Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger-Chapter 13: EX . Too Slow

[Skill Info Page – Activated]

A translucent blue panel shimmered into existence before Leon's eyes, flickering softly with faint runes that rotated along the edges.

Name: Phantom Edge – Form 1: Flicker Fang

Type: Warrior Skill (Sword Skill)

Rank: F-Rank

Tier: VII

Description: A swift, deadly sword technique focused on speed and precision. In Form 1, the user performs a single blinding strike, leaving behind an afterimage.

Effect:

Flicker Fang: The user blinks a short distance forward and unleashes a precise, high-speed thrust or slash that ignores basic guards if timed correctly. Strike speed scales with the Speed stat.

Afterimage Effect: Creates a split-second illusion that confuses enemies, lowering counterattack accuracy.

Leon's eyes scanned the details with a flat expression.

With a thought, the screen dissolved like mist, vanishing into thin air. He rolled his shoulders once, loosened his stance, and stepped to the center of the training room.

"Alright," he muttered. "Let's see what this skill can do."

He tapped the control panel on the wall. The floor trembled lightly as a training robot rose from a hidden compartment, gears whirring and eyes lighting up with a soft red glow. Humanoid in shape, sleek in design—F-rank, Tier VII.

"Attack protocol initiated," the machine's voice echoed.

Leon exhaled slowly and let his hand drop to the hilt of his sword, hanging loosely at his side. His body relaxed... yet in that calm was tension—like a coiled spring waiting to snap.

The robot charged forward with mechanical precision, feet slamming into the floor.

But Leon didn't move.

'Not yet.'

'Just a little closer.'

'Now!'

"Phantom Edge – Form 1: Flicker Fang."

In a blink, Leon's figure blurred and vanished from the robot's vision. A flickering afterimage remained in his place.

Szzhk!

A clean horizontal slash cut through the robot's metal torso. As Leon appeared behind it, sword already sheathed, his expression unreadable.

The robot froze mid-step. Sparks burst from its side. It stood still for a second longer—then collapsed forward with a dull thud. The ground beneath it parted smoothly, dragging the wrecked machine below for automated repairs.

Leon remained standing where he landed, one hand still on the hilt.

"...That was slow."

The words escaped without emotion, just a quiet judgment. His blue eyes narrowed slightly.

He wasn't impressed.

Compared to the overwhelming burst of speed and strength he'd unleashed during the Goblin Chief fight—powered by temporary stat boosts—this skill felt... sluggish and predictable.

"Flicker Fang isn't bad, but I could do better. Afterall my talent lets me push past that using my boosted stats."

Mirror Split, on the other hand—that was irreplaceable. No combination of stats could mimic creating clones.

But Flicker Fang? It was just a glorified dash with a follow-up slash.

"The only real use for this..." he muttered, "...might be for achieving Enlightenment faster. Or clearing out low-tier mobs when I don't feel like trying."

If any other trial taker had heard him slander a Tier VII skill like that, they might've fainted from rage. Or worse—stoned him for sacrilege.

But Leon didn't care.

He turned from the now-sealed floor panel, stretched briefly, and let out a lazy yawn.

"That's enough for today. I wonder if Elizabeth's done..."

He had barely spent an hour inside the training room. And honestly, why spend more?

When you had a talent that let you grow stronger just by hitting stuff grinding became easier.

As he reached for the exit, the door slid open with a soft hiss. Light from the hallway spilled in, illuminating his smirk.

"I really love this talent."

And with that, Leon left the room.

Six hours later...

The training chamber doors slid open with a soft hiss as Elizabeth stepped into the resting area, her body glistening with sweat, hair tied into a slightly messy bun.

Her breathing was steady but there was no hiding the exhaustion in her limbs. She had pushed herself hard today.

Harder than usual.

Her sharp, ebony eyes scanned the area—then paused.

There, sprawled across one of the long metal benches, was Leon.

Sleeping.

His arm hung lazily over the edge, chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. His hair was tousled and pressed unevenly from lying too long on one side, and his expression was completely relaxed, lips slightly parted.

His sword was propped beside him like a loyal guardian, untouched since the start of the afternoon.

Several people nearby were glancing at him with confusion—or maybe silent judgment. A few whispered behind their hands, though none were bold enough to speak aloud.

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.

'He must've pushed his talent too far.' she thought.

Leon wasn't like this.

Not usually. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

He was the type to linger in the training room long after others had left. Not because he didn't understand the lessons—he always understood them too fast—but because he wanted to go further.

He had been like that since they were kids, always pushing past his limits for some unseen goal he never explained.

Whatever his talent demands of him now... it must be brutal.

A small smile touched her lips. That part of him hadn't changed. It was one of the reasons she loved him.

But if she knew the truth—that Leon had left training early, grabbed some snacks from the vending wing, and had simply dozed off while waiting for her—she might've strangled him right there.

Thankfully, she didn't.

With soft steps, she approached the bench, brushing strands of hair behind her ear before leaning in.

She reached out and gently shook his shoulder.

"Leon..."

His eyes fluttered open, not too fast and not too slow, as if his body registered her touch before his mind fully caught up.

He blinked once, then twice. His blue eyes were slightly hazy with sleep, and his bedhead framed his face in a way that made him look...

Elizabeth blinked.

'handsome.'

Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly before she managed to force it down. She looked away, but not fast enough—she wasn't the only one who noticed.

A few women nearby paused mid-sentence, subtly watching from the corners of their eyes, visibly moved by his disheveled handsomeness.

Leon stretched slightly, a lazy yawn escaping his lips before he smiled up at her.

"Darling, you're finally done with training... I really missed you."

That did it.

A bright red hue crept up her ears. She tried to scowl—but her lips twitched before she could form a proper frown.

Leon chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. Then, without warning, he rose smoothly and reached for her hand.

"Alright, since we're both done... let's go out to eat. I want to spoil my princess tonight."

Elizabeth gave a small, embarrassed hum—half protest, half surrender—as she let him guide her away from the bench. His hand was warm and Steady.

They walked through the resting area hand-in-hand, leaving behind a crowd of mixed emotions.

Single onlookers watched with thinly veiled envy, while older couples in the room shared quiet glances, reminded of their own partners and the warmth waiting for them back home.

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A/N: Please send power stones and leave reviews.

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