"Are you ready, Johan?"

Johan looked at his training suit and took a deep breath.

"Yes, grandfather."

"Good. Come with me."

They went to the arena with their respective weapons of choice. Thimaeuss had a replica of his actual weapon, a long sword known as 'Steinbrecher' which was one of the greatest of its kind in Germania. He acquired in one of his toughest battles against a now inactive Ranker called Magnus Batzen from the Batzen family.

On the other hand, Johan had his main weapon, a rapier, and obviously Bahamut just in case he would get killed.

"Hmm, a rapier, huh? Interesting. I haven't seen anybody use that in a while. The last great rapier user I remember was... ahh! yeah, now I remember. Prinz Weißreich. He was a legendary Ranker. Even though not many knew him as a fighter, in the world of High Rankers he was held in high regard. Well, anyways, let's see what you're made out of."

He didn't take out his sword but rather just stood in front of him and waited for an attack. He wanted a better view on how his grandson would do his fighting.

"Go full power, Johan. Don't hold back."

Johan looked at his grandfather with great respect. He knew that he stood no chance against him, if he decided to actually fight with full power. He took a deep breath and went into the stance Bahamut taught him.

srrrrr

His rapier was loading up with Aether. He learned that depending on the concentration he put into his core, the quality of Aether would drastically increase. His first move was very clear. Thrust, thrust, swoosh, thrust. That was a pattern of movements, he trained himself to follow. Not only was it efficient but it also left room for movement.

His first thrust didn't do anything. His grandfather barely made a move and evaded it effortlessly. So went the other attacks done by Johan.

"Huff huff."

"Come on. Don't lose hope. I haven't even moved yet."

'I know grandfather. I know and that's the problem.'

Continuing doing the same thing for a bit, he suddenly changed his stance and used a few of his arrows to attack his face. Obviously Thimaeuss would easily evade that but it was part of the plan because when that happened, Johan filled his rapier up with Aether energy and strolled it over the ground. When it pointed into the direction of the patriarch, a laser like beam shot out and hit him in the upper chest.

vrooom

"Wha-"

He was perplexed.

'How did this happen?'

He saw the attack incoming but since he didn't expect it, avoiding it was impossible. Although it didn't really leave a mark.

Johan attacked again, but this time Thimaeuss chimed in.

thud

...

Twenty minutes was the duration of the spar. In these twenty minutes, five hits landed on the patriarch and over three hundred on Johan.

"Aaah, my body."

He laid on the ground with his hands on his chest.

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"Huff, huff. Wow. That was intense."

"Good work, grandson. You did way better than I thought. That also makes me wonder how you lost to somebody during training."

"Well, she's just incredibly strong. Her experience level is just way above mine."

"Hmm, that's rare. Anyways, how about we go over your techniques now and later I will show how to fight against way stronger enemies?"

"Yup, that sounds good."

They started talking about the way Johan fought and what he could improve on his way on getting stronger. From the way he carried his rapier to his usage of Aether, they covered everything.

Several hours passed when they came to a conclusion regarding the topic of how to beat Hwaa. It was like a university lecture, that's how long they talked.

"Very well, grandson, now let's get something to fill our stomachs and then the driver will get you home."

"Grandfather, how did you become the patriarch? It seems like you like fighting a lot. Why get such a boring position. Don't you just stay home all the time?"

The patriarch didn't answer directly. He first continued walking towards the main hall, but just before entering it, he stopped.

"I think it's because I care about this family. It's been quite a while since someone asked me about this. It's a long story which I will tell you sometime later, but for now let's say it just had to happen."

It was basically a non-answer.

"I see. Well, let's go. I'm hungry."

...

"Wh- who are... you?"

"Ahahhahaa, me? Well, since you're going to die anyways, I might as well tell you."

The cat lady came forward and took off her hood. A girl with cat features was smiling creepily at Hannah.

"I'm Mehrevi, the cat girl. I was contracted by Lord Mdrassi to get rid of you."

She looked at her with a smirk on her face for a couple more seconds and then slashed her pawns at her.

swoosh

Hannah barely escaped the incoming attack and rolled back. She was severely damaged from the previous fall on the ground. So there was only one way to get out of this. Run.

She summoned an ice core in her hand and threw it on the ground. When it hit the ground, a giant snow cloud emerged.

"Wow, so that's how you wanna play, huh? You dirty witch. Playing catch with me is useless."

When Hannah started running, Mehrevi immediately caught up and started attacking her. What she didn't know was that Hannah was somebody who basically lived in the snow.

hiuuu

With a thin sound she dashed away like she was snowboarding on the snow. The distance between them got bigger. The problem with Hannah's ability as that it only lasted for a period of time until her speed got adjusted to normal again.

'What? How is she this fast? Was she hiding her abilities?'

Mehrevi was confused. The damage she had dealt would've easily killed a normal Ranker. Since Hannah was a High Ranker, she could endure more than the usual ones.

'Whatever. She can't keep up with this for long anyways.'

Several seconds passed, when Hannah suddenly stopped and with a whip, she turn around, hitting the cat-lady in the stomach.

"Urggh!"

She immediately backed away while blood spilled out of her mouth. Her condition changed for the worse in a matter of seconds. Not only did she not expect this but her strength surprised her as well.

'Dammit! What was that? How did she gather this much strength?!'

Hannah took out her final weapon, a lance covered in silver. In fact only a silver colour could be seen. With a stab in the ground, she put all of her elemental strength into it and got into a final hit stance. She charged the lance up completely and looked her opponent dead in the eye.

'This is bad. I have to move away quickly.'

Mehrevi lowered her position, while taking out a little ball. It was bound with her arm. She aimed for the moment Hannah would be near her and then with a little spin she would hit her face with it and break the entire structure.

When the lance thrusted forward a small breeze of wind blew into Mehrevi's face and slightly froze it. Her eyes felt weird and dry. Right before the lance actually hit her, Hannah stopped it midway and pulled it back. What happened was that the knockback was so strong it gathered at the end of the lance and with one swoop, she threw it towards Mehrevi.

swish

It flew through her stomach and froze the rest of her body. It was like throwing an arrow through a fish. She didn't die though, hence her body froze and so did her wounds.

"Puuh! That was tiring. How is this all happening at once? Whatever."

She called her subordinate picked up immediately.

"Boss."

"I just caught a special one. Mehrevi is her name. Get data on her and send some troupes here to have her taken away. Also tell them to bring some aid."

With this she had finally gotten somebody of more importance then just some low level commander. The next moves would be decided according to what she will be able to get out of her.

ring

ring

"What is it?"

"Are you safe? You didn't even call me once."

"Yeah, I am. Don't just call me. If I have time, I will call you on my own. Now hush and better make something delicious to ear."

"Uhm, yes. Be safe."

It was Soya, the albino girl. She was among the people who originally wanted to come with them but went to another place to at least have a couple of people and resources hidden from the entire operation.

'I hope things will get better soon. If this continues, I won't be able to protect any more people. Also, I wonder what Johan is doing right now.'

...