[Dark Flame]

Eizer destroyed a house with his flame. The house was near Rodo, and so, debris fell towards the master mage. Rodo dodged all of the debris.

“That's an introduction”, Eizer stated. The demon looked at Rodo’s summon. “Show me how you command that beast”

[Dark Flame]

Eizer produced a small black flame and aimed it at Rodo's flame tiger. The flame tiger leaped towards it, and swallowed the tiny flame.

“Don't underestimate my summon. My flame tiger could handle more than that”, Rodo said.

Eizer nodded his head, seemingly satisfied about something. “That should be enough”, the demon said.

Rodo was confused, but then, his summon suddenly burst into black flames. He thought that his summon was destroyed just like that, but when the summon reemerged from the burst of flames, the flame tiger was no different than before other than the color of its flames.

“Wh–what did you do?”, Rodo asked.

“You should be filled with gratitude, for I gave your beast its much needed power”, Eizer said.

“Huh?”

Rodo was puzzled. He couldn't think of a reason why his opponent would do that. The situation was tense the entire time, but the demon’s behavior baffled him. But then, as if knowing that he was confused, the demon gave him an answer.

“I prefer fighting someone that could possibly hit me. After all, it will not be enjoyable if I win immediately”, Eizer stated.

“You're underestimating me”, Rodo said. He felt insulted after hearing the demon's arrogant statement.

“It's a truth that can hurt you”

“I’ll make you regret what you said”

Eizer showed a wicked smile. It was a terrifying sight for Rodo, but the master mage didn't want to show what he truly felt. Instead, Rodo adjusted his body to prepare for Eizer’s attacks.

“It would be good if you could amuse me”, Eizer said after showing his ominous smirk. “Let's play”

[Dark Flame]

A black flame rushed towards Rodo. He dodged and looked behind him to see where the fire hit. The fire consumed the ground where it landed, leaving a magmatic crater that was still scorching hot. He understood that if he was caught by that attack, he will be fatally wounded. Moreover, he felt that even one single dark flame could finish the fight in an instant.

“Where are you looking?”, Eizer asked. The demon conjured another black fire. “Do you really have the luxury to do that?”

Eizer didn't wait for Rodo to fully turn. His dark flame rushed towards Rodo. Rodo narrowly avoided the attack, and from then on, Rodo could only focus on dodging and defending himself.

Rodo dodged another dark flame, and then another. He could barely dodge each one, as Eizer steadily increase the barrage of flames. Everything that the flames hit were consumed and destroyed, harming the town and its people even more. But, even if he knew the destruction that the flames caused, he couldn't do anything as he was focused on trying to survive. Eventually, Eizer stopped creating more flames giving him his much needed rest.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Eizer stopped because he was a little annoyed. He looked at Rodo with disappointment in his eyes, but Rodo didn't feel his annoyance.

“Is that the only thing you could do?”, Eizer asked. Rodo was still catching his breath at that time. “Will you keep on dodging forever if I attack you forever?”

Rodo was able to register the demon's questions after some time. The demon seemed annoyed, but he didn't know what he did to warrant the demon's annoyance. His confusion was shown on his face, which irritated Eizer even more.

“I thought you're one of the humans that can put up a fight, but, you disappoint me”, Eizer said. His gaze became the same as when he was looking at the grade C mage that hit him before. His eyes were of disgust and animosity, which made Rodo feel that something bad was about to happen.

“Be wise, lowly human”, Eizer stated. “If you don't, then this will be over in an instant”

[Dark Flame]

The demon aimed another flame towards Rodo. Rodo dodged successfully once again. He looked at Eizer, and was quickly horrified. Eizer was closing in on him, and the demon was just a meter away from him when he saw the demon.

[Barrier]

Eizer punched through his barrier, but it gave him enough time to leap away from Eizer. He thought that he was safe for a short time, then he heard a voice behind him.

“Faster”

Eizer launched a powerful kick from behind Rodo. Rodo was able to put up another barrier, but he wasn't quick enough to dodge the kick. His barrier was shattered again, and his left arm was directly hit. He was hurled towards a crumbling house, hitting the structure with such a dangerous speed. Rodo hit his head, and temporarily went unconscious.

Eizer was walking towards Rodo, which gave Rodo enough time to will himself back to being conscious. He regretted doing so, as he felt the excruciating pain from his broken left arm. He couldn't move it anymore. His chances of victory changed from being difficult to reach into something impossible to reach. He realized by then that Eizer was more than overwhelming, the demon was something that he should not be going against.

“Protect me”, Rodo requested to his flame tiger. The flame tiger moved between him and Eizer, while Rodo was forcing himself to stand.

“You wasted the power I gave you”, Eizer stated. “You’re so feeble minded that you didn't use this beast properly”

The flame tiger leaped towards Eizer, and it attempted to slash the demon with its flaming claws. The flame tiger’s claws didn't reach the demon, as Eizer produced powerful flames that destroyed the flame tiger entirely. The demon's attention returned to Rodo, who managed to stand by himself albeit a little wobbly.

“Perhaps I overestimate you, my apologies for judging you greatly”, Eizer said.

Rodo didn't pay attention to what the demon said. He had his red blade in his hand, prepared to swing as his last attack. He thought that if he could make the demon bleed, his pride wouldn't be so crushed. He planned to use all his remaining mana to make sure that the sword would reach the demon.

“This is farewell”

[Dark Flame]

Eizer was face to face against Rodo. From afar, it looked like Rodo was lowering his head, but it was only so because the master mage could barely stand. Rodo leaned on a crumbling wall, stretching his arms with his sword. The brave display was pathetic on Eizer's eyes, and it amused the wicked demon. Rodo put most of his mana to the sword, but left enough so that he could move his arm to cut through the demon.

[Speed Boost]

The red blade hit the demon with such power that violent winds scattered all the debris away from them. However, the sword didn't cut through. Rodo failed on his attempt to wound the powerful demon. The blade shattered to pieces, and that marked the end of what he could do.

However, something was amiss. Rodo was smiling, as he witnessed the red blade shatter. Eizer didn't give any thought towards Rodo's behavior. The demon was focused on eliminating Rodo. As the master mage felt Eizer's destructive flame, he had a somber yet somewhat hopeful thought.

‘I admit it, I lost. I tried many things but I couldn't kill you. But now, your power is our only hope. I'm freeing you now. Avenge me, and save the people’