Chapter 45: Practice Battle

Chapter 45: Practice Battle

Noah walked into the shop with Aurelia, although his mind still kept lingering on Aurelia’s words. The shopkeeper, Josiah, greeted the two of them, walking up.

“Ah, firebird, you were gone for a while. Here for your gauntlets I take it?” Josiah said.

“Yup. I hope they’re ready?” Aurelia asked.

“Indeed they are, and dare I say it, this one’s one of my best works yet. Let me bring it out for you,” Josiah said, before walking into the back chamber.

A moment later, the man walked back out with two fiery red gauntlets in his hand, which he set down on the counter, before shaking his hand. “They’re quite hot. Take a look for yourself!”

A searing wave of heat spread through the shop, rising from the gauntlets. The carvings on them had flame patterns that seemed to dance and flicker in the light, with small red gemstones embedded within the engravings.Unravel the Unknown, Unleash the Unimaginable: N♡vεlB¡n.

Noah watched Aurelia inspecting the gauntlet, and he used inspect on the items as well.

[Pyreclash Gauntlets (Epic)]

A pair of Epic grade magical gauntlets crafted from an alloy of volcanic steel, imbued with the essence of flame gemstones. The gauntlets can store fire within themselves, before releasing it in an explosive burst.

Picking up the gauntlets, Aurelia inspected them. One by one, she slid them on her hands, clenching her fingers on both fists. Sparks flew as she struck her fists together, the carvings on the gauntlets lighting up with flames.

“This is amazing, Josiah!” Aurelia exclaimed.

“Only the best for you, firebird,” Josiah said, bowing gracefully.

“But can I afford them? This has to cost quite a bit,” Aurelia asked.

“Less than your friend’s spear did,” Josiah said with a chuckle, before turning towards Noah. “Speaking of which, what happened to your eye?”

Noah broke out of his thoughts at Josiah’s words. “Ah, that. Just an injury,” Noah replied.

“Doesn’t look like a normal injury to me. You should get that looked at,” Josiah said.

Noah nodded, but did not respond further.

Aurelia ran her hand over the counter. “Alright, I’ve transferred the mana stones. Thanks a lot again, Josiah.”

“Anytime, my dear,” the man said with a wink. “Hope they serve you well.”

A few more minutes of talking later, the two took their leave from the shop.

“You turned quiet,” Aurelia said, glancing at Noah.

“I guess,” Noah replied, looking back at him. “Just thinking about some stuff.”

“About what I said?” Aurelia asked.

Noah nodded.

“Well, thinking is good. But we can also get lost in it. And I must say, I don’t like you this quiet. Where’s my annoying and boisterous guy who loves to hear himself talk way too much, hmm?”

Noah shrugged. “Sometimes he likes to just watch quietly.”

“Gotcha.”

Fire erupted around Aurelia, exploding in an inferno. Noah shouted as flames engulfed him. He tried to blink but Aurelia grabbed him, as her fist struck true. Noah moved, blocking her fist with his spear and found himself pushed back.

Punch after punch came from the woman, each strike heavier than the last, and Noah found his muscles screaming in protest at having to bear the weight of the force. His body screamed at him to stop, but Noah pushed, tanking blow after blow, as he swung, using the back end of his spear to strike at Aurelia’s gut.

Grabbing his spear, Aurelia leaned in. Noah let blink run with full power, pulling her along with him as he teleported the two of them into the air. For a moment they hung midair, before Noah used his weight to push down upon Aurelia as they fell.

Warning. Low Mana.

Aurelia swung, wrapping her legs around Noah’s midsection as she tossed him around, using him to cushion her fall.

Feeling the air push itself out of his chest as his body finally caved in, another punch rushed towards Noah’s face and he closed his eyes on instinct.

A moment later, upon not feeling a strike, he opened his eyes, finding an open palm towards him. Grabbing Aurelia’s hand, Noah pulled himself on his feet, realizing just how sore his body was. Bruises covered him at every inch, and he was sure he’d fractured at least a few ribs. Thankfully, pain tolerance made it so he barely felt most of it.

“Good spar,” Aurelia said, smiling. “You’re really strong, you know that?”

“Says the winner,” Noah said, but he couldn’t help the smile rising to his face.

“I’m almost 40 levels above you Noah. And you almost won. That is ridiculous,” Aurelia said, before frowning. “I’m not sure if I’ll necessarily win against you in a serious fight.”

“I’m sure you would win if you use your Berserker thing,” Noah said.

“That’s a last resort. I can’t move after the ability ends, so if I don’t end the fight then and there, I’m dead. Your teleport, then this damned Crimson Rot are all so annoying to deal with as well. And you heal fast. I would hate to fight you.”

Noah smirked. “Being annoying is my strong suit.”

Aurelia laughed at his words. “That’s for sure.”

Feeling a lot better, Noah watched Aurelia standing in front of him, the two of them both battered with injuries. “This feels so silly, but I’m grateful that you did this. I feel better.”

“Anytime. A party looks after each other,” Aurelia, said, patting Noah’s shoulder. “I’m going to go and get someone to purify the Crimson Rot. Then we should rest up for tomorrow.”

Noah nodded, before slowly walking to a corner of the chamber and taking a seat. His heart was racing in his chest, skin burning from bruises and breath quick from the exertion of the fight.

Closing his eyes, Noah took in each sensation.

He was alive here. In a new world, unexplored and magical, and with many things to see. It didn’t matter if he was still running from his past. This was a new start, and he was going to make the most of it.

Opening his eyes, Noah looked at his notification folder, and a grin took over his face. It seems his spar had shown results.

Level notifications: 3

Skill notifications: 5

Sub-attribute notifications: 3

Noah reached out to open the notifications when a different pop-up stopped him, and made his heart drop.

[Pain Tolerance] has ended.