What is talent?
Is it faster learning and understanding of a subject?
A different perspective on that subject?
A natural gift that allows one to act better and quicker than another?
Talent has many meanings.
But at the end of the day, it is ultimately decided by the majority.
So then, what is talent?
The amount of potential the public perceives in a person.
---
Tsssss.
Kovac's sword dragged along the damp ground, wet blades of grass scattering in its wake.
"Huff… huff…"
His breaths were rough, uneven. His eyes were red, his eyelids heavy, sweat trailing down his face.
The only thing guiding him was the distant sound of weapons clashing.
"…!"
Finally.
The fight came into view.
He glanced back.
The footprints behind him showed he had been only ten steps away.
"…H—"
"HEY!" he shouted, briefly disrupting the fray.
All three figures turned toward the noise.
"Let me join in," he declared faintly, raising his sword, its tip pointing toward the trio.
…
Shiik.
"—!"
"STOP!"
The tip of the kusarigama halted entirely mid-air.
That was so fast. I knew it. I can't see their movements properly.
I'll have to rely on Stop just to survive.
He tightened his grip around the hilt.
"Now there's three of you again…" Sharon observed, scanning them calmly.
"Let's increase the tempo."
Crack — dash.
"—!"
"You first."
Her nagamaki was already inches from Kovac's face.
"STO—"
"…?!"
The blade froze just short of his skin.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
He stumbled backward, heart pounding.
"Hm…" Sharon hummed softly.
So he doesn't need to finish his sentences.
"I almost died…" Kovac muttered, his body trembling. "…To a fog-born, no less."
"…You really just say whatever you want, even now?" Sharon replied, subtle anger lining her voice.
"It's not like I'm lying."
BOOM.
Dust exploded outward. Debris scattered.
Whoosh.
Sharon leapt back as Park burst through the cloud, blades extended.
Shhk.
She skidded across the ground, raising her weapon.
Clang. Clank. Crash. Swish.
A flurry of steel collided.
What the hell…?!
Kovac stared in shock.
I can't see a thing. Only the mana sparks from their clashes.
Shiik—
"—!"
"Kugh!"
He barely dodged the returning kusarigama.
Thud.
He hit the ground, eyes squeezed shut.
"Not bad," Cross acknowledged, retrieving his weapon and walking toward him.
Kovac's eyes snapped open. Red. Wet.
I dodged it.
So that's it.
Focus!
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Cross swung — then brought the chain down violently.
"Stop!"
The weapon froze mid-air.
"Tsk. So annoying."
"Haah!"
Kovac lunged forward.
Just like the Lifer. Stab.
Cross tilted his head slightly, avoiding the thrust. The chain snapped upward in response.
Sto— No. What if I—
"Speed up."
Mana surged through his limbs.
Clang.
He blocked — barely.
The impact blasted his arms upward, the sword ripped from his hands.
Cross twisted the chain and flung him toward a distant tree.
That worked.
So I can reinforce my body too—
"Cushion!"
His momentum slowed just before impact.
"My sword!"
The blade shot back into his palm.
Clasp.
He swung horizontally.
Clang.
Cross planted his feet and deflected, retaliating with a vertical slash.
"Stop!"
The attack froze.
Kovac thrust forward.
Cross sidestepped, wrapping the chain around the blade and wrenching it away.
Shit!
"Come ba—"
A fist drove toward his face.
—!
"…?!"
Kovac slammed his forehead forward.
Ugh!
The impact rattled his skull.
"This guy…" Cross muttered, pulling his fist back then striking again.
Kovac ducked low, scrambling for his sword.
Yes—
He lifted his head, eyes narrowing.
"…!"
The air rippled behind Cross.
Sharon pivoted, the butt of her nagamaki slamming into Park's ribs — launching him into the air.
Whoosh.
"Stop!"
Park's unconscious body froze mid-flight.
"What the—?!" Cross snapped, eyes widening at Park's limp face.
He rushed forward, catching him.
Park… what happened?
A bead of sweat rolled down his brow.
"…Shit."
He lifted Park and retreated.
"…Pussies," Kovac muttered, watching them disappear.
"I suppose it's just you now," Sharon said, standing before him.
He turned sharply.
"Stop!"
Her blade froze inches from his face.
He rose again, tightening his grip.
Just like before.
Same posture.
Same thrust.
"Hah!"
Clang.
The recoil tore through his arms.
"Kagh—!"
"You…" Sharon said, her mana settling.
"…You're more than interesting."