Rising to her feet, Stellata approaches Fraxinus, still struggling to stand. Between labored breaths, she hurls invectives at her opponent.

"Heh, old man. Get up! Don't–hah–think I won't kill you lying down."

As the crowd watches fearfully, Fraxinus rises to his feet. Wobbling unsteadily, he bleeds profusely, gurgling with every shallow breath.

"This is just pitiful. I'll end your suffering now."

Stellata brings her sword forward in a perfectly horizontal arc, perpendicular with Fraxinus's neck. Moments before the blade can connect, however, her sword is stopped. Many onlookers gasp at the sight of such an injured man catching a sword between his fingertips.

"How can you even still move, gramps?"

"I believe I told you," Fraxinus bends her weapon as though it were paper, "I'm only 34!"

Tossing aside the crinkled weapon, he uses his other fist to deliver a backhanded strike to his opponent's cheek with such force that she briefly leaves the ground. At the moment of impact, Vesca manages to catch a glimpse of the source of Fraxinus's sudden burst of tremendous power: a pair of roughly hewn stone gauntlets.

[Expanded Transmutation: Shape Rock + Imbue Weapon]

image [https://img.wattpad.com/ed55e04a764b21a28a866cfd33bc6a047db7c50a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7a73616c42677a303053674636513d3d2d313434383737313131312e313764326632366263326461373162653632393430313535383235382e706e67]

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Fraxinus steps forward and looks down at his vanquished foe before turning to Valentiana, "Ms. Thunbergia, would you be so kind as to tend to her injuries? Her neck is broken."

Valentiana rushes to Fraxinus's side just in time to catch the magician before he collapses onto the ground. Hours pass as Valentiana dutifully treats the wounds of both combatants.

[Necromancy: Rejuvenate]

image [https://img.wattpad.com/6a0462048a7694f18637e3c78f479627fdfbca7c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f36664779396a76444a61685047513d3d2d313434383737313131312e313764326632653664356265353866303339323730373733393330332e706e67]

Fraxinus rolls over and lets out a low groan, suggesting that, though his wounds are gone, the memory of his injuries is still fresh in his mind. Valentiana, holding his head in one arm, lets out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness you finally woke up!"

"Thank your efforts, Ms. Thunbergia."

"Of course it was thanks to my efforts!" Valentiana's voice regains its professional sharpness. "You almost let yourself die for some kind of bluff! I nearly had a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Thunbergia, but it was a calculated risk."

"Well why don't you calculate the risk I just let you bleed out, next time!"

Fraxinus lets out a relieved chuckle, as though for only a moment, he had returned to Alnear. Quickly, however, his thoughts turn from his home to the young woman tied to a tree on the side of the road.

"You know, if magic doesn't work out, you could always learn to kill people with that glare."

Stellata doesn't even break her stare to blink.

"So what happens now, old man: death or prison?"

"If I recall correctly, the deal was that we pass in peace. No arrests, no executions."

Stellata finally releases Fraxinus from her death stare, only to give him a look of utter confusion.

"Huh?"

"I imagine your neck is probably still quite stiff, but bedrest will fix that."

"Uh, I guess... Hey! If I'm free to go, can you untie me, then?"

"My pleasure."

After being released, Stellata stands up and extend her arms over her head in a full body stretch.

"Ah! That's better. My wrists hurt more than my neck. Strawberry-head made those knots way too tight!"

"You'll have to forgive Mr. Fragaria. He's something of a nervous sort, and today's events have brought the boy more trouble than he has a right to."

"Well, whatever."

"By the by, I don't believe I've properly introduced myself. My name is Ornus Fraxinus. I was the head of Alnear's Magician's Guild, before the city was destroyed."

Fraxinus nods his head, as though to say, "Now it's your turn."

"...Stellata."