Good work on winning! Itarr said. She wanted to congratulate Servi earlier, but she had been so engrossed in the fight that she forgot. The way her black hair danced with her body was mesmerizing in a way. She looked so strong, so beautiful, and so delicate! 

Nodding, Servi took the hand-over-blade stance that she used in her fight with Riki, but she didn’t think it would be that good here. She believed that for two reasons. One, Feral was big and strong, and he had the reach on her. Two, his weapon. It was almost as long as Servi, and he held it with a single hand.  

She knew she could kill Feral. Telekinesis probably wouldn't be the right skill, but she had tons of other options. Earth Wall, for example, would probably do the job if she could trap him in it. If not that, then five hundred stacks of Stonehenge. Even just a single one brought such untold pain to Servi. She shuddered at the damage five hundred could cause. Especially the pillar that could rip through metal like a knife through liquid.

But when it came to hand to hand, or rather, sword to club combat, she didn’t believe her chances. 

I suppose I can't do much but try. Servi thought.  

As if suddenly remembering the battle, she shook her head to remove any unwanted thoughts and activated Soul Essence of Primal Combat. Silverado and Feral turned to Servi, then to themselves. For a one-on-one-on-one battle, the most vital aspect was to figure out the right time to strike. For example, if Servi charged at Feral and focused her attention on him, Silverado would have the perfect chance to join and take Servi by surprise. He’d be able to attack one of the two, and it’d turn into an uneven fight.

For some reason unknown to her, Servi relished the thought of that. She didn’t know why or how, but it was like she was thriving for the feel of combat. She wanted to get out and lock blades with other competitors.  

So she made the first move. Kicking off with her feet, she held the hand-over-blade stance as she charged at Silverado. His silver scales beamed and reflected the yellow moonlight. He turned to face his charging opponent, but Feral took that moment to swing and turn his tail. Neither Servi nor Silverado realized Feral had been creeping slowly towards them. Then didn’t know how such a large Kobold could get near them without them noticing.  

In an unexpected twist, her afterimages alerted her when she reached Silverado, and it wasn't a moment too soon. Servi immediately dove in between Silverado's open legs. He didn’t even have the time to be confused before a massive tail crushed a few scales on his chest, and he was slung back. Sparks appeared as black skid marks gradually changed to red. The grittiness of the hard floor latched onto a few scales, and they were forcibly ripped from his body.

He wasn’t moving.  

“Feral?!!” Desperado yelped as he watched from a distance. “That was too much!!” A murderous expression formed on his face as he got up. Fisher stood in front of Desperado and called out for the medics stationed nearby at the doors.  

Two men and two women carrying white and red bags filled with medical supplies ran over to the fallen Koena. Fisher stomped his foot, stopping the match, and ran to join them.  

That attack probably, no, it definitely would’ve killed us.  We don't have any natural armor like Silverado's scales. 

Servi nodded and kept her guard up. Even though the match was on hold, she didn’t trust it.  

After staring for a few moments, Servi saw Silverado’s foot twitch. A few seconds later, with the help of the medics, he was on his feet. But his chest had been sort of caved in, and his gorgeous silver scales were red with blood.  

Servi didn’t know about the anatomy of a Koena. Their entire bodies were made up of interconnecting scales, but that was almost all she knew. They could get broken and crushed, and Koena can break their arms. But Silverado’s chest was almost completely caved in. It was almost like looking at an alien life form. It would be something she would have to ask Momo about, but how could she do it in a way that wouldn't arouse suspicion?

Gah!! I have so many questions, and I don’t understand!! Frustrated, she lashed out against the corners of her mind where nobody could stop her.

“Feral, you fail for using such a dangerous move, but you'll get some points because you started off right.  Your two enemies were close together. Servi's attention was focused on Silverado and vice versa. You were in the right to use your tail, and there was little chance of her sword digging into it because she wasn't focused on you. If you were fighting two or even three on one, then you would’ve made the right choice. Servi, that was a good dodge. You saw the attack coming, and instead of bracing against it, you slipped through Silverado’s legs and let him take the full brunt. When dealing with multiple enemies, never let one have your full undivided attention. If you do, then you’ll end up like Silverado.” 

While listening to her mentor, Servi turned her head to the door. With help, Silverado painfully limped over to where a wheelchair was waiting.

“Now then. When I stomp my foot again, continue the fight.” Fisher finished up what he was saying and stomped his foot for the final time.

“How wonderful. Ever since you lifted my shield, I wanted a chance to fight you.” Pounding his tail against the ground, the large Kobold roared and slowly closed the distance between them.  

Servi had to watch out for the tail and surprising reach of his weapon. She had a bad feeling about this matchup. Up to this point, Servi had never faced a Kobold in battle, and there weren't any Kobold souls inside her ring. Even though she received those afterimages, they all came at the very last second. There was no guarantee she would get them again.

Please be careful, Itarr insisted. She hated being nothing more than a bystander in a fight. But she knew that if she acted or used a skill, it wouldn't be good. She had to bear with it and trust in her friend.  

Facing the Kobold head-on, Servi had to put faith in her Soul Essence of Primal Combat skill. But at the same time, if she relied on it to the point where she was useless without it, then what would happen if she reached a point in her adventure where it wouldn’t work? Would the afterimages always be with her?

Servi had stayed within the thoughts of her mind for a tad bit too long, and she only returned to reality as a wooden club made its way to her. Held by Feral’s massive arm, Servi wasn’t able to see any afterimages and had to rely on her instinct. So she ducked down under it and came back up. It skimmed across the top of her head. If it had connected, Servi's head would've been splattered like a watermelon dropped from a tower.

That lethal attack was called out by everyone else, but Feral slammed his tail into the ground. “I knew she would dodge. Do not interfere in this match," he roared.

“Shit. Come on!” Yelling to herself, Servi was determined to focus on the match and only the match. She couldn’t let her mind wander while in front of her brawny opponent. To do so would disrespect both him and her.  

"Try this!” Feral hissed against and ran towards Servi. His heavy footsteps on the concrete floor shook and disrupted her balance, but she regained it immediately.

Servi ignored the hand-over-blade stance since she didn’t think it would work with the differences in strength and size. She held her blade with both hands and started running towards him. Her black hair trailing behind her and her red eyes gazing ahead to the future, she knew she had to be risky.

Waiting for the images that never came, she knew she had to do something. Her options were few and varied. She could jump back, dodge to the left or right, or duck down. She could meet Feral's massive swing with her own sword and be blown away, or she could attempt to jump on to it mid-swing.

Servi thought that the last option would be what she would’ve done if she didn’t have to keep her abilities a secret, so she went with the one that would most likely garner her respect. But the same move she was going to attempt was what Fisher berated her on. When it came to larger opponents, Servi didn't know how to take them down without using skills, and that was something she couldn't use in the battle.

But other than that, she was finally going up against someone far surpassing her in physical strength. She wanted to test the limits of her souls' power, but she didn't know why.

She met his attack head-on. Stomping in place, she gripped her sword with both hands and faced his swing. The moment her sword glanced against his club, it shattered like fallen glass. It wasn’t even a contest. Pieces of sharp metal went everywhere. After it broke, she immediately jumped back, but she was too slow.  

His club grazed against the side of her armor and rocked her. She heard a chorus of yelling that quickly grew silent.  

She flew some ten or fifteen meters through the air, rag-dolling, before landing with a heavy thud. But she didn’t stop. The momentum was so great that she rolled for an extra fifteen meters. All the while, she coughed up blood. That one attack imploded her side, and if it was anyone else, they would've died. But she wasn't anyone else. Her True Immortality saved her again.  

Other than that and how Servi's body twisted in the air, Fisher and the other spectators didn’t have a good view of just how much damage she actually received.  They just saw the impact and not the aftermath. That was why she later convinced them she was alright and did not need medical attention.  As for the blood? Itarr took care of it and absorbed the red liquid covertly while they were airborne.

When her body grew back as she tumbled, it was forced against her dented armor. Due to the force of her body correcting itself, the armor followed the flesh until it was in its original shape. Of course, it was still cracked and damaged because True Immortality didn't lend itself her clothes or gear.

Once she stopped rolling, she cursed herself for her lack of strength and stood up. Her side wasn’t hurting anymore, and she felt perfect.  

Goodness, please say you’re alright, Itarr asked. She wanted to be angry and upset, and she wanted the head of that foul Kobold, who damaged her beloved friend, but she knew he didn’t do it out of malice.  She knew that if Servi wanted it, the Kobold wouldn't be alive for that much longer.

Servi was partly worried she didn't feel any sort of anger.  Itarr knew the reason why, but she couldn't dare tell her.

Secrets were kept from friends who kept secrets from other friends, and that cycle repeated an infinite amount of time. It’s a tale that was as old as time immemorial.  

“I’m fine. I feel totally great, for some reason,” Servi started chuckling as she looked at her hands. The flesh that peeled off when she slid against the ground had been healed. They were clean and pristine, and it was like Servi had just finished washing her hands. After rubbing them against each other for a brief second, she made her way towards the group, who had their backs turned to her. They were yelling at Feral for killing Servi. None of them believed she could have survived such a brutal hit.

Feral watched as his opponent closed the distance. He was right about the girl known as Servi.  

Should I let them know she’s uninjured? No, they don’t deserve it. Not even the Justice Captain... I thought he was something else, but he’s not.  Those were the Kobold’s true thoughts. The passion and admiration he had for the Justice Captain Fisher Jin were not accurate to the rumors he had heard. Instead, he moved those feelings to the girl with black hair and red eyes that walked towards him. Her eyes seemed like they stared deep within his soul, and he felt an unknown emotion for the briefest moments. At the time, he didn’t know it was fear.   

“I’m fine. It didn’t even hurt after the first second or two. As long as I can endure that, I’m fine,” Servi replied to her friend.  As she walked, she moved her hand to the crushed section of armor and sighed. “I’m gonna need some new gear.”  

I’m glad you’re okay, but you’ve had that armor for over a month now. I would say it’s time for an upgrade.  

“Probably,” she was now close enough to the group that Riki heard her voice. Turning around, he spoke with wide eyes. “How in the world did you survive that?!” 

At his voice, the others also turned around. Noticing the crushed piece of armor, Fisher went to call for a medic, but Servi stopped him. She had to. What would she do when the healers found no evidence of any wounds?

“I’m fine,” she said, but Fisher was adamant.  She sighed and spoke again in a tone that was a bit deeper and forceful. “No, you don’t have to. I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt, but I endured it.” 

“Very well. If that’s your choice. Regardless, you both fail. Feral, you went for a dangerous move, and that attack had your full power behind it. That would’ve been fine if it was a real battle, but it’s not. Servi, you failed because you tried to match swings with one who was obviously much stronger than you. Just imagine if it was a clan of ogres you locked swords with. You would go flying and crash into the ground, and your party members would die. The males first, and the women would be raped and passed around before being forced to give birth to their awful offspring. Congratulations, you doomed your entire party because you wanted to test your strength.” 

I may hate Demis, but if I can pass the knowledge to them so that they can protect humans, I’ll bear with it. And this Servi is quite strange. Maybe there's more to her than I thought? I'd imagine she'd go for the legs, but she didn’t. Why in the world did she want to go toe to toe with a Kobold...

Just imagining such a horrible future happening to Momo was enough to make Servi feel sad, but she knew that she’d win if she had access to all of her power and skills. 

Servi knew that if she were serious, she wouldn't lose to anyone in the world.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t take that into account.” It felt like a dagger impaled her from all different sides, and she hated it, but Servi had to apologize to Fisher. The time to kill him would arrive, but she had to endure the humiliation until she could act on her urges to slaughter him.

Maybe there are things I can learn from him. But I won’t like it. I’ll acquire what knowledge I can and use him before I rip his limbs off. Servi thought.

“Good. I’ve decided that what you showed today outweighed your final mistake.” Fisher nodded at Servi before walking a few steps away. Turning to the group of six, he spoke again. “And that goes for everyone. I’ve seen you fight, and some of you are like a rough rock. You got potential, but you have to be polished. Everyone, be here tomorrow at 8 AM sharp. Be sure to wear breathable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. If you’re late, that’s ten laps." 

Fisher saluted, and about half of the mentees mirrored him. Once he let down his arm, he walked back towards the double doors.