Death Guns In Another World

Chapter 1688: Chapter 1505: Training Session 1



Rising from her bed, Maria stepped onto the cool obsidian floor, the sunlight warming her skin. The melody of the birdsong grew louder, a joyous symphony that filled the room.

"What a peaceful morning," she murmured to herself, a genuine smile gracing her lips. It was a stark contrast to the usual tension-filled mornings that heralded a day of training. This sense of calm, a gift from the night's camaraderie with Luna, was a welcome change.

The urge to jump straight into training was strong, but Maria knew the importance of proper preparation. With a sigh of contentment, she decided to indulge in a quick bath before donning her training gear.

The cool water would further invigorate her, washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing her mind and body for the challenges ahead. Stepping out of her room, she made her way towards the bath chambers, a brief detour before rejoining Luna for breakfast. On her way, she stopped by the kitchens, the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stews a familiar comfort.

Grabbing a quick and nutritious breakfast of fruit, nuts, and a protein bar, Maria tucked it into her training bag. There wouldn't be much time to linger over a full meal today, but the sustenance would fuel her for the intense training session to come.

Maria descended deep beneath the heart of the fortress, the cheery morning light replaced by a cool, artificial glow. Polished obsidian walls reflected the rhythmic pulse of glowing orbs embedded in the ceiling, casting the vast training ground in an otherworldly blue light.

The space itself was immense, easily the size of a stadium. Polished obsidian floors gleamed under the ethereal light, their smooth surface offering the perfect platform for a variety of combat maneuvers. Training dummies, sculpted from a sturdy, magically-reinforced wood, stood sentinel in various corners, some wielding practice weapons, others frozen in mid- attack poses.

Opposite the entrance stood a towering wall emblazoned with intricate glyphs that pulsed with a faint white light. This was the magical training zone, a place where warriors could hone their ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. In the distance, a shimmering pool of water rippled gently, its surface reflecting the faint blue light of the training ground. This was the aquatic combat zone, designed to simulate the challenges of underwater battles.

The air hummed with a low, rhythmic energy, a constant reminder of the magical wards and training simulations woven into the very fabric of the space. A training dummy, suddenly animated by a hidden mechanism, sprung to life, swinging a practice sword with surprising speed. In another corner, a team of warriors sparred fiercely, their movements a blur of focused energy and controlled aggression.

This vast underground chamber wasn't just a training ground; it was a crucible. Here, warriors were forged into instruments of precision and power, their skills honed to razor sharpness in preparation for the battles that awaited them on the surface.

A surge of anticipation quickened Maria's steps as she spotted a lone figure amidst the vast training ground. There, bathed in the ethereal blue light, stood Luna. Her fiery spirit seemed to crackle in the air, even from a distance.

Gone was the Saintess clad in ornate armor. Currently Luna, her agile form clad in a sleek, white training outfit that accentuated her every move. It was a stark contrast to Maria's usual icy armor, a symbol of the contrasting styles they brought to the battlefield.

Luna's golden hair, usually tied back in a warrior's braid since the start of skirmish between them and the enemy, danced freely around her shoulders, catching the faint breeze that circulated within the training ground. A mischievous glint shone in her golden eyes, a glint that spoke of playful competition even before a word was exchanged.

A smile tugged at the corner of Maria's lips seeing this, she stopped for a moment before continuing.

As Maria approached, Luna's mischievous grin widened into a playful battle cry.

"Well, well, Ice Empress," she announced, her voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber.

"Ready to face the wrath of the Radiant Fist?"

Maria couldn't help but chuckle. Luna, despite being their healer, Saintess Luna as she was formally known, was a force to be reckoned with. Her unique blend of light and water magic made her an unpredictable opponent, and her preference for close combat, fist and staff against all odds, was a constant surprise to those who underestimated her. Her current nickname was Mad Saintess.

"Always a pleasure to spar with you, Luna,"

Maria replied, her voice cool and collected, but a hint of amusement dancing in her ice-blue eyes.

"Though I wouldn't call it wrath. Perhaps a friendly pummeling?"

Luna snorted.

"Friendly for you, maybe," she teased.

"Today's session is all about fists, Ice Empress. No magic, no fancy spells. Just pure, unadulterated hand-to-hand combat."

A flicker of surprise crossed Maria's face. This wasn't their usual training regimen.

Luna, with her nimble grace and close-combat prowess, would naturally hold the advantage in a fistfight. A wry smile played on Maria's lips. Challenge accepted.

"Intriguing," Maria admitted, straightening her posture and adjusting the straps of her own training gear.

"Perhaps it's time to see how much progress my talented student has made."

The playful banter ceased abruptly as their eyes met. In that single glance, the playful facade dissolved, replaced by a steely determination. They were no longer sisters-in-arms, but adversaries on a training field.

Luna raised her hands into a fighting stance, her golden eyes glinting with an inner fire. Maria, ever the strategist, mirrored Luna's stance, her movements measured and precise. The air crackled with anticipation, a storm brewing beneath the calm surface. "Come at me," Maria ordered, her voice steady, a challenge ringing clear.

Luna responded with a crazed smile, a glint of playful defiance in her eyes. "As you wish!" she declared, her voice echoing in the vast training ground.

With a battle cry that startled nearby trainees, Luna launched into action. She shot forward like a bullet, a blur of white against the blue-lit training ground.

Her signature move, "Double Impact," came into play with a lightning-fast strike. Her right fist aimed for Maria's head, a feint most likely, while her left fist simultaneously lunged for the Ice Empress's stomach.

But Maria, having sparred with Luna countless times, knew her tricks. She anticipated the move, her body reacting with practiced fluidity. With a slight lean back, she evaded the head strike with minimal effort.

Simultaneously, she dropped to a lower stance, her right arm shooting out to block the incoming punch aimed at her gut.

Bang!

The impact sent a jolt up Maria's arm, a reminder of Luna's surprising strength. But Maria wouldn't give her an inch.

Using the momentum of Luna's attack, Maria twisted and launched a counter of her own. Her right hand, the one that had just blocked, shot up in a swift uppercut, aiming for Luna's jaw.