Chapter 206: Serpent Step

"Damian, his footwork is called the Serpent Step. I have seen and heard about it before and it is known as one of the most difficult movement skills to master within the academy, but also one of the best. It requires one to be able to take all attacks without fear or hesitation and follows a series of patterns and steps that mimick the manoeuvrability of a serpent. Watch out for any sudden and explosive attacks as although it is a mesmerising movement skill, it can also unleash great bursts of speed and suddenly attack, just like a serpent" Clay called out.

With that warning, Damian became even more careful but also even more enthralled in observing and attempting to learn the Serpent Step that the mercenary was using.

"This isn't like the measly sabre skill that you copied from the other mercenary and were barely able to pull it off. This took me years to learn and master to a high level and I am yet to reach the peak level of mastery" said the mercenary.

His tone was very monotonous and he didn't seem excited or worried about Damian.

From his expression, it seemed as though he was extremely bored, which just made Damian even more worried about his capabilities as for him to be so calm, relaxed and been bored during a battle, he must be very confident in his power.

It also made him wonder just how capable the leader of the royal mercenary group was along with the rest of the Royal Academy Students and Royal Mercenaries.

From what Damian had seen, most of his class in Akegria Academy were very average and other than his friends and Trevor, the others didn't seem to have much promise.

However all those affiliated with the Royal Academy that he had come across had all surpassed his expectations and all seemed to have great fundamentals, skills and experience.

The concealment technique and all the other skills that the royal academy students were able to use were things that most students in Akegria Academy, including himself, didn't have access to.

Despite that, Damian didn't feel disadvantaged and knew that he needed to rely on himself, which is what he had always done and led him to form many basic skills of his own.

Along with that, Damian had always observed those around him and learnt from what he saw and experienced, which had always allowed him to continuously progress and improve.

Now he felt that anything he saw could be replicated and it was as though anything and everything, no matter what it was, could be copied by him and it was a wondrous feeling.

His mind felt completely clear and it was as if his entire body was watching the movements that he was attempting to replicate, and also began trying to understand and copy them.

Damian's attacks began to slow down and also became weaker, but it wasn't because he was tired or had given up, but because it allowed him to focus more on the Serpent Step that he was observing and the more he understood of it, the more complex he realised it was.

It was more than a series of movements. They also had to perfectly flow and sync, while they had to be coherent and required great dexterity and flexibility, while for one to successfully use it in battle, they needed to be fearless and always keep their eyes on their opponents.

Damian's bright yellow eyes were taking in all the slight motions made by the mercenary and continued attacking him with his blades and after a few minutes, the royal academy students and mercenaries that were watching were beginning to become annoyed.

"Come on, stop merely dodging his attacks already. It is clear that he is too slow and weak for you and also seems to be getting tired" 

"Take him down and bring me his body" 

The two royal academy students were becoming restless and couldn't wait to get their revenge on Damian, while they were also worried that an elder from Akegria Academy might come looking for Damian.

If that happened, even all the mercenaries wouldn't be enough to hold an elder back for a minute and they would all be finished.

Elders were greatly skilled, knowledgable and usually at least rank 9 cultivators, but on many occasions, it wasn't the cultivation level that got them to their position, but other things that they were capable of or could offer the organisation. 

With a single glare from the group leader of the mercenary group, the two royal academy students became silent and only those that were extremely observative were able to realise what exactly was happening.

Even Clay couldn't help but be amazed, as although it seemed that Damian's attacks were all missing, they were also becoming increasingly difficult for the mercenary to avoid as Damian was attacking where he knew the mercenary would move next.

He was beginning to understand the Serpent Steps movements and patterns and although they were complex, would continuously change and could be continuously adapted to the situation, Damian seemed to be dictating the flow of that battle and was always one step ahead.

Along with that, he was also beginning to improve and master the ability to wield two blades at once and he was making it unpredictable and difficult for the mercenary he was facing, by continuously altering the shape of his blade ever so slightly.

Damian was making it increasingly difficult for the mercenary to dodge with ease and he even began needing to try his hardest to dodge his attacks and the rate that Damian was improving was unbelievable.

All Clay felt was amazement, realising how incredible Damian was, while all the other mercenaries could think was that they needed to make sure that he was eliminated as he was too dangerous to keep alive.

If he always progressed at that speed, he would become on par with the other Core Disciples in no time and become another threat to the Royal Academy and the social structure would appear.