82 - Learning from Krahs

  Nexha woke up the next morning feeling better. His tail, though still wrapped in algae bandages, no longer throbbed as much, and his mind felt clearer. The exhaustion from the previous days still weighed on his body, but now he could think without being consumed by frustration.

  — Since I can’t hunt, I’ll forge a few more things. — He murmured to himself, swimming toward the platform where he kept his makeshift forge.

  But before he could reach it, Krahs intercepted his path. The old shark looked serious, his eyes carrying something beyond that— a weight of concern and decision.

  — Come here, Nexha.

  The grave tone made the young one hesitate. For a moment, he thought it would be another scolding, but then Krahs handed him a spear made of moray-algae bamboo. Nexha looked at the weapon in his hands, confused.

  — Hm?

  — I’m going to teach you properly. — Krahs crossed his arms. — I may not be a master with knives, but I know how to use a spear and other long weapons.

  Nexha’s eyes widened in surprise. His father had never offered this kind of training before. Until now, he thought Krahs only trained Lilay because he was the size of an eleven-year-old and kept growing rapidly, while Nexha barely compared to his brother in size or speed.

  But Krahs noticed his mind wandering and frowned.

  — Nexha, are you paying attention?

  — I am, Dad!

  Nexha straightened his posture, pushing aside his thoughts and focusing on what Krahs was saying.

  The old shark stepped closer and adjusted his hands on the spear, correcting his grip firmly.

  — Hold it like this. It will give you more control.

  Nexha obeyed, feeling the weapon’s weight differently. More balanced, which he found strange, but he continued nonetheless. Krahs then swam a few meters ahead, assuming a combat stance.

  — As I learned, I will teach you. So come, Nexha. Fight me.

  Nexha hesitated. Krahs was level 30, while he had barely reached level 9. The difference in strength between them was immense.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  — But… I—

  — Don’t underestimate yourself, boy. — Krahs interrupted, his gaze sharp. — We’re not here to play. If you want to become strong, stop hesitating and fight.

  Nexha’s heart pounded. Krahs never spoke like that. This wasn’t just training— it was a test. A test he couldn’t refuse.

  Gripping the spear tighter, he took a deep breath.

  — Alright… here I go!

  Nexha moved first, wielding the spear by instinct. He attempted a direct thrust, as he always did with his knife, aiming for Krahs’ chest.

  But before the spear’s tip even got close, Krahs dodged with a simple tail movement, swimming beside him like a swift shadow.

  — Too predictable.

  Before Nexha could react, he felt an impact on his side. Krahs had used his own spear to push him away, sending him tumbling several meters back through the water.

  -2 HP (31/55)

  Nexha spun in the sea; the hit was strong enough to make him realize this fight was serious. He tried to regain his balance while opening his status and seeing his health drop.

  — If you don’t learn to stop overthinking in the middle of a fight, you’ll lose before you even start. Focus, Nexha!

  Krahs didn’t give him room to breathe. The old shark advanced, his spear cutting through the water with precision. Nexha managed to lift his weapon to block, but the impact was strong, pushing him back again.

  -5 HP (26/55)

  — I know your endurance, Nexha. I know you can take it, but that won’t be enough if your enemy is stronger than you!

  He gritted his teeth. He needed to think, to act differently. If he kept trying to fight head-on, he wouldn’t get anywhere.

  Then he had an idea.

  When Krahs advanced again, Nexha didn’t resist the blow— instead, he twisted his tail and let himself be carried by the water’s force, dodging to the side in an unexpected movement.

  — Hm…?

  It was enough to create an opening. Nexha spun the spear quickly and, with a powerful tail stroke, delivered a side attack aimed at Krahs’ ribs. The old shark caught the tip effortlessly with his hand, but the impact still drew a surprised expression from him, which soon turned into a satisfied smile.

  — Now that’s more like it!

  Before Nexha could take advantage of the moment, Krahs spun his own spear and struck Nexha’s, disarming him. The young one’s weapon was sent flying, and before he could react, Krahs grabbed his tail, holding him firmly.

  — AAAAH! — Nexha struggled to break free, but his father’s overwhelming strength kept him pinned.

  Krahs looked into his eyes, serious.

  — You’re good, Nexha. But don’t mistake luck for skill.

  He let go and retrieved the fallen spear, handing it back.

  — Again.

  Nexha panted, feeling his body ache. But even so, he took the spear and prepared for another round.

  He was still far from Krahs’ level… but every strike, every mistake, every success— all of it would teach him to grow stronger.

  And one day, he wouldn’t just fight alongside Krahs… he would protect him too.

  By sunset, they finally stopped. Nexha collapsed onto the sand, exhausted, but then a familiar sensation came to his mind, leaving him confused.

  {Congratulations, you have reached level 10! Check your status to see the changes.}

  Nexha laughed with the last bit of energy he had, realizing he had found another way to level up.

  Krahs raised an eyebrow but was already used to his son being a little odd. He just sighed, left Nexha to rest, and went to find something for Lilay and Jasper, who were irritated with hunger.

  That night, after dinner, while everyone slept, Krahs wrapped fresh medicinal algae bandages around Nexha and paused for a moment, noticing that the boy seemed slightly bigger than he had been in the morning.

  He sighed, then placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving.