The mood changed dramatically. One could feel the intensity and the anticipation in the air.

Two Dracans were about to clash.

Though Chris had seen Roger once in combat with the assassin, it was an easy fight for him. He hadn't seen Roger get serious in a fight. Chris knew even Terran didn't have a completely serious fight with Chris.

Looking at them getting ready he knew this was going to be a fight where they will have to give their best against their opponent.

Roger wore his protection, his hands were kept unprotected. This made Chris realise the different ways in which the clan members wore their protection, it adapted to the way their scales originated.

They both stepped into the Dais along with the judge from before.

Chris was joined by the second person he had seen with Terran earlier. He introduced himself as Toor, he also belonged to the draconate clan. He commended Chris on his earlier fight and said that it was really something to evade Terran the way he did.

To this, Chris asked, "What is Terran's magic?"

Toor replied, most of the clan members chose the "Attract" magic, including Terran. A majority of the Earth mages can only limit it around their feet. Within the Draconate clan, there are those who can extend these areas beyond their feet to the ground Terran was such a user.

For Terran, the area is a small circle, a bit more than his body's width. That's why Terran fights at close quarters.

Chris Jokingly thought "Maybe that's why he keeps himself so big"

Chris also figured out why he couldn't move the first time in the third round but was able to dodge him the second time right before he arrived, it was only when Terran was near him that he used "Attract" on him.

He looked at Roger and tried remembering how he fought the assassin. He couldn't remember anything notable. He was still not clear of his fighting style, except that he used "Repel" magic.

Chris also noticed that a new circle was drawn within the dais. He asked Toor what the circle meant and what the rules were.

Toor spoke "This fighting game is called "Kaatha", it's the most common way of fighting among the Draconate clan members. It's a show of strength of their affinity to earth. As Earth binds us all by its force the strongest are those who can bind themselves to earth and show earth's immobility in their own strength"

Chris tried grasping it all in.

Toor continued "Thus the rules are very simple, you need to stay inside the circle while pushing the other person away."

Chris replied, "So if both decide not to attack each other then it's a draw?"

Toor laughed at this "We are draconate warriors only victory matters, it's against our honor to not fight and give it our all. There is no draw, you either push the other person out or force the other person to submit."

Chris understood and he looked at Roger, wondering if the fight was a bit disadvantage for him, as "Attract" magic had a better advantage. The fight was about to begin and all he could do was watch and keep his worry to himself.

The judge spoke, "There will be only one round to this fight."

Roger and Terran were ready in their position. Chris saw them activate their scales, Terran on his legs and Roger on his hands.

Under the morning sun, with their hands and legs shimmering. Two warriors of high quality were about to clash. The moment spoke of a calm that was about to vanish.

The judge gave the signal "Begin."

It was Terran who made the first move, he was quick, faster than before, he covered up the distance swiftly, did he use "Attract" to accelerate? Chris wondered.

His target was Roger's legs, there was a visible impact. Chris gasped.

But Roger wasn't there, he was gone, both their movements were so fast it looked like an impact, he was on Terran's right side targeting his right leg. Terran reacted adjusting his right leg, turning to put his weight on it, making a quick pivot, and using his left leg to make a strike on Roger's head.

Roger had his guard already up, he blocked it with his right hand, the impact made a huge clink sound with the two scales colliding. Chris even felt the impact in the air.

Roger instantly grabbed Terran's left leg which he used to strike, using the momentum to throw Terran in the air. Terran's right leg almost left the ground, but it didn't take off, it immediately touched the ground back. Chris knew Terran just used "Attract". That fraction second where Roger noticed this, Terran used that opportunity to move his right leg on Roger's shoulder, trying to pincer grasp him and overthrow him.

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But Roger was out before he could do it.

Chris was just staring with his eyes open, trying to take everything in. He understood Roger got out because he countered Terran's "Attract", with his own "Repel"

They both were back in their position, they were just testing each other. They started moving slowly looking for an opportunity to strike. Who would strike first?

This time Roger made the first move, he was fast, faster than Terran.

Terran saw it coming and didn't dodge, he stood his ground. The moment Roger came close, he activated "Attract" to slow down Roger within his range following it with a right kick, but there was no impact, Roger jumps with "Repel".

Using the momentum of the jump he punches Terran from above, who barely manages to put up his guard. Roger makes an Impact, Terran falls on his knees, Roger lands and goes under Terran for a strike, who has his hands up protecting his face. Just when Roger was about to make his second hit, Terran blocks him with his knee, Roger barely reacts to that sudden movement with Terran's knee hitting him on his right shoulder. Roger falls some distance away.

Chris could feel his throat going dry. They were relentless, all was happening so fast. Chris kept catching himself holding his breath.

They both were back in their position.

This time they both go at each other. Roger goes under Terran to strike again, he gets blocked, Terran counters with a right kick, Roger dodges moving left and steps back. He comes at Terran, changing his pattern. Terran holds his position trying to predict where the strike is going to come. He closes his guard, activating "Attract" around him, Roger jumps above Terran on the way down striking him on his head.

Roger turns to strike again, Terran reacts faster turning and kicking him right across his chest. Which he barely blocks with his one hand, impact still making through and hitting him.

They pause looking at each other. Evaluating their weaknesses. Watching to see where to strike or how the strike is going to come.

Each time their scales hit, the impact could be felt in the air, at times Chris even saw sparks flying.

Roger does the same thing as before he tries to go under Terran to strike, who blocks him like before with his knees, but misses, but Roger doesn't step back he goes even lower, striking Terran's other remaining leg on the ground, Terran barely manages to activate "Attract", to hold his position, Roger uses "Repel" on his impact hand, overriding Terran's "Attract" slightly. Terran falters but barely manages to land his other leg to activate "Attract". Roger realises he is at a disadvantage position and retreats.

Chris noticed how Roger used "Repel" on Terran's leg which already had "Attract" on it, he turned and asked Toor. "So one can override other's magic?"

Toor replied "Yes it depends on how strong the user's affinity is, if two "Attract" user's areas cross each other, the one with higher affinity will have the advantage and can even nullify the other user."

Chris figured it can be applied for "Repel" as well which was the opposite of "Attract" that's what Roger just did. "Amazing!"

He brought his attention back to the fight.

They were at each other, Roger goes at Terran again, trying the same strategy of going under him, who this time doesn't kick him, he uses both of his hands to strike from above. Concentrating "Attract" more on his hands, he uses it to accelerate his strike, Roger gets caught right under him, though he blocks it, the force is great. Roger spits blood.

Chris knew Roger was in trouble. "Why didn't he dodge?" he wondered.

Terran realising the opportunity goes for the finishing blow. With the strike coming down Roger leans back on his own hands and uses both of his hands as support to hit Terran's ankle in full impact with both of his legs using "Repel", as Terran had concentrated "Attract" on his hands, his legs were not holding him down as before. A sizeable impact, making Terran lose balance and fall head down towards Roger.

While falling down Roger uses "Repel" on his right hand to strike Terran right across his face a direct impact. Terran falls away from Roger but is still within the circle. He takes his time to get up, his face all bloodied up. Roger on the other side also gets up slow, the impact earlier from Terran did a toll on him

Chris realised what Roger had done, his intention from the start was to make Terran lose balance, that's why he kept going under him. Changing his strategy each time, to create an opportunity where Terran would focus on giving a finishing blow, giving him the chance to do what he just did.

But he clearly underestimated the damage by Terran.

Though they look bloodied their fighting spirit was vibrating. There was no need to say anything, it was visible they hadn't bested each other, one of them had to win for this fight to end.

They prepared themselves to go at each other again.

Right then Chris saw someone pass by him.

"Vice commander I have some urgent news." At this, they all stopped at looked at the man in the green robe.

Terran looked at him with his bloodied face "Can't you see we are in the middle of the fight?"

"Yes, Vice commander but this is urgent."

"Ok, go ahead what is it?" Terran asked.

He spoke up, "Vice Commander, Civil war has broken out in the Beazard kingdom."

<------>

It was big news, they had to stop the fight in between. Terran looked at Roger "We will have to settle this another time Ragar."

Saying that he walked away with Toor and the other two men.

Roger came near Chris. Except for some blood he had spit earlier. He looked completely fine.

He looked at Chris and said, "Terran is a formidable opponent, I couldn't best him."

But for Chris, his admiration for Roger just went up. He went against the vice commander of one of the royal orders going toe to toe with him.

Chris replied "You were great Roger, I have learned a lot today. Thanks for always putting effort to teach me."

"It is only my duty, Master Philip," Roger replied.

Chris added "I felt if the fight had continued you would have won it, Roger. "

Roger replied, "Master Philip, one mustn't predict such fights, a battle has so many factors hanging and often opponents don't start off with showing all they got, even in our fight Terran didn't reveal his true power."

Chris was surprised and he asked Roger "Were you also hiding your true power Roger?"

Roger just nodded to it.

Chris felt more admiration and wondered, was he really just a butler? What is his past? Chris had so many questions.

Roger spoke, "The civil war is a challenge for our travel Master Philip, I will consult with Terran and update you on what decision will be taken."

Chris thought "Yes the civil war"

"You should take some rest Master Philip, I will come and meet you later."

Chris did that, reaching the tent and lying on his bed he realised how tired his body felt. His last thought before sleep took over.

"I want to be strong, I want to be strong like them."