"ding ding ding"
Before the bell could even finish echoing across the arena, Arden emerged from Andreas's shadow. His appearance was almost imperceptible, a silent figure stepping from darkness. Even so, the mastery in his posture announced his presence as clearly as any shout.
"I have arrived, master," Arden said, his voice calm and steady, carrying a hint of curiosity.
"We will spar earlier than usual today, Arden. Prepare yourself, and let us begin," Andreas replied, rising from his seat. The calmness in his tone hid the planning already unfolding in his mind.
He stepped toward the arena, the weight of strategy pressing in his thoughts. Shadow space magic had taken him a full day to learn. Though crude compared to Arden's years of practice, it was enough to finally allow him to stand toe to toe with Arden.
As they walked through the fortress corridors, shadows flickered along the stone walls. Andreas's mind was alive with calculations and possibilities.
'I ensured Arden has no knowledge of my learning shadow space,' Andreas considered carefully. 'If I cast a large spell, he will have no choice but to enter it. Then I can strike him again within that confined space. He will have to return to the surface, and no matter which way he moves, he will take a hit.'
By the time they reached the arena, Arden had already moved to the opposite side, spear planted with impeccable precision.
"Whenever you wish to commence, master," he said, his voice polite yet edged with curiosity, as if he were eager to witness what Andreas had prepared.
Andreas studied the arena. Numerous spells lay at his disposal, yet none would work effectively on their own. Only through careful combination and timing could he hope to gain any advantage over his formidable opponent.
[ Rain ]
Dark clouds gathered instantly above the fortress, and rain began to fall, heavy and relentless, drenching the arena in a controlled torrent. The epic spell covered every inch of Vakuroum Fortress, shaping the battlefield in Andreas's favor.
"Rain, young master," Arden said, curiosity threading through his voice. "I am intrigued by your choice. That is a support spell, is it not?"
[ Fire wall ]
Without hesitation, Andreas cast another spell. A towering wall of fire erupted between them, the heat intense and suffocating. As the raindrops struck the flames, thick steam hissed and swirled, blurring the battlefield. The combination was designed to obscure his movements and confuse his opponent. And it would work on most.
Yet Arden's calm remained unshaken. Against a master spearman, such measures alone were useless.
'I wonder what young master is planning this time,' Arden thought, amusement flickering in his gaze. 'Even for a monster like him, he is still a child in experience.'
Arden lifted his spear, pouring his aura into the weapon. He inhaled slowly, centering himself for the precise strike.
"Slash."
With a single, elegant motion, he cut a vectoral line across the arena. The force sliced through fire and steam, dispersing them instantly. Yet even with his mastery, Arden could not see Andreas.
"Is it the light spell invisibility, young master?" Arden said aloud, more to himself than to anyone else. "I am afraid it will not suffice. My senses have long surpassed those of a normal person. I perceive every distortion in the air, every mark you leave on the ground. I hear your breath. I can even detect the subtle rhythm of your heartbeat if it quickens."
Even as he spoke, his eyes searched in vain. His master remained hidden.
Suddenly, Arden sensed a projectile flying toward him. It was Andreas's spear.
Rather than attempting to block, Arden slipped effortlessly into his shadows, avoiding the attack with ease. Defense was unnecessary when his spell mastery allowed for such precise evasion.
A sharp, deliberate voice came from the shadows around Arden
"And that, is why you lose."
Before Arden could react further, a spell pierced his shoulder. Pain flared sharply, and instinct took over. He withdrew from shadow space to avoid additional damage.
'So that was it,' Arden thought, recognizing the spell. ' It seems master has learned my little spell.'
But it seems his master wasn't satisfied with just one hit
There was a killing intent coming from his own shadow
Andreas moved swiftly, leaping from Arden's own shadow with another spear in hand, eyes sharp and focused.
"I have been careless, master. But that shall not happen again," he declared, determination hardening every word.
Andreas was dashing towards Arden from front
Yet Arden easily evaded it and responded with precision. A sharp kick struck Andreas in the chest, sending him skidding across the arena.
"ackh—"
Before Andreas could even draw a breath, Arden was already in front of him, spear raised and aura glowing.
"It seems I have won once more, master," Arden said, the faintest hint of amusement on his lips.
"haahh"
"But your improvement is notable," Arden added. "Had I not been swift enough, that strike would have pierced my heart."
"haahh"
Andreas finally drew a long, shuddering breath. Shadow space had left him winded, and the kick had stolen the remainder of his air.
"hahh"
He looked at Arden, noting the small wound in his shoulder—a clean puncture, minor yet meaningful.
"You may visit the mages and recover. That shall suffice for today."
"Thank you for your consideration, master," Arden replied, bowing
While Andreas in his mind already started planning other strategies.
'It will not work again,' he thought.
'Yet, as Arden said, I have improved considerably.'
Andreas lingered in the arena for a time, resting and reflecting on the lessons the spar had taught him.
Three months passed. In that time, Andreas managed only six or seven successful hits. Each encounter pushed his mastery further, yet Arden remained untouchable.
Once, Andreas cast fire spells across the arena, leaving only a single space untouched. Normally, Arden would stride through unimpeded. This time, Andreas forced him into shadows with his spear. Yet Andreas did not hide in the shadows this time. He concentrated a massive water spell into a compressed volume. The pressure, once released, would create tremendous destruction. Shadows within fifty meters had been eliminated, leaving Arden no choice but to emerge at the intended location.
Andreas believed he might finally land a decisive blow.
Yet Arden, master of shadows and precision, dodged nearly perfectly. Only his foot was grazed. Andreas, exhausted of mana, faced yet another defeat.
On another attempt Andreas created colossal rocks with construction artifacts, and with the help of other mages made them fly before the spar when the time finally came he engulfed arena with fire spells again and forced arden to not be able to escape from the makeshift meteor then he gave a signal to let it fall. The only problem was that Arden cut the meteor in half and in the end Andreas bore the brunt of the damage.
But these days the problem of not being able to reach master level wasn't on his mind
"ding ding ding"
"At your command, master."
Arden emerged from Andreas's shadow as usual.
"It has been some time, has it not? How are the beastmen?" Andreas asked, a hint of curiosity threading through his tone.
"They adapt well. Some even marry demons," Arden replied, his voice calm, measured.
"And their warriors and mages?"
"The shamans accepted our offer to join the magic corps. They adapt swiftly, much faster than expected."
Arden paused for a moment, his expression tightening.
"Yet their warrior, Nok'thar, does not share the same harmony with the knight."
"I believed he was cooperative."
"He is, superficially. Yet the knight reports his savagery. His behavior remains unrefined."
"And in what way?" Andreas pressed.
"From the complaints I receive, the beastmen have not progressed in matters of hygiene and sanitation as much as we have."
Andreas frowned, a mental image forming uncomfortably in his mind.
"There is also the matter of personality," Arden continued. "Though he is not confrontational, he refuses to live among the demon folk despite the accommodations we have provided."
"Was he the one to propose a beastfolk street?" Andreas asked.
In the past there was once came a report about the beastfolk wanting their own street.
Although Andreas dismissed the proposal it remained in his mind
"Yes, it was him. Though other beastfolk integrate without issue, it seems only Nok'thar resists."
" He requires discipline."
"I couldn't agree more. Such rudeness toward the savior of his clan demands correction."
"Inform the beastfolk their race receives three strikes. Exhaust all three, and they shall be banished from our territory."
"All beastfolk?"
"Yes. The clan bears collective responsibility. One's failings are the burden of all. If a leader is flawed, it is the responsibility of the entire clan to amend it."
"I will relay this immediately, master."
With that, Arden departed.
"Let us see how long that attitude endures," Andreas murmured.
Unbeknownst to him he would find the answer much shortly. It seems the beastfolk clan was less loyal to their leader then he thought