“After you, Alastor.” Mr. Funny Man said.

“How generous.”

Alastor dashed. The light of the artificial sun bouncing off against his sword. Mr. Funny Man evaded his swing and leaped backward. Alastor followed and swung from left to right. Mr. Funny Man was able to dodge Alastor’s attack. Mr. Funny Man keep prancing around until he felt that Alastor’s efforts are leading to nothing.

“Is that it?” Mr. Funny Man asked.

Even moving constantly, Alastor is still breathing with ease.

“Are you sure it’s fair to you that I’m the only one who’s using sword and you’re not?”

Mr. Funny Man nodded, “Yes.”

“Suit yourself.”

As soon they finished talking, Alastor swayed his hands. Mr. Funny Man raised a brow, he’s gazed remained unaltered. Alastor lunges forward. As return, Mr. Funny Man evaded again, and he took a big step back only found himself cornered by the invincible wall that Alastor conjured earlier.

He glanced around in a split second and saw that both of them are inside the four edges of invincible walls.

That movement earlier wasn’t meaningless at all. This man is certainly something.

A smile stretched in his lips.

“Fine then, I’ll play.”

The moment the tip of his sword was about to cut Mr. Funny Man’s face, Alastor felt a sharp, whistling wind that cut his cheek. In a sudden motion of encircling wind Alastor was blown away. His invincible walls were torn as the destructive wind shook the trees. Caroline shaded her eyes to protect from the rapturous wind while continued to observed.

Above, about 10 feet high, Mr. Funny Man floats.

“That’s not fair.” Alastor protested. “I can’t fly, you know.”

“You’re a glade mercenary, I’m pretty sure you can do more than complaining.”

In his palm, wind gathered. It’s creeping, and shrilling. The leaves that were floating was rendered to dust when it caught on the flow. Mr. Funny Man swing his arm. Alastor felt a heavy atmosphere that crushing the leaves. He glances on his left and saw the invincible force rearing over him. He offered a frustrated moan before evading it.

Alastor rolled over and jumped, then leaped backward, evading the attacks of Mr. Funny Man. Mr. Funny Man almost hit Alastor, almost. As Alastor used his arm to rolled as he bent, another shockwave came to him again. He uses his sword to shield himself. His back trembled in pain as he landed on a tree. He kneeled for seconds and got up.

“Is this the only thing you can do?” Mr. Funny Man asked. “Prancing around like an idiot?”

Just wait and see. Alastor spoke on his thought.

Alastor waves his hand and quickly, the invincible walls floated everywhere.

“Oh? Are you trying to limit my movements again? Interesting. Come on.”

It’s quite the opposite. Alastor’s floating invincible walls wasn’t conjured to limit his movements. He glided and evaded another attack, he leaped forward like a bullet to dodge perfectly 4 consequent attacks. Alastor immediately got on his feet and sprang, he uses the invincible walls as a foothold.

Mr. Funny Man quickly gain distance before him. He felt threatened by those murderous eyes of Alastor. At that moment, he realizes he’s biggest mistake.

This man, those walls weren’t meant to limit my movements, but to use as his foothold?!

Alastor sprang from foothold onto another, his fluid movements confused Mr. Funny Man as to where he will land. He’s stuck in the middle of the walls, struck in awe. His composure was broken when Alastor exhibits his uncanny wittiness.

Alastor, you’re a sharp man, indeed. You maybe a Mana Folder, but your creative imagination is an element that can catch an enemy off guard. Your mind is a force that should reckon with. If you put your mind into killing someone, I doubt that you would fail. Perhaps, I was too harsh on you.

As a matter of moment, Alastor quickly gone from his field of sight.

Where is he?!

Mr. Funny Man glances around. He realizes where Alastor might be, he’s on top of him. He was overcome by the shadow but still, the light of the artificial sun had hurt his eyes. Even he’s vision was obscured, he knew Alastor’s position.

I may be blinded but at least I knew where you are.

Wind gathered in his palm.

I won.

Alastor was 6 feet away from him when Mr. Funny Man threw the strenuous wind at him. A grin stretches on his face. His celebration was shattered when Alastor’s figure quickly dissipated. He was able to follow the fluid shadow as two of his invincible wall footholds shattered in pristine lights. It landed on his right and quickly lunges towards him.

He was about to leapt back but he was distracted by the eyesore light reflected on his blade. It appeared that Alastor had forgotten that this is just a mock battle when he saw his eyes reflected a killing intent.

Another shadow flung and grab Alastor down. The ground rumbled as they crashed on the ground. The swirling dust quickly dissolute. Ken was on top of Alastor.

“What the hell are you doing, Al?”

Ken held his right hand, restricting him from any attempts to raised his sword while his left foot was on Alastor’s left hand and Ken’s left hand was on his throat. Ken had completely him pinned down. Ken could feel Alastor’s murderous intention leaking through his unusual aura.

“Alastor,” Ken started again. And he didn’t alter his strength. “Snap out of it.”

In a matter of seconds, Alastor’s murderous intention halted. He looked up, blinked, confused why they’re in that position. He didn’t say anything until he was fully conscious of himself. Ken remains steeled on his position, uncertain if he was truly in control of himself.

“What happened?” Alastor groaned.

“I’m supposed to be the one who’s asking that.” Ken replied.

Mr. Funny Man landed. His composure returned to normal. He walks towards him and extended his arm to held Ken’s shoulder.

“There is no need for restriction, Ken. We were having a mock battle.” He drily said.

“I can hardly call that a mock battle. He intentionally wanted to kill you.”

Ken helped Alastor got up. Alastor remained clueless to his actions, betraying no evidence of him remembering what just happened. Ken was under the impression that he’s not fully himself yet, realized he wasted he had wasted his breath earlier trying to appeal any sensibilities on half-conscious man.

Alastor take a deep breath. He could barely recall what he did earlier. Caroline came closer, appeared to be worried.

“Did anyone got hurt?”

Alastor peered up to her disinterestedly. Suddenly, he felt hotness shot up and his body shivered and sat down. His displayed drowsiness.

Caroline offered her healing abilities, at least, to ease his uneasiness.

“Did I hurt anyone?” He mumbled.

“No, but you nearly killed one.” Ken exclaimed.

“No worries,” Mr. Funny Man said it without harboring detestation. “I was quite impressed of how you displayed your abilities.” Mr. Funny Man began to explained to Ken, “If there’s anyone to blame, that’s me. I may seem to have provoke Alastor, to unleashed his true ability in combat. I was merely testing him, after he appeared to use a chantless magic earlier.”

It was a big lie, he and Alastor knew it themselves. They knew pretty well that if Mr. Funny Man tell them the truth about having a doubt Alastor being a Mana Folder, it would create an awkward atmosphere between him and Alastor’s comrades. So, it is better to use that as an excuse to avoid any kind of judgment that would affect their relationship.

“I’m sorry too. It appeared that I went overboard. It won’t happen again.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t do it again.”

“Agreed.”

Ken was undoubtedly oblivious of what happened between the two.

“Ok. You better not tell Linda about this. She would freak out.” Ken said.

“Very well.” Mr. Funny Man dryly replied. He gazes at the Caroline, “Mademoiselle, let us continue your training next time.”

Caroline nodded. She glances again at Alastor who’s profusely sweating. She seems not that worried that if Alastor may hurt Mr. Funny Man at all. She very well knew the difference in strength between the two. If she should worry about is what if Mr. Funny Man would go all out. Thankfully, he’s able to suppressed his strength when they fought.

What matter the most is the strength that Alastor exhibits. Not only he is smart, but he’s strong too. But one thing is for sure, that strength comes with a price, maybe his soul, his humanity, or his past.

From now on, Mr. Funny Man will definitely won’t forget in his mind the day a lower-class warrior nearly ended his life because he let his guard down.