We walked up towards an empty platform.

We got into a stance and started to analyze each other. I could not detect weak points in her stance.

We slowly circled the platform waiting for the other to make the first move. Suddenly the girl rushed towards me.

'She's fast!'

I blocked her initial charge and she followed up with a flurry of blows, each specifically targeting weak points in my body.

She was slowly forcing me back and soon she would knock me off the platform. If this continued, I would lose.

I let myself get hit in the chest reinforcing it to dampen the blow. I then grabbed her arm. She then followed up with a kick which I caught as well.

Since my hands were full, she went for a punch toward my head. But before it could connect, I flipped and threw her to the ground.

I went in for a kick while she was down but she flipped out of the way. But I had achieved my objective. I had pushed toward the edge.

Her fighting style revolved using her speed to her advantage. Though I couldn't underestimate the power of her attacks. Similar to me, she leveraged her vast mana capacity to increase the power of her attacks.

The fight had entered the next stage as we regained our stances. I currently had the advantage of me being in the centre of the platform.

We fought again and this altercation lasted several minutes. We were both learning and adapting to each other's fighting style. We were both primarily speed-based fighters so learned a lot from fighting her.

From the corner of my eye, I could see a small crowd forming around us.

'Focus, I can't get distracted.'

This wasn't like other fights. Previously against other opponents, I felt no emotion. Just cold rational thinking, trying to find the best way to end the fight as quickly as possible.

I could feel myself evolving. New techniques and ideas were being generated as my creativity flourished. My abilities became more precise as I cut down on inefficiencies, focusing slowly on destroying my opponent.

Simultaneously, her abilities were also getting more refined.

Unintentionally, we entered the zone. I had no idea about the time, but entering this zone is an extremely rare occurrence that allows one's abilities to grow exponationally.

It was a rare state of mind that usually could be achieved in life-or-death battles. However, somehow, two children of only 10 years of age did so in a mere spar.

It wasn't something that could be replicated.

'This will be the last confrontation. Let's go all out.'

We silently understood what was going to occur. This clash will leave one person standing.

We moved forward faster than before.

Punch after punch.

Kick after kick.

I could feel myself growing stronger.

'But it's time to end this.'

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As she was going for a strike, I quickly burst step behind her catching her off guard. I elbowed behind me and my attack passed right through her head.

'Huh?!'

Suddenly I fell on the floor and I felt a weight pressed on my back. I looked behind me and she was pinning me onto the ground, while the one I elbowed was fading into mana.

'A clone?'

She must have baited me into attacking her clone. I tried to escape her pin but she held on tightly. I was just struggling to move.

In this position, there was a variety of ways she could kill me. There was no point in continuing this.

"I give up."

I was soundly defeated. She was better than me. She let go of me and collapsed onto the ground breathing heavily.

'She used all her mana for that clone.'

I held my hand. She grabbed my hand I pulled her up.

"Great fight."

"Yeah, that clone was ingenious. What's your name."

"Thanks. My name is Amina Moria. Nice to meet you."

"Moria? Like Umbra Moria?"

"Yeah, he's my grandpa."

"No wonder you're so strong."

"Yeah, I didn't expect someone my age to be powerful. Wait, you are 10 right?"

"Yes, I am. I am Julius Argenti by the way."

"Ohhh, you're the person that grandpa was talking about. He says found a new protege. I'm kind of jealous."

"I don't think he wants to get you involved in SUITE. Wait I said too much, forget that."

"I already know what SUITE does. I was told about ages ago.."

"Phew."

I sighed in relief. I didn't want to get in trouble for revealing secrets. Though I wonder who told Amina.

"Little miss, what do you think you're doing?"

"Eeep, grandpa what are you doing here."

Umbra suddenly entered the gym.

"I was talking with some officials the next city over when I was told that you entered SUITE headquarters. I had to rush back here."

Amina pouted.

"Well you don't allow me to come here, so I have to sneak in when you are away."

"Don't come in here! Nica what are doing?! Why didn't you stop her."

Veronica walked onto the court.

"Well, the young miss insisted and I can't say no to such a cute girl. I may have 'helped' her get in."

"That's why all the guards are knocked out! WHAT THE HELL NICA!"

Umbra was fuming. I have never seen him get that angry. Or even angry at all.

"Please grandpa, don't get angry. I just wanted to visit SUITE. I'm sorry."

Amina was looking at Umbra with puppy dog eyes.

'You can't fool an SS rank with those fake looks. You aren't sorry.'

"It's ok, Ami, I forgive you. Don't be a bad girl."

Umbra's anger immediately dissipated.

'HOLY SHIT it worked? I guess even SS ranks have weaknesses.'

All the recruits including me were surprised by the exalted SS rank being tamed by a little girl.

However, all the agents who were familiar with Umbra Moria shook their heads.

"What a doting grandpa."

Veronica muttered under her breath.

Umbra Moria was an excellent assassin and a ruthless killer. However, he had a weakness, his family. His family was also his reverse scale. If his family was touched or hurt in some way, he become a terrifying monster that destroyed all.

Those who saw the Ruler of Darkness on the battlefield could attest to this. He was hailed as a war hero, the only reason he joined was that his wife was killed by demons.

But the soldiers on the front lines didn't see a war hero. They only saw an uncontrollable beast blinded by rage destroying all demons on his path. During his rampage, he killed 3 opposing S ranks and hundreds of A ranks.

***

(Veronica Razum POV)

"What a doting grandpa."

Umbra was hugging his granddaughter, probably suffocating her.

'Her mana capacity isn't full. Who did she fight?'

I then looked over the Julius was in the same condition.

'Ooh, an interesting fight, too bad I missed it. I wonder who won?'

Though I could easily read their minds and find out, I put a self-imposed rule where I never read my allies' thoughts unless necessary.

People with the telepathic attribute weren't liked very much, especially those who were of lower rank. Their minds were like an open book to them.

If there is one thing I have learned from all my interactions with Umbra is that he loved his family. That's why he has never gotten his family involved with SUITE.

This is also the reason why he took me as his student. He wanted me and maybe now Julius to become the new head of SUITE when he retires.

'Not that being on the front lines is any safer.'

Amina's parents were currently fighting on the front lines invading the demons.

'That's she always sneaks into SUITE. She's lonely. Maybe Jules would be a good friend and rival to her.'

An agent then whispered in Umbra's ears. His face scrunched up and he looked at me.

"Veronica Razum. You better bring Amina out of here. The government didn't like me rushing out of the meeting so I will return."

'Sheesh, he's using my full name. He hasn't forgiven me yet.'

He then left in flash. I was barely able to notice him leaving. The others probably thought he teleported.

"Amina, let's leave. I not going to help you into SUITE anymore. Your grandfather will be really pissed."

I left SUITE Headquarters with Amina in tow. Both of them seemed different somehow. Their mana felt more stable and they felt stronger. I had to ask them.

'I guess I'll talk to Jules later.'