Emptiness arose in the duo's memories...

Once again, Lily and Arthur found themselves unable to understand what was going on.

It was only Arthur who still retained his fury after remembering his childhood friend call out to him.

The contents weren't important. What made him furious was when he saw Alex felled in his vision.

There the Arcanist laid unconscious...

Above him was a Healer. He didn't recognise the Second Prince, but the shorty's help eased him.

Now he could focus on the fight at hand.

"Huh?" Just as Lily was about to attack, Arthur blocked her with a hand and sent her a glance.

His gaze was enough to speak a thousand words.

'I guess it IS personal...' The understanding wolf girl thought. She took a step back in response.

The youthful beauty let the brawny youth walk up towards the assailant without any preparations.

She wasn't worried one bit...

Casually, she sat on the stairs in front of the vast space before the mansion's front entrance.

The wolf girl started to feel a little hungry...

A lollipop was taken out of a pouch near her waist with ease, before she started eating ambiguously.

Unwrapping the candy stick, she wrapped her tongue around the contents and patiently waited.

The spearman turned to look at the approaching figure. It was a youth with a savage presence...

Was this a Human or a Beast...?

Though the Dragoon was well-built compared to other common men his age, the Sword Warrior before him made him seem like a mouse in front of an elephant. His figure towered over intimidatingly.

"Did you do that?"Arthur gazed over the assailant's head, then back down to the 'midget'.

He looked like some kind of muscle monster...

"Yeah~"A jovial voice came from the seemingly unstable spearman. He seemed quite irritated.

His affirmation made the youth's eyes redden...

However, the assailant took the initiative first!

Burning flames of Light Mana covered the Dragoon's body, then layered with another Skill:

[Darkening!]

It seemed similar to 'Lighten', but was executed using Dark Mana. This added different strengths.

Rather than purely 'Swift', Dark Mana reinforcing his physique caused it to become 'Strong' instead.

This created a new physical reinforcement:

[Darken + Body Whitening =

Body Gradient- Strong Deity!]

With near unparalleled speed, the spearman ferociously struck the savage with only his fists.

The sound of muscles being tenderised and smashed into a pulp made Lily's jaw drop...

She couldn't believe what she was seeing!

The blitz stopped momentarily, giving the brawny youth time to breath and almost counterattack.

However, the next barrage interrupted him...

[Lighten + Body Blackening =

Body Gradient- Swift Fiend!]

It seemed like the spearman realised that the Warrior's weakness was speed in his actions.

Body Whitening wasn't even needed...

It was likely why he switched to 'Blackening' instead. Probably due to its contrasting effect.

'Whitening' momentarily brought speed to an extremity, but 'Blackening' only influenced strength. That's why Lily could actually see the hits this time, but squinted painfully at every fist strike.

She could practically 'feel' Arthur's injuries...

Four punches landed on the brawny youth.

One snapped his collarbone, one turned his right rib to fragments, one almost turned his organs to mush, and the last punch slammed him down so hard... it fractured the ground when he fell.

A web-like crater spread out...

"Stay down…" The powerful Dragoon spoke to the downed Warrior, then eyed Lily intimidatingly.

"You're strong." Was the first thing she spoke.

"So you won't interfere?"To his threatening question, she lifted her hands up nonchalantly.

"Of course…" That first half of what she said was enough to make him turn his attention to Alex.

He seemed to be planning something for him...

What was he planning?

Regardless, he stopped in his tracked once he heard the latter half of the wolf girl's answer:

"...Arthur wouldn't like it if I interfered."

This response caused the assailant to turn towards the downed figure of the brawny Warrior alertly.

Crackles of small debris could be heard while he picked himself up. His eyes were glowing crimson.

There was an inextinguishable flame in his eyes...

This made the spearman sigh deeply: "...My life would be easier if you had just listened to reason."

The untamed Goliath got to his feet...

Blood dripped from the corner of his lips, but that was it. Then the Dragoon realised something.

He hissed in pain while looking at his fists...

Bone was visible and muscles were smushed. It looked like he damaged himself the entire time.

Meanwhile, Lily was inwardly impressed at the assailant when she saw his 'Blackening' herself.

This was her first time seeing a 'half-blood'. His abilities made her curious about the man's past.

What were his origins...?

Regardless, the assailant wasn't shocked for long.

His hands healed up and popped the bones back in order. The pain he felt still continued to linger...

"You're incredible."

"Do I LOOK LIKE I'd want you compliments?" The brawny youth raised a brow. He felt pure disgust.

"Take it. You deserve such praise. There aren't many worthy of having a fist fight with me."

"Nonsense...!"Even if Arthur spoke that, he was hiding his dread that was carved deep in his bones.

This was the first time in a long while he was hurt...

The bruises on his body told of just how strong the man had tempered his physique... just like he did.

A terrifying figure stepped in front of him...

But regardless, this wasn't a fight he could lose.

"Underneath the distorted Heaven, I alone am the honoured one."The Dragoon's ego affected him.

Arthur felt the sincerity and belief in those words.

As if everything he'd spoken before was a lie...

But he wasn't interested in figuring out those word's true meaning. Both emitted Mana flames.

[Lighten!]

Arthur did what he could to improve his physical ability, even though it only increased it by a little.

[Gradient Burst- God Slayer!]

The Dragoon also became serious. He covered himself in both 'Blackening' and 'Whitening'...

...even if such a tactic was clearly insane!

One could tell from the creaking sounds of the spearman's body that it could barely hold up this sort of reinforcement. There was no telling how long he'd be able to fight in this condition...

Even self-healing using Light Mana had limits!

[Light Trait- Auto Healing!]

But he pushed them anyway... Their second round started with the Dragoon taking initiative again.

He was just faster than Arthur could ever be...

Smack! Boom! Crash! The windows of the mansion broke under the trembling of this intense bout!!

Lily watched in horror as the two 'small giants' exchanged blows. She barely contained herself.

What was she seeing?!

Were these two miniaturised monstrosities in human form? How were they even 'Human'?!

"Don't make me hurt y-!"Smack!

Arthur interrupted what the assailant had to say by punching his face. The punch broke his teeth...!

But this was instantly 'avenged' with a counter punch. The barbaric slugfest violently continued...

The Dragoon lost his patience...

With a cutting sound, the Warrior widened his eyes when talons extended out of the Dragoon's fingers.

The lollipop in Lily's mouth shattered apart with a crunching sound. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Those... were the 'Wolf Claws' of her Clan!

She also started to realise that the man had the Body Enhancement unique to her Clan Members.

They were known as the 'Wolfgang Eyes'...!

[Wolf Skill- Lunar Claws!]

High density Dark Mana shifted from the Dragoon's 'Body Blackening' and into the each of his talons.

The claw-like nails drew blood from Arthur's arm.

But this barrage wasn't over...

The 'Whitening' on his body also covered his nail talons. They fused together into a new form:

[God Killing Eclipse Claws!]

Arthur's instincts screamed at him at that moment.

While he'd usually take hits and endure so he could land blows himself, this time he couldn't do that.

His six sense had been strengthened to such a point that he instantly realised that if he took those hits, his arms would be severed. Those claws would cut through skin and bones with ease...!

However, stepping back wasn't in his nature...

That's why he stepped into the dangerous minefield of his own accord. He threw caution into the wing, thrusting his hand that was covered in an intense flame of Light Mana shaped into a blade.

"I also have that!"Although it wasn't exactly the same, the brawny youth responded appropriately.

[Warrior Skill- Sword Hand!]

His arm thrusted forward in a tight movement...

The Dragoon instantly retrieved his Mana and defended himself. Those scary talons put away.

An spear-like blow to his chest pushed him back.

Blood also started dripping near his heart, but the youth wasn't done yet. He manifested his sword.

[Spirit Essence- Rainwing Backsword!]

The Warrior shifted into an Iaido Stance while chasing the assailant down. He wanted to end this!

[Elemental Dr-]

Red flames were contained inside the sheath and were about to spill out with his 'Blade Draw' Sword Skill. Arthur found the execution of his finisher thwarted by a leg that slammed onto the hilt.

The Dragoon stopped his Sword Draw with a foot!

Digging his foot into the ground, the spearman also wanted to end this by bringing out into his spear.

One thrust was all he needed to end this. Black and white flames covered his arms with great intensity.

There was no way for the Warrior to escape!

Iaido wasn't a 'cool' style in anime and video games, but it was too limited in a real-life setting.

There were too many variables needed to take in.

For example: What if the opponent stopped the blade before it left the sheath? What then?

Martial Artists didn't train many moves just for the sake of it. Each move was a response to a variable.

Every single move contained its own purpose.

However, Arthur had only trained one move his entire life. He didn't have any other 'responses'.

While his hard work was an admirable quality, his swordsmanship couldn't be refined by one move.

The proof was in front of the Dragoon...

He watched as Arthur forcibly tried to unsheathe his sword. Veins popped on the youth's forehead.

And he succeeded in drawing it by a certain amount. It was an achievement worthy of praise.

This action only further cemented his fate...

The Dragoon took this chance and thrusted his spear... but somehow: It grazed past his cheek!

"Wha-?!" Bang!

The Warrior's head smashed into his nose. The pain caused his tear ducts to loosen momentarily.

His vision turned blurry...

"Aaaaaagh!" Arthur roared and continued his savage assault in a frenzied state of madness.

He no longer took any forms or stances.

[Elemental Draw- Fire Imbue!]

Fire Mana from his Body Slot entered his sword before slashing towards the spearman in a fury.

Clash!

Just barely in the nick of time, the spearman blocked the blade by slashing with his Wolf Claw.

In one hand was a spear, while the other extended nail talons. It was a makeshift stance just for him.

Arthur tried slashing him again, but this time it was the spearman's turn to jump towards Arthur.

A sword couldn't be used in ultra-close combat:

This was common sense. There was an arc a blade needed to take to create enough momentum.

You couldn't 'slash' without a blade swing.

This was a rational plan of action. However, the spearman had underestimated Arthur's savagery.

"Screw off!" With those loud words followed the sound of the Dragoon's rib cage shattering.

The hilt of the backsword was thrusted into his chest with both hands, then followed with another.

Crack! His skull shattered in several areas and drew blood after being bludgeoned violently.

The other side of the sheathed blade hit his face.

This wasn't 'Martial Arts' anymore. This was the savagery of a caged wild animal being released.

What he showed next was the epitome of violence.

His fist caused cracking sounds, and his reverse gripped backward caused the ripping sounds.

The Dragoon tried fighting back, only to be pulled into a more vicious slugfest at ultra-close range.

He regretted stepping into the youth's domain...

Arthur fell into a frenzy. He lacked both mercy and humanity before finally revealed favourite Spell.

[Spell Imbue- Inferno Enchant!]

Finally, a more decisive finish!

This battle had been going on for long enough. It was reasonable to utilise a Spell Slot now.

Using the mechanics of Elemental Draw, Arthur imbued his body's Fire Slot onto his weapon.

This created a contained inferno that was ready to cut through any defences the Dragoon mustered.

Only... the brawny youth forgot a certain point:

"You're slower than me." The Fire Slot was instantly wasted. It only caused everyone to feel the heat...

The temperature in the area heightened momentarily when he burnt the air with his Spell.

They started beating each other some more in a graceless manner that'd cause terror in most.

Blood had already dyed the garden's grass...

It was another slugfest, but with weapons now.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of weapons could be heard. Arthur was using his sheathed sword like it was a bat.

Bang! A crater formed in the ground when his sheathed sword his the ground. It was wrong!

Swords shouldn't be used like that!

"Got you!" The 'bat' swung down, only to be blocked by the spear of the Dragoon's easily.

Arthur became extremely impatient.

"Just get beat already!" He swung down again...

...and again... and again... and again...!

And again! And again! And again! And again! And again! And again! And again! And again! And again!

He put his back into each strike. His speed and strength became stronger each time he swung.

It sounded like an air bombing, but didn't smell like one. There was no gun power, it was pure strength.

A giant crater formed below the Dragoon...

An earthquake shook the mansion. It nearly caused neighbours to alert the authorities of the incident.

One hundred 'axe chips' later...

"Get out of my face!" An incredibly fast uppercut imbued with Mana flames threw him to the sky.

Arthur didn't back down, however...

Even while he was being uncontrollably thrown into the clouds above, he locked onto his target.

[Arm Whitening- Quick Draw!]

Half a Spell Slot was spent on the fastest Sword Drawing technique he could manage to pull off.

[Sword Whitening- Wave Emission!]

Another half was spent to give his slash the ability to fly across the sky as a beam to hit his target.

[Spell Imbue- Triple Stacked Inferno Enchant!]

Lastly, was his final card!

He stacked converted the last three Body Spells into his last slash. Becoming a volcanic eruption!!!

A burning wave of energy, a slash containing the the might of three infernos came barrelling down.

This time, their confrontation will finally end!