"Ragna is coming back?"

Ark had planned to get up early and resume his training like every day for the past week. Unfortunately, he overslept, so he headed with an exquisite timing.

It was the first time he had a meal with everyone. Ark's plate was filled with vegtables and an omlet. Liliana ate pancakes with maple syrup heavily soaked. Kristan had porridge. Scarlet drank blood from a glass, which made it seem like wine. Their varied tastes indicated their personality.

Naturally, during a meal chatter is bound to happen. The order is eerily quiet due to lacking personnel so Liliana and Scarlet were filling this void. They told Ark that another member of the order is finally on his way back.

"He is the best swordsman in our order. So much the training room we have was especially made to withstand his sword swing practice."

"How is he compared to Silvia Clarent?" Ark used her full name to avoid seeming close. He wanted her out of his life, but she was the best to compare.

"Hmph, Ragna is a million times better than that first order girl." Liliana seemed dissatisfied at the mentioning of Silvia.

(Do we not get along with the first order or something?)

Still, if what she says is true even in the slightest, then Ragna is an extremely powerful individual. Sylphid holds the swordsmanship of the Clarent house, a high level one with great personal compatiblity. Her sword spirit is enough to defeat knights with ease even without magic.

"My, he used to be the 'only' swordsman but I guess Ark counts now. I wonder who is stronger?"

"...anyways, is his sword really that powerful?"

Ark ignored this question as he felt a chill. Fighting and losing was a result he wanted to avoid, and he pretty much hated that.

Glancing at each other for a second, all three nodded. Even if the extent wasn't a million, he seems to be very strong.

"We all have our specialities; mine is stealth attacks, Liliana excels at large scale battles, Scarlet has tremendous healing prowess... but Ragna is the strongest in duels."

Meaning his pure force and technique is superior in direct confrontation. The type of strength a Hero has.

This only drove Ark to want to avoid Ragna. His supposed strength makes him feel insecure.

(I can control tons of mana at once if I get my hand on it, but my sword spirit is only powerful while using intent. To a small degree at that.)

Surpassing Silvia in sword spirit is no small degree. She graduated from the best educational institute in the country with the strongest sword spirit in her grade. That means little though as her real speciality lies on the raw force of the Wind Avatar, thus her potential in that area hadn't fully blossomed.

Ark is only underestimating himself because using intent consumes a great deal of concentration, and only ever used it on powerful monsters he encountered at the dreadful Aracnum Forest.

At full output, it's about B to A rank on knights scale.

In addition, using or maintaining magic on top of that is a no-go. He'd be incapacitated in five minutes.

(Against that monster, I had to put forth all my sword spirit, mana and mental strength, plus some extra cheating... doesn't that mean Silvia is stronger than Orcus?)

"Why not throw a welcome party?" Liliana suggested as Ark visualized a battle between the two.

"But he doesn't really enjoy celebrations." Kristan argued. "We can't force him to participate in something that makes him uncomfortable."

As the convesation went on, the chances of Ark to get into something troublesome increased exponentially.

"Then how about we have a battle royale? He loves battles, after all."

"No, he loves a duel the most. Ragna told me he hates fighting multiple opponents for some reason... something about devoting your concentration or a waste of time."

"Hmm, but both me and Lily can't fight in a duel. Kris is also out since his stealth is useless.."

Here it comes...

"What about Ark?" Liliana asks innocently, then turn to the inattentive Ark. "You have a sword spirit, right?"

"Yeah."

Auto pilot mode, activated.

"How about it, wanna have a duel with Ragna?"

"Sure, that sounds awesome."

"Then its settled."

(Hmm? What's settled? Oh well.)

Ah, only now is the stupid Ark who doesn't learn his lesson finished with the simulation. He couldn't settle the victor as he did not understand the full scope of Orcus' power. So in the end he wasted time and got into a troublesome duel without his knowledge.

Seriously though, not asking what happened to not get caught... what an idiot.

Later that day, Ark went to the library. He wanted to learn more magic. For someone talentless and stupid, it was painful headache consisting of memorization and practice.

By the time his mana almost depleted he got called outside.

"Yo, yer the new guy?"

Tremendous pressure was casted upon him. Before him stood a man with tattered black robe and yellow eyes glinting with subtle excitement.

(A monster.)

From Ark's perspective, the man he witnessed was a monster. His intent sharp like a sword, ready to strike and cut all that stands in his way.

"Y-yeah... I'm Ark. Are you... Ragna?"

"Ya got it."

"Okay... Commander!"

Feeling the intent of his senior intensifies, he sought his commander for help.

"What, weren't you the one volunteering to duel with little Ragna? Just finish this soon." She teleported away.

He found his commander's ability to teleport effortlessly extremely frustrating.

(Oh, so that's what happened. As expected of an order filled with psychos, only violence in their brain. Yet they dare escape!)

Naturally, the idiot who didn't properly listen blames everyone else, who were smart enough to keep distance.

Ark took a step to the right.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

The place he stood was sundered by an extremely fast slash with thunderous noise.

"Oh, you are better than I heard!"

"I-I am not that good... Unsheath!"

(Fucking asshole! Why this stupid order filled with lunatics? I wish I could go to a knight order with sane people!)

Ark had neved witnessed a sword spirit with such vivid intent. He speculated even people without Phantom could feel themselves cut precognitionly.

If he held back for even a little, Ragna would wipe the floor with his blood, so Ark hurriedly unsheathed his sword while striking with all the intent he could infuse.

Since there is no mana left to rely on, Ark dedicates his focus on his sword spirit. It was a level of power surpassing a genius with a distinctive application freedom.

It is nothing in front of a real swordsman.

"Darkblade Style: Dark Storm"

Ragna's sword, surrounded by numerous black blades like a storm, collided with Ark's.

"Kuh!"

The swirling blades flowed like a stream and scratched Ark all over.

A sword spirit brought to the extreme can manifest what starts as visual effects to a phenomenon rivaling magic.

However, never once had Ark witnessed this particular sword spirit.

One holding the dark.

"It shouldn't exist! A sword spirit of the dark is only for the last demon king...!"

Every child knows the story of the battle between the Hero and Demon King. The reknowned swordmanship of light had continuesly slayed demon kings over the thousands of years.

Only once, however, was the swordsmanship of light countered by the swordsmanship of dark. The arrogant demons smitten with the power gained by becoming the demon king and solely relied on that inner power. The last one did not.

He developed a sword spirit revolving around the dark element and the demon king. The clash between spirits 'cut' the battlefield into countless shreds.

Barely deflecting another heavy strike, he opted for retreat.

"Right. I have searched far and wide but this world only had one sword style suitable for demons, until I created my own, that is."

Ark couldn't afford a moment to be impressed. The sword he encountered is too profound for that, which adds to the ability of Ragna.

With nowhere to hide or run, he had no choice but to confront Ragna head on. His intent consumed a great deal of mental energy, blurring his vision and causing his head to pound. A level he prefers to avoid, to the point he didn't cross it fighting even Silvia.

(Aaa, screw this. Ignis Potentia!)

Raising the little magic he had left for an instantaneous boost of the fire element. He needed to pack as much force in a single strike.

This guy here, regretfully assumes the position of the protagonsit. But is he a swordsman in the true essence of this world, like in novels? No. He merely replaced talent with experience and intent. However, there is one trump card he has with the sword.

It is the same strike he dealt to finish his duel with Silvia.

Emptying the mind and pouring every ounce of strength and intent.

To cut.

A sword strike that had never failed to slash the target.

"Oh boy, this is what I'm talking about. You're the best lil junior! Darkblade Style: Rakshasa Gateway!"

Sinister black aura enveloped Ragna. His yellow eyes reddened and dark hair stood up slightly. The so-called visual effect enhanced the demonic nature and power.

It was his technique with the greatest force.

Sparkles of black and red swirled. The moment of collision transpired in a flash.

The two men simply stood there with their swords locked. Their breathing ragged and hands bleeding. Ark had additional nosebleed from the stressed he put himself under.

"M-my lose..."

In joining the Solitary Wolves, Ark had received a brand new sword, far better than his previous one. Made by a reknowned contracted swordsmith for knights only.

Yet it shattered to pieces, unable to withstand the forces it was subjected to.

Ark had lost.

(Fuck fuck fuck fuck! FUCKKK!!)

For Ark, losing meant death. It had equal value. And losers were the same as the deceased. No wonder his mind was in turmoil, barely held together.

On the other hand, Ragna,

"No, it's my lose."

Admited his own defeat instead.

The result of the fight were clear. Ark had lost his weapon so defeat is inevitable.

"Yeah... damn"

"Eh, Ragna! Are you... oh shit!"

Ragna collapsed on the floor and Ark agonized over his own wounds.

(Kukuku, this asshole fainted, whereas I can still kick him in the guts. It's my victory!)

Naturally, the selfish Ark only cared about his victory and it was mere pretense the worry for his colleague.

"Seems like he used that Rakshasa Gateway technique. He really should seal this one for good."

Scarlet came with a sigh. She held a white parasol while wearing clothes suitable for nobles.

(There's a lot to say about Scarlet, but she sure knows how to maintain the image of vampires.)

"Oh, my skin is sensitive to sunlight. In a non-vampire way."

"Yeah, sure. I think there are ointments specially developed to help with that... wait, what's with that technique that Ragna should seal away?"

Scarlet chants for a while as the bleeding on their hands is reversed. Say what you want about vampires, but blood magic is the greatest healing magic, excluding light.

Ark's head pounded from the taxing of his mind. Having being used to it, he starts meditating half-way the conversation and uses gathered mana to generate water to drink.

"Rakshasa Gateway is a sword spirit technique to bring out the power of Ragna's demon parent, a rakshasa. It also brings out their special characteristic, limiter removal."

"To put simply, he is an idiot who goes beyond his physical limits only to injure himself." Elizabeth popped out of thin air with teleport and carried Ragna's body with magic, then casted a healing spell on Ark. "Does it remind you of someone?"

"What are you implying, commander? I didn't know my humanity would get questioned at this point."

"Oh, that's hardly the case. You're a 100% human, I am certain." She pauses for a moment. "Only... you also don't have limiters."

All living beings are born with limiters. It applies to both the physical strength put when working and the energy to use spirits, as well as magic power amassing. One cannot go beyond these limits.

The rakshasa, a special demon tribe, can do so naturally. A demon blood usually won't be able to use this characteristic as ut goes against the nature of the human half, though.

"Urg, can you not look at me like I'm some sort of rare specimen? I got caught in many threatening situations so I ended to learning how to shut off my limiters. That's it!"

Elizabeth's intrigued gaze caused him discomfort. He hurriedly explains his method to avoid raising his commander's interest any further.

She had finally had procured enough free time to examine the less urget, but more interesting, parts of Ark she could not before.

Ark is the only nonelement affinity in the world, after all.

"No limiters, no elemental affinity, no talent, blood carrying no strength..."

(Shit! Why the hell am I getting trash talked every goddamn time?!)

"No limiters? You brought a weird one, commander."

Ragna seem to gain consciousness with a heartly laugh.

"Don't push yourself too hard." Scarlet concluded the treatment.

"Hey, Ark! I see you beated Ragna. I knew you could do this!"

"Even if it's because of this lackwit's carelessness, I'm impressed."

Liliana and Kristan both came saying congradulations.

(Urg. The fuck is this?)

It was a crazy situation. Ragna ruffled Liliana's hair then swiftly aimed a punch at Kristan, who naturally avoid as if it happened a million times in the past. The commander who should function as the responsible adult eyed Ark like a lab rat. Scarlet chuckled and watched from the sidelines.

Total chaos, in short.

(Is this really a knight order? I met mercenaries with more orderly houses.)

The Solitary Wolves are more chaotic than adventurers' pub during the night. It was Ragna's rough but cheerful character that brought them to life like kindling a flame. Ark's own calm demeanor, as fake as it is, doesn't seem to suit.

Maybe if he let himself act naturally and be honest with his comrades...

(Bunch of psychoes. Am I the only sane individual here?)

Or maybe not.

"Anyways, new guy, can we speak privately?"

Ragna naturally sliced Kristan's shadow and closed the distance with Ark.

"Sure."

He was on the verge of being kidnapped for human experiments, so getting away became a no-brainer.

"It was fun. We should spar more often."

"Yeah... don't get this wrong but I don't enjoy overexerting myself to the point of blood."

Were he to spar with Ragna often, his brain would explode from the burden.

Ragna studied Ark.

"You use concentration to make up for lacking spirit. I've never seen a mind strong enough to reinforce the heart phenomenon to such degree."

Sharp. He may look a fool but the sword was his. He won't make mistakes or misinterpret the swordplay he sees.

"Thanks, I guess."

"No, no. Thank you for enlightening me, lil junior. You completed the piece I've been looking for for so long."

Well, the trick to infuse intent to spirit is through the Phantom skill. Even with enlightenment, Ragna may struggle before comprehending the principles behind the execution.

"It's just a shame lil junior is using such a weak style of the sword."

"Not like I had other choices... the other styles just don't suit me."

In fact, he could make do with any sword style. But no master was willing to teach a talentless loser. He had only recently learned to infuse intent with sword spirit.

"Know the feeling. What's yer attribute?"

"...nothing."

Ragna widened his eyes in surprise. Of course he did. No affinity isn't rare, it's nonexist. The only individual to possess it is Ark, to his discontent.

"I don't know why." He shrugged. "Though it has its perks, it still bites me in some places. Like with sword spirit."

"I see, I see." Ragna nodded. "Don't fret it, you just need to create a sword spirit containing void."

"Easier said then done."

"Bah, you look like a guy with a good mind on his shoulders. Don't say it's impossible before you try. If you think hard on this, you could do it."

Ragna extended his hand for a shake, and Ark took it while sighing inadvetantly. The two men had rough hands filled with calluses.

Both are familiar with effort.

"I'll try my best."

(Sword of nothingness... if I can achieve that, it might turn super powerful.)

"Please do. Show me something that could make my sword excited."

"Yeah, I will..."

It took him a second to realize the way Ragnas words came out.

(...The fuck?)

Ark gulped as the words of his sword-obsessed senior caused him to shiver from the bottom of his heart.

...Phrasing is very important.