Crap, crap, crap, crap! These bastards are already so hard to shake off, why did they have to make such a big ass barrier?!

This young upcoming hero is now stuck in the shallow parts of the forest behind Evaris’ estate. The forest wasn’t as big and dense as Medrid forest, but it’s enough for me to escape. But to think, they’d have someone that can make a big ass wind barrier like this...

“Fuck! I managed to catch their attention, so all that’s left is to buy time for Marny and Plynii, but... shit. Gah! I’m stuck!”

The barrier was almost 20 meters tall and I can’t jump that high without help. Frustrated, I punched the barrier as hard as I could with my fist clad with fire. The wall swallowed my fire and pushed me back, hitting a tree nearby.

“Fuck this shit! Now what?”

My back didn’t hurt but, I knew my limits. When I hit that barrier, I already know that it will take a while to pass through. I looked from side to side and saw the barrier stretch to the deep ends of the forest.

Can I reach either end if I run?

I scratched my head and decided to run, I took an almost straight stick and let it stand by itself, making it fall and choose which way I would run. Why? Because I don’t know which way to run. If I have brother’s magic eye-thingy then I could survey which end, but I don’t so, yeah...

Breaking the barrier will take more than an hour and by then, enemies will surround me. So I need to run away and reach the end. Chasing after me would buy enough time, so I bolstered my speed with the imperfect magic I could muster and ran as fast as I could.

Yes! If I can reach the other side then I’m all good!

"I imperium terrae."

Midway, a slab of rock grew from the ground aiming for me, it was similar to that anime about a short alchemist. Too fast to suddenly stop, I crossed my arms and received the rock, pushing me back. I supported myself with my hands, sliding on the ground while the slab shattered into pieces.

From the shattered rocks, a man in his forties walked towards me. His dark brown hair was slicked back and his built was as good as ‘the Rock’.

That was awesome! From now on, I’ll call you the Rock!

“Why would a member of the Cuppra family kill Evaris?!”

Cuppra...? Why would—? Ah~! Because of my hair and eyes, right! People always think I’m an Aurelian noble because of these.

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The old man stopped at a distance and I stood up preparing to defend myself.

“Hmmm... let’s see... because I can?”

With my answer, I sent him a devious smile. He looks strong. Is he one of Evaris’ guards? But why would they just let me kill Evaris?

“State your name! Even if you are a noble, I cannot condone such actions!”

His face was distorted in anger. Magic was clearly emanating from him, creating an intimidating aura.

“Huh? Shouldn’t you say your name first before asking mine?”

Calm down will you? I’m supposed to be the one who’s angry here. I didn’t think there’d be someone who can use strong magic around here.

He ground his teeth. I don’t know why he’s so angry, but I can see that he’s impatient about something. With a pause he soon introduced himself.

“...My name is Renè Von Wittsper. A knight of the kingdom awarded with the title of baron.”

Wha... I didn’t ask for all that you know? Not that I would introduce myself. But a knight? A golden knight?

“Ooooh! Nice to meet you mister knight! Well, not that I’m gonna give you mine, though. Haha!”

I wrapped my hands with wind magic and aimed towards his neck. He was late to dodge leaving him with a small cut on his neck.

His angry face is now filled with shock. I was shocked too, I wanted to finish this quickly but I guess there’ll be a fight. He’s faster than he looks, I can’t believe I can find someone that can keep up with my usual speed.

“How—?!”

There, I didn’t stop. I continued to deliver punch after punch, sometimes a jab and other times, a hook or an uppercut. I was fast but he was able to react, albeit a little late leaving some cuts here and there, but he was able to dodge my life threatening punches or should I call it slashes?

“Hey, it’s no fun if you just dodge!”

My head was cooling down, having someone to fight with like this is a breath of fresh air. Only big sis could keep up with me. No, only she could beat me like a breeze!

The man was sweating and his brows were more knitted than earlier. Seeing as he couldn’t dodge forever, he jumped back to escape my punches, so I gave him some breathing room to prepare. After all, I need to buy time so why not enjoy it?

“I imperium terrae!”

He took a deep breath and punched his fists together. Soon, rocks formed on his fists like gauntlets. It reached up to his shoulders and crumbled a little as he moved.

“I will capture you and have you tell me why you can use wind magic and why you killed Evaris!”

With that, he ran to me pulling his right fist back for a punch. And as heavy as his punch was, he was slow, but the force behind the punches could almost blow me away. I nimbly dodged his every punch at hair’s breadth and standing ground at its force.

He was so impatient earlier, so I thought he’d run out of stamina soon, but what the heck?

“Hey mister knight! You’re good! This’ll be a KNIGHT to remember!”

Man I am so good!

I delivered a pun-ch. it took him a while, so I thought I’d have a dry audience again but the Rock Knight snorted a small laugh.

Whaaaaaaaat? I have a proper audience tonight?!

“I’m liking you even more now!”

I rushed at him with more wind punches and a contented smile was on my face. I played with him a little bit more.

“Can you smell that, the Rock— Knight?”

Another pun-ch. I’m was on a roll so I brought out one after another and the Rock Knight kept snorting at my puns. We both completely forgot about what we were doing, it looked like we were only sparring with each other.

Soon, he was breathing hard. His fists was heavy so understandable and in my case, I only spent almost half of my stamina. Then, I sensed two more presence approaching us from the mansion.

Oh, crap!

I didn’t want to stay long but I haven’t heard anything from the two yet. But, if they’re only as strong as these guys, then I can just prolong it with my qi.

But how do I escape?