The western zone of Vesparello was destroyed by one-third due to the Nartheis and humans who were somehow being controlled, appearing almost dead. Among them was a hooded figure observing Kai, who was fighting alongside Valença.
"Flame of Cataclysm!"
An explosion was unleashed by Valença's magic, eliminating at least fifteen Rank Faizes Level 1 enemies with just one attack. Meanwhile, Kai was cutting down most of the Nartheis using his light magic to increase the speed and sharpness of his blade.
"Valença, we need to find more civilians, so I'll go right!"
"Just don't go too far. We've already been separated from our team, so it's better to stay together at least until I find Enrico, then you can leave."
"I could say the same."
Both looked at each other with sparks in their eyes before turning away and focusing again on finding more civilians.
'Idiot, why does he try to get in my way? Damn it, why didn't I just wait like Serenya?'
'These girls always interrupt my rivalry with Enrico! Why don't they just back off?'
The hooded man saw the two move apart and gestured to the side, revealing another hooded figure in the neighboring house. Both started to move, pursuing the opponents they had chosen.
'Where could there be more civilians? If I went toward the city center…'
Kai was fairly certain there would be more in the center since the attacks were focusing there. In the sky, the ninth-circle mages had created a dome around the portal, fighting at least a hundred Rank Ranvil Level 3 enemies.
"I wish I could go to the center, but only those with the fifth circle can go there."
Sighing, he kept running forward, trying to find more people to save. Hearing a leap from one of the houses behind him, Kai grew serious and rolled on the ground, dodging a sword surrounded by electricity.
"You're one of the members of that Jester's team, aren't you?"
His opponent didn't answer, but Kai was sure he was, so he didn't mind being ignored. The opponent's physical build seemed similar to Kai's, though Kai was slightly superior.
"Well, if you won't answer me, there's no point in me talking either."
Enveloping his sword in light magic, Kai made a slash in the air, sending a massive wave of magic upward toward the hooded man. As if surprised, he barely dodged, his hood being sliced in half, revealing a boy with black hair marked by golden lightning streaks.
"Those lifeless eyes…"
Surprised by the dead expression on his opponent's face, Kai raised his sword challengingly, signaling him to attack. With a tremor, the hooded man's sword became engulfed in electricity, pulsing with each second.
"...Second thing, Kariester. I'll send you to face Kai, so try to defeat him."
"Yes, Lord Jago."
His mission was to eliminate Kai, and he would do so without hesitation, for Jago's words made it sound as though failure was not an option.
'All I have to do is defeat him. He doesn't need to hear a word from me.'
Clashing swords with Kai, both began exchanging blows rapidly. Holding his sword sideways, Kai blocked a strike from the right, stepped on his opponent's foot to halt his movement, and slashed deep across Kariester's chest.
'So fast…'
Since his body had been specially made by his master, his regeneration was far greater, and the wound quickly closed.
"Interesting. Is that some kind of healing magic?"
Creating lightning in his hand, Kariester hurled several bolts at Kai from different directions. Hit by the first, Kai felt his back burning.
"Half-Moon Guard!"
Activating his automatic defense skill, Kai's body moved on its own, blocking every attack within a four-meter radius.
'I've improved the defensive technique. Too bad I didn't show it to Enrico first.'
Covering his sword in light, Kai began launching several slashes toward Kariester, who could only dodge as at least twenty strikes came his way. While his back healed, Kai started using his oceanic light magic simultaneously to try reproducing Kariester's regeneration.
"Interesting, I can make my regeneration reach at least half of yours."
"What?"
For the first time, Kariester's face showed emotion, sweating slightly as he realized his opponent was using him to improve his own skills.
'This guy doesn't even see me as an enemy? Tsk, I admit my lord was right.'
"You're quite arrogant, aren't you? But you should know your little friend must be having a hard time right now."
"You mean Valença? Sorry to tell you this, but if you sent someone to kill her, it won't work because—"
A huge explosion of fire erupted to his right, and a charred body rolled toward him. Regenerating from the damage, a girl stood up with a frightened expression, as if she had seen a monster.
"That—"
"You tried to kill me? Do you know how Enrico would feel if I died? He'd be sad for sure, and I hate it when my future husband is sad!"
Valença's eyes were burning with flames, synchronized with the movements of her staff.
"That girl's a monster?"
"Monster? Maybe to you, but to me, she's just a friend who keeps getting in the way of my rematch."
Kariester's eyes widened as Kai's body began forming a shell-like armor from his arms to his legs, with part of his right eye being covered by the shell.
"Shell Armor — thirty percent."
Both opponents watched with a single shared thought: flee. Their master had ordered them to either stall or eliminate the two, and they reluctantly admitted they would have to flee.
Eastern part of Vesparello
"Elian, we have to go right. Maybe Enrico or Serenya are nearby."
"You're right. This zone's already being protected by sixth-circle mages, so it's all clear."
Nodding to each other, the two ran eastward at full speed.
"Isn't that Deymon and Velka? Could the princess's team have lost?"
"Let's hope so."
"You better not let them hear that, Elian."
As a healing mage, Caelan approached the two and began healing Deymon, but to his surprise, his hand was swatted away. Huffing, he stood up, ready to abandon him since he didn't want to be healed.
"You want to be a third circle?"
"Third circle? What the hell are you talking about?"
Raising an eyebrow, he began walking toward Elian, who stood a few meters away. Feeling a light touch on his shoulder, Caelan sighed and turned.
"What is it? You want me to heal you?"
"Seems the seal stopping you from reaching the third circle works well… Don't worry, you'll still be stronger than normal."
Sensing something strange, Caelan decided to move away as planned, but a poisonous hand grabbed him in place while Deymon's finger touched his forehead—prompting Elian to rush toward them.
"Release corruption."