Combat against Elcrid wasn't on my bingo list. He started by closing the distance and thrusting with the wooden sword.
("He's fast!") [Solace]
My body reacted quickly, evading the strike like I had expected it.
"Very good." [Elcrid]
He continued the chain, forcing me to step back and narrowly evade a sequence of strikes.
"You're doing very well. Let's increase the difficulty." [Elcrid]
I could feel him speed up. It became harder to dodge, causing me to deflect strikes with my spear or fully attempt to block it.
"Good reactions. How about this?" [Elcrid]
Elcrid began to speed up strikes at random times, creating unpredictable moments. However, I was somehow able to fend it off.
("This is… intent?") [Solace]
I could feel where and when Elcrid was going to strike. It was like I was reading all the signals given off his body. Muscle contractions, positioning, angles, breathing, eye contact, everything that revealed what he was going to do next. It came to me all so clearly.
"You can see it now, can't you?" [Elcrid]
He suddenly paused his attacks.
"Your turn." [Elcrid]
He motioned at me smugly.
"You asked for it." [Solace]
I leaned in to release a full on assault. Slashes and stabs were aimed at vital points. I swung high, allowing me to sense he would block. Thus, adjusted the trajectory downward.
"Oh?" [Elcrid]
Stepping back, he evaded it by mere centimeters. I pushed onward into several thrusts, slowly carving out a path to a guaranteed opening.
"Well, aren't you improving rapidly?" [Elcrid]
I aimed at spots that caused Elcrid to dodge by leaning. It was then that I repeated the move, leading to him leaning further and further back. Eventually, he was off balance.
("Now!") [Solace]
Mid-thrust, I slammed my hand into the spear shaft to redirect the force to Elcrid. Within that instant, Elcrid moved in a way I couldn't predict. With a loud snap, he caught my spear whilst nearly folded backwards.
"That's… not right." [Solace]
Pulling himself back up, Elcrid's spine snapped back into place.
"Movements like that are pretty convenient when you're immortal." [Elcrid]
I didn't even attempt to hide my disappointment.
"If you're so immortal, couldn't you let me hit you for that one?" [Solace]
Elcrid shook his head.
"I must admit, I'm quite the sore loser. So, no." [Elcrid]
Before we moved on to the next stage, Elcrid paused as if he sensed something.
"What's wrong?" [Solace]
"We have… a visitor." [Elcrid]
With a clap, someone materialized in place.
"Hm?" [???]
My eyes met with them, allowing me to fully recognize who it was.
"Nakros?" [Solace]
"Junior?" [Nakros]
"Ah, you've met?" [Elcrid]
"He's the one who sent me here." [Solace]
Nakros gave Elcrid a strange look.
"Who the hell are you?" [Nakros]
"Elcrid, the ancient. You are?" [Elcrid]
"Nakros, the azure dragon." [Nakros]
"You mean… the last azure dragon?" [Elcrid]
Nakros' expression stiffened.
"You really know how to touch a guy's reverse scale." [Nakros]
"Nevermind that, what business do you have here?" [Elcrid]
Nakros shifted his gaze to me.
"You found a method?" [Solace]
"I was going to say maybe, but it looks like you've found one on your own. I can sense that you have a new mana core… somehow." [Nakros]
I aimed a thumb at Elcrid.
"He helped me out." [Solace]
"In that case…" [Nakros]
Nakros turned to Elcrid and lowered his head.
"Thank you for looking after my junior." [Nakros]
"No, no. The pleasure is all mine." [Elcrid]
Elcrid tried to lift Nakros' head out of embarrassment or respect.
"You're an ancient, correct?" [Nakros]
"I am." [Elcrid]
"Then here's a gift." [Nakros]
Reaching into his personal |Item Box|, Nakros pulled out a small porcelain vase.
"This is…?" [Elcrid]
"It's an uncovered Potalarian era antique in a way. I found it a while back." [Nakros]
"How did you get this? Rather, how did you identify it?" [Elcrid]
"I tend to collect things. I have some long lived friends that like these sorts of things." [Nakros]
Elcrid stared at the vase with interest before taking it.
"This brings back so many memories. I'm grateful." [Elcrid]
After their little interaction, Nakros turned to me.
"So, what do you want to do now? Do you want to go back to Metus?" [Nakros]
I paused.
"I… never really thought of that." [Solace]
"It's not much of an option considering that it's mostly populated by humans. …Assuming they all hate you regarding your… curse." [Elcrid]
"How about going to meet your other seniors. I've told you before, our third disciple is a lord. Who would dare touch you there?" [Solace]
Elcrid stepped in.
"Wait a moment. We're getting a bit too ahead of ourselves. Alt's mana core has just barely settled, and he needs to adjust to his new skill. We should think about it AFTER he gets used to it." [Elcrid]
Nakros raised a brow.
"New skill?" [Nakros]
"Ah… I kind of… well, inherited the First Hero's passive skill." [Solace]
"That's… interesting." [Nakros]
He then reached into his |Item Box| again before handing me a white stone.
"Oh is this the thing where I throw it on the ground and it summons you?" [Solace]
Nakros gave me a blank look.
"Please don't do that. This is a communication stone. Put some mana into it and speak if you want to send me a message. Also, it's kind of expensive." [Nakros]
"Oh. It's kind of like a cell phone." [Solace]
"A what now?" [Nakros]
"It's a different kind of communication device run by the power of lightning rather than mana." [Elcrid]
Nakros looked confused.
"That… sounds inconvenient." [Nakros]
"At least it's not a rock." [Solace]
"How dare you disrespect the rock. Do you not want it?" [Nakros]
I pulled back as Nakros reached out for it.
"No, no! It's good! I like the rock!" [Solace]
Nakros aimed a finger at me.
"You better. Now, I've gotta go send Master a message. Let me know when you've decided your next move." [Nakros]
"Will do." [Solace]
Then we stood there in awkward silence.
"So uh… Which one of you is gonna…" [Nakros]
"Ah, right." [Elcrid]
With a clap, Nakros was gone.