Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2039: Test for Adam

Adam wasn’t aware of what was happening upstairs. He didn’t know about the conversation between Silvana and Gladius, though she would surely tell him all about it in detail as soon as she had the chance.

He was focused on Relana and her strange way of choosing the right outfit for him.

Step.

Relana took a step back as her figure vanished. She reappeared at the other end of the training hall, near the stands with weapons. In fact, the place was full of all kinds of weapons: swords, spears, axes, and much more were mounted on the walls as well.

“Why do you want to fight me?” Adam asked, thinking about which weapon to choose.

Relana swung her spear.

“You came to me so I could make you an outfit. If you were an ordinary human, I would have accepted your order and asked what you wanted. But… you’re special, Adam, even among the other Phantoms.”

“Agh?” Adam was confused. Finally, Relana decided to explain at least something to him.

Relana narrowed her amber eyes.

“Gladius brought you to me not just so I could make you an outfit. No, he wanted me to put you through a test to see if you’re ready.”

“Ready?” Adam tilted his head. “Ready for what?”

“I can’t tell you that. I’ve heard a lot about you and your abilities, but that’s not as important as your spirit and your will. What I want to find out is whether you’ve reached your current level through blind luck or because of who you are.”

Relana pointed her spear at him.

“Choose a weapon for yourself, and let’s begin our fight. There are only regular weapons here for a reason. Right now we’re beneath my atelier, so we’re at the First Ring. All we’ll be using is our physical strength and energy, no abilities and no Nexus.”

She tapped the hilt of her spear as a wave of white energy coursed through it.

“When you choose your weapon, fill it with energy, or else it’ll shatter into pieces.”

Adam said nothing more and walked over to the wall next to him.

More than ten different types of weapons appeared before him. But he didn’t hesitate for long and chose a sword – a one-handed one.

‘Is she testing me? It looks like she’s expecting a long fight. Alright, in that case, I’ll start with something common. Besides, I don’t see a suitable weapon here…’

Adam frowned as he looked at his sword. It was as simple a weapon as could be: a wooden hilt, a short guard, and a medium-length blade sharpened on both sides.

“Is something wrong?” Relana asked. “It seems you don’t like this sword.”

“No.”

Adam shook his head as he channeled his energy into the sword.

“I’m disappointed not by the quality of this sword, but by the fact that there’s no weapon in this training hall that’s suitable for me.”

“Hmm?” Relana tilted her chin. “What does that mean, young man?”

Adam stared intently at her as a glint flashed in his eyes.

“You don’t have a needle, do you?”

Relana narrowed her eyes.

“A needle? I’ve heard about your weapon, but I also know that after numerous evolutions, your needle now looks more like a large sword with a broad blade.”

Adam nodded.

“Indeed. But if you want to see the real me, then you must see me with a needle in hand.”

Whoooooosh.

Relana swung her spear as she assumed a fighting stance.

“If you can hold out against me for a few rounds, then we’ll discuss this again. Obviously, I won’t use my full strength, otherwise, you’d lose in a second, but I also won’t lower my power to your level.”

“Hmm? What does that mean?” Adam grew wary.

Relana’s aura grew stronger.

“My power level will exceed yours by 10–15%. In that case, you’ll be at a disadvantage from the start. But I won’t be the first opponent who’s stronger than you, will I?”

Adam frowned even more. Relana was right. He’d had to fight opponents stronger than him many times, but he hadn’t always won. Sometimes, someone had to save him.

’10–15%?’ Adam thought. ‘Hmm, that’s a difference in strength I’m capable of overcoming. But she’s only talking about power level, what about her skill and instincts? They’re on a completely different level compared to mine.’

Step.

Relana took a step forward as a tremor rippled across the surface of the training hall.

Adam braced for battle as Relana’s frame trembled.

This time, her leap wasn’t as fast as the last, but Adam barely managed to react in time.

Clang!

The swords clashed as a cascade of sparks flew before his eyes.

The impact rippled through Adam’s body as his hand went numb for a moment. Fortunately for him, Relana didn’t take advantage of this and instead shifted her stance.

She gripped her spear with both hands and made a precise thrust forward, a glint running along the blade.

Adam’s eyes widened for a moment as he stepped back at the last second to avoid the strike.

Whooooosh!

The blade whizzed past him on the right, leaving a deep cut on his upper arm.

“Damn! She’s not messing around! She’s going to fight me for real!’ Adam exclaimed inwardly as he channeled more energy into his sword.

Relana was close enough for his attack. All he had to do now to wound her was make a quick swing.

Adam did just that as his sword moved straight toward Relana’s side.

But…

At the last moment, Relana leaped high into the air, so high that Adam’s sword flew past her feet without touching her.

“Too slow. That’s not enough, Adam, and a poor attack always has consequences.”

Before Adam could react, Relana changed her grip and swung her spear.

SLASH!

A wide gash opened on Adam’s chest as a stream of blood gushed out.

The crimson drops flew past his wide-open, trembling eyes, while Relana’s amber eyes remained calm and cold.

She knew what she was doing, and her test would be harsh.

Adam hadn’t yet fully realized what awaited him.