019 | Essan

Rudif and I dashed to the mansion's entrance. As I sensed before, there were six fully armed knights. Their armor left no speck of body exposed whatsoever.

The two of us were actually on top of the mansion's roof. I whispered to Rudif, "Take that half and I'll take this half."

I split up the enemies with my hand and Rudif nodded.

"Let's make our move. Not a single one shall step inside our home."

"Yes!"

Rudif shouldn't have yelled that. Now all of them looked up and saw Rudif.

"You idiot..."

The mutt scratched the back of his head and utterly failed to whistle.

I sighed, "Whatever, just get them."

One of the knights from below yelled at us.

"Get down here!"

Rudif and I both jumped down and landed without a scratch.

The knight replied with, "O-oh, you actually did..."

Rudif yelled his lungs out and let loose on the knights. Three of them immediately went to attack the mutt. They were real knights and proper training, unlike that utter failure I saw before. Though, doesn't matter how much these guys train. We're still superior.

One of the knights had unique shoulder pauldrons as well as an insignia on his chest. Seems like he was the one commanding these knights. He drew his weapon and it was a shining sword with a light red blade.

"You two, seize him."

The other two knights beside him nodded and held their swords as they approached me.

Their leader laughed, "This mere human CHILD dares to step against me?! How laughable! State your name human, I'll commend your bravery!"

I smirked, "Are you REALLY going to do this? I've had this scene unfold several times in the past. All of which ended with me breaking your skulls."

The knight was fuming, "Y-you! Impudent brat!"

One of the knights yelled at me as he raised his sword, "Show some respect to Commander Essan!"

The knight dashed forward quickly and did a downwards slash. I caught the blade between my index and middle finger.

The knight was completely shocked. I could feel it as I held his sword.

"W-what?!"

I don't even need to use all my strength against these guys. Taking a glance to my right, Rudif seemed to be doing fine. He had a few cuts but I think he was enjoying himself. I guess that's a Half Beast for you.

"I guess I should match Rudif's spirit."

I pulled the knight's sword closer and when the knight was within my range I did a spin kick to his face, spinning his head and helmet in the complete opposite direction. A satisfying crack with the bones was heard.

The other knight was a bit more cautious and backed up slowly.

Their leader, Commander Essan, didn't bat an eye at the death of his subordinate.

"Do not be scared! You either die from my blade or from a mere human! Choose wisely!"

That seemed to have gotten the knight riled. He launched himself towards me with his sword. He sent out a flurry of attacks and I successfully repelled against them using only one hand and the sword I stole from the other knight.

"Put your back into it more."

I did a reverse grip on my sword and jabbed at the knight's throat. A weak and soft point in the armor. The knight backed up and coughed.

"How?!"

"How? What kind of question is that? Do you even NEED to ask why I'm stronger than you?"

I gripped the sword properly and raised it up with the blade facing the knight.

"Entertain me."

The knight was clearly angry with my remarks without knowing that I was taunting him.

Essan didn't seem to care that another one of his subordinates was about to die.

Well, it's none of my business.

As the knight ran towards me with full speed, I did a low sweep with the sword, tripping the knight as well as getting dust blown into his face. Upon tripping, I stabbed the sword through the knight's helmet.

I was rewarded with a few slow claps coming from Essan.

"How magnificent! A human child showing this much talent in swordsmanship is quite interesting! This will be quite the story when I report to the Duke!"

I couldn't help but chuckle, "How arrogant. Do you think you will be able to leave alive?"

Essan held his sword up to his face and admired it like a treasure. A few flames sparked and the blade was then embued in the fire.

Oh? So it's a sword with fire properties.

"You still stay calm after seeing my weapon?! I shall show you my skill that deserves my title of Commander!"

I already expected this but Essan was faster and stronger than his knights. I dodged his first few attacks and started reflecting his sword with mines. Let's see how long it takes for Essan to get mad.

I mocked him as I made sure to just barely be a breath away from getting hit as I dodged.

Essan spun with his sword, leaping into the air, and crashing down. I had some more fun with him.

As I clashed with his weapon embued in fire, I used a spell to combine Ice Magic with my sword.

Our dance of blades was a beautiful red and blue.

"You can use magic?!"

And you can't? That's quite disgraceful. We exchanged a few cuts on each other, of course, I'm purposely letting him scratch me a few times. I'll lead this idiot around, making him believe he's actually holding up a fight against me. I'm also curious about the extent of his talent. If he was appointed commander for mere SWORDPLAY then encountering me was the worst matchup of his life.

We continued our little brawl for a little while longer, sometimes allowing him to get a minor wound on me while I barely slice his body a bit as well. I can easily regenerate all of the cuts after I kill him. I'm able to maintain an incredible regeneration rate but I purposely left my injuries open.

If you're going to fake something, go all the way in doing so.

I drove Essan back to the carriage he arrived in. Now, show me what a "commander" can truly do.

To my disappointment, nothing extraordinary happened. His swings did get a bit faster and felt slightly heavier.

Sigh, you were nothing special after all.

"Let's end this. I'm getting quite bored."

All the cuts and minor injuries I suffered from our clash were immediately repaired as my passive regeneration spell kicked in. It's one of the few spells that are always running. I've reached the point that incredibly minor magic spells, such as this one, will be nothing as my mana pool simply refills faster than it can deplete. I wasn't slacking off in those eight years. In fact, I even created an abridged version of the inventory spell that Rowan talked to me about before.

The fool was surprised that all the "wounds" inflicted on me faded away. I flicked my sword at Essan and conjured a rock to be thrown at his crotch.

"F**K!!!!!"

Essan grabbed his crotch while waving his sword around. I couldn't help but laugh.

He was like a child waving a glowstick around.

"You piece of sh*t! Using such underhanded tactics in an honorable duel! How dare you do this to me! To a commander-"

"Hey."

I'll let Esssan feel some of my absolute bloodlust and killing intent. Essan was shaking and shivering. He stabbed his sword onto the ground as support and could barely stand up straight. His knees were almost fully bent.

I laughed ominously at him.

"From a child waving a glowstick to an elderly man with a cane! What a fantastic game of charades~"

"D-d-don't make a mockery out of me!"

I stared through Essan with my eyes that shined like the purest diamond. Although for Essan, it would look like my eyes were dyed with the bloodiest red he would have ever seen in his life.

I threw my sword, aiming for the topmost part of his helmet. I was successful in taking his helmet off, revealing his face. The poor arrogant fool didn't even notice until a few seconds later. Essan was a Dark Elf with an ugly appearance. He had a big nose and eyes that made his face look awkward. He had short brown wavy hair.

"Wha- What happened?! How did you-"

I slowly approached Essan, making sure that each step I took, made my bloodlust even more obvious. "Do you see the difference between us? The gap you'll never overcome?"

"G-go away!"

Essan attempted to crawl to escape. Though, he didn't dare turn his back on me and always kept his eyes on me.

"STAY AWAY! I AM A COMMANDER! I AM ESSAN, THE LEADER OF THE ELITE KNIGHTS! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!!"

I sighed. I was bored and tired of this fool. I released all my murderous intentions. I sidestepped to my left and appeared right behind Essan.

As he crawled back, he bumped into my feet.

I looked down on him, "How pathetic can you be?"

I spread my fingers and as Essan screamed in denial, streaks of electricity flashed around my hand. I ejected lightning out from my hand and scorched Essan slowly.

His screams filled the air and I made sure to stop just before he died.

I got low so I can whisper into his ear.

"You are a pebble that doesn't even deserve to live."

I pointed at Essan's forehead with my index finger. I shot a high-pressure bolt of mana and it pierced through his skull instantly. I looked over to Rudif who was just about to finish.

This entire battle took about half an hour. Shorter than I had expected. I was waiting for Essan to do something else that might entertain me but it seems swordplay was the only thing he knew. He got too arrogant for simply possessing a stronger sword. Weapons aren't the only deciding factor for a fight.

I can't help but find it laughable he spoke of a duel and honor. Such things should not be prioritized in war. You'll lose your life faster than anyone else if you wait for your enemy.

Rudif was punching the life out of the last knight with his body covered in Raw Energy. When the last knight fell from a punch to their head which most definitely crushed their skull, Rudif looked happy.

He turned around and looked at me as I was reading a book I took out.

"You're already finished?!"

"You took too long, mutt. Also, here's a gift for you."

I reached into my inventory spell and took out the red sword that Essan possessed. I chucked it over to Rudif who caught it by swiping it out the air.

"Thanks, Asher! I'll put this in my room!"

"Those three should be coming home shortly. I can feel the old man's magical power getting closer and closer. Seems like he's flying here."

"I'll just cultivate my mana while we wait, tell me when he's here."

"You still can't sense magic power yet?"

"Not at all!"

Stupid mutt.