Child of Destiny

Chapter 1601: Trouble in Calm Waters (Part 2)

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”What should I do?”

Cloe sat on the ground as she pondered about how she was going to integrate her Martial Arts in the real world and her magic class within the game.

The two were not compatible with one another due to the differences in style and principles. Her Martial Arts was more compatible with the combat state of Reality Manifestation while her in-game class was meant for Magical Formations, which made it quite troubling for her.

Her situation was quite different from Alice and Owenʼs, which also made it quite troublesome to deal with. She could not even ask for some tips from the two since their combat states were compatible with their respective classes.

”Based on my situation, then Big Sister Shiella is the best person that I should ask,” she mumbled.

After all, Shiella was a Martial Artist in the real world but possessed a magic class within the game.

Moreover, Cloe heard that Shiella had already created a unique version of her combat state and even mastered it not long after.

”Tsk! Is this what Master told me that talent is a huge gap that is difficult to bridge even with my efforts?” she pouted her lips as she thought about this.

Their situations were similar, yet the other party was able to solve the difficult problem that she was facing without encountering that many issues.

Sighing, Cloe could only double her hard work and trust her efforts to catch up with these geniuses around her.

After all, her master even told her that her aptitude in martial arts far surpassed anyone he knew due to her solid foundation and a vessel that was as clear as glass, which could give her a variety of choices on where she wanted to be.

Old Man Lin said that her aptitude in martial arts was a talent itself, which could evolve into something similar to special abilities or peak talents that the monsters around her possessed.

As she was contemplating herself, she suddenly saw Alice walk into the training room of the virtual space.

”Eh!?”

”Huh!?”

The two were surprised to see each other.

They stared at each other silently as an awkward atmosphere surrounded them not long after.

They might be teammates, but they rarely interact with each other aside from official business. They were regularly seeing each other at the academy during class and even rehearsed together during their club activities, but that did not mean that they were that close.

They also lived together before their house was blasted during the ambush by those mercenaries to assassinate Shin and attempt to abduct Cloe.

But the two of them were still unable to build up enough closeness with each other.

Alice was closer to Lorraine, who liked to interact with other people, while Cloe was somewhat wary of this girl as she felt that something was going on with her and Shin.

Even if Cloe heard that it might be because of Aliceʼs big sister that Shin had met during his time in the training camp of the Black Serpent Mafia before he was adopted by the Springfield Family, she was still quite doubtful of the intention of this girl.

Her female instincts were telling her that there was something more to it.

Alice, on the other hand, was in a similar situation. She did not know why she was overly conscious of her actions around this girl in front of her.

There was also an uncomfortable feeling inside her chest whenever she saw Cloe and Shin together that she could not explain. But she was sure that she did not want to see those two be too close to one another.

Unfortunately, she did not have the right to interfere with the two of them, especially when the two had already been close since young.

She also did not want to overstep her boundaries, so she kept it to herself. But at the same time, she did not want to lose to Cloe in anything, unconsciously competing with the latter in certain things.

After an awkward silence, the two nodded to each other as a form of greeting.

Not wanting to be in this awkward situation, Cloe took the initiative to take. ”Are you here for extra training as well?”

Alice paused and hesitated for a moment before nodding. ”Iʼve got some new inspirations after training with my parents, so I want to consolidate my gains before integrating them into my playing style.”

”Then I can train them further after creating a couple more of new techniques based on them,” she added before asking in return. ”You as well? I can see that you are trying new things earlier during our team training.”

Cloe hesitated as well before nodding. ”I am trying to see if I can modify my combat state to match my martial arts and class fighting style. But I find it much harder than I have thought since there are too much of a difference between the two as well as too much complication.”

Alice was somewhat taken aback when she heard that before falling in silence. She seemed to remember that Cloe was using Reality Manifestation as her combat state, which was quite rare for someone with a magic class.

But it was not that unique since there were also others in the top rankings, who were in a similar situation, like those with Battle Mage or Magic Swordsman Classes.

But it was indeed strange for someone with a priest-related class to have such a combat state. However, she also had to admit that Cloe was quite impressive, especially seeing her training with Shin and Leonard in a close-combat battle despite the difference in physical stats.

She might be able to keep herself alive for quite a long time while being besieged by assassins or other melee classes by relying on her melee combat techniques and foot techniques.

But in the long run, Alice could tell that Cloe would be at a great disadvantage, especially when she was facing a top-notch fighter with a combat state that perfectly complimented their fighting style within the game.

Cloeʼs shortcomings would be revealed in the long run since her combat state and in-game class were dragging each other.

Alice could fight in close combat as well, but her style relied more on her magical powers, which were still complemented by her class.

Adding her version of combat state, the ʼElemental Ignitionʼ, which not only strengthened her overall stats but also complimented her Elemental Spirit Possession, her battle state entered a perfect balance where everything was being enhanced and strengthened by one another.

This was Aliceʼs greatest advantage, especially when she included the special and mysterious techniques of her secondary combat class that she had gotten not too long ago.

Unlike Cloe, who was facing complications between her Class, Fighting Style, and Martial Arts, Alice had a better standing.

”So, you are planning to find a way that will link those two before using the product as a main model for your version combat state?” asked Alice curiously.

Cloe paused before nodding. ”Yeah.”

Hesitating, Cloe bit her lower lip for a moment before summing her courage. ”Can-… can you tell me how you have created your ʼElemental Ignitionʼ combat state?”

”Eh!?” Alice was taken aback when she heard those words, unable to respond.

Seeing Aliceʼs reaction and the expression that she was making, Cloe smiled before shaking her head. ”Actually-… never mind. I think it is not appropriate to ask for otherʼs secrets. Iʼm sorry.”

”Eh!?” Alice was surprised once again before forcefully recovering herself. ”It is not that. I just donʼt know if I can help. My case is a little special.”

From what she could see, the problem that Cloe was facing was completely different from when she created her version of the combat state.

The principles were not following the same path, after all.

Cloe stared at Alice silently for a while before smiling. ”It is fine. I am just trying to see how you create your Elemental Ignition and understand the process. I want to see if I can get some inspiration.”

Alice paused before nodding her head. ”Alright, Iʼll share with you my experience when I am creating my Elemental Ignition. Then let me hear your main problem after, and I will try to see if I can help.”

Alice sat across Cloe, getting ready to listen.

…

After a while, Cloe sighed. ”Actually, I am planning to ask Big Sister Shiella for some tips. After all, I heard that she has already created her version of combat state that complimented her Martial Arts and class inside the game.”

Alice nodded. ”I think I also heard about that from Big Sis Shiella when I called her earlier.”

Alice felt a little conflicted as she listened to Cloe earlier. The latterʼs unique ideas inspired her a bit.

Due to Cloeʼs unusual background, her vision of Martial Arts did not follow a traditional path that everyone knew, especially when her instructors abroad also had a different view due to their tradition and other factors.

This made Alice to be somewhat curious about Cloe.

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