Everyone chanted their spells as magic circles manifested around them. For some reason, they chose to duel one after another rather than a team fight.

Roslain pointed with the white rose wand. “Show me what you’ve got!”

Casting [Flaming Hand] spell, Kane lunged forward. 

As the rose turned red, Roslain conjured multiple thorny vines on his path, attempting to bind him. 

Kane avoided them with ease. He was merely a few steps away from the enemy. 

In response, Roslain called forth sharp red petals that revolved around him at high speed. “Come!” He gestured.

Charging against such a barrier would lead to heavy-cut wounds, so instead, Kane pretended to punch it before passing through Roslain. He then left the circular room, turned left, and ran. However, a wall of brambles grew from the floor, blocking him. It even reached the ceiling.

“Trying to flee?” asked Roslain.

“I was looking for fresh air.”

“Hmm, the room was cramped anyway.” The rose changed color into blue. He summoned two green big snakes and unleashed them. They slithered toward Kane.

Kane immediately cast [Firebomb] — a better version of [Lesser Firebomb] that he spent time refining with Maur for the past week — on each hand. When the snakes bared their fangs, he jammed the red hot balls into their throat. The bombs exploded with much greater power than the lesser version, causing the snakes to be blown into pieces.

Not enough! Arcing his body backward, Kane pitched a firebomb at Roslain as strongly as he could.

“Hmph.” Roslain flung a petal at the incoming spell. It detonated mid-air.

Of course, Kane already knew that would happen, so he threw several firebombs in quick succession.

Roslain fended them all while one of them missed the target and blew up far away. He twirled the rose wand again and said, “What a clever usage of a trash-tier spell. However, you need much, much more than tricks to even scratch me.”

He was right. Kane knew very few spells compared to the likes of talented mage students such as Roslain. His vast battle experience wasn’t sufficient to beat him. He needed more varieties of spells and mana. If this continued, he would suffer defeat!

Narrowing his eyes, Kane conjured a dozen firebombs with his hands at the same time, before tossing them away at Roslain.

The firebombs detonated together, causing a chain of explosions. The windblast shattered the windows while the fume covered Roslain. Any Rank 1 monster should be dead by now.

But, he still stood there, yawning as if nothing had happened. The petals and vines protected him.

Kane charged forward. He cast another firebomb but this time, he clutched and poured his mana into the bomb. It became bigger and heavier. When he was close enough, Kane released it and immediately ran away.

It did explode, but… harmless. It produced nothing but a very thick black smoke.

“Crap, I poured too much mana,” said Kane.

“Indeed, that’s the limitation of low ranked spells.” Several vine whips were projected at Kane.

“Ugh!” Kane put up a barrier. He barely managed to defend against them before burning them.

Then, Roslain swept the smoke away using the petals. He was unharmed. “Well, well. Aren’t you looking down on me? For your information, I am Roslain ‘White Rose’ Tyler, the second strongest mage in the world under 20 years old. Defeating me with low-ranked spells is impossible.”

“Don’t tell me that you only have learned those two spells aside from the barrier. That would be ridiculous,” guessed Roslain.

“…” 

“Does your silence mean yes? Wait, are you serious? Hahaha!” Roslain cackled. 

Somehow, Kane had experienced a similar thing before. Right, Calypso also laughed when fighting him.

“Haa… I apologize, but I’m afraid I cannot take you seriously anymore. I thought you’re stronger than Leonard.” Roslain then built a chair made of plants and sat on it. “Nonetheless, you might be able to entertain me; you know how to fight, after all.”

The provocation couldn’t be more obvious. If Kane was the same age as his body, he would’ve taken the bite. The key to fighting the likes of him was to not be caught by their tempo, otherwise, one would be controlled like a puppet. Nonetheless, Roslain’s desire to be entertained was rather familiar.

“You remind me of someone that I used to know,” said Kane.

“Oh? Why is that?”

“The guy was a prodigy among prodigies. Not only that, he was blessed with good looks and a smooth tongue, women would flock around him. He basically had achieved everything he wanted on a silver platter, so he was constantly bored. Sound familiar?”

“Familiar? He sounds exactly like me! I want to meet him and have a chat,” said Roslain.

“He’s already dead, though.”

“That’s… a shame. My condolences.” He clicked his tongue. “What was the cause and what was your relationship with him?”

“Someone killed him in a fair combat. Until this day, I still don’t know whether he was a friend or foe. Maybe both.”

“In any case, he was someone close to you, considering how much you know and feel about him.”

“Yes…” 

“And his death has left a void in your heart. How tragic.”

“That’s a bit—”

“I can relate with you, Kane. There was a beautiful girl whom I have known for the longest time. Then…” Roslain then proceeded to tell a story about his unrequited love from childhood. 

Quite nauseating to listen to, but Kane had not many options either. He had to survive as long as possible for whatever it takes.

---

“Um, Sir Leonard? Sir Roslain told me I’ll have to fight you as… your partner's replacement in case he's absent.” Aya, the younger sister of Izami. She had a rather plump face while her sister had a more pronounced cheek. They both had fair white skin as pale as the moonlight.

“I understand. I’d rather not fight against women, but I suppose it can’t be helped,” said Leonard, cracking his fingers.

“I apologize for the—”

“Let me fight. You won’t be able to beat him due to the nature of your signature spell.” Izami cut her. She wanted to test her swordsmanship.

“But…”

“Trust me, Aya.”

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.” Aya then bowed. “Excuse me.”

After she walked toward Lamille, Leonard stood face to face against Izami.  

“We meet again, Leonard Yalhurst.” Izami slowly encircled her opponent, holding on to a sheathed katana. 

“Izami Snowheart.” Leonard too did the same while spinning his sword. “How’s your family?”

“Pretty well. Mother has recovered from her sickness.”

“That’s good to hear—”

*Clang!* Izami arrived in front of him, drawing out her katana. Her blade collided against Leonard’s.

“It’s pretty rude to cut someone before they finish speaking.” Leonard clenched his teeth.

“I hate small talk.” Izami swung her weapon repeatedly with precise movement. Sounds of steel clashing against one another reverberated throughout the room. All of her attacks were parried; each of the slashes pressured Leonard.

Leonard thrust at her, but she stepped aside before returning the attack. Caught off guard, the blade slashed his shoulder, penetrating the barrier. He immediately stepped back and maintained the distance.

“As expected from Snowheart’s Head Clan’s daughter. Your skill is formidable,” praised Leonard.

Running against the white steel, Izami touched the blood, licked it, and sucked her entire finger. “Ah, the blood of Ardera’s apprentice! I should’ve fought you instead of that puny girl back then!” Her pale face had reddened, smiling ear to ear and sweating bullets.

“So, that is your true self. Of course.” But, Leonard was not amused. His eyes darkened, brimming with hatred. “What a disappointment.”

“More!” She charged in, disregarding any form. She opened up with a wide, vertical swing.

Leonard blocked it. Despite her obvious movement, he barely could keep up with her. She was much more agile and erratic than before. There wasn’t any chance for him to riposte. His sword began to dent under the relentless attack regardless of the protective magic.

“Come on, Leonard! Don’t just keep blocking! Are you a coward or what!?”

“Shut up.”

“Insolent weakling! Take this!” Massive aura resembling the head of a white dragon conjured from her katana. “[Snowheart’s Sword Art: Dragon’s Lament]!”

“[Sword of the Sun: Supernova].” Leonard’s sword radiated golden light. He threw a beam slash at the dragon’s gaping mouth before splitting it into two. Upon impact, it discharged, producing a blinding radiance.

The sheer blast blew Izami away and the surrounding rubbles. The spell damaged her barrier while hurting her internal organs. Clutching her sword, she stabbed the ground to prevent her from sliding further.

However, Leonard had teleported in front of her. He unleashed ten slashes in a second and broke her barrier. He slashed her stomach twice before stepping back to avoid counter attack. “Tch, shallow.”

Izami grinned as if she was elated yet her eyes said otherwise. “You… were holding back? After all this time?”

“I hate violence unless needed. That’s the reason I never show my true power even when losing to your team or most people.” Leonard covered his face, hiding everything but his bloodshot eyes. “And, I happen to despise wicked women! I despise them so much, the thoughts of killing them kept occurring inside my mind.” 

Then, he smiled gently. “But, thanks to Quillon’s teachings, I manage to suppress them.”

“You’re crazy!”

“Not at all, compared to everyone else.” Leonard cut empty air to shed away her blood. “I must be thankful to Kane for giving me a chance to destroy you. I can finally go all out!”

“[Sword of the Sun: Holy Flame].” The blue flame lit his sword. Leonard stepped forward while cutting horizontally. “Die!”

Izami vanished before he could cut her. In an instant, she reappeared from behind before slashing him. However, she hit nothing but an illusion.

Four Leonards appeared again on every side. Only one of them was real. They attacked her at the same time.

Crouching, Izami sheathed her sword. “[Snowheart Secret Sword Art: Full Moon]!” She drew a lightning-quick horizontal slash, forming a circular light beam. It slashed all of the illusions at the same time, including the real one.

“Ugh!” Leonard winced. The attack managed to penetrate his barrier despite not being destroyed yet.

“Heheheh… this is fun!” Izami cackled.

“You’re annoying,” replied Leonard.

The battle continued as their swords clashed once again.