As the dust cleared, Kajin walked toward the hole in the wall.
"Is that bastard still alive?" he thought. He stepped through the hole into the other room and looked around until his eyes landed on Ruya, lying unconscious on the floor. Kajin approached him, standing over him with a cold expression.
"Hm... What was his name again...?" Kajin wondered, trying to recall what Ruya had said.
Leaning down, Kajin examined him closely. "He said he was an elf... and that he was going to be my... partner?" As Kajin pondered this, Ruya’s eyes slowly began to open.
"Where am I...?" Ruya asked weakly.
Kajin glanced at him in surprise, not expecting him to regain consciousness so quickly. "You’re in the Dark Castle. Just a while ago, you barged into my room, interrupted my training, and said you were going to be my partner on my journey," Kajin said, his tone flat as he continued to look down at Ruya.
"Oh, yeah... I remember now! But how did I end up here?" Ruya asked, confused.
"Let’s just say you hit a nerve and got what you deserved," Kajin replied bluntly. He stood up and began walking back toward the hole.
"Oh... O-okay," Ruya muttered, his voice tinged with fear. He slowly got up and followed Kajin back through the hole into his room.
"So, you’re Kajin, right?" Ruya asked, his gaze fixed on Kajin.
"I guess," Kajin replied, already getting back into position to resume his push-ups.
"I see," Ruya said, nodding. "How did you escape?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"That’s none of your business," Kajin snapped, irritated. He began doing push-ups again. "The one who should be asking questions is me. Why did you barge into my room like that? And why do you want to follow me on this 'journey'?" Kajin’s tone was serious, his eyes locked on Ruya.
"Well, um... out of excitement! I was excited to meet you, that’s why," Ruya said enthusiastically. "As for my statement, it’s for two reasons. First, I’ve heard a lot about you and thought you were amazing. And second, Lady Anastasia assigned me to accompany you on your journey," he explained, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
After finishing his push-ups, Kajin stood up and stared at Ruya. "So Anastasia assigned you to follow me? Ugh, can’t she stop interfering in my life?" Kajin sighed, frustrated.
"As for you, elf, I don’t want random weaklings tagging along with me on this so-called 'journey.' You’ll just slow me down," Kajin declared coldly, turning his back on Ruya. "Now go. I don’t want to be interrupted while I train."
After a moment of silence Ruya replied, a smirk forming on his face."Who said I’m a weakling?"
Kajin turned his head slightly, glaring at Ruya as he continued.
"Hmph! If I’m such a weakling, why don’t we spar then? I’ll prove you wrong. And I will shatter that ego of yours" Ruya said confidently, his eyes beginning to glow a faint green. "Or are you too scared, Kajin?"
Kajin raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ruya’s boldness. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. "Hmhm... Very well, elf. I accept your challenge. But don’t expect me to go easy on you, cuz to me you look like a worm" he said, his eyes glowing red with excitement.
"Don’t think I’ll hold back either," Ruya replied, his tone brimming with determination. Clenching his fists, he added, "Just wait, Kajin. I’ll make you eat up your words, and test if that title of yours is really true."
Kajin chuckled darkly, closing his eyes for a moment. "Tomorrow morning, at sunrise, on the training grounds," he said.
When he opened his eyes again, Ruya was nowhere to be seen. Startled, Kajin scanned the room.
"Hmhmhm... That elf is something else," Kajin thought, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I might’ve underestimated him at first. He seems dangerous. His confidence, though, it’s like nothing I’ve ever encountered. But in the end, there’s only one way to prove your worth to me... and that’s in a fight."
Kajin’s smirk deepened, his spirit alight with excitement. "I can’t wait for our spar, Ruya!"