Chapter 80: The Spear

David's speed was truly abnormal. He felt his academic performance was only decent, but in reality, with his proficiency in literature (3%), mathematics (5%), and general knowledge (51%, beginner level), he was already among the top students in high school. Of course, his general knowledge at 51% beginner level left some room for improvement, but his foundational knowledge was impeccable.

His literary skills were the result of combining the knowledge of five students above the beginner level, plus his own meager pre-beginner understanding, giving him a breadth of knowledge far wider than the average student. After all, no matter how hard a single student worked, it was difficult to match the collective knowledge of several students. His mathematical abilities came from the fusion of four beginner-level students’ knowledge, and his general knowledge from two. Coupled with his high mental acuity, he tackled questions without hesitation, especially since these were multiple-choice questions—designed to test the breadth of one’s knowledge—which allowed David to achieve an accuracy rate beyond his actual capacity.

Where most would need over forty minutes to complete the test, David finished in just over twenty.

“Jim, you didn’t take part?” David asked, seeing Jim standing beside him. He quickly realized why and was deeply moved.

“I saw Bruno looking over here, clearly unwilling to accept the outcome, so I decided to stay,” Jim replied with a smile.

David glanced at Bruno, who was watching them from a distance with unfriendly eyes, and shook his head. With Bruno’s temperament, even after two years of being held back, it would be difficult for him to accomplish much.

“How did you do?” Jim continued.

“No idea. After submitting, I have to wait for everyone else to finish,” David shrugged.

“The challenge with the Aves Armored Fighter is over. Are you going to participate?” Jim pointed toward the arena.

“So soon?” David looked at the stage. Sure enough, apart from the Aves Armored Fighter, there were no other challengers.

“All three trainee fighters went up. None lasted more than twenty seconds. Compared to the Aves Armored Fighter, these trainees are like children. Though the Aves Armored Fighter avoids causing serious harm, he doesn’t hold back either. Those lacking strength have been thoroughly intimidated!” Jim explained with a laugh.

“Jim, are you going to try?” David didn’t rush to the stage but turned to ask.

“No need. If I were allowed to use hot weapons, I might hold out a while, but…” Jim trailed off, and David understood.

David walked over to the staff, examining the weapons already laid out—likely left by previous challengers. He pondered what to use. His proficiency with the warhammer was only 84%, far below his mastery with the longsword and spear.

He didn’t yet know the results of the academic competition. If he wanted to earn a voucher for a top-tier weapon, he would need to endure longer on the arena.

“Do you have any spears?” David didn’t find a satisfactory weapon among those on the ground, so he asked the staff.

“Please wait a moment, I’ll prepare one for you,” the staff replied with a smile, speaking quietly into his identity bracelet.

David, are you choosing a weapon for the challenge?” Myron approached, disappointment written on his face. Seeing David among the pile of weapons, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Myron, weren’t you supposed to be in the squash match? Finished already?” David asked, smiling.

“I slipped up. Only played four balls before making a mistake. The balls here are different from the ones I practice with!” Myron insisted.

“It’s not the ball’s fault—it’s yours!” Jim teased, laughing.

Just then, the staff brought over the spear David requested. He took it in hand and tested its feel. Though a training spear, its weight and grip were very similar to the one he practiced with in his illusions.

He tightened his grip, satisfied with the alloy spear.

“David, why not use the warhammer first?” Myron exclaimed in surprise.

David didn’t know how to explain—should he tell him he had 99% mastery with the spear and only 84% proficiency with the warhammer?

“Myron, don’t distract David. He needs to focus before the fight!” Jim gently patted Myron.

Spear in hand, David ascended to the arena, standing before the Aves Armored Fighter.

“Your name’s David. Your swordsmanship is impressive—why not choose the longsword? While you can’t use a tier-two longsword, you could opt for the alloy version,” the Aves Armored Fighter smiled, clearly optimistic about David.

“It’s alright, I’m skilled with the spear as well,” David replied respectfully, bowing and gripping his spear with calm resolve.

As he readied himself for battle, his aura changed instantly.

The Aves Armored Fighter felt a surge of murderous intent—the kind he’d only sensed from seasoned warriors. Now he felt it from a mere student, making him cautious. Though protected by exoskeletal armor and standing undefeated, if David gained even a slight advantage, it would be embarrassing.

“Attack!” David thrust his spear, shouting as he did so—but his voice was slower than the spear itself.

The Aves Armored Fighter felt something odd. He saw David’s mouth open to shout, but before he heard the sound, the spear tip was already before him.

Though the spear couldn’t pierce the exoskeletal armor, for fairness, he couldn’t rely on its defensive capabilities.

He wore the exoskeletal armor not for defense, but to control himself better during combat, avoiding injury to his opponent.

Wearing the armor put him at a tremendous advantage over these young men, allowing him to control his strength and speed with ease.

Fortunately, he had the armor. When the spear thrust toward him, he relied on instinct, aided by the armor, to dodge.

In dodging, he heard a faint sound from the front chest plate.

That indicated he’d dodged most of the attack, but the spear tip still touched his armor.

“Too fast!” he thought. His heavy axe hadn’t even had time to come into play.

He’d been too careless. The trainee fighters had been powerless before him, and David, known for swordsmanship, was expected to be less effective with the spear.

But David’s spear mastery was even more terrifying than his swordsmanship.

The Armored Fighter gripped his axe, ready to counterattack, but before he could, David’s second thrust arrived.

This thrust was at a tricky angle—right at his point of exertion, making his axe useless. His only option was to retreat.

This retreat went more smoothly, a result of him taking David seriously.

As he retreated, David’s steps matched his, closing the distance instantly.

The spear withdrew and thrust again, targeting another leverage point on the Armored Fighter’s body.

The Armored Fighter felt he might go mad—never before had he been pressed so hard by an unarmored student.

Though this was a practice match, and the Armored Fighter was meant to let his opponent attack first, the problem was David’s spear mastery: 99% mastery, nearly at the consummate level.

Any combat skill at consummate mastery would be called that of a master.

Most fighters, even after a lifetime of practice, only reached proficiency. Those who achieved mastery were rare, and most only at the entry level.

To become a true master was even rarer than breaking through to the fighter rank.

The Aves Armored Fighter himself was only at entry-level mastery, far behind David’s 99% spear mastery.

Luckily, David wasn’t a fighter and wasn’t wearing exoskeletal armor. Otherwise, with David striking first, he would already have been slain.