-Over here, Kayle.

At the back of the bar, where the largest tables were gathered, the village chief waved to Kayle.

What does he want with me? Is he going to threaten me again on duty? I’ve only been here a day and he already wants to kill me. If I die, somebody tell Charles and that damn Rakis to go fuck themselves.

-How’s your first day?

-Not too bad. I’m learning from Lilly every minute and I think I could replace her soon in some way.

-See. Don’t mess around, we got you covered.

Me who thought he was friendly. He is only with the people of his village. Lilly told me that he was called Rack. What a name for a brute.

Rack smiled and raised a pint in front of all his colleagues who did the same.

He seems to be really appreciated in his village. That’s normal for a leader. If I had been a little more influential, I could have started an entire band in my service. It would have been easier to go after the hero. But in these conditions, if I want to win his trust and that of the village, I must continue to play my role as a server and accomplish something incredible. I need to meet this former soldier as soon as possible and drive an apostle from Krul.

However, lost in his thoughts, Rack wrapped his arm around his head laughing.

What? What is it... ?

-Say it, Kayle?

-Yes.

Why did the mood suddenly change?

-I noticed you were looking at our little Lilly a lot.

Drops of sweat began to appear on his forehead. If he had understood one thing since his arrival it was that everyone loved and protected this girl and that, no matter how you approached her and no matter your reasons, you should not approach her.

-She’s pretty, right? But she’s also very kind, smiling, caring, helpful....

The adjectives were raining down along with the drops of sweat on Kayle’s forehead.

-You know we also appreciate her a lot and I don’t think the guys and I will let our little one protect in the arms of a stranger who was considered to be a criminal part of a cult.

Kayle looked around. The others at the table were also looking more seriously and they were looking at him with a threatening air. Kayle seemed to be dying out but there was one thing that very few people knew about him...

Me, restrict me? You're not my parents. You don't know why I'm here. I never wanted to be here and you think I'm going to let you walk all over me just because you considered me a brigand.

-You shouldn't try anything with her or I'll put you on the pig.

...He hated being talked down to.

-What if I don't want to?

At these words, the whole bar fell silent. Everyone knew better than to question Rack's authority, and Kayle surely knew it too. What Kayle had just done undoubtedly deserved to be punished, and everyone was looking forward to it. Lilly felt sorry for Kayle but stayed away for fear of Rack's wrath. The village chief's colleagues left the table to look elsewhere. Only Kayle and Rack remained, his arm still wrapped around his head. No one said anything. Silence reigned in the room.

-Little guy. It seems you haven't understood the rules of our village. When a member disobeys me and persists in his disobedience, he must duel me to decide the position of village chief. So I'll ask you again... No, at this level, that's an order. Don't try anything with Lilly.

Kyle, still with his head down, waited a long time before answering slowly.

-In that case, I'll repeat myself. What if I don't want to?

-Kayle.

Lilly couldn't believe it. No one inside the village, not even the former soldier, had ever attempted such a thing in front of Rack. Yet Kayle had long been the first to try the impossible.

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-Kayle? You asked for it.

In one motion, the table was overturned and Kayle found himself flying across the bar. The men of the village rose to their feet and began to clear space for a duel. Rack rose slowly as he finished his pint and stood opposite where Kayle had landed. However, to his surprise, Kayle had landed on her feet quite decently. In this world, the average basic stats were above Kayle's for the simple reason that all men worked hard to fight against mercenaries, thieves, cult members and the Empire of Light. Kayle hadn't experienced any of that, but he was different. He had excellent genetics that made him smarter, more agile, and above all...

-It's a shame. I thought you could have stayed longer in our village.

-Give him a second chance, Rack.

-Lilly, you know I can't do that.

From her vantage point, there wasn't much Lilly could do, but she didn't know that Kayle wasn't easy prey for any fighter. Rack tried to draw his blade, but soon realized it was missing from his belt.

- What? When did...

He looked around before directing his gaze to Kayle, who still hadn't said a word. His blade was now in his right hand. He'd taken it from him the moment he knew he'd have to fight Rack.

-Didn't I understand? Don't make me laugh. I hate being taken for a ride.

Rack looked at his opponent. At first, he sincerely thought Kayle was harmless, but he'd just changed his judgment. A smile spread across his face.

-How's that? Young toddler. Come to me.

-No. You come to me.

Rack wondered if the boy wasn't just crazy, but at the end of the day launched himself at him all the same.

-Good.

Rack ran towards Kayle at full speed, but at the same time Kayle took up position, imitating the stance of an experienced swordsman.

-I see. You were strong after all.

Rack was getting dangerously close. Lilly saw the spectacle and stopped watching, closing her eyes. But she opened them again when she heard everyone let out a cry of astonishment. Her eyes opened wide in turn. Rack was on the ground holding his throat while Kayle was standing in front of him without a scratch.

-Idiot.

It works every time. I don't know how to use a sword. Besides, his was too heavy and I had no chance of hitting him properly given his speed. So I just pretended. I suppose that in all possible worlds and dimensions, the best weapon is always the feint. He concentrated on the blade for the first few seconds. I knew I had him. All I had to do was wait for him to try and take it away from me. To do that, I had to be careful not to get burned by imitating what I've seen swordsmen do in anime. Maybe I've got a knack for it, because it worked.

Just as Rack had disarmed Kayle, he received a tremendous blow in the throat that stopped his breathing.

I haven't yet determined whether they were breathing like normal humans, but looking at them, they seemed to be. It was a risky gamble, but it had a ninety percent chance of working, given their morphology. I was right, and that's normal.

However, even if Kayle had also taken it into account, the humans of this world are strong and probably thanks to the energy circulating in this world, their bodies were fortified. An ordinary human being from her world had no chance of doing him any real damage without a weapon. Rack jumped to his feet, surprised and shocked. Kayle tried to kick him in the head, but he stopped her with his right hand.

I knew it. The outcome of the fight was already decided. I've no chance of winning, but I must fight bravely if I'm not to lose my honor.

-You're surprising, kid.

-I know I am.

Kayle threw himself far away, propelling himself with his remaining leg into Rack's face. Nevertheless, Rack closed the distance with a leap and reached out to grab Kayle's head. Kayle was lucky enough to regain his footing and narrowly dodged, but like an over-trained boxer, Rack launched a huge uppercut right into his abdomen. Kayle had no time to dodge and protected himself with his arms as best he could.

I can't make up the difference in level in one fight, but....

Kayle saw Rack's punch coming at full speed. It was now or never. He barely dodged the punch, which left a mark on his face. However, while still standing, he grabbed Rack's arm with his right hand and held out two of his fingers from the left to gouge out his eyes. Rack was surprised by the speed of the gesture, which at the time was equal to his own. Lilly closed her eyes again, not wanting to see him lose his eyes.

-Why didn't you do it?

-I don't know what you're talking about.

When she opened her eyes, Rack had Kayle on the ground.

-Why did you stop moving? You could have poked my eyes out.

I could have. But I didn't. When it comes down to it, I'm not an antagonist and I'm the one who started this fight. I know I wouldn't get the respect of the village just by beating Rack and anyway, he had to accept me. I don't really want to hurt him and it would hurt Lilly's feelings.

-I know, but I don't think you'll see anything after this.

Rack was surprised by Kayle's answer. There was a short silence, then he laughed, which brought laughter from everyone except Lilly, who was relieved it was over. Rack had short chestnut hair that often shone in the sun, and blue eyes. He was a big man and everyone in the village knew him as a great fighter who hadn't been blessed with energy. But at six feet tall, he smiled often and at everyone.

-Very good, Kayle. You're a good fighter and you've got a good heart. I also apologize for being so impulsive, but you understand that as chief, I have to maintain order and balance in the village. Otherwise, it would be a mess.

It's already a mess.

-Congratulations, you're officially part of the village.

-I'm what?

-I don't blame you. Just listen to orders next time or we'll be fighting again.

Rack helped Kayle to his feet.

-Does this mean it's over?

-Yes, it means it's over. Stay at the bar with Lilly and I'll call you if I need you because you're a good fighter.

Wait a minute. Why do I feel like there's still a problem?

-And for Lilly....

All the black eyes turned back to him, but this time Rack was smiling.

-Just don't make them angry.

Rack walked out of the bar smiling with his gang not smiling. He extended his hand from behind to greet Kayle.

-He's got some flow, that jackal.