Chapter 74: Gaining Instant Expertise
’While we were in the Void, the Commoner might have gotten a big head.’ Russell thought.
’This is the perfect opportunity to remind him where he really stands. Additionally, humiliating him in front of everybody, the elves included, might catch their attention, which will be beneficial for the future.’
Honestly, given Russell’s personality, Leonard wasn’t surprised that he was called into the ring.
With a sigh, he stepped forward.
"Show him how it’s done!" Winston offered a few words of encouragement.
However, the rest of the Elite grade weren’t willing to bet on Leonard coming out on top.
"Everyone knows Russell and his Heavenly Bloodline, but who is the one he challenged? I have never heard of him until now."
"Maybe he is a prodigy that has hidden his potential until now?"
Ignoring the gossip around him, Leonard faced Russell.
Headmistress Jennifer frowned slightly, her gaze shifting to Russell.
"Just making sure... you are challenging Leonard despite him having a Common Bloodline?" She asked for confirmation.
"Yes." He replied with a big grin.
The revelation caused chaos to spread.
"Common Bloodline?! What the hell is he doing in the Elite grade?!"
"There must have been a mistake somewhere!"
"Perhaps because the Commoner managed to slip into our grade, Russell wants to expose the fraud and put him in his place?"
"How noble of him! We are truly beneath his excellence!"
Russell’s plan worked to an extent. Upon learning of Leonard’s recorded bloodline, they began to silently rally against him.
Though, on the elves’ side, they didn’t seem all that impressed. At most, they wondered why a supposed bearer of a Heavenly Bloodline was challenging an awakener with a Common one.
In their eyes, the challenge was just a testament to Russell’s cowardice for not facing anyone on an even playing field.
While one side pitied him, the other didn’t bother to hide their growing hostility toward him. Leonard was deep in thought.
Of course, he knew Russell’s plan. However, he still thought about Hartman’s words.
Until now, he had considered hand-to-hand combat unnecessary, especially since he could recall Titanic Oath back into his grip and store other weapons in Dimensional Storage.
However, what if he ever faced an enemy that could somehow negate all of that? If he ever found himself with only his fists, he would be in serious trouble if he had never learned how to properly use them.
’I am glad that I enrolled in the academy. This is barely the first lesson, and I already learned that my train of thought had been flawed.’
Relying on the large pool of Evolution Points he had saved up after escaping the Void, Leonard bought a class he would never have considered until now.
[You have gained a new Class, Brawler!]
[The Brawler class has bestowed you with the starting Skill: Shock Absorption.]
[The Brawler class has bestowed you with the starting Traits: Light Footwork, Hand Combat Mastery.]
He chose the same class William possessed. Interestingly enough, it was twice as expensive as his Viking Class, priced at 1,000 Evolution Points.
[Shock Absorption - Level 1]
[Rank: Rare]
[Forms a translucent barrier around your body that lessens the impact of blunt attacks by 30%.]
[Usage cost: 5 Mana for every second it is active.]
[Upgrade Shock Absorption to the next level: 20 Evolution Points]
The skill could prove to be a lifesaver in the future. Next, he glanced at the Traits.
[Light Footwork - Level 1]
[You become 40% more nimble when no weapon is equipped.]
[Upgrade Light Footwork to the next Level: 5,000 Evolution Points]
[Hand Combat Mastery - Level 1]
[Your fists carry 50% more force and travel 25% faster.]
[Upgrade Hand Combat Mastery to the next Level: 6,000 Evolution Points]
Instantly, Leonard’s posture changed. He stood taller than before, feeling newfound power surging in his veins.
A satisfied grin played across his lips as he hopped from one leg to the next, getting familiar with the sensation of being more nimble.
He also redistributed the 30 Attribute Points he had been saving up until now, judging it to be the perfect time.
Name: Leonard
Level: 12 [Experience: 700/2,200]
Bloodline: Primordial
Classes: Viking, Brawler
Vitality: 21 → 25
Strength: 20 → 25
Agility: 20 → 25
Endurance: 24 → 28
Magic: 38 → 50 (x2) → 100
Mana: 760 → 1,000
Skills: Lightning Strike, Dimensional Storage, Dragon Slayer, War Cry, Draconic Eyes, Shock Absorption
Attribute Points: 30 → 0
Evolution Points: 10,310 → 9,310
Traits: Accelerated Manaflow, Hardened Physique, Devoted Summons, Silver Blood, Thunder Blessing, Axe Mastery, Light Footwork, Hand Combat Mastery
Titles: Lumberjack, Inquisitor, One Man Army, Lone Diver
As always, he prioritized Magic and his Mana pool since they were the most important, and the rest went to his other attributes.
Hartman and Jennifer exchanged a brief glance.
They were the only ones with the experience to spot it, but Leonard’s very presence had changed in a flash. The only way to describe it was as if he had become more comfortable in his own skin.
’Strange... I doubt it’s just my imagination, but his posture mirrors that of the Brawler class... However, from the report, we know that he is of the Viking class, which shouldn’t provide such a substantial benefit to unarmed combat.’ The Headmistress thought.
’Perhaps... It’s Gideon’s blood that ignited the sudden change? Regardless, I was worried at the start, but from the looks of it, there is no need to intervene.’ Jennifer’s lips curled into a faint smile.
"Begin!" She announced at last.
"Try to keep up, Commoner." Russell mocked as he lunged.
His form blurred, throwing a punch straight toward Leonard’s face.
’Now is the time to use Draconic Eyes. Until now, I never got the chance.’ Leonard mused.
[Draconic Eyes activated!]
Being careful not to overexert himself, he used the minimum amount. He invested 10 Mana to probe 0.1 seconds further into the future.
An outline of Russell’s attack appeared, showing its trajectory, which Leonard, with his Light Footwork and increased agility, gracefully dodged by tilting his head to the side.
Silence...
Without a doubt, this was the most perfectly executed dodge the spectators had seen until now. Even the duel between Elizabeth and Arabella had subtle wasted movements, while Leonard did not.
"Fluke!" Russell declared, certain that Leonard had simply gotten lucky.
His right fist lashed out.
Leonard dodged the strike by tilting his head in the opposite direction.
Russell tried the same approach with his left fist, only for Leonard to dodge the same way.
"Ridiculous!" Gritting his teeth, Russell changed his approach and went for a wide swipe, which Leonard effortlessly ducked under.
By now, it was apparent that this was no mere luck.
To the onlookers, it was as if Leonard not only flawlessly avoided every blow, but he was also aware of where Russell was targeting before the strike was even launched.
"Stop running away and fight! You are done the moment I catch you!" Russell yelled.
To the surprise of everyone, Leonard halted in place and lightly tapped his chin in challenge.
"Go on."
Russell’s face turned red from anger and humiliation. He went for an uppercut.
[Shock Absorption activated!]
Carried by the momentum, Leonard’s head was flung upward. When he lowered his head, rather than the expression of pain, a smirk was visible on his face, eyes narrowing on Russell like a predator.
"My turn."