Two idiots fight. And one happens to be the one Marina fancies. The mage stood beside the rushing waterfall and watched them flick their swords at each other, waiting for a chance to help. But Drac has a plan. Doesnt he? Marina turned to the right. The old man sat on the floor. Looking into the waterfall, his vision was blocked, but it was as if he was seeing through the water.

“What are you staring at, little girl?”

Marina reflexively tuned Ignis around her vambraces.

“Calm. I won't fight you. And I won't join in the children's little fight. But when it gets rough, I will intrude.”

“Why did you attack Drac?!”

“Mmm. So, Drac is his name.”

“Answer me!”

The old man stared at the waterfall in silence.

Marina stopped tuning into Ignis. She stared at the battle, then at Bob.

“Think the old bastard has hearing problems?” asked the warrior priest.

"No, I don't.”

With aura-enhanced reflexes, Drac moved his head to the side. Axton shot a cone of Aura by his right ear. Drac ignited two explosions behind his back to push forward and thrust his double-edged sword. Axton anticipated and swung his wooden blade to the side and Drac’s cheek. Levitation paused Drac’s momentum, and he leaned back to evade the blow. The air cracked where he was supposed to be. Drac retreated, and Axton followed.

“You use too much energy, masked man.” Swords collided, and the air burst. Drac is pushed back. His arm stung. Axton pushed forward, dragging his wood sword through the rocks. Drac jumped to the right to avoid the aura wave. Quick like lightning, Axton got in close and lunged. The tip of the practice hit Heilong’s edge. Drac was blasted into a tree, making the trunk concave. Drac stood up, breathing heavily, with a new bruise to worry about.

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I told you he was strong. But this strong? Is this how you saw me?

Shut up.

Drac rubbed his sore back.

And yes, it was.

Mmmm. Getting humbled like this is a new experience. Especially by our own copy.

With no options left and his aura getting spent, Drac concentrated.

Those battles. The killing. It wasn't for nothing.

Drac's second Heilong dissipates. Back to his stance, Aura was condensing to his sword. Energy flowed along the sword like a flame. He calmed himself, using only the aura he needed. Axton travelled across the ravine with swift footwork. He struck downward.

“You dare attack Grandpa?!" Axton split the tree in half. A pellet fell by the caveman’s feet. It burst into a thick, dark cloud.

Quick before he jumps away!

Drac sliced at Axton's knees.

The cloud is blown away. A practice sword met Heilong once again.

Fuck me…

Swords grind together while Drac threw a knife at Axton’s face. Axton narrowly dodged. Drac slashed at Axton with all his might. The swordsmen blocked his face with a two-hand stance.

Drac paused the slash, went low, and sliced the left thigh. Axton screamed in pain. Seeing his opponent distracted, Drac kicked the right knee. Axton groaned in pain and swung back. The wooden sword missed wide.

He is a rookie. Used to the same sparing partner, the old handler.

Drac drew his sword in many swirls in the air, finally resting in a fencing pose. Alfred Danor’s way of the snake.

Drac took the initiative and attacked first. Stabs rain on Axton. He guarded and blocked the many pokes, winching with every step. Drac sliced low again, and a skittish Axton lifted his right leg.

“Scared of getting hurt?!”

Drac feinted and thrust at his enemy's body. Axton blocked the thrust with the flat of his blade. Tuning the blade to Ignis, the tip of Heilong exploded in a great fire, forcing the swordsman back across to the stream. Axton crashed into the pebbles and rocks, skidding across the water to the other side. Axton rolled back and stood in a stance again. Drac already flew close with Ignis, Ventus, and Levitation. A reverse grip slice from Drac was aimed at Axton’s head. The attack was thwarted with an aura-coated sword. Stones and water were blown away by the collision. Rocks crunched under Axton’s feet. The swordsman grits his teeth, bearing the weight on his injured legs.

Drac’s sword dissipates.

The man in black lands on the ground, his right shoulder facing his opponent, and reforms Heilong with his right hand. With his reverse grip, Drac goes for a stab to the heart.

"Ok, that's enough sparring, you brats.”

A cane stopped Drac's sword at its point.