The Scrap Tamer - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: The Phoenix’s Test [1]: Strength

“A test that will determine if you’re deserving of the power you’ve been granted” it replied “you’re here for the Phoenix’s test.”

A pillar of flame rose behind the phoenix as soon as it announced the test’s name.

Vivian’s eyebrows twitched, ‘was that spectacle really necessary?’

As if sensing her thoughts, the phoenix cleared its throat and quickly dismissed the pillar of flames.

“Your first test starts now” the chamber disappeared as soon as it said said that.

Vivian found herself in what looked like an empty battlefield on which lay different kinds of weapons.

“The first test is a test of strength” The phoenix appeared by her and started explaining “you will have to prove yourself strong enough to weild my flames”.

Vivian looked at the phoenix and back at the battle field. The battle field made it clear enough what the test would be about.

She bent down and picked up the weapon she was most comfortable using, a spear.

She swung it a couple of times to test its weight before she turned to the phoenix with a serious expression.

“I’m ready” she informed.

“Very well then” The phoenix answered and started disappearing “good luck, Vivian.”

As soon as the phoenix disappeared, humanoid monsters made entirely of flames started rising on the battle field, each picking up a weapon and facing.

“Alright, let’s do this” Vivian took a battle stance and waited for the army of flame monsters to make the first move.

She might not have her forged-beast by her side or the temporary power granted by the phoenix during her fight with Malrath, but Vivian Cross was no slouch when it came to physical combat.

Her reputation as a genius was well-earned, and these monsters were about to learn exactly why.

The battle field remained silent as both Vivian and the army of monsters sized each other up.

If they were sentient, they would have understood that Vivian’s stance showed exactly how dangerous she was but unfortunately for the, they weren’t.

As if a signal was given, the monsters moved all at once. The wave of flaming monsters quickly approached Vivian, who was calmly standing there, her spear tightly in her grip.

She stood there observing the approaching monsters, a plan to efficiently deal with them forming in her head.

As the first flame monster reached her, it lunged forward and thrust its sword at her but she calmly sidestepped and swept her spear in an arc at its midsection.

The monster exploded into embers and quickly dissipated. Vivian didn’t stop to observe the spectacle, swiftly moving to the next target.

Another swung, the axe it was holding, at her causing her to crouch low barely avoiding it. She then precisely thrust the spear forward, stabbing the monster and turning it into ash.

The onslaught endlessly continued. The monsters came at her in waves, wielding different weapons. But Vivian still thrived, her experience greatly aiding her.

Not knowing when the wave would end, she chose to limit her movements to conserve energy and not tire herself out. All her movements were calculated to make sure she delivered maximum impact.

Her spear blurred in her hand as she moved it to block, parry, counter and deliver strikes. Sweat beaded on her furrowed brows.

She just noticed but she felt the heat coming from the flames on the monsters. This wasn’t good since the heat would fasten the rate at which she got exhausted but she still pressed on.

The battle continued for a while and although Vivian could see that the number of flaming monsters on the battle field had greatly reduced, the monsters had also become much more coordinated and stronger.

Behind all the monsters stood a gigantic flame knight with its sword stabbed in the ground. It calmly observed the ongoing fight between Vivian and the monsters as it seemed to give orders to the other flames monsters accordingly.

Even from all the way across the battlefield, Vivian could feel the terrifying aura it emitted.

‘it looks strong’ she thought as they seemed to lock eyes for a moment before Vivian turned to stab at the next monster.

She adjusted the spear in her hand and continued swiping and thrusting with the spear.

Ember after ember, the flame monsters crumbled into a pile of ash as they fell. The last of the flame monsters fell as Vivian’s spear stabbed through it.

The only standing flame monster was the flame knight and at this point, Vivian didn’t have enough strength to fight it.

She looked at the monster that just stood there with its sword still in the ground. Her eyebrow raised in confusion, wondering why it didn’t attack yet.

“Is it waiting for me to catch my breath” Vivian asked but it didn’t matter. As long as the monster didn’t move yet, she could use that time to catch her breath.

Besides, the phoenix never said this test had a time limit. So she just dropped to the ground and lay her spear beside her.

She had her guard up and sat in a way that she’d easily be able to get up if the knight made any sudden movements.

“Soo, can you also speak?” Vivian suddenly asked finding ways to cure her boredom.

The knight remained silent, its head turned to her as she continued resting.

“Figured” she said.

She didn’t actually expect a reply but she had observed that it behaved differently from the rest so she just tried to see if it could also talk.

Vivian hopped to her feet, picking the spear back up and facing the knight “alright then, let’s get this over with.”

Just as she suspected, seeing that she was well rested, the knight pulled it’s sword from the ground and placed it on its shoulders.

She wanted to observe its stance for openings but before she could react, the knight moved with a speed that was completely disproportional to its size.

Vivian raised her spear just in time to block its sword but the impact sent her barreling backwards.

Her feet skidded across the battlefield filled with ash and she had to stab her spear in the ground, slowing herself down and coming to a stop.

She barely had time to recover before the knight dashed forward again in another burst of speed.

She ducked in time to avoid a slash from its sword that sliced above its head. She twisted her body and stabbed the spear upwards, aiming for its head but the knight dodged with ease.

The knight brought its sword down in a vertical slash causing Vivian to jump back, to create space between them and reasses her opponent.

‘it’s fast, extremely so in fact’ she thought to herself. The knight outclassed her in speed so she decided to use skill.

The knight turned towards her, raised its sword and pointed it at her as if issuing saying ‘come at me’.

With a smirk, Vivian darted forward, feinting a thrust at the Knight’s left side before quickly delivering a slash at its right side but unlike what she expected, her spear was met with the Knight’s sword, stopping her attack.

‘Tch’ she clicked her tongue but quickly rolled out of the way as the knight retaliated with a horizontal strike. The strike left a crater on the ground and luckily, Vivian wasn’t in the way.

She came up behind it and thrusted her spear again at its back but the knight pivoted at the last second and deflected the spear.

“F*cking hell” she cursed “insane speed and reflexes, how the f*ck do I beat this guy?”.

The knight didn’t allow her time to strategize. It dashed towards her again and unleashed a barrage of attacks that caused Vivian to parry, dodge and side step.

But the speed of the attacks caused her to stumble lightly and that was all the knight needed. It seized the opportunity and slammed the flat side of its blade at her.

The attack sent her flying and similarly crashing into the battlefield with a heavy thud, raising a cloud of ash and dust.

The wind was knocked out of Vivian as she landed and the gasped for air. Her spear lay a few feet from where she landed but the knight remained in the position it made the attack, not pressing its advantage.

“It perfectly counters all my attacks and takes every opportunity it gets to strike” she assessed “seriously, how the f*ck am I supposed to beat this guy”.

She clutched her side, feeling the pain from her ribs as she forced herself to stand. She looked at the knight that kept its eyes on her as she limped towards the spear.

“Chivalry huh?” She muttered as she picked up her spear “I guess I should be glad you’re a knight”.

She spun the spear a bit before pointing it back at the knight.

“Time for round two” she said.

The knight didn’t need to be told twice since it had already lunged at her the moment she had the spear in her hands.