happen?"

Merchant: You didn't listen that what happen, and you could have died in the real battle.

Sunz clasped his hands together, pressing on his head, and let out a big sigh.

Sunz: Then what should I do?

Merchant: Let's start with using your force in different ways.

Sunz: Hmm… I just think of a plan. Let's start again!

Merchant is curious about what Sunz's plan is: Ok then. Restart!

Sunz and the AI get back to their position. Once again both rush at each other. Sunz's sword is broken, but this time the AI stop after making its first move, and its color change. Because Sunz's sword was able to make contact with the AI body.

Sunz: Hey Mr.Merchant did I do better this time?

Merchant: Your sword still broke but better than not dying. Keep doing what you did but this time it's going to be different.

Merchant fixes Sunz's sword. Sunz and the AI return to their position but this time the AI is holding a bo staff.

Sunz thinks (It looks like I can only predict the enemy's next move if they are using a sword. This time I should take it slow.)

This time the AI is rushing at Sunz. Sunz uses these moments to test his speed and reaction to dodge the AI's attack.

But then something clicks inside Sunz's head. He then uses his sword to graze the AI's bo staff. With each graze, his speed gets faster and suddenly it's the AI's turn to defend against Sunz's attack.

Then the AI stop, but this time instead of changing its color. The system renders Sunz's hit as a different color. The hit was a diagonal graze across the AI's body.

Sunz starts breathing rapidly, which makes the Merchant worry.

Merchant asks: Hey kid are you ok?

Sunz: Oh don't worry! I was just too focused that I forgot to breathe.

Merchant: Don't scare me like that. I thought you were going to faint.

Sunz laughs it off: But I think I'm gonna rest a bit or I might really faint.

Sunz leaves the arena and goes sit down next to Merchant.

Sunz take a sip from the water bottle and said: Do you think I can knock out anyone with my blade?

Merchant: Probably not! That blade cut isn't deep enough to finish a fight quickly. But if you try to win with blood loss it might work.

Sunz: But playing the long game wouldn't work in this tournament, I think. Everyone here probably has a way higher health pool than mine.

Merchant: Why are you worrying about this so much, just do your best and you might win.

Sunz: Not only me but everyone in this tournament is going to do their best. But I don't know why. I want to win with combo…

Merchant: Everyone always has their favorite way to end a fight. Whether quickly demolishing their opponent or torturing them to death.

Sunz: Wait I just have a combo idea. But I need to know how fast are your eyes!

Merchant: I can see sound. Will it work?

Sunz: It's will. For now, I need to improve my speed and reaction time. And can you increase to four AI with different weapons?

Merchant: No problem! Your blade break means you lost remember that.

Sunz: Thanks for the advice!

Sunz gets on to the arena and stands in the middle of it with his blade in the sheath.

Then four AI appear in each of the arena corners with weapons that are not related to a sword.

The battle starts off with the "Spear AI" attack first. Sunz draws his sword, surrounds it with water elements, and blocks the spear attack. Then he adjusts the sword position so the sharpest part strikes the spear and grazes the spear while rushing at the AI.

Suddenly the "Shield AI" block Sunz's path from finishing the "Spear AI". Sunz quickly switches to lighting element, using the momentum while rushing at the "Spear AI". He fires a lightning strike from his blade, using its force to reposition him around the "Shield AI" and finish both the "Shield and Spear AI".

Now there are only "Axe AI" and "Hand AI". Sunz rush at the "Hand AI" and it stands ready to block his attack while "Axe AI" try to attack Sunz from behind.

As Sunz gets closer to the "Hand AI" the "Axe AI" is right behind him. At the last moment Sunz side step to attack the "Axe AI" but it was still quick enough to deliver its attack. Sunz, wait for the axe to get close to him as possible and quickly swing his lightning sword at the axe which creates a loud "BOOM", and staggers the "Axe AI" which creates an opening for him to finish it.

Only the "Hand AI" is alive waiting for Sunz to act first. Sunz then switches between his 2 elements really fast, which creates an illusion that he is having 2 elements at the same time. Sunz rushed at the "Hand AI", in the middle of his swing it try to grab his sword.

But when its hand touches the sword. The sword go through it with ease and Sunz was able to finish the last "AI".

Sunz's mind (Ugh! My brain hurt so much. I've never had to think that much in such a short time)

Sunz takes a look at the sword, sees that it's still intact, chuckles "First task done" and falls to the ground.

Merchant then comes to the arena to check on Sunz and see that he is fine. Merchant then tells Sunz what he saw.

Merchant: This is your skill currently. You have great speed, you have fast thinking but first time so it gonna hurt a bit. Don't chase for strength, after each battle your durability will increase. Your strength is creating combo with different elements.

Sunz's vision starts to get blurry: Thank you.

Merchant: Don't mention it but I'm gonna leave now. The next person might help you get out of here but if there is none. I'll get you back so don't worry.

The Merchant then disappears and Sunz got knocked out due to pushing himself over his limit.