"Momentum?" Adam tilted his head in confusion. "You mean the speed of a body in a certain direction?"
Esmond chuckled as he shook his head. "No, I'm not talking about that." He clenched his fist and added, "I'm talking about something that is both physical and… metaphorical."
Adam squinted his eyes, trying to figure out if this man in front of him was being serious or just pulling his leg.
Seeing that look on the youth's face, Esmond waved his hand. "Never mind, I'll just show it to you." With that said, he got into a fighting stance. "I'll control my mana output to match yours. Hit me with everything you got."
Adam's eyes lit up. Have a spar with the squad leader? He couldn't ask for anything better. Just by exchanging blows with a Rank 2 Magus, he would learn a great deal of things. This was a very good opportunity for the youth.
His lips curled up into a broad grin as he undertook the stance of the Phantom Dance. "Alright, here I come!"
The next moment, he bolted toward Esmond with great speed and landed a straight jab.
Seeing the youth's fist enlarging in his vision, the red-haired Magus nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Good posture."
He swung his right forearm in a semi-circular motion and easily deflected the incoming punch. Then he used his left hand to counter-attack with a simple jab of his own.
Adam's face was solemn as he prepared to deal with Esmond's attack. He planned to swat his hand away and then counterattack. However, when he finally did deflect the attack, he was taken aback.
The force of the attack wasn't strong at all. However, it wasn't that weak either. It was a strange feeling, completely different from what he was expecting.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Adam's eyes narrowed as he thought to himself, I know he said he'd match his mana output to mine… But isn't this a little too…
But as the fight progressed and the two continued to exchange moves with one another, the youth realized that he was slowly being overpowered.
And this wasn't because Esmond was increasing his strength!
No, the man's strength was still equivalent to a Rank 1 Magus, but despite that, Adam was feeling overwhelmed. Finally, Esmond made a feint attack with his fist but followed through with a devastating kick to the stomach.
BAM!
"Aghhh!" Adam bounced off the ground several times and landed a few meters away. He got to his knees while clutching his abdomen, grimacing in pain. He had nearly puked just now.
He glanced at Esmond with disbelief. "What was that just now? Did you increase your strength?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes." Esmond nodded as he slowly walked toward the youth.
"But… you said you'd match your mana output with mine!" Adam protested with an aggrieved look. That last shot from the man really hurt his insides.
"Oh, but I did." Esmond chuckled. "This is what I mean by momentum."
Adam got to his feet, his expression solemn. He had a slight idea about what the man was saying, but still couldn't quite get a grip on it. "Could you explain?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Esmond nodded. He then got into a fighting stance and punched to the side for demonstration. The air around his fist rippled and a sound similar to something tearing could be heard.
"A move follows the previous one," Esmond began as he threw another punch. "Then the next move will follow the one before."
Adam watched with deep concentration as the man delivered a series of punches and kicks. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he realized something. Esmond's next words only further confirmed his speculations.
"Each move will be stronger than the last." The red-haired magus threw a straight hook with great strength, resulting in a sound that was akin to a thunderclap. "This is what I mean by momentum."
Adam was deep in thought as he stroked his chin. He then glanced at Esmond and asked curiously, "But, Boss… why would you waste so much energy in the build-up? I mean, I can just straight-up unleash my strongest attack right from the get-go, no?"
"Of course you can." Esmond shrugged. "But the power generated from gathering momentum will be many times stronger. Start slow, save up your potential, and finally explode with power in your final move!"
"This is how you gather your momentum… I see." Adam nodded his head as he ruminated over Esmond's words. "But what did you mean by momentum being something physical and metaphorical?"
"The momentum of a Magus can be described as a surge of mana that propels them forward," Esmond began as he clenched his fist and coated it with a layer of his mana that was fiery red in color.
"This is what they call aura, something that emanates from our very beings." The energy waves around the man's fist increased and started to affect the surroundings. Even Adam was left feeling intimidated by it.
"It is your determination and willpower that has been made tangible!" The energy around Esmond's fists had become so strong that Adam was having difficulty breathing. But the next moment, this feeling disappeared as if it were an illusion.
The mana around Esmond's fist had already dissipated. He glanced at the youth and smirked. "Now do you get it? Momentum can be your mana output compounded over and over. But it can also be your determination, willpower, and deep fighting intent."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Yes… I think I kind of understand what you mean." Adam nodded. He then asked eagerly, "Can we go at it again?"
"Heh," Esmond smirked. "Of course we can. But before that, I'm curious about something."
"What is it?"
"I had noticed this earlier when you were fighting those beasts, but now that I've personally experienced it, I can tell that the magic combat technique that you use is very profound. I've never seen anything like it."
Adam involuntarily gulped as he sensed where this conversation was heading. Seeing the youth's uncomfortable expression, Esmond chuckled, "You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to disclose where you got the technique from. What I want is… to study it."
"Huh?" Adam was taken aback. "You wish to study it? But how?"
"It's simple." Esmond grinned. "I just need you to keep sparring with me. Just like how you're learning new things from me, I will also learn a great many things by studying your technique."
Adam couldn't help but come to deeply admire this man in front of him. Even though he was a Rank 2, he was open-
minded about learning something new from someone weaker than him.
This was the spirit of learning that defined a Magus!
With a grin on his face, Adam got to his feet and once again undertook the stance of the Phantom Dance. Esmond too got into position, his eyes flashing with deep fighting intent.
The next moment, they two of them dashed toward each other and a loud explosion echoed in the training facility as their fists collided.
BOOM!
