His Evident Growth

Balam slowly advanced, his mutterings reaching Raith's ears as a barely audible whisper.

He tightened his grip around Bal as he expected the worse and readied himself to defend it, whatever it may be.

Coming to a halt just a meter away, Balam's body began to pulsate with an ominous surge of malefic energy.

Raith's eyes widened in awe and curiosity, for he had never felt such dark mana emanating from anyone before. It was akin to the power of darkness he carried, and he couldn't help but wonder which of the two forces was truly superior. It was the perfect opportunity to find out.

A smile crept across Raith's face, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"You are smiling?" Balam's thin, scowling eye twitched in confusion.

"Yes, I am," Raith replied, his grin growing wider.

Balam's expression soured further, irked by the confidence radiating from his opponent. He despised it with all his being.