396 A dangerous spar ends on the third move

Ester, Iris, and Lilith became delighted about the news. It meant that they could further improve with the guidance of a high-level mage. However, it was a different story for Lupa. She didn’t have mana, so she wasn’t included.

Lupa crossed her arms and pouted. “I guess I am not wanted anymore. I want a teacher too.” She complained.

“How about asking Nikolai’s servant Vivid? He looks like a strong beastman. I bet he could be a fantastic sparring partner.” Ester suggested. Her words made Lupa’s tail wag excitedly.

Later, Vincent and Lupa went to check on Nick, who was currently resting on his bed. Vivid was sitting on a chair beside him. He was reading a book.

Vincent chatted with Nick. Afterward, he asked if Vivid would be fine with sparring with Lupa when he had the time. Vivid agreed with the condition that Lupa needed to wear a protective gear set Nick had brought with him.

However, Lupa felt mocked to be told she was weak. “I will not wear what weak pups wear. I want to spar with you now and show you the power of the proud noble white wolf’s bloodline!” Lupa was pissed enough to challenge Vivid for a spar.

[The situation is getting out of hand as usual with Lupa involved. However, I can relate with both Lupa and Vivid perspectives.]

[Vivid is worried he might hurt your wife. Plus, she is a minor noble now. On the other hand, Lupa faced so much danger and deadly situations that her pride was humiliated.]

[In other words, Lupa’s ego was offended, and she wanted to prove Vivid wrong with her claws.]

.....

*Sigh* “Vivid... do you have time to at least gauge my wife’s strength?” Vincent placed his arm on Lupa’s shoulder and continued, “My girl is a feisty one. She is a competitive predator, and she will keep trying until she becomes triumphant. So don’t think one loss will shatter her limitless resolve.”

Lupa’s mood changed one-eighty. She became happy. Vincent defended and praised her. “We go spar now?” Lupa said with a smile after she stopped frowning.

Vivid looked at Nick, but Nick didn’t butt in this situation. *Sigh* “Fine. Don’t blame me if I am too harsh.” Vivid accepted.

Vincent, Lupa, Nick, and Vivid went outside. Soon, Ester, Iris, Lilith, and Plow appeared to spectate the spar. Pussy also appeared with Clair being pulled by her hand. It appeared Clair didn’t want to leave her room and see what was happening outside.

Soon, Vivid and Lupa stood on opposite sides. Lupa had no equipment, while Vivid had a wooden sword and shield.

“Ladies first.” Vivid offered. He worried Lupa might get hurt since he learned Lupa was a shapeshifter. However, to his surprise, Lupa wasn’t an ordinary shapeshifter.

Lupa’s arms became encased in light. Her forearms and hands became larger, and fur white sprouted. Nick, Vivid, Clair, and Pussy were surprised by the individual yet different shapeshifting skill.

“What? Shapeshifters can’t do that!” Pussy was the most surprised out of everyone. Shapeshifters could only become an animal of their bloodline and revert back into a beastman. Furthermore, Lupa’s hand didn’t become that of a wolf. Instead, her bond density increased, and her fur grew similar to her fluffy tail.

“White wolves are the best, hehe.” Lupa proudly said.

Vincent wanted to see the difference between Vivid and Lupa. He used Inspection to check their stats, but unfortunately, Lupa wasn’t as strong as Vivid.

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[Name] Vivid

[Stats] Strength 48 || Agility 52 || Perception 66 || Mana 0

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[Name] Lupa

[Stats] Strength 25 || Agility 43 || Perception 58 || Mana 0

.

Lupa’s unique shapeshifting skill provided her a boost of twenty stats in each of her physical stat. It was enough to close in the stat disparity between the two of them.

Lupa extended her claws while Vivid used his sword to tap against the shield. Lupa rushed forward and swung her claws. However, she hit the air. Vivid had taken a step back.

Vivid charged his shield forward for a shield bash, but Lupa jumped and used the shield to leap behind Vivid.

Lupa swung her claws again while Vivid swiftly turned around and used his shield to block her attack. The mood suddenly changed into a serious one. It felt as if the two of them were about to fight for real.

A rush of battle fever ran through Lupa’s veins. She smirked with excitement as her eyes began to change. However, in the blink of an eye, her expression changed as if she became a different and dangerous person.

historical

The smirk was replaced with the cold calm gaze of a predator. Primal Insight activated without being in a life or death situation.

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[Name] Lupa

[Condition] Healthy, Primal Insight (??? Sec)

[Stats] Strength 25 || Agility 43 || Perception 116 || Mana 0

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[Third Eye activate.]

[Primal Insight description.]

[The user has their Perception stat doubled.]

[One base Perception stat will be added every second, and it can be affected by [Primal Insight].]

[The mind will have its thought process boosted by using the Perception stat value as a percentage.]

[The user’s body will become more coordinated with the user’s thoughts, such as sending a signal for a limb to move.]

[The less the user proficiency is, the more strain the user will experience.]

.

Vincent and Kazumi could now see the reason behind Lupa’s mysterious behavior and improved combat power. The more perception Lupa had, the quicker she could become and react. Furthermore, the longer Lupa remained in Primal Insight form, the faster she became from gaining two perception stat every second.

However, nothing comes without a price. The duration was based on how proficient Lupa was with Primal Insight. The more she resisted the pain, the worse her health would suffer, but the longer the duration would be.

Lupa swung her left arm so swiftly that Vivid had to become serious. He felt his life was in danger if he kept fighting Lupa as he was before.

The proud and battle-crazed Lupa changed into a different person. She became void of all emotions. Her gaze only told one story. She was the predator, and he was the prey.

The wooden sword was swiftly cut into multiple pieces, leaving less than half a sword in Vivid’s hand. However, that was the beginning of an impossible to predict combo.

Lupa thought and reacted so quickly that even without glancing at her other side, her right hand swung a second later in pinpoint precision. Vivid had to use all his senses and past fighting experiences to tilt his body and move the shield where his body was about to be slashed.

The shield was cut in half as if made out of paper. *Thud* The sword and shield pieces fell on the ground. Vivid jumped back as much as he could and shouted, “You pass! That is enough for now!”

Lupa was about to follow after Vivid, but she stopped when she heard of his surrender. Her eyes quickly returned to normal, and a smile appeared on her face. The usual Lupa returned.

Vivid fell on his bottom and took a breather. He could feel his skin tingling after facing an unpredictable opponent. Vivid couldn’t believe that a weak-looking wolf girl changed into a good fighter and later into life-threatening danger.

Nick, Clair, and mostly Pussy couldn’t believe what they saw. Furthermore, Pussy felt both proud of a shapeshifter class beating a warrior class, yet she felt sad she could never reach Lupa’s level.

“Lady Lupa. Could we start sparing next week? I need to prepare since it has been years since my last fight.” Vivid said.

It sounded like it was an excuse, but Vivid was rusty when it came to a fight as dangerous as this. Lupa didn’t play around in her Primal Insight mode. She was serious about possibly landing a killing blow.

Lupa didn’t like the idea of waiting. She looked at Vincent and Ester for an answer, but both of them nodded at her. “Fine. But be prepared next week. I want my spar.” She agreed to wait.

Later, as the commotion ended, Vincent announced how Maria could visit their island. He quickly explained how she should only watch over their practice, so Nick and Clair don’t need to worry about Maria’s annoyed expressions.

After accepting the explanation quicker than Vincent thought, the Lionheart family, Nick, and Vivid, ate together in the kitchen. Only Clair, Pussy, and the loner Jun Ye Rim didn’t join.

Later, when the night was upon them, Vincent went to the garden with different kinds of seeds growing in the earth. He used Overheat and fed Zero, who appeared comfortable planted in the ground.

Vincent felt slightly anemic but Overheat had about a minute or so remaining. He used the remaining time to practice using Overflow. After Overheat ended, he went back to his bedroom.

*Day 86 – 3 September – Wednesday *

The third day arrived. Vincent, Lupa, and Vivid ran while Nick jogged a few laps around the mansion as a light workout. Later, Vincent and Nick went for their morning physical class.

All the classmates with the warrior class were present today. They appeared eager for some reason.

The curious Kazumi went to spy on their conversation. It appeared one of the students decided to come early in the morning. He saw Ton pulling the chain of an aggressive snow tiger.

“Looks like the intent training isn’t going to be so bad. ” Vincent said.

“Huh?” Nick looked at Vincent with a frown and continued, “I didn’t know your hearing was this good. I can only hear mumbling from here.”