The fear of the unknown began to creep up on Clarence. It seemed, the more powerful he became, the more he ran into monsters beyond his comprehension. He subconsciously tightened his grip on the spear. “I don’t understand. Why can’t I see them?” His heart started to thud, causing a flood of acidic blood to pump throughout his body. Finally, his eyes were able to perceive the blurred outlines of giant beasts.

Requis offered his insight as he remained passive, not making any sudden movements. “Lad, don’t just use your eyes, use all your senses. If it’s dark, then listen. If it’s silent, then look. If it’s both, then smell. If it’s scentless, then taste. If it’s tasteless, then feel.” 

Clarence scoffed, “You want me to go lick those beasts, what nonsense.” Clarence leaned into a fighting posture causing the black beasts’ eyes to dilate. 

Alfred in the tree nodded with Requis’s statement but was baffled by Clarence’s denseness. This is the boy my master has taken a liking too? Perhaps I should leave him as a chew toy to these mutts, to avoid carrying the deadweight in the future. 

Requis laughed heartily, ignoring the eyes that have dilated around him. “Boy, one feels with more than his hand, smells with more than their nose, tastes with more than their tongue, hears with more than their ears, and most importantly sees with more than their eyes.” Thick spiritual energy emanating from Requis ripped open the darkness, showing giant wolves. An even larger one with long canines stared intently at Clarence. 

Requis became more relaxed. “Ah, it seems they are just some harmless dogs. My assistance is unneeded. Besides, that big one appears to have taken a liking to you anyways.” Requis took out his flask for a drink while he watched the show. 

Clarence raged, “You dumb mutts dare to play a trick on me?” He was frustrated that some lowly wolves could frighten him and quickly charged ahead to prove his bravery.

Seeing this accursed creature dare charge it in its own territory, the wolf leader let loose a bone-chilling howl. 

Clarence became sluggish underneath this howl, and his eye gaped as energy began funneling towards the wolf. Magic Beast? Here, in this forest...

Requis was still enjoying his drink but perked up at this scene. Neat trick. 

Alfred merely continued to observe without much thought on the matter.

The wolf began growing in size. Long canines formed as dark magic tightly wound itself around the dog, causing it to become illusory in Clarence’s eyes. 

Clarence snorted, believing the magic was only good at hiding the wolf, nothing more, and struck towards the wolf with his one-handed spear. 

On the other hand, the wolf stood its ground as if inviting death, causing Clarence to believe the mutt could not keep up with his speed. A mutt, nothing more. The strike shot through like it was going through butter, surprising Clarence as he felt no resistance whatsoever. 

Suddenly Clarence felt a sharp pain as the wolf reappeared, biting deep into his thigh. Acidic blood sprayed from the wound.

The wolf leaped back as the horrid blood burned its mouth. 

In between sips, Requis shook his head in disappointment. “You aren’t listening. Stop using only your eyes, or you will come out of this battle greatly injured.”

Clarence roared, “Shut up!” and activated his runic armor, causing his strength to triple. His muscles in his right arm expanded as he tried to bash the dog’s head in. The spear came down like lightning.

Before the wolf could retreat, it was hit by the poisonous spear. The wolf yelped as it was forced to take some distance. Only now did it consider Clarence an actual threat.

Seeing the turnaround, Requis whistled, “We’ll call this first round a draw.” He continued to merrily watch the fight as a slight buzz began to arise from drinking. I’m glad Lotor left some dwarven ale before his departure. It’s been decades since I had some.  

The wolf began to stalk around Clarence silently.

Unlike Haruto, Clarence preferred offense over defense, so he charged fearlessly towards the circling wolf. 

Seeing this, the wolf unleashed a point-blank magical roar disorienting the charging Clarence. Capitalizing on this, the wolf released its full speed appearing near Clarence's throat, ready to end the battle. The wolf bit down, drawing more acidic blood, but before it could thoroughly crush Clarence’s windpipe, a rock zipped across and crashed into its nose. 

A buzzed Requis chuckled, “And round 2 goes to the dog.” 

The other wolves, seeing Requis’s interference, began to growl and moved closer towards him. While a few began circling the disoriented Clarence. 

Clarence tried to say something but spat out blood instead. His face became incredibly red as his acidic blood began to boil. 

The wolf leader was still dazed by the sudden hit to the nose but managed to swipe at Clarence with its paws. The swipe hit armor and was knocked back, but Clarence still staggered from the impact. Two of the wolves circling decided to attack and leaped towards Clarence. 

Clarence, who was unable to speak, could suddenly feel two creatures leaping towards him. He didn’t try to understand this feeling. Instead, he turned, kicking one in the head and stabbing the other through the throat. 

Requis whistled, seeing this, “so you do have some talent.” 

The wolves circling Requis made no sudden movements. As Requis's spiritual aura was off the charts.

The wolf stabbed in the throat died instantly as it tried to growl something to the other wolves, but blood bubbled up instead.

The wolf kicked in the head was knocked away, but was still conscious and able to fight. 

The wolf leader whimpered, seeing the wolf die, but still managed to howl a command. Two wolves dragged the dead wolf away. And a new wolf began circling around Clarence. 

Using the pause in their attack, Clarence’s mind cleared from the howl, and he began to take the wolves more seriously. Clarence decided to stop his charging and waited for the wolves to attack, believing he could now sense their strikes. I see without looking. I see without looking.

The wolf leader growled at Clarence to beckon him into attacking only to realize Clarence wasn't moving.  

Unaware of the meaning of this growl, Clarence merely lowered his stance and controlled his breathing. The lead wolf glanced at the other two wolves, then dashed towards Clarence flashing in and out of view. 

I see without looking. I see without looking. Clarence tried to use his reflexes but was unable to keep up with the wolf. The other two wolves also began charging Clarence. Still, he remained unaware of this fact as he became more and more flustered. Right as the pack-leader wolf appeared, Clarence used his free hand to palm towards the wolf. 

The wolf disappeared again, but this time when it reappeared, Clarence brought down his spear with full force. Clarence smirked. Caught you.

The wolf met the spear with its teeth. The spear crackled as it hit the canine's tooth, and sparks flew. 

Clarence's arm shot back as he regained his balance. The spear barely remained in his grasp. Clarence was breathing heavily after this collision.

The pack leader wolf was also forced back. Surprisingly his tooth remained intact.

Right as the collision ended, the other wolves had leapt upon Clarence. One nipped towards Clarence's calf but was blocked by armor. The second wolf leapt onto Clarence’s back and began nipping at his neck, which threw him off balance. 

Tsk. I couldn't sense them. A bloodied click left Clarence’s mouth as he kicked the wolf biting his calf away and grabbed towards the wolf on his back. The wolf quickly howled, and the wolf on Clarence’s back leapt off and reintroduced distance. The wolf that bit into his armor now had a chipped tooth. 

Requis laughed, “you didn’t think it would be that easy to learn how to feel your opponent’s location, did you? Boy, you spit in the face of every martial artist to ever exist. I like you more and more.” Requis stared at the wolves circling him and began throwing dried meat to them. 

The wolves happily started eating the meat and became less aggressive towards Requis. Requis tried to entice one of the wolves over to pet it, but the wolf was reluctant and, after being fiercely stared at by the pack leader, whimpered to Requis.

Requis seeing the puppy dog eyes, consoled it, “It’s ok little pup. I understand one must follow orders.”

Alfred in the tree began watching the sky in impatience. These mutts are wasting valuable time. Hurry and get rid of them, you useless boy. 

The lead wolf stared at Clarence with resolve. The black aura wrapped around his fur was in shambles. The wolf's breath was ragged, barely able to sufficient get enough oxygen 

Clarence met this gaze with focus. Acidic blood was caked on his armor, and the sound of sizzling could be heard. 

Both were unwilling to make the first move. Neither underestimated the other. A sort of respect was formed between the two foes, yet it did little to deter their bloodlust.

The other two wolves began barking, trying to distract Clarence, and the chipped tooth wolf even jumped towards him. 

Seeing this in his peripheral, Clarence turned to meet the jumping wolf. His spear struck forward, ready to skewer the mutt.

Before impact, the other wolf did the unthinkable and crashed into the chipped tooth wolf knocking him safely from Clarence. 

Clarence's tempo was broken by this as he was still mid-thrust but had no target to slow his velocity.

The pack leader unleashed another howl and bolted towards Clarence as black lightning appeared in its mouth. 

Clarence tried to turn his spear to block, but the wolf narrowly dodged and sunk its teeth into Clarence’s shoulder. The electricity began coursing through Clarence’s body, causing him to hunch over as pain overtook him. 

The lead wolf became assured of its victory and moved to bite Clarence's neck next. 

Suddenly, Clarence moved and spat acidic blood into the wolf’s eyes, then headbutted the wolf back. Blood was gushing from his shoulder, but Clarence felt more energized than he had ever felt. A swift kick from Clarence turned the chipped tooth wolf into the missing tooth wolf. Clarence ignored the other dog and thrust his spear forward to kill the pack-leader. The spear hit against the dark magic armor and penetrated it, creating a flesh wound seeped with poison. 

The pack-leader began to shake frantically as the poison spread, forcing it to limp away from Clarence. 

Clarence tried to lunge forward and finish the wolf. But the wolf he had been ignoring bit into his injured shoulder and shook its head crazily, increasing the damage. "Ahhh," Clarence gritted his teeth and dragged himself towards the pack-leader, ignoring the one attached to his shoulder. 

Requis was happy to see a noble such as Clarence show some backbone. But he noticed Clarence was accumulating too many injuries. “You have, commitment lad, but it may be time to call it quits.” 

A small smile appeared on Alfred’s face. Clarence's current determination reminded him of his old master, who always overestimated himself, but never backed down in the end. As a proper noble should be. You’re not so bad, boy. Just this once, I’ll help you out. 

Before Alfred could let his presence be known, a surge of dark energy came crashing down upon the forest like rain. Both Alfred’s and Requis’s faces turn serious after seeing this.