The Copy Mage

Chapter 200: Royal Academy Mercenaries Part 2

Seeing Damian form a Fire Sword, the mercenary was impressed by Damian's skills in terms of wielding energy and condensing Fire Energy into a solid weapon, which is very difficult to do, especially at the speed that Damian did it at.

However, the mercenary was also more confident as he was great at close combat and fighting with a sabre, making him believe that a close combat fight against a mere rank 5 cultivator would be easy. 

Little did he know, Damian, one of the few prodigies of the new generation as well as the Copy Mage, was very capable despite his cultivation level. 

His physical power alone would allow him to match a rank 6 cultivator.

Matched with his skill, combat prowess, abilities and harmony with his Internal Cultivation, he could rival ordinary rank 7 cultivators and maybe even rank 8 cultivators if he pushed himself to his limits. 

Despite that, Damian knew that fighting against so many opponents at once would be very difficult if not impossible and in the back of his mind, he was praying that somebody came to help him. 

A prodigy that wasn't given the time and space to develop wasn't much of a threat. 

Unless Damian was able to receive help, or unleash that hidden power that he could feel deep within him, death was a likely possibility. 

Even with the odds stacked against him, giving up wasn't an option and Damian was hoping that they underestimated him enough to give him an advantage and the element of surprise. 

The Royal Mercenaries were known throughout the country for their professional and unrivalled capabilities and was one of the biggest parts of the Royal Academy, and was a big part of the power of the Royal Academy and the royals.

All the members of the Royal Mercenaries were at least rank 5 and instead of focusing on improving their cultivation as much as possible, they focused on being skilled, being experienced, being versatile and overall, a capable cultivator and mercenary.

The preconception that nobles were lazy and weak because of being born into wealth and status was false in most cases and many nobles aim to become a part of the Royal Mercenary.

The reason for that was because of the prestige, opportunities and future that came with being a Royal Mercenary and it was also a role that one could leave after they were ready to take on different roles.

People of low status that had proven their capability and loyalty were also able to join the Royal Mercenaries, however, it must be under the name of a noble family that was vouching for that particular individual.

Any Royal Mercenary would take on any task, varying from being a bodyguard, to being an assassin, and was trained to be calm, collected and follow orders closely, but also make their own intelligent decisions.

That made them all very capable and dangerous individuals, and Damian had been given a brief explanation of the tough training and courses that the Royal Mercenaries would go through from Utsusu, who made sure to always gather information on any important topic.

With his Fire Sword in hand, Adam launched himself towards the mercenary he was facing and only used 80% of his physical strength, while also reserved his Internal Energy and didn't harmonise his cultivations.

He did so to make sure that he still had energy left to protect himself and face the other enemies, while he also didn't want to reveal too much of his capabilities too early.

Clashing his Fire Sword with the mercenaries sabre, Damian had a better feel for his opponent's strength and gauged that the mercenary also seemed to be holding his strength back, most likely due to its orders from the royal academy students.

"How much did they pay you, I am sure I can give you multiple times that amount," said Damian as he began parrying all the attacks the mercenary was launching towards him.

"You are one unusual child and your eyes are like that of other experienced mercenaries that I have come across. It is a shame that you have to die, but I must fulfil my duties" stated the mercenary as it suddenly used a Sabre Skill.

It unleashed a rapid strike and just as Damian was about to block it with his Fire Sword, the sabre that was coming towards him seemed to disappear and rapidly switched targets from his head to his legs.

Damian observed that it relied on great speed, power and preparation to unleash such a rapid strike and switch targets so quickly and the skill that the opponent had in wielding the sabre was very impressive.

However, Damian's reflexes, sharp senses and perceptivity were also impressive and he managed to use the Flame Burst Skill and jump backwards just as the blade was about to slash his right leg.

If it wasn't for Damian's relatively small and slim figure along with his young appearance, one would believe that it was a battle between skilled veterans, and both the mercenary and Damian seemed to be enjoying the heat of battle.

"Us mercenaries may be called dogs and ridiculed for doing anything for money, however, one thing people do not realise, is that we enjoy what we do. All I seek is a challenge and to be recognised, and if I can also be paid while achieving my aims, I am living my life to its fullest" 

The mercenary's eyes showed exactly how experienced, skilled and dangerous he was, however, they also showed Damian that he had experienced great pain and was most likely concealing his pain and trying to make himself believe what he was saying.

Damian pitied him, but there was no pity or mercy in the middle of a battle and Damian knew that, so he needed to be more focused and was learning from the mercenary's blade technique as he clashed blades with him.

The royal academy students weren't perceptive and observative enough to see what was occurring, however, the mercenaries, including the one fighting Damian, were impressed and amazed by how quickly his blade skills were improving.