I realised what was off the third time it happened...

For some odd reason, everyone kept on forgetting the spearman's existence every new chapter.

That's why I decided to 'assist them' my own way...

Let's fast forward after Arthur fell through the roof of the mansion; after the assailant dodged the enhanced 'Triple Spell'. Now, Arthur and Lily had united and joined forces to to attack him together.

They tag-teamed this jerk...!

The duo had great technical proficiency. It was a sight for the eyes. Their attacks were focused and direct while having great synergy. The two of them normally fought as a true team to hunt for food.

This was why they were experienced...

Even though Arthur still had stinging injuries all over his body. He pushed himself behind his limit.

Or was his 'Godly Physique' holding up nice...?

Alex's words seemed to cause them to become more cautious though. They realised the spearman before them must have the strengths of both Beasts and Humans. A repeat of before...

Lily herself seemed to become much more faster than him though. She punched at him swiftly.

Little did she know that the Dragoon had already spent his stamina trying to defeat her partner.

It was kinda unfair...

Having a Beast Flame meant Dark Mana was coursing through his body. He didn't need time to gather it. What the scholarly Arcanist spoke also implied that the spearman had a 'Strong Physique'.

This was the 'Racial Ability' of Beasts. It allowed them to much more physically superior in strength.

But so what if he was strong physically?

She spent her whole life fighting Beasts who were larger and stronger than her at a young age.

Arthur too wasn't a pushover...

On top of that: She had already grown used to knowing that 'power ' wasn't the only strength.

It was because the stronger a person was, the easier it was to catch them off guard due to hubris.

She believed this since she saw it a lot...

Her 'Mary Sue' destiny acted up many times...

Although her teamwork with Arthur wasn't even nearly to same standard as Alex, Fighters and Warriors had a knack for working together. The nerfing of Arthur's physical strength and emotional frenzy had 'coincidentally' boosted their synergy.

One focused fighting close-range, while the other took any opportunities that opened up to slash.

They split their Roles evenly...

The spearman turned to intercept her fist and grabbed her hand in the process, though she wasn't taken aback. Instead, her other hand grabbed his wrist and threw her head back.

Was she going to headbutt him?

He was ready to intercept her, but instead found that he had been mistaken. It was a misdirection.

She pulled him by his wrist. It was then Arthur got in front of her to switch who dealt the damage.

The assailant seemed proud for some reason...

I could finally read one thought from the Dragoon:

'Smart girl... but is this all you got?' He slammed his spear down used it to block the sword.

It was only when she stepped on his foot and kept him from using half his body... did he realise her persistence in acting as 'support' for Arthur. The two of them weren't conventional team workers.

Their moves seemed instinctive... or intuitive.

It might be on a lower level than how the scholarly and brawny duo could switch between offence or defence seamlessly, but it was enough. They were able to compliment each other's styles nicely.

The assailant didn't mind though...

Despite her constant pulls, he was still rooted in place. The Dragoon swung his radiant spear at her.

The sounds of collisions could be heard, the sword and spear clashed multiple times, but the man stood firm. A single hand was all he needed to dextrously, yet powerfully, wield his spear.

It was a bone-chilling scene to watch.

It made one feel as if they were mice being toyed around by a cat, just waiting to be pounced at.

This mostly had to do with Arthur's injuries. His erasure in memories made it hard for him to adapt.

Lily herself was also reluctant to use Spells.

"Nice teamwork." The helmeted spearman praised them. He finally took some steps back upon being attacked by two people. It was only when he was done assessing them did he stop moving his spear.

'Has he given up?' The two of them thought at the same time, Lily leveraged his arm to kick while Arthur stabbed forwards, but as their attacks rocketed towards his defenceless chest.. they noticed a smile appearing in those eyes of his.

It looked like he was done assessing them.

Before their strikes landed on his body, a sense of danger arose in Lily's heart. She pulled back her leg and braced herself, and even let go of the helmeted spearman's arm to defend her back.

The sound of two simultaneous strikes hitting flesh didn't come from the helmeted spearman's chest at all, but from the back of their necks. The suddenness of the event caught them off guard.

Arthur fell unconscious immediately. He was struck at a speed faster than he could perceive, after all.

It wasn't something easily blocked...

As for Lily, she saved herself from being knocked out by using her arm to guard cover her neck.

It was at that point the spearman stopped after noticing someone finally getting up behind him.

Vhalen had fully healed Alex...

And surprisingly, even his mental fatigue had been healed away despite how impossible that was.

Fear, who was beside Vhalen, grabbed his arm and kept him back. It was best not to get involved...

She didn't know what was happening, but the shorty's safety came before anything else.

The helmeted spearman saw how Alex's body was suddenly covered in a runic energy once again.

What kind of Buff would he use this time?

Ignoring the fearful Lily, who was covering for the unconscious Arthur. He turned towards him.

The Arcanist positioned himself into a form that was better for kicks, then used his final trump card.

[Runic Skill- Force Alteration!]

A kinetic energy imbued kick was thrown out!

His stance that was derived from a familiar karate form. The strike was thrown out with full strength!

The mysterious Dragoon's eyes narrowed once more. A dark energy radiated from his pupils.

Those who watched from the side could only think that the spearman wouldn't be able to dodge.

There was no room to move around in the craters...

The mansion behind him looked like it was on the verge of collapse, and Lily was still there as well.

Forward would only throw him into the kick...

...and the sides were blocked off by rubble.

This situation didn't seem to fluster the Dragoon at all. He seemed used to impossible scenarios.

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The man responded by throwing his own kick.

The trajectory seemed to want to intercept and break apart Arcanist's Rune-covered leg...

As the two clashed, the spearman found that a surge of kinetic energy empowered Alex's leg.

He had already integrated the 'Royal Kinetic Force Formula' into the fighting style he was utilising.

The scholarly young man had made this 'Buff style' in the years he had been travelling the globe...

"You can use the Kinetic Formula to improve your attacks? Not bad...! But unfortunately, you're screwed! Because so can I!" The great spearman laughed. The kinetic energy aiming to break his strong leg was cancelled out by his own high kick.

[Time Trait- Force Alteration]

Two kinetic forces clashed!

Vhalen was flabbergasted after seeing two non-Royals, who weren't born with an Imperial Attribute, being capable of using his family's most secretive technique. How was this even possible?!

The Arcanist didn't seem to want to give up..:

He followed with another kick!

Unlike the one thrown previously, this one seemed to mysteriously change its angle and direction without losing any of its strength. Even Alex's entire body didn't seem to need a reason to touch the ground. He executed a dynamic jump kick.

In retrospect, this tactic looked like it even used a common 'Directional Feint' to mislead the Dragoon.

It was similar to the Question-Mark Kick (which was a front kick switching into a roundhouse mid kicking motion), or the Brazilian Kick (which was the more common variety of a Directional Feint).

Alex used a highly technical kicking motion.

However, true power overwhelmed technique.

The difference between them showed when their second round was dragged longer than it should.

[Leg Whitening- Swift Strike!]

[Space Spell- Damage Amplification!]

[Space Trait- Vector Distortion!]

The scholarly young man's opponent once again countered with his own kick, but this time the difference in strength was so massive that the Arcanist almost felt his leg was about to break.

If he didn't reverse the 'Directional Vector' of his kick in time, then he was sure his poor leg would have been broken in half. The spearman showed no mercy for him despite wanting to capture him...

The young man couldn't understand why such an unbelievably strong guy wanted to fight him...!

Why did he attack them out of nowhere?!

As fast the second kick was thrown, was as fast as it was retrieved back. The almost collision broke it!

Meanwhile, something happened at the side...

There was someone 'gaining insight' on him again.

Lily came to a realisation the second time while fighting. It was a familiar realisation repeated again.

The moment she noticed those smiling eyes glow underneath his helmet, a fearful expression appeared on her face. The beauty recognised the spearman's eyes to be that of a Moon Wolf's!

Arthur started to recover his consciousness at that moment. He was about to get up and join again.

"Tch!" She heard the Dragoon's click his tongue.

Another displaced strike struck the back of the Warrior's neck and knocked him out a second time.

His brain was shook...

Now, Alex had the assailant's full attention after they were almost casually beaten down by him.

Or more like... Arthur took the beating for her.

"Too weak~! You all won't be able to survive what is to come with such meagre strength." The spearman scoffed before speeding towards the magic user. This was the best opportunity.

He knew the youth's 'recovery' was superficial...

Without all the Arcanist's Buffs, the man seemed to counter him thoroughly on an existential level.

Well, Mages were SUPPOSED to be weak up close.

It was only 'Alex Stuman' who was able hold his own in close combat against a superior opponent.

And yet... His 'destiny' didn't work on the assailant.

The protagonist was seriously going to lose...!

Even though the scholarly young man tried everything in his power to get away from him, he was still caught by the neck. The scholarly young man was forcefully lifted off the floor like a chicken.

Finally, the battle was now over.

...Even if the garden became a downright mess.

"Let... urgh- go of me!" The rare prodigy of runic magic spoke angrily. He gripped the hand that lifted him. This was the first time in his entire life he felt so powerless. Almost like being an insect...

The powerlessness seeped into his heart deeply...

It was then the assailant brought up his initial topic:

"Looks like you weren't listening. Every disturbance that happened this world is YOUR FAULT! No one else is to blame for the chaos that will sweep this world... other than you!" The invincible Dragoon repeated with black eyes filled with pure hatred.

"That's... impossible...!"

"Is that what you think? Well then, I guess it's time to jog your memories~" As the spearman spoke, he reached into his pocket to take out what seemed to be a strange white 'marble' of solid energy.

It was then that he shoved it down the scholarly young man's throat without giving time to think.

The strange marble with mystical properties was treated as if it was some sort of 'magic medicine'.

The Arcanist had no choice but to gulp it down...

Alex suddenly reacted to the 'medicine' he ate.

His eyes started to glow with a luminous glow...

Something broken inside him started to become fixed. Almost like he was becoming 'complete'.

It was a unique feeling...

The scholarly young man never understood why the helmeted assailant was blaming him for so many unrelated things. It was only after the glowing sphere of light entered his body... did he start to understand what mysterious person meant.

He could feel his soul tremble. Memories he never knew he had came streaming into his him at once.

The mysterious spearman holding onto Alex threw him at Lily after he fell into a trance-like state.

"Lie him down on his bed and wait." The extremely suspicious Dragoon spoke sternly to the only one left standing. He acted with in an authoritative tone... despite being the one who attacked them.

"Why should I listen to you?" Lily was angered by the man's arrogance. It made her want to fight.

She clenched her fist, the emerald Spades Symbol embedded on her knuckle started to glow..

The girl was ready to activate one of her Spell Slots. Ready to lay a smackdown on him...!

Who did this suspicious guy think she was?!

If you were to measure her as a Noble Ranker, then she'd be a Marquis Rank with four Spell Slots.

This was an extremely powerful strength to have...

Each one of those four suits... or playing-card symbols on her knuckle, held an elemental power.

"Don't bother..." the assailant's words awoke her to reality. She felt a suffocating amount of power release from the man, then realised his legendary status as a Lord Rank. A 'Deity' of this world...

His two words were filled with dominance...

He even looked at her clenched fists mockingly.

"..." She silently watched the spearman with her hairs standing on end. Her mind was fully alert.

"You won't beat be able to bridge the gap between us even if you somehow used Transcendence Burst right this very moment. Calm down. If I wanted to harm you guys, you'd already be dead." These words actually did manage to calm her a little.

"How confident..." Even though she said that, her heart was well-aware that he had the ability to back up his words. Though she felt it was unreasonable for him to look down on her so much.

Only this chapter's strength he displayed was evidence enough. His power was wondrous...

Then she thought about what he said.

A Transcendence Burst was, simply put, what happened when someone with multiple Spell Slots were able to enter a state similar to 'The Zone'. A state Martial Artists of Earth sought obsessively.

It was akin to going into a Super Mode that heightened their skills, strength, and abilities.

Transcendent Burst was a strong boost in power with all-round enhancement in everything.

Something many Gaia Humans longed for...

An Ascender's equivalent to Transcendence Burst of Gaia, 'The Zone', was similar, yet different.

'The Zone' was derived from the mental state of being 'in the zone'. Although titled fully as 'Zone of Optimal Functionality', falling into it while using martial arts allowed on to fight at a capacity beyond the norm. Technical proficiency went up.

The only drawback to this being that actually entering The Zone was easier said than done.

It took multiple factors to achieve...

Similarly, Transcendence Burst was the highest state of 'Mana Burst' that allowed one to optimise their strength in different ways. Those 'ways' solely depended on what Mystic Race they were.

For Humans, it would allow them to perfectly gather the Ether (External Energy) in the atmosphere through their Magic Pathways and allow them to utilise them in their fullest potential.

Rather than mimicking the Lord Rank by giving an infinite reserve of Spells, it instead focused on utilisation of all abilities. Even boosting them to a point normal Skills were comparable to Spells.

Those entering this state would find that they would be able to pull off feats of strength normally impossible. This was commonly due to their lack of understanding in how to apply their Magic Skills.

Once entered, magic proficiency was optimised...

Once entered, even a Baron Rank could potentially fight a Lord Rank. This was 'Transcendent Burst'.

...Though entering it was the same difficulty as entering 'The Zone' in all aspects. Right down to how it was impossible to think that anyone could enter Transcendence Burst of one's own will.

Despite how such a state meant that his opponent would be able to display their maximum potential in personal strength, the mysterious spearman seemed to dismiss its legendary effects.

He nonchalantly continued what he was saying:

"If you listen properly, I can help you master how to properly use your 'eyes'. So how about it?

You will be able to visit your clan with pride...

I'll even help train your little 'test subject' over there so he won't ever run away from you in future." The helmeted spearman's tone seemed to soften considerably. It made me irritated...

He was tricking her!

Making her stand down with a deal like this beneficial to him. Especially with that 'ability'.

He was going to erase this promise next chapter.

The Dragoon's dark eyes seemingly narrowed in mischief. The wolf girl before him momentarily flushed red, giving away her thoughts, but was able to regain self-control. His offer was too valuable...

Lily's mixed emotions looked like this: o(>﹏<)o

She didn't know if she should smile or be offended by his tone. He clutched onto a hidden side of her.

A part of her wanting her family's acknowledgment.

It was almost like he knew about her inner desires...

"He's not my test subject anymore..." If he hadn't seen the way Lily reacted, then maybe the spearman might have believed that she wasn't feeling guilty and ashamed for backing down.

Arthur would probably kill her if he found out...

This was a clear betrayal of trust!

Lily pretended she was fine with what she had done in the past. There was calmness in her tone as she spoke. The spear user snickered inwardly and watched her drag the two inside their home.

To make sure something annoying didn't happen, it looked like he fixed the place up using his Attribute.

'Time Burst- Inanimate Restoration' was used to fix the place up. I guess he was 'kind' for doing this...?

It was still unclear to me who he was. All I got from his words was that he really hated Alex a whole lot.

"You two should also come inside and rest. I'll go make something to eat." He spoke while treating Alex's house as his own. The other two stunned individuals behind him stiffly nodded their heads before following him inside for different reasons.

Fear and Vhalen were pushovers at times...

For the former Priestess, you could say one half of the reason was a bad habit she got from following the orders of the Cult... and following the words of that 'invincible being' all her life thoughtlessly.

She even forgot there was no need for her to bow her head in obedience; acting so pitifully servile.

Especially to someone who just appeared...

What was the point of having escaped the Demon Lord's grasp... if she still just acted the same way?

The other half of the reason of why she followed his instructions was because she trusted him.

Though she didn't understand where it came from.

It almost felt like an instinctive intimacy...

As for the doubtful Vhalen, his thoughts were simpler. Well, mostly because it was cowardly.

It was because the Second Prince feared the helmeted spearman and his lawless way of doing things. That's why obediently walked inside Alex's home with him. His senses were sharp and could tell the person before him was truly powerful.

The only thing that made him confused was how this strange guy was actually going to cook for them. Only he himself knew the kind of anxiety he was feeling from having a 'Lord Rank' be his cook...

But enough of this, let's go back in time and see the events that were most important to why people had 'ascended' to Gaia... and how it involved the young man in particular. What was his 'Role'...?

What mysteries were about to be answered after having eaten that 'marble'? I myself was curious.

Let's see how this turns out.