After we went back to the inn, I explained what happened in the interrogation, told her the possibility of a magic user on their side, and helped her practice her magic. Just to take my mind off what that snake did.

Her responses were dry, she wasn't her usual self but I just chalked it up to her being angry over what that snake did.

And now It has been three days since that incident with that snake and currently, we were in the middle of a field.

"Too tense." I sidestep the downward swing of her sword.

"Too panicky." I easily parry another swing with my hand.

"Flow like water, like air, like…" I ran out of examples and so I gently disarmed her.

"Swing for as long as you can, till your arms give out." With one determined nod, Angel picked up her sword and started swinging.

This was the routine for the past three days but there's been no advancement in her abilities.

I walk over to the very worried spectator that was sitting on top of a wall, "She'll get the hang of it soon, I was like that when I first started learning under my master. No need to have the expression." Pandres kept her eyes on Angel who put her all into her swings.

"It's not that, you just suck." I lean against the wall and just let out a sigh.

"Think you could do better? Then be my guest."

"Nah, I'm as clueless as you when it comes to teaching." As you?

"But you said you taught that brat?"

"You remember that? To be honest, he just watched me practice and figured it out, he's just talented when it comes to that stuff." Oh yeah, that reminds me.

"What style do you use?" She finally takes her eyes off Angel and looks up at the sky.

"It's my own style, the Pandres style."

"I see, what's the Pandres style like?"

"Speed."

"Speed?"

"Speed." …

"Explain yourself."

"I don't know, if you hit first then you win." Sounds a lot like the Twilight style…

"That's it..?"

"Use everything to your advantage?" She hopped off the wall while holding a wooden sword.

"It's better to just show you how it works and also show Angel what a real dual looks like."

I was interested in her style and there was a benefit to it… "Alright," I ask Angel for her wooden sword.

"You just sit over there and watch." She tiredly walked over to where we were.

I took a look at my surroundings, 'empty field, some snow so I have to be careful not you slip, and that's it.'

"You sure you wanna use that sword? You'll need more than that to beat me."

"This is all I need." I'm not used to a lighter sword but wooden ones were safer for the both of us.

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'Daybreak isn't a style meant for spars, but I've had enough experience so it should be fine.' I relaxed my body.

'There's quite a distance between us.' I tightened my grip.

"On the count of three?" I give her a thumbs up.

"1… 2… 3!" I slowly walk to her and she stands her ground.

And suddenly I'm hit with a gust of wind mixed with sand, I instinctively cover my eyes.

'Shit!' I jump back right in time to avoid the kick that was heading for my gut.

"That's a dirty trick!" I sidestep to avoid the oncoming punch, 'she isn't even using her sword!'

"That's the Pandres style!" I use the sword to block another swing coming toward my side.

I jump back to put more distance between us and she just follows like a rabid tiger.

I managed to block every single swing that came from every direction at an incredible speed but they were still getting to me, my moves were getting sloppier and her attacks were just getting faster and faster.

I perfectly parried one of her swings and sent her sword backward opening a chance, I proceeded to swing at her side but was hit with water in my face.

'Damn it!' She jumps back and recovers her balance.

"Fighting magicians is easy work, but a swordsman who also uses magic is troublesome." I wipe the water off my face and straighten my back.

"Oh? You're having trouble?" She laughed and shot fire bullets at me.

"You're awfully good at magic for a beginner!" I managed to dodge every one of them and kept my eyes on her.

"When I put my all into something, I typically get very good at it." I had noticed her practicing magic in her free time but I didn't realize she got to this level.

'I could dodge her attacks until she runs out of mana, but that would be troublesome since this is just a spar…'

"Sorry Pandres, but this ends now." She slowly approached me, I stood my ground and waited until she was close enough.

We were now a couple of feet apart, 'just a bit closer…' and if I had blinked at that moment, it would've been my loss.

She swung her sword at an unbelievable speed and it was heading for my jaw, no time to dodge, no time to block, no time to back away.

And so I simply bit at the wooden blade and stopped it.

She was shocked and let go of her sword and jumped back before I could sweep her off her feet with a low kick.

"You truly are amazing!" Someone shouted.

I looked up and saw the bald giant standing at the top of a hill, 'did he see the whole thing?!' If he saw the magic then I'd have to…

"To bite at the blade, honestly, I thought you were going to lose for sure!" he ran down the hill, I stood there and readied my blade, even if it was only a wooden one it should do the job.

"How much did you see? Did you see everything I did!" I had to act happy and excited so as to not scare him off.

"Unfortunately, no, I just arrived and saw you stop that incredible swing!" Pandres came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"He's telling the truth, I would've noticed if he was watching." Her senses truly are remarkable, she noticed I was secretly tense.

"And miss, that was amazing you really had him on the ropes!" As he fanboyed, I looked back at Angel and gestured for her to come over.

"You flatter me and please just call me Pandres." As Angel walked over, I noticed something was off.

"How did you find us and why are you here?" I put my hand up to stop Angel from coming over and looked the giant in the eyes.

"Ah yes…" his face turned deadly serious and Pandres readied herself.

"There has been a terrible rumor about two people who kidnapped the daughter of the late Duke…" he's not as dumb as he looks.

"Are you two the ones?"

"Yes." Pandres looked at me but I couldn't tell what expression she had since I kept my eye on him.

"I see…"

"Are all the rumors true?"

"No, we didn't kidnap anyone." He stabs his sword into the ground and sighed a sigh of relief.

"Thank god, I knew you weren't the type to do something like that, I mean someone who would mourn the death of a fellow warrior, wouldn't do something that despicable!" Pandres and I exchanged a glance.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, I'll take my leave now." He turned around to leave.

"How did you know where to find us?" The place was quite far from the town, so it was strange that he found us.

"I got a tip from a friend of yours."

"Who? That snake?" He shook his head.

"I didn't catch his name but he was missing an arm and had red eyes."

"This isn't good…" we were getting followed and I didn't even notice? Is he the magician on that fat bastard's side, is it even safe to go back to town…

"Pandres, we need to go back." I grabbed my bag.

"Actually, I wouldn't recommend going back now…"

"Why is that?" Pandres asked.

"That Trinity woman was the one who said you were the kidnappers…" …I was mistaken for not taking care of her right away.

"Sorry, Pandres but I'm going back, you can go ahead to the next town with Angel."

"I'm coming with you."

"No, one of us has to watch Angel."

"Then you watch her."

"No, she did this because of me, I should be the one to handle it." The giant raised his hand.

"I can watch her." Giant, strong, renowned for his strength…

"Come here." He comes close and I put my hand on his chest.

"Do you swear to protect Angelina with your life, Archibald?" A light started to shine around my hand.

He keeps a straight face, "Yes, I'd protect any child from all harm." And with that, the oath was finished.

"If you break this oath you're head's going 'boom' just letting you know." He puts his hand on his chest.

"Don't worry, I'll do my job properly." Pandres comes up behind me.

"Are you sure he can be trusted with this?" I wasn't sure but I nodded, I had heard rumors around town that he was the strongest and the most feared person in the area.

'Even then that deceiver possibly has the ability to use magic.' Just for extra protection.

I walk over to Angel and touch the bracelet that she was wearing, "Angel, if you feel unsafe then rely on this." I imbue it with a spell that will create a barrier when she felt in danger.

I stood up too quickly and almost lost balance due to my light-headedness, 'should still be able to handle that snake.' I walk over to the two with Angel in tow.

"Angel, this is Archibald and he'll be looking after you while we go handle business." The two stopped talking and looked at us.

"Hello, I'm Archibald." Angel stood behind me.

"It's nice to need you, I'm Angelina." He laughs.

"That's a great name." They continued to talk, by talk, I mean Archibald asking questions while Angel just quietly answered.

Pandres then pulled me aside, "You don't look so good." I start to feel a warm liquid go down my lips.

I wipe my bleeding nose but it just wouldn't stop coming out.

"You don't need to go." I put my hand up.

"I do, that snake won't grow up until she learns her lesson." The bleeding finally stopped.

I took off my robe because there was a lot of blood on it.

"Are you sure you want to go?" She nods.

"I'd love to watch after Angel but I can't just let you go on your own." I run my fingers through my hair and look up.

'Still some hours before nightfall.'

"Alright then, let's go." We walk over to the two, who have seemed to have gotten friendlier while we were away.

"Angel, you remember what to do when in danger, right?" She nodded to Pandres and I looked at Archibald.

"I'm trusting you here, I'll pay whatever you ask for, just look after her." He laughs and pats my shoulder.

"I don't want anything in exchange, taking care of kids is a man's duty."

"And one more thing, that man with the missing arm is not my friend. Be very cautious of him." He had a confused reaction but nodded.

"Alright, then let's get going."