Tepmodus stood in the training room, a faint grey-blueish layer covering his body. This was [Lonarzium Infectious Skin].

Although the spell contained ‘skin’ in its name, it was more like a special force covering even his clothes. It was somewhat rigid, slowing down Tepo’s movements greatly.

Thus, the young man looked a bit comical as he did his best to raise his knife and slash it down on his arm.

Finally, the sharp edge made contact. It tried to cut the spell, but it wasn’t able to damage the protective layer in the slightest.

Still, the spell reacted. It registered an attack. Infectious flames were thrown back at the attacker. The knife immediately went up in flames. They spread rapidly.

Fortunately, only the physical impact of one’s own spells could hurt oneself. Therefore, the flames were harmless as they reached Tepo’s hand.

The young warrior deactivated his spells, smiling brightly. This was what he had expected.

Greatly motivated, Tepo was ready to continue. He recovered for a bit before starting his third engraving.

With more practice, the young man easily completed his last set of two spells.

From the feather of a Ráhnae beast, he gained the [Chaotic Evasion] spell. It allowed him to dash at high speeds, but the direction will chaotically crisscross.

[Chaotic Evasion]’s runes were ironically in a straight line, occupying the southern segments of Tepo’s circles.

And last but not least he received the [Rapid Pierce] spell from a piece of Tarinum, a special metal which splinters into pieces and shoots in all directions when absorbing forces.

Since the third rune of this spell branches towards the right, Tepo started from the eastern side of his circles, connecting the two spells and receiving the [Rapid Chaotic Pierce].

Finally, he had a full set of spells which could carry him through fights.

Tired but joyful the young man dragged his body out of the training room. A few spirits greeted him as he fell into bed, a foolish smile on his face.

Line slept for a few hours until his mental strength had recovered again. When he stood up it seemed Quill and Anvil had already been waiting for him.

As he looked into their faces, the young man felt strange. This would be a day of separation. It’s incredible how quickly he got used to his new friends’ presence.

While Anvil’s mood also appeared slightly down, Quill smiled lazily as always.

“Line. Have you finally engraved all your spells?”

“Yes.”, nodded the young adult. “Thanks again guys. This will help me a lot.”

“Don’t mention it.”, chuckled Anvil.

“She’s right. After all, spells are useless if you don’t know how to use them. What do you say? Ready for one last spar before you leave?”

Tepo’s eyes lit. He was also eager to try out his new spells. This was a completely new way of fighting for him.

Seeing Tepo’s expression, Quill already had his answer. The trio went upstairs. Just as Tepo wanted to enter a training room, Quill called out to him, leading him further.

Taking the elevator the three warriors once more arrived on the tower’s roof.

A fresh breeze ruffled Tepo’s hair. The turquoise oceanic light shone on the tower. Curious fishes swam around the bubble as the three humans arrived.

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Wave’s massive head leaned slightly below the roof. Its eyes were half-closed, seemingly in contemplation. Noticing the three newcomers the beast raised its head slightly, watching the junior members.

Quill stepped forward. He tinkered with the Force Sensor. Immediately an opaque barrier formed around it.

“Isn’t this the perfect scenery.”, spoke Quill as he turned towards Line.

“Indeed. Now that I’m leaving soon, I regret not coming here more often.”

“I prefer meditating on the roof instead of in the training rooms.”, added Anvil. “While Quill only stays in the library.”

Tepo smiled wryly. Was this a jab at him for being locked up in the training rooms all day? He had to admit that this was somewhat unnecessary. The training rooms only have a calming effect but don’t speed up one’s training otherwise.

“Ok ok. It’s not like Line will never return. Let’s spar a little before we send him off.”

Anvil rolled her eyes at Quill as she stepped aside.

The veteran warrior waved his hands. Two swords appeared in the air in front of him. He grabbed them as he took on a leisurely pose, waiting for Tepo to make the first move.

Breathing deeply, Tepo readied himself for a fight. Although it was only a spar, he took it seriously. In his mind this was a battle between life and death.

It’s not like I can hurt him anyways…

Shaking his head the young man suppressed those unconfident thoughts. He narrowed his eyes. Focused. He even ignored the elemental spirits which sneakily appeared, spreading on the roof’s edge.

Tepo took out his weapons form his storage bag. The air grew tense. Quill provocatively signaled his protégé to start.

Bang!

Abruptly Tepo used his first spell. He pressed the trigger. A gunshot rang out. A bullet shot towards Quill, clad in flames.

The veteran reacted calmly. The bullet’s speed couldn’t surprise him. He met it with his sword. With a loud clanging the bullet was deflected, shooting somewhere into the ocean.

But Tepo grinned. He knew this would happen, but his first experiment was still a success. The [Infectious Flames] spread from the bullet, rapidly engulfing Quill’s sword.

Although Quill had a thousand ways to deal with the spell, for the sake of the spar he threw his burning weapon away before the fire spread to his hand.

But with a leisurely movement a new sword appeared in his grip.

“Good try. But don’t show your spells too easily! It gives your enemy time to find countermeasures.”

Tepo kept this advice in mind as he pulled the trigger again and again.

Fire bullet after fire bullet shot towards Quill. Tepo stocked for a moment. Switching spells wasn’t quite smooth yet. A bullet enhanced by [Rapid Pierce] raced through the air.

Quill’s body didn’t move. With a thought from him, a new sword appeared in mid-air. The fire bullets arrived. Like a small shooting star, they collided with the sturdy metal.

The sword trembled. It set on fire. The bullet lost its ferocity, dropping to the floor. But its friends were ready to revenge it.

Clang!

Continuously, metal collided. The sword swayed but supported by Quill’s force it didn’t falter. Suddenly, a streak of light appeared. Quill nodded inwardly. Switching up spells was good. Now Tepo only had to get more proficient.

The piercing bullet shot past the sword. Quill moved his upper body. The bullet continued its way.

Angry cooing noises sounded out. The bullet had punctured one of the wind spirits. A hole was in its airy body, only slowly closing up.

Suddenly a low rumble spread on the roof. Dust and smoke billowed. Tepo had fired a special explosive bullet. Quill’s vision was obstructed for a moment.

Immediately a figure appeared out of the smoke. A sharp edge glinted dangerously. A knife slashed towards Quill, threatening to cut the warrior’s head off.

But the veteran warrior was naturally unperturbed. Even though he wasn’t able to see through the smoke without a special spell, his instincts were honed through countless battles. The knife posed no danger.

Leisurely Quill raised one of his swords.

Tepo’s eyes were sharp, his feet quick. He stuck close to his opponent, constantly slashing out with his weapon. Even though Quill’s defense was airtight the young warrior took it as a chance to hone himself.

Ten, twenty, thirty strikes shot out. Sometimes a [Rapid Pierce] was mixed in. Sometimes flames spread as Tepo cast [Infectious Flames]. But Quill remained steady. He didn’t even retreat.

Whenever Tepo pushed too hard, the senior member would just put some strength into his sword, shoving Tepo back.

Panting, Tepo knew that he wouldn’t be able to continue much longer. His reserves of the Force of Time were slowly running dry. He only had one last move left to try.

With hurting wrists and vibrating muscles Tepo cast [Rapid Chaotic Pierce]. Abruptly the young man felt as if his arm was taken over by a special force as the spell took control. His knife slashed out, its speed more than doubled. Dozens of attacks rained on Quill within ten seconds.

But the difference in strength was too obvious. The veteran elegantly reflected, parried, defended. No attack could even hurt the hem of his clothes.

Tepo smiled wryly. He jumped backwards, spent, panting. He had given his all.

But looking at Quill, one might suspect that no fight had taken place. The scholarly warrior’s white robe was still spottles. His black hair hung elegantly from his head. A bright smile adorned his face.

“Thank you for the fight.”

With those words the warrior’s swords vanished as he theatrically dusted off his chest.

Tepo’s eyebrow twitched. He put away his weapons. But in this moment, he felt the desire to one day beat up Quill.