I walked back to the city.
At the gate, I saw him sitting casually, drinking liquor. Yet, there wasn't a single sign of intoxication.
Ravel glanced at me before tossing his drink away.
"Took you longer than I expected… So, how was it?"
I frowned. What did he mean?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You still don't get it…" Ravel patted my shoulder.
— Bruakh!
Ravel's fist swung toward me lazily.
But the impact was anything but lazy. The punch was so strong that my body was sent flying. I could barely stand.
"Ah… Ah…" I winced, but eventually, I let out a small grin. "So that's what you meant… Alright!"
I got up, gripping my sword tightly. With the efficiency Kai had taught me, I channeled mana into my legs. In an instant, I dashed toward him.
Our eyes met at the tip of my sword, but as expected, he dodged, retreating a few steps.
An opportunity!
I reached into my pocket, pulled out a dagger, and threw it at him before launching a flurry of attacks. He was backed against the wall.
However, despite my relentless assault, his twin daggers effortlessly deflected every strike. In a swift movement, he climbed the wall and leaped behind me, aiming for my back.
His attack was too fast. There was no way I could dodge it.
So instead of avoiding it…
I opened my left palm, taking the slash directly.
— Click!
A reckless move. Even for a bandit. Ravel was startled.
At that moment, I swung my sword with my free hand, attempting to stab him.
He managed to step back just in time, but now the situation had changed. With only one short dagger remaining, he had to face an opponent who was fighting one-handed. This should be an even fight.
Yet, something felt off.
He looked… hesitant.
As if he didn't want to hurt me.
I took advantage of his hesitation.
In an instant, I increased the pace of my attacks, aiming at his dagger. Every slash was meant to disarm him.
Ravel became serious.
— Cras!
With a quick motion, he knocked my sword into the air.
But I had already prepared for this.
I stepped back toward where my sword would land, pretending to defend.
Ravel didn't notice.
As he launched his final attack, I pulled out the dagger from my hand and infused it with mana.
— Clash!
Our mana clashed, two forces pushing against each other. I knew if I let this drag on, I would lose.
So, I had to force him to drop his dagger.
I held out as long as I could, resisting his push. He was exhausted. And at that moment—
— Cras!
My sword fell from the sky. I caught it, infused it with mana, and thrust it toward his shoulder.
But—
— Crack!
My sword shattered.
"Eh?" I was stunned.
— Bruakh!
Ravel's kick struck my chest, sending me crashing into the wall.
I coughed.
Exhaustion crept over my body. I thought this fight had lasted a long time… but it had only been three minutes.
My consciousness began to fade.
Ravel stepped closer.
"Seriously… What the hell did you do in that valley? You've gotten much stronger than I expected—"
I didn't hear the rest. My vision went black.
A jolt ran through my body.
Slowly, my eyes opened.
I was in a horse-drawn carriage. Someone was driving it. I recognized the silhouette.
"Ravel? Is that you?"
Ravel glanced back.
"You're finally awake, you lazy bum. Good. We'll reach the next town soon."
He reached into his pocket and tossed a pouch of money at me.
"Use that to buy your gear. You're coming with me tonight."
I caught the pouch, slightly surprised.
"Eh? A mission already?"
Ravel didn't respond.
I stared at him. Ravel was known for always working alone. If he was willing to take me on a mission with him…
That meant I had finally become valuable in his eyes.