The Strongest

Antoine was the only general stationed for the coastal battle. 

"Haah... even I'm not sure what caused our majesty's sudden decision to begin the assault."

Antoine shook his head, sighing. 

"How long are you going to stand there?"

"I was assessing my opponent."

Isalda stood before him.

Antoine towered above her by at least a foot. In addition, his armor was large and bulky, making his frame larger.

"You managed to slip past me undetected for a while. My senses must be getting sluggish, from all the smoke-"

"That axe of yours. It's imbued with wind mana."

"..."

"It reminds me of an old friend. Suddenly, I'm getting nostalgic."

"You aren't trying to escape this bloody battlefield. And, you aren't helping anyone escape either. Do you... even care for your life? Or any others?"

"I was. But I lost motivation. I couldn't care less for them. I could've been the queen of this kingdom. A royal like me shouldn't be destined for a life of fighting. But, I'm a Mahaut, after all."

"..."

"..."

She averted her gaze from Antoine to the burning city.

"I can't tell."

"Huh?"

"I can't tell if you're lying, or telling the truth. Either way, you are truly an interesting person. I apologize, but I have to dispose of you as well."

Strands of black hair covered her eyes.

Antoine took his axe out, wielding it with one hand.

Swsh!

It traveled toward Isalda's head at alarming speeds. To anyone nearby, it would've sounded like an arrow being shot.

Clang!

The attack was deflected! 

The weight of the axe sent Antoine's arm into the air.

⏤ What? She hasn't even moved. Is this barrier magic?

Her sword was still in its scabbard.

⏤ That's fine. I'll break it!

He charged at her.

[Cast: Infernal Spark]

Her strand-covered right eye began to glow, as she glared at his chestpiece.

Boom!

The chestpiece exploded, sending him back.

"Ack!"

⏤ What kind of magic is that!

[Spirit Cast: Revitalize] 

The injuries he sustained on his chest were instantly healed. He sighed a breath of relief.

⏤ This is a person I have to take seriously.

[Spirit Cast: Synchronization]

The strands of his hair grew white, from his crown to the tips of his hair.

He blinked once, then twice, his eyes turning blue.

There was a feral look about him.

[Cast: Gale Burst]

The distance between him and her was closed in an instant.

He held his axe with two hands, swinging fiercely at his opponent's head.

She ducked, sweeping his legs.

She stood up quickly, elbowing into his back.

"Keuk!-"

He crashed into the ground.

"Hah... you have the worst opponent possible."

He clenched his jaw, rolling over quickly.

[Spirit Cast: Triple Wind Claw]

He swiped at her once.

Evaded.

He swiped at her twice.

Evaded, again.

He swiped at her a final time.

"What a waste of mana!" she yelled.

She smacked both of his ears at the same time.

"Gaah!-" he yelled at, dropping to the floor.

"The enhanced senses of a demi-human, plus that spirit synchronization you did? You probably won't be able to hear for 4 days, or so."

. . . 

. .

.

"William Avolo!"

"Huh?"

Oscar... no, William snapped back into reality.

"We're almost there. Jaercy!" Elisabeth said.

He was accompanied by Elisabeth van Savatier.

"Don't forget to stick by me. You're my servant, after all, William."

Elisabeth was the only way that Oscar could get into the country, with minimal problems.

Being an aristocrat, the train was a luxurious one. Befitting an aristocrat. There was a fairly calm mood, present in the train.

The interior had several nicely cushioned seats attached to the walls, with tables in between two pairs of chairs. Gold had been painted across the polished, redwood walls.

A scent of luxury, that William was very familiar with, lingered in the air.

He sneezed, rubbing his nose shortly after to feel relief.

The servants of the trains paced back and forth, dressed very eloquently. They held silver plates with visually appealing foods on them, covered by cloches.

"Wow. No matter how many times I look at something like this, it's still so... grand."

"You've been on a train before. Haven't you, William?" Elisabeth asked. She dug a fork into her pasta.

"Not really."

"Are you serious? I always see you at those parties. Don't you come from wealth?" 

She looked at him, confused. 

"I don't. I only go there when I'm accompanying someone like Isalda, or Jisvo, or... Alize."

"Woow! How intriguing..."

She studied him for a moment. But that moment was cut short, as she continued to dig into her pasta.

William's demeanor shifted.

"The train... it's slowing down."

He stood up from his position, peering into the windows. His statement was correct; the train was indeed slowing down.

"Why would the train be slowing down?" Elisabeth chimed in. She didn't stop stuffing her mouth, though.

"Are you even an aristocrat? Your manners are worse than mine."

He clutched onto his sword. Getting up from his seat, he made his way to the front of the train. 

"Bandits."

The train was being stopped by a group of bandits.

"This country cant even deal with common bandits?" William sighed. "I guess it is a pretty big country, though. Must have more important matters."