As evening began to set in, I had already started making my way toward the Elven Castle’s entrance. I found myself finally at the mouth of the pathway before I was stopped by a very familiar face. One that I had tried avoiding several hours earlier.

Oh no.

“Human mage! Where have you been? I told you we were going to have a duel today, did I not?”

With his arms crossed, he stood before me like an immovable and unnecessary obstacle. Geared to the brim with all of his equipment other than his shield.

“Captain Vaalyun...As much as I’d like to—you and I both know—that it wouldn’t be worth it at a time like this. I’m sure neither of us would want to keep Princess Marna waiting, right?”

I had to deploy her name at a moment like this. The only tactic that could work against his overzealous need for sparring against me every day.

“It’s quite deplorable to say, but she will have to wait this one time. This is of the utmost importance after all.”

It failed as I stumbled slightly back in pure shock to his words.

“Huh!? Captain Vaalyun, you—!?”

“Listen! This duel won’t be like the others. I’ve heard that you plan on leaving tomorrow morning, correct? If that’s the case, I want you to fight me one last time. Not as your main Class, but instead as the new Class you’ve been training up until this point.”

The Captain’s tone was stern and resolute.

“As a Conjurer...?”

It hadn’t occurred to me that I could actually use it in a fight against him this whole time, as a way of truly testing it out.

“Indeed. You’ve been using those familiars of yours to level by allowing them the last hit on monsters during our sessions outside the walls, but I’ve yet to see you use them in a fight from start to finish.”

Surprisingly, he was correct. The familiars I’ve been able to summon thus far that were based on the land—have been strong to an extent—but not strong enough to currently face what resided in the Outer Region alone. Due to that, I had been playing it rather safe and only allowed for them to attack monsters who were already significantly weakened. I still received that EXP, but it definitely did leave me unable to become truly familiarized with what the sub-Class could do and how well it could do it.

He definitely has a point. I didn’t even think about that at all. My only focus with the sub-Class was simply leveling it up for now. Aside from the standard theory-crafting.

“I didn’t think you’d approach me with such a convincing argument, Captain Vaalyun. Yet, you’re right. I should definitely see how well this sub-Class fairs in a real fight. And who better to test it out against the strongest soldier of Dormou?”

The Captain’s expression immediately changed from serious into a now massive grin.

“Indeed! That's the spirit, human mage! Throw everything your new Class can do at me!”

We moved toward the center of the training grounds as the twilight above was our only illumination over the field. In the past month, I had gone against the Captain in this same spot—time and time again. Using different setups that I had developed over the years while playing as my Divination Wizard. Even so, this would be my first time—against anything—where my Conjurer sub-Class would be my main and only weapon.

Or for the most part. I still have to use my [Abysmal End] it seems though. Not like that should matter all too much since there’s such a large Level gap between us.

Captain Vaalyun was still a level 52 Guardian, and has apparently been stuck at that Level for years now. On the other hand, I was still only Level 29. In addition, he wasn’t using his shield this time around either—just like all of our other duels against each other. First and foremost, as a Guardian, he primarily centered himself around using a shield and sword when fighting monsters. He put aside his usual two-handed claymore when taking a more defensive position, like during our monster extermination sessions.

"I'm at my best when I can use my claymore without restraint. Though, when my men and I are out on the field, it's my responsibility to make sure they come back home—alive and unharmed. That's my priority."

Is what he once told me when I asked him why he’d constantly alternate between the two. So, despite our Level difference, he had every intention on coming at me with his all.

“Have you readied yourself in full, human mage?”

As I adorned my usual equipment, I flashed a smile his way.

“Ah, I’m ready any time you are. Just give the signal, Captain Vaalyun.”

The Captain took his stance, and I in turn, took mine. Though, instead of slamming my stave into the ground, I was now pointing it outward in his direction. I wouldn’t be able to use any of my Divination spells and tactics anyways.

“Begin!”

A sudden start, as always. The Captain dashed toward me with incredible speed. It amazed and still puzzled me each time, on how someone of his stature could move that quickly. That being said, I didn’t have any time to linger on that slight admiration for too long.

“Summoning: [Winter Pack], [Totem of Might], [Totem of Durability]!”

With a quick succession cast of my three preemptive spells, the field was now covered in my summons immediately. The two totems sat separately on both of my sides, whereas the [Winter Pack] had summoned three spectral Winter wolves. They were then immediately buffed with Strength and Extra Vitality as they charged toward the incoming Captain Vaalyun.

All right, now to focus on summoning the—!

“You’re in the way!”

In an instant, all three Winter wolves were completely decimated without a single one being able to land a hit on the Captain. I figured they wouldn’t be able to do much, but it had completely caught me off guard that they were defeated with such ease. Especially with the totem’s buffs.

“What’s wrong, human mage?! Is that all you have? Show me your usual confidence!”

It was definitely upsetting, but I was nowhere near done.

“Tch! Summoning: [Elemental Golem: Mud]!”

The next summoning was a Mud Golem, directly positioned behind him. It was a rather slow summon, but the flexibility in its initial positioning made it a viable pick in the heat of the moment. From there, I had to quickly move to my next casting.

“Weak! Did you truly think that this pile of dirt would be able to stop me?”

“Casting: [Point of Absorption]!”

The Captain had already began swinging toward the chest of the Mud Golem, and in seeing this, I immediately casted the Conjurer’s buffing spell, [Point of Absorption], in attempt to mitigate the potential damage. In addition, I only focused applying the buff toward the chest of the Mud Golem. Due to this, I was allowed an even swifter form of casting to make it in time.

I’m not done yet, Captain Vaalyun!

As the Captain’s blade sunk deep into the chest of the Mud Golem, his claymore had now been caught in the area of absorption. This was another manipulated spell that I had come up with. Normally, [Point of Absorption] would only absorb the damage as a means to lessen how much has been dealt to the summon. Due to the Mud Golem’s composition, though, [Point of Absorption] instead not only mitigated the potential damage, but it also strengthened the mud’s ability toward absorbing physical attacks as well.

I had no intention on allowing the Captain to get away that easily either.

“Summoning: [Winter Pack]!”

“I see, so you’ve completely rendered me stuck, is that it?! Your ability to chain-cast at such a speed is truly admirable, human mage! But—!”

Using his claymore as a platform, the Captain then leapt above the Mud Golem before it could land any sort of attack on him with its sluggish movements. He immediately landed on its head, kicking downward in attempt to push over the mud—and it was rather successful. Pivoting his body back toward the stuck claymore, he then activated a skill in quick succession.

“Skill: [Force Descent]!”

The force he created downward with his push increased—more specifically now—toward the center of the Mud Golem’s chest; at the blade’s point of entry. [Force Descent] was a Guardian skill that, at its best, made use of a falling enemy’s momentum. Alongside the momentum of the sword being pushed deeper, the energy of it all would converge at a point of interest that the Guardian had chosen. In this case, where the blade was mounted.

Lastly, the point of impact on the ground would cause for a burst of energy from that central point. The more abundance of energy and buildup of the two, the stronger the reaction of the energy burst. That’s exactly what was happening before me.

“Huh!? Shit, what is he—!?”

As the Mud Golem slammed into the ground, it was completely dismantled by the burst. This allowed for the Captain to retrieve his mud-covered sword and deal with his oncoming guests—the Winter wolves—with ease.

“HAH!!”

And once more, he swung at them with haste and absolute precision, destroying them for a second time. As he wiped his face of mud from earlier, he came to a standstill and met my eyes while wearing such a condescending smirk that I couldn’t helped but feel vexed.

“What’s wrong, human mage? You’ve stopped casting, you know?”

The level difference between us was far too wide for seemingly any tactic to work effectively. He had single-handedly made a joke of every conjuration I was sending out currently. Not only that, there was nothing left in my Conjurer’s arsenal that could take down the man before me—especially as I was now. At the very least, I had nothing I was completely confident in, especially one that would work.

Unless...? Fine, it’s all or nothing!

“[Convergence Summoning]!”

I didn’t give it even a second thought before I decided to attempt it. As I stuck out my stave in his direction, I attempted to converge all three main power sources—here and now. I intended on funneling all three—Arcane, Divine and Primal energies—into a single ritual circle. I had yet to attempt it until now, but I had thought about the how quite often.

“Oh? What do you have up your sleeves this time, human mage?”

As the ritual circle began forming some distance away, it appeared in a weird, disfigured shape. Unable to properly input the necessary amount from all three main power sources, it in turn, shattered shortly after—causing a moderately sized explosion in between us. The field was now covered in smoke, dirt and dust in my inept attempt.

“Dammit! It really failed?! I can’t see anything either... Where is—?!”

“It’s over!”

Before I could even figure out where exactly the Captain was, or where he would potentially even come from, he had seemingly already closed the distance between us. And he had done so right down the middle of the field, with nothing to stop him. And as he closed in, he had already been at a distance for his sword to catch me with ease. Swinging downward, he stopped slightly above my head.

“What...?”

“It’s my victory, human mage.”

For the first time ever against the Captain, it was my loss. As my totems disappeared from the field, I dropped onto the floor in exhaustion and sighed aloud.

“You really are something, Captain Vaalyun... I just can’t keep up with you without my Divination spells.”

“Indeed, but knowing that just makes this victory feel a bit...empty? I have yet to beat you at your best, so I believe we should go again, yes?”

I could feel my eyebrows twitch in reflex toward his words. I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Hold! Hold! Hold! Captain Vaalyun?! Can’t you just be satisfied for once?!”

Lifting myself from the ground in raw frustration, I now stood a short distance away from the Captain. It seemed he didn’t care much for my outburst.

“Ready yourself again, human mage! I feel like I’m in top fighting form currently! So, you’re allowed your usual trickery and antics. I’ll definitely best you this time!”

“Listen, you...!”

I had begun arguing with the Captain about his inability to understand words, and while doing so, we hadn’t realized something else of absolute importance. Involving something—no—someone that had currently been observing us as well.

“Sir Albel. Vaalyun.”

The blood in my veins froze like an arctic storm was summoned deep within me. We both ceased every bit of our argument and lodged our words inside our throats like a shut dam to a flood. We didn’t move, nor speak. We didn’t even have it in us to turn toward her. I slowly—very slowly—adjusted my eyes toward the sky, and it was then, that I realized her reasoning for being here.

The sun had completely set, allowing the training grounds to be adorned with already self-lit magic lanterns. At that moment, I could only think about protecting my own hide. Human nature at its finest.

“Marna. If you’re going to yell at anyone, I believe you should direct any and all complaints at the Captain! It’s his fault after all!”

In the corner of my eye, the Captain had aggressively shifted his head in my direction.

“Huh?! Human mage—!?”

In a rapid-fire attempt, I continued.

“It’s the truth, is it not?! I could have been happily sitting at the dinner table right now—without a worry—stuffing my face with stew! But here I am! Now under the palpable scrutiny of Marna’s gaze. All thanks to you, Captain Vaalyun!”

“Th-that’s because we had a duel scheduled today that needed to be done, did we not?!”

“You mean, you had a duel scheduled for today—everyday—really! A one-sided and forced, poor excuse for an agreement between two parties. And look at this, you’ve won. Was the win really worth the situation you put us in?!”

A visible strain adorned his face, with a bloodshot gaze at a downcast, now meeting the damaged ground beneath us.

“In all honesty, I can’t say for sure anymore...”

I understood quite well that he knew too; we both had screwed up.

“You two...”

As Marna simply forced her way into our back and forth, we immediately gulped in a now quiet and frightened anticipation.

“Come.”

“Yes...”

“Understood, Princess...”

We were sentenced to a wide variety of inedible creations, at the hand of the Princess herself. My last dinner in the city of Dormou would be one that made my stomach churn and twist in ways I didn’t think was possible. Marna’s punishment truly knew no bounds.