Chapter 65: Combat Simulation Orb

Ethan finally spoke.

"If the treasures were just sitting there, then they were obviously waiting for someone to take them."

"You certainly have the mindset of a thief. But that doesn’t matter," Liana said. "What matters is what you did with them. The Thornheart Flower and the other herbs were supposed to be delivered to the Verdant Alchemy Hall. Where are they now?"

"They’re all gone."

Ethan walked past her and headed toward the Combat Simulation Area.

"Wait. What do you mean they’re all gone?"

Just then, an impatient voice came from behind them.

"Are you three going in or not?"

Liana turned around.

A student standing behind them looked annoyed.

"You’ve been standing at the entrance this whole time."

He gestured toward the Combat Simulation Area.

"This is a combat training facility, not a place for you to stand around and chat. If you want to talk, move somewhere else. You’re blocking everyone behind you."

Liana’s expression immediately hardened.

"What did you say?"

She took a step toward him, clearly ready to argue, but Aria quickly grabbed her arm.

"Come on."

"Aria, but he—"

"We’re blocking the entrance." Aria pulled her toward the Combat Simulation Area. "If we keep standing here, we’re going to miss the fight."

Liana resisted for a moment before finally letting herself be dragged inside.

"Fine, but I’m not finished with Ethan."

"You can complain about him after the fight."

Aria released her and quickly caught up with Ethan. Liana followed behind them, still visibly annoyed.

The moment they entered the Combat Simulation Area, the surroundings changed.

It was a large, dimly lit room with several round tables arranged across the floor. Each table had seven crystal orbs set into its surface, with enough space for seven people to sit around it.

Most of the tables were already occupied.

At one of them, Kael and Gareth sat comfortably across from each other, each resting one hand on a crystal orb. Several other students were seated at the remaining tables, their hands resting on the crystal orbs as they waited for the simulation to begin.

Aria’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Come on! We need to find a seat before they’re all taken."

She hurried toward the nearest available table, passing Ethan without even slowing down.

"Aria, wait for me!"

Liana quickly followed, but when she passed Ethan, she deliberately moved around him without giving him much room.

"I’m only leaving you alone for now," she said with a huff. "I’ll deal with you after Young Master Kael’s fight."

Ethan gave her a calm look.

"Assuming he wins."

Liana’s face twitched.

"You..."

"Wait."

Aria’s voice came from the table.

Liana turned toward her, and the anger on her face was quickly replaced by confusion.

Aria was staring at the crystal orb in front of her.

"This actually costs points to use?"

Ethan took the seat beside her.

"You didn’t think it would be free, did you?"

"Of course I did." Aria looked at him. "It’s just a simulation. Who would want to spend points on something that’s not even a real fight?"

Ethan rested his hand on the crystal orb.

"You’re thinking of it as a simple training game. It’s more than that."

Aria leaned closer.

"The orb can simulate almost any opponent, profession, or environment. The opponents fight just like they would in real life, and their movements can be even more precise because the simulation gives them perfect control of their skills."

"So people can use it to practice against someone like themselves?"

"Exactly. A swordsman can fight a simulated swordsman with the same fighting style to improve his own skills. You can also choose another profession and study how they fight, learn their moves, and find weaknesses."

Aria’s eyes slowly lit up.

"So that’s why people are willing to spend points on it."

"That’s only the basic function."

Ethan tapped the crystal orb.

"It can also simulate complete battles between two people or two groups. Since the simulation can reproduce their skills, equipment, and other abilities, the fight can be almost the same as a real battle."

Aria looked at the orb again.

"But without actually getting killed."

"Exactly."

Ethan leaned back slightly.

"You can also watch other people’s battles, and there are even matches where spectators can place bets."

"Betting too?" Aria’s eyes brightened.

"Enough talking about the orb."

Liana had already taken her seat at the same table.

"Let’s just watch Young Guild Leader Kael beat Gareth. We can talk about all this after the fight."

Aria nodded.

"Right. I almost forgot because of Ethan’s explanation."

She quickly closed her eyes, settled comfortably into her seat, and placed her hand on the crystal orb. The moment she paid the required points, her consciousness was pulled into the simulation.

Ethan took the seat beside her and placed his hand on the orb as well.

A faint light spread across its surface.

A system notification appeared in his vision.

[Combat Simulation]

[Usage Fee: 10 Academy Points]

[Payment Confirmed]

The dark training room disappeared, replaced by a translucent interface floating before him.

[Table: 12 | Seat: 3]

[Combat Simulation]

[Simulated Battle]

[Player Battle]

[Spectate]

[Training]

[Replay]

Ethan quickly went through the available options.

Simulated Battle allowed users to create opponents by choosing their profession, level, equipment, skills, and even the environment.

Player Battle allowed users to fight other participants, either one-on-one or in groups.

Spectate allowed users to watch ongoing battles, as long as spectating had been enabled. Some battles were completely private.

Training offered different exercises for improving combat skills, while Replay allowed previous battles to be reviewed.

There were several other functions, but Ethan ignored them and selected Spectate.

Another interface appeared before Ethan.

[Available Battles]

[Silverguard Knight vs Earth Knight]

[...]

Ethan selected the first option.

The interface disappeared. The dark training room was gone. A large combat arena now surrounded Ethan.

The arena was wide and empty, with a flat ground stretching all the way to the edges.

Several dozen meters away, two figures were already standing in the middle of the arena.

Ethan checked the information displayed in front of him.

[Defense Trial: Tank Edition]

[Rounds: 3]

[Current Round: 1]

[Objective: Endure the greatest amount of damage]

[Participant 1: Kael]

[Participant 2: Gareth]

[Spectators: 38]

"What’s this? I thought they were going to fight each other."

Aria’s voice came from beside him.

"They are."

"Then why aren’t they attacking?"

"Because they’re both Tanks."

Ethan pointed toward the arena.

"Kael is a Silverguard Knight, while Gareth is an Earth Knight. They’re both focused on defense, so this isn’t really about defeating each other."

Aria seemed to understand.

"So they’re trying to see who can take more damage?"

"Pretty much."

Ethan glanced at the two figures.

"Whoever falls first loses."

"Exactly."

Aria sounded a little more interested now.

"Then this is basically a competition to see whose defense is better."

After a few seconds, Aria asked, "Since they’re both Tanks, who do you think will win this round?"

"Of course it’s Young Guild Leader Kael."

Liana’s voice came from behind them.

Aria turned toward her.

"Really?"

"Of course." she said "Silverguard Knights are known for their defense. They can summon a spectral guardian to help protect them, so they’re really good at holding their ground."

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"Gareth’s Earth Knight is strong too, especially when it comes to taking damage. But Kael has spent years training his defense. I don’t think Gareth can outlast him."

Aria seemed a little surprised.

"Really? You think Kael’s defense is that good?"

"I do."

Ethan’s voice suddenly cut into the conversation, but there was a clear hint of disagreement in his tone.

"I agree with what you said about Kael’s Silverguard Knight profession."

"Hmph. I thought you’d disagree with everything I said."

Liana sounded a little pleased that Ethan had actually agreed with her.

Ethan looked toward the arena.

"I just don’t agree that he’ll win this round."

"What do you mean?"

"Kael’s defense is strong, but Gareth’s Earth Knight has an advantage in this kind of competition."

Ethan continued calmly.

"This isn’t about who has the better defense. It’s about who can endure more damage. Gareth’s profession is better suited for that. He has a way of reducing the damage he takes, so he has a better chance of lasting longer."

Liana was silent for a moment.

"But Kael’s Silverguard Knight can also defend against a lot of damage. Are you saying Gareth’s Earth Knight is simply better?"

"No."

Ethan shook his head.

"If they were fighting normally, I wouldn’t say Gareth would win."

He pointed toward the arena.

"But this trial only cares about how much damage they can endure. That changes things."

Aria became interested again.

"So you’re saying the rules of the trial favor Gareth?"

"Exactly."

Liana didn’t seem convinced.

"Maybe they do, but that doesn’t mean Gareth will win."

Her tone was confident.

"Kael knows exactly how to use his Silverguard Knight abilities. I’ve seen him take attacks that would have forced other Knights to retreat. He won’t lose just because Gareth has an advantage in this trial."

Aria smiled. "Well, you both have your reasons. I guess we’ll find out soon enough." She turned her attention back to the arena. "They’re about to start, so let’s see which one of you is right."