Confident.

This little girl was too confident.

Standing opposite his subordinate, Crest could hardly imagine where all that confidence came from.

There’s so much to learn in this new world.

Crest knew scarce nothing of this world, but he still understood. In this fairytale world, where creatures like him could exist, anything was possible. If he were to extrapolate such logic, then it would only stand to reason that such a world would birth extraordinary people. People capable of contending with such creatures. Ever since arriving here, perhaps due to his new supernatural nature, Crest could sense such people.

And such a person was standing before him.

Now, what can she do?

It was a question on Crest’s mind. Despite his conjectures and relatively short stay, he had yet to actually see proof of what made these extraordinary people. A blindfolded, prepubescent little girl stood, issuing a challenge. Her short, small frame seemed fragile and like a key indicator of her upbringing. Such a person couldn’t have had a hard life. Such a person was meant to idly enjoy. So, that begged two questions.

What made her extraordinary? What can she do?

‘Well? Come on now’ (C)

A slight change in breath occurred.

A little girl was descending upon him, an axe kick primed.

This is just disappointing…

Crest gazed around the broken scenery. Cracks and small craters littered the once-pristine green ground.

Really disappointing.

A young girl stood at the centre of the whole mess. Her face spotting its usual unbothered appearance. Crest stared at the unperturbed face with mild annoyance. The destroyed landscape and unexhausted girl spoke volumes of her extraordinary nature. If that wasn't impressive enough, the fact that it was all accomplished while blindfolded certainly was. No normal person could achieve such a feat.

Still, though, Crest was unsatisfied.

With a step forward, Crest started to circle his enemy. Taking note of their slight shift towards his direction. Crest had long suspected his subordinate to be capable of some form of sight. A fact proven by her ability to manoeuvre herself greater than the average blind person.

Is she underestimating me? Me, of all people?

It was the only conclusion Crest could reach the longer this little spur went without significant change. The aura that hanged around his subordinate was still ever present. His senses were warning him, but he couldn’t see the cause of their concern. The root, the cause of the concern, had yet to reveal itself.

Well, I guess I just need to push a little to.

Crest had mostly been on the defensive. Mainly, because he was curious to see what attacks would be thrown at him. Seeing now, there was a hesitation present; he would have to push more. The destructive kicks and punches were simply not enough to sate him.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Crest dug his claws into the ground and launched towards his subordinate.

He would take her blindfold. One of the only two things that seemed to get a physical reaction from her.

With a beat of his wings, he enhanced his already staggering speed. In his flight, he could already see the Princess ducking down in an attempt to avoid him. An action he had already grown familiar with throughout the fight. A key reality had been established between the two. While the Princess may possess a physical might many times greater than a person from Earth, she was still substantially slower than Crest. Through the entire fight, the main way she had been keeping up was by predicting Crest’s next move.

Unfortunately for her, it won’t work this time.

Crest angled his wings down and stretched out his right claw as he arrived at the Princess’ location. The Princess quickly threw herself right out of her lowered position. Crest heard the tear of cloth as he speeded past the Princess. A little more. Twisting his body mid-air, Crest flared out his wings to rapidly slow himself. Now faced with the back of the Princess, Crest dug his claws into the ground and promptly launched forward.

It didn’t matter if the Princess could predict his movements. So long as she was slow, it was a useless ability.

Crest neared the Princess at an unmatched rate. He raised his claw in a swiping motion, ready to bear down and tear the cloth. All was going as he foresaw… until something unusual happened. The Princess, who had her back turned, suddenly jumped. Her speed abruptly skyrocketed. Crest flew under her, still processing the motion, when a slow hand descended upon him. A fist crashed into his head, briefly disorienting his flight. Gradually slowing himself down, Crest descended.

The first contact in this fight had been made.

----------------------------------------

Zuian gazed at his trembling hand.

The only blow he had managed to land during the entire fight seemed to hurt him more than his opponent.

This isn’t going to work.

It was a little bit more than disheartening to acknowledge this fact. With the current limitations Zuian had imposed on himself, he should’ve been able to at least bring down Lord. Especially considering that Lord didn’t have a basic battle instinct. If Zuian’s master were to have seen how much he was struggling, they would’ve laughed in his face.

I might be a little out of shape…

Then again, it wasn’t like he had the same body as he did in the trial.

The sound of a disgruntled beast refocused Zuian’s attention. It seemed Lord was about to be on the move again. Zuian strained his senses to perceive Lord eliciting a dull ache in his eyes. A lot of things had become apparent to Zuian since the start of this match. The most important one being his inability to last long.

Currently, Zuian isn’t using his internal mana or awakened power to fight. Instead, he was utilising an advanced breathing technique taught by his master. By intaking measured, slow, full breaths, one could enhance their strength, speed, or agility by filling their lungs with tonnes of oxygen to excite their heart. Four forms existed: general (which creates a weak increase in might, quickness, and flexibility), strength (which creates a sharp increase in might but reduces quickness and flexibility), speed (which creates a sharp increase in quickness but reduces might and flexibility), and agility (which creates a sharp increase in flexibility but reduces might and quickness).

‘I think the time for playing is long over’ (L)

The intimidating voice had returned. Zuian wasn’t the least bit scared. One big takeaway he has had from this fight is Lord’s inability to effectively fight. While Zuian may be rusty, it was like Lord had never been in a fight.

‘Agreed’ (Z)

Lifting his hand up, Zuian touched his new blindfold. It was best they ended this.

Preparing himself, he took a back step and… was falling?

He was falling?

Oh, right. We were up high.

With his attention stolen by Lord, Zuian had forgotten this oh so important fact.

Crud.

“Princess, may I draw you a bath?” (R)

Laying on the floor of his once-clean room, Zuian took a moment to appreciate Rose. The maid was truly the best person for this line of work. Forcing himself off the ground, he raised his hand and took Rose’s shoulder.

Ah, my hand was dirty.

Rose didn’t seem to mind, as she merely moved to open the door.

I guess she would be the last person to mind, though…

It wasn’t like this was the first time Zuian had embraced her, covered in filth.

As they were leaving the room, Zuian felt heavy steps reverberate.

‘What… what do you think you’re doing?’ (Z)

Zuian paused.

‘Isn’t it obvious? I’m covered in filth due to your carelessness!’ (L)

The whole reason they were both covered in filth was due to Lord’s poor rescue. A rescue where the victim was plunged through multiple trees and finally thrown in mud was unacceptable. Lord’s statement was almost entirely untrue.

“Don’t worry, my Princess. We are more than able to accommodate.” (R)

Huh?

It appeared Rose took Zuian’s pause as a question.

Firmly sick and tired of Lord, Zuian didn’t have the heart to argue.

Argh, whatever.

With Rose resuming walking, Zuian kept his internal grumblings to himself.

He just needed a warm bath now.