Galatic Overlord:I Can Copy Other's Ability

Controlling his frown,he turned back to his own practice. He repeated the motion again and again.

Each time he tried to shift his weight and move in a dash, his foot slipped or his timing broke down. On the fourth attempt he nearly tumbled over again. By the sixth try he had bruised his palm from catching himself.

Finally, on the seventh attempt, something clicked. His body leaned just right, his foot pushed off the ground, and his energy aligned with the movement. For the first time, he dashed forward in a smooth, sharp motion. It was not perfect, but it was real progress.

Dein finally spoke. "You should focus on using it with your fists. Try to connect it to an actual fight."

Hex straightened and raised his guard. "Have you learned it already? Can you show me?"

Dein's expression didn't change. He adjusted his stance and in the very next instant, BANG!

Before Hex could react, a heavy punch landed square on his torso. He had barely raised his arms in time to block, but the force still drove into him like a hammer. His body slid backward across the ground, the friction burning through his boots, until he came to a stop. He coughed lightly, stunned.

"You're fast," Hex muttered, pushing himself up. "I couldn't follow you at all. If you had used that during our fight, I might have been beaten."

Dein shook his head. "I did use it. You just used that strange power of yours and managed to keep up."

"Is that it?" Hex asked, his brows furrowed.

Dein nodded.

Hex felt a small spark of pride rise in him, but it quickly dimmed when Dein spoke again.

"This is only the basic form. There are much better techniques out there. I didn't learn too far, but I'll give you one piece of advice. Don't practice this one too hard."

"Why not?" Hex asked, puzzled.

"Because it's low-tier," Dein explained. "Anyone at one-star and above can crush it with raw force. You'll have to change techniques sooner or later, and that's where the problem comes. If you switch too often, you'll pick up bad habits. Your body will get used to one style, and then resist when you try to change. It will slow you down in the long run."

Hex listened carefully, going over the words in his head. Dein's voice was steady and honest.

"As for this one," Dein continued, "it's fine for a foundation. It helps build control, and it's flexible. But higher-level fighters won't even glance at it."

Hex looked around the hall. Sure enough, he noticed that half the cadets were barely trying. Many were just going through the motions, waiting for the class to end. Dein was right. Some of them probably already had better techniques and saw no point in wasting effort.

'I can't ask him for more,' Hex thought, glancing at Dein. 'If he has higher-level ones, he won't just hand them over. I can only rely on myself.'

He clenched his fists and took another stance. "I'll practice this first. I need a base."

Hex and Dein faced each other. The space around them grew quiet as the other pairs also began taking their stances. Hex took a deep breath and steadied his footing, remembering Amanda's words about movement being the essence of combat.

"Ready?" Dein asked, his tone calm but sharp.

Hex nodded. "Yeah."

The moment they moved, the sound of feet brushing against the ground filled the air. Dein's body shifted fast, and his steps were light. Hex's eyes followed closely as Dein came forward with a sudden lunge. Hex twisted to the side, keeping his body low, and the strike cut through the empty air where he had stood.

Hex immediately stepped back and circled. He tried to match the flow, keeping his center balanced. Dein didn't slow down. He advanced again, his arms weaving with speed, and his footwork smooth. Hex avoided the blow, this time stepping to the right and pushing with his heel to create distance.

Their movements became quicker as they exchanged more blows. The clash wasn't violent, but it demanded sharp focus. Every step mattered.

Amanda walked around them, her eyes sharp as she observed. She stopped near Hex, her voice steady. "Don't just dodge. Use your steps to control the angle. If you only escape, you will run out of space. Push him where you want him to go."

Hex clenched his jaw and nodded. He adjusted, watching Dein carefully. When Dein moved in again, Hex stepped to the side but also shifted forward, guiding his opponent's line toward the edge of the space. Dein clicked his tongue and smiled faintly.

"Not bad," Dein muttered, regaining his stance.

Hex pressed in again, his movements sharper now. The air between them grew heavier as both began testing each other with speed. Dein's footwork was smooth and clear, but Hex used sudden shifts, appearing in places where Dein did not expect him to be.

Amanda raised her voice so the others could hear as well. "Movement is not just about running or dodging. It is about rhythm. When you move, you must feel the beat of the fight. Every step carries weight. If you lose your rhythm, you lose the fight."

Her words sank into Hex's mind. He tried to breathe with each step, his body syncing with the rhythm Amanda spoke of. Dein attacked again with a swift kick, but Hex swayed aside and countered with a strike to the shoulder. It didn't land clean, but it forced Dein back.

Dein shrugged, then raised his guard. The two started sparring for real, with Dein pressing forward while Hex tried to dodge using the new steps. But Hex's movements were still clumsy. Each slip gave Dein an opening, and blow after blow landed on him.

Hex gritted his teeth, refusing to quit, even as the bruises piled up.

Amanda nodded slightly at Hex. "Better. Do not fight against the flow. Guide it. Redirect it."

The spar went on until Amanda raised her hand, signaling them to stop. Both boys stepped back, breathing heavily but steady. Sweat formed along Hex's brow, but his eyes were bright.

Amanda stood at the center again, addressing the group. "You all did well. This is only the beginning. Soon, you will be called for personal instructors. With them, you can choose who to learn under and master your path further."

The students looked at one another, whispers spreading through the group. Amanda's voice cut through the noise, calm yet firm.

"For those of you without strong backgrounds, this might be a good chance. But remember this. Choose wisely. Not every instructor is meant for every student. Compatibility matters more than fame or power. If you choose wrong, you might regret it for the rest of your path. You could even be stuck, unable to advance further."

Her eyes scanned over them all, stopping briefly on Hex before she looked away. "Think carefully. Do not be blinded by names and titles. Your growth depends on the right choice."

...…..

Hardening (D)[★★★]

Agility Enhancer (D)[★]

Punch Blast (E)[★★]

Permanent Slot:

• Chaos Absorption (B)