......


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    A series of explosions erupted in different parts of the isolated dimension as Sigurd and Arthur flashed in different places while exchanging blows against each other.


    Their figures continued to disappear and reappear in different places while executing their respective skills and techniques.


    Sigurd had the upper hand most of the time due to the overwhelming difference in terms of battle experience. But that was slowly disappearing as he continued to fight against Arthur.


    Arthur might not be as fast as Shin in improving in battle since he was not a Battle Genuis, but he at least had some tricks under his sleeves. As a Martial Arts Prodigy, he was able to memorize all the techniques and skills that Sigurd was using just by looking at them.


    Adding the tricks that his ''master'', who already faded from his memory, he was able to counter every move Sigurd had most of the time.


    The trick that this master had told him about his Martial Arts Prodigy Battle Talent gave him the ability to repeatedly counter his opponents by accurately striking the weakness of their technique, which he had already uncovered through it.


    After seeing the techniques and skills that Sigurd had used during this battle, Arthur was able to see through its secrets just by seeing it once. Then he was able to uncover most of its mysteriousness after seeing it multiple times, giving him the ability to strike the very core once they were used once again.


    So long as Sigurd used it more than once, Arthur would be able to counter it without a problem the next time he used it, giving him serious problems as the battle went on.


    Unless Sigurd could continuously improve during the battle like a Shin, who was a complete monster, or at least someone at Owen''s level, his chances of winning this battle would slowly dwindle as time went by.No?v(el)B\\jnn


    Sigurd, despite his confidence, started to feel some pressure as the battle progressed. He felt that all his secrets were slowly being revealed to Arthur as the battle continued.


    He knew that he would be at a great disadvantage the longer they battled, so he wanted to end this as soon as possible.


    But as he was doing that, the old Sigurd watching in the distance sent him a mental message, telling him to continue to battle at this pace as he wanted to see how much Arthur could grow in this battle.


    Due to this, Sigurd suffered quite a bit, especially when Arthur was slowly getting more aggressive as the battle went on.


    This started to put some pressure on him, which annoyed him quite a lot.


    Little did he know that this battle was putting a great toll on Arthur''s mind, which was slowly affecting his performance.


    Even if the effect of being in multiple special states in this place was not as serious as when he was inside the dungeon, staying in this condition where he had to keep everything under control cost him quite a lot, especially since it already exceeded his limit since earlier.


    He was just holding on by sheer will, forcefully keeping his mind clear while making sure that he was in full control of everything.


    "What a real pity," he added while shaking his head repeatedly. "But as you have already proven your resolve and even surpassed all my expectations, I must respect it and not force it on you."


    He then paused for a moment pointed his index finger and shot a beam of light that flew straight to Arthur''s forehead.


    Arthur wanted to dodge by instinct, but he was unable to do so due to how fast that beam of light was. It already hit the center of his forehead before he could do anything.


    Then he suddenly found himself entering a trance as a series of information flooded his mind. An overwhelming amount of information flashed through his eyes, showing a series of frames of someone showing him a spearmanship full of mysteries.


    This spearmanship was no weaker than his Imperial Tactics, which were the advanced techniques of his family''s Martial Arts. It could even be used with his family''s unique Qi Circulation Method as if it were a part of the True Nine Dragon Arts, to begin with.


    It was even more advanced compared to the inheritance that he had gotten from the previous game he played before, where he had gotten advanced swordsmanship.


    "This is the Dragon Slaying Arts that I have created with all my life. I slightly modified it to fit your style and martial arts."


    "It is supposed to be used with a sword since it is meant to be my family''s swordsmanship. But since you favor spearmanship more and are more talented in it, I redesigned the entire Martial Arts and covert it into spearmanship to perfectly fit you."


    It was at this moment that Arthur finished digesting all the knowledge about Martial Arts. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the old man with gratitude.


    This Old Sigurd might have casually said those words, seemingly saying that what he just did was something trivial, but knew Arthur fully understood that it was not something that could be done that easily.


    Old Sigurd ignored the expression that Arthur was making as he continued. "No matter how strong I am during my peak, this Soul Fragment that I have left behind still has its limits. Over time, my power is starting to disappear."


    "I don''t know when the next time someone like you appears before me will be. I don''t even know if I will still be around if it happens."


    "So, it is better to leave you everything and help me out in finding the right successor," he added as his body started to turn translucent and slowly faded away.


    "Eh!?" Arthur was somewhat taken aback at how fast everything was developing. He wanted to say something to the old man but did not know where to start.


    Not long after, this Soul Fragment of the legendary Dragon Slayer Sigurd Dragonborn fully fused with the glowing marble that he was holding.


    *Ding*


    Then a series of notifications bombarded Arthur''s ears as the glowing marble flew into his hand.


    He ignored most of them as he stared blankly at the spot where Old Sigurd was standing previously, feeling respectful.


    He then clenched the marble in his hand before bowing deeply into the spot where the old man disappeared. "I promise to find you the perfect successor, Senior. You can count on me in this."


    ...