Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 10.

Standing in his [Sovereign's Amphitheater], James took a deep breath as he steadied himself. The vast, open space felt calm, but there was an undercurrent of power thrumming through the air as he prepared for his next move. Just as he was about to embark on his journey to Dwargon, an idea had struck him—a way to improve his swordsmanship that had gone overlooked until now.

'There's a monster I could summon that might help me,' he thought, excitement sparking in his chest. He recalled one of the old animes he used to watch, the classic world of Yu-Gi-Oh. In it, there was a warrior—a silent, relentless figure known as the Blade Knight, skilled in combat and feared for its precision.

Closing his eyes, he activated [AnnihilationCreator] and envisioned the form of Blade Knight in his mind. The knight's armor, its sword, its posture—all of it was burned into his memory, and he channeled his concentration fully on this image. With his heart pounding, he willed his Annihilation Creator skill to bring it to life.

He felt his magicules pouring out in waves, a draining sensation as nearly all of his reserves flowed into the summoning. 'I've never used this much magicule power before… But if I can bring Blade Knight to life, I'll also add basic functions like being able to talk, it'll be worth it.'

A blue magic circle sprang up before him, a perfect circle adorned with intricate, shifting runes. The air grew thick, almost electric, as energy hummed through the ground and into the circle. In an instant, a blinding surge of blue light erupted, illuminating the entire amphitheater.

From the center of the circle, a dark figure began to rise, taking form slowly. At first, it was merely a shadow, but soon, details materialized—a towering figure in shining silver armor, adorned with symbols of strength and nobility. A crimson sash wrapped around its waist, the deep red contrasting starkly with the metallic sheen of the armor.

As the light began to fade, James saw the Blade Knight's defining feature: its sword. Clutched firmly in its hand, the weapon seemed to glisten with an ethereal blue tint. Its hilt was decorated with intricate markings, and its blade gleamed with a sharpness that sent a shiver down his spine.

The Blade Knight's eyes, faintly visible through the slit of its helmet, glowed with a steady, calm intensity. With a swift, purposeful step, it advanced, its movement so fluid that it seemed to glide across the ground. The earth trembled beneath its feet, paying silent reverence to its presence.

Finally, the summoning was complete. James gazed up at his creation, awestruck. This was Blade Knight—brought to life from memory, the very embodiment of a warrior's honor and strength.

The knight inclined its head slightly, then spoke in a calm, resonant voice. "You are the one who summoned me, I assume?"

James nodded, a bit taken aback by the Blade Knight's voice. "Yes, that's right. My name is James. I've summoned you here to help me improve my swordsmanship." He paused, still catching his breath. "If you're willing, that is."

Blade Knight's eyes narrowed slightly, as if assessing James. "You have used a vast amount of power to bring me into this world, and I can feel the intent behind it. Your desire to grow stronger is clear."

James straightened, meeting Blade Knight's gaze. "I won't hide it—I'm new to this world and to wielding a sword. If I'm going to survive here, I can't rely solely on magic. I need skill, experience… and you're the best I could think of to teach me."

There was a moment of silence as Blade Knight considered his words. Then, with a nod, the knight lifted its sword. "Very well, James. I accept. I shall train you, but be prepared for a rigorous challenge. Your dedication will be tested."

Feeling both exhilarated and nervous, James took up his own sword, ready to begin.

Blade Knight held its sword in a relaxed, yet controlled stance. "First, let me see how you handle the basics. Attack me as you would in a real fight, and I will adjust your form from there."

James nodded, gripping his sword tightly. He positioned himself, focusing on Blade Knight's form as he readied his attack. He lunged forward, bringing his sword down in a basic overhead swing.

Blade Knight deflected his strike effortlessly, his own blade gliding along James's with an almost dismissive grace. "Your grip is too tight, and you're too tense. Your movements will be slower if you're rigid like that. Loosen up and allow your body to flow naturally with each motion."

Taking the advice to heart, James tried again, adjusting his grip and allowing his body to move more fluidly. He swung again, this time feeling a bit more control in his movement. Blade Knight nodded approvingly.

"Better. Now, work on the transition from offense to defense. In a fight, you must be able to move seamlessly between the two."

For the next few hours, James practiced tirelessly, repeating basic maneuvers and then gradually moving on to more advanced techniques under Blade Knight's watchful guidance. Each time he made a mistake—too much weight on his back foot, or an improper angle with his blade—Blade Knight would correct him with a calm, but firm, instruction. There was no impatience, no frustration, only a quiet determination to shape James into a competent swordsman.

At one point, as they clashed again, James felt his arms growing heavy, his breath coming in shorter gasps. But he pushed on, his mind set on absorbing every bit of knowledge Blade Knight offered.

"Your progress is commendable," Blade Knight observed, stepping back for a moment. "You have the spirit and the will. The rest will come in time."

As they stood across from each other, Blade Knight sheathed his sword. "That is enough for today. Overworking yourself will only dull your skills."

James nodded gratefully, though his muscles ached. 'That… was intense,' he thought, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thank you, Blade Knight. I feel like I've already learned more today than I could have on my own in months."

Blade Knight regarded him with a steady gaze. "Your perseverance is what will carry you forward. Remember, true mastery comes from within. Do not rely solely on me—or any one skill or power. Rely on yourself."

James nodded, understanding the weight of those words. Blade Knight was right—he couldn't rely solely on Annihilation Creator, or even on the summons he brought forth. He needed to become strong on his own, to build a foundation of skill and resilience that would carry him no matter what challenges lay ahead.

With a final nod of gratitude, he thanked Blade Knight once more before the figure slowly faded, his form dissolving into blue particles as James released the summoning. He felt the ache of his depleted magicules and sank to the ground, catching his breath.

As he lay back, gazing up at the sky of his Amphitheater, James reflected on everything he'd learned. 'If I can keep this up, keep training like this, then maybe… maybe I'll survive out there.'

With renewed determination, he got up and returned to his Sanctuary's exit, ready to rest and prepare for the next steps of his journey. The Kingdom of Dwargon awaited, and so did his path toward strength.

End of chap.