Hal flew over Elizabeth and stumbled onto the ground, only to realise that the spear wielder was right above him, ready to drive the spear through his body.
As his widened as the possibility of another gruesome death dawned on him, "I'm going to die again", but before Elizabeth could impale him again, he heard.
"That will be enough for today", Elizabeth stooped just an inch from impaling Hal as she turned around with a frustrated frown to Mr Faizo, who walked to them with a pocket watch in his hand.
"The boy managed to land a hit on you, so why don't you spare him a visit to death's door?" Elizabeth did not seem pleased with Mr Faizo's interference in their battle.
"These are my students, so I decide how they learn and if I get to impale them or not, plus we were just about to hit a breakthrough"
Mr Faizo removed and cleaned his glasses, a she gave a stern look to Elizabeth "But he still managed a hit, isn't that enough of a breakthrough?"
Elizabeth rested her spear on her shoulder as the other version of her, which not surprisingly had already recovered from its injuries, came and remerged with her.
"First, each time I duplicate, the clones created are weaker than me. Plus, I instantly regenerated from that attack of his, so no, if he had cut off my head, then I would admit he made a breakthrough, but he still hesitates to take a human life"
Her judgmental eyes fell upon Hal, making him shiver slightly "So, if you don't mind, I would like to continue training my students"
Mr Faizo simply shook his head, "I am sorry, but Mr Hal has important things he needs to attend to, and he can't do that when he is dead. I'm pretty sure you know what I mean"
Elizabeth gritted her teeth before letting out a smooth sigh "Okay, you bastard, you win, but I don't want you around next time when I'm training my students"
The archer Elizabeth soon joined them, dragging an exhausted Tai behind her "He is really improving at a steady rate. Who knows, he might unlock a trait soon"
The archer tossed him next to Hal before remerging with the original, who turned around and said, "We will continue from here tomorrow, but you better not forget to carry out channelling, if you do, I will kill you worse next time"
Hal finally turned off clear mind as he felt like falling at Mr Faizo's feet and kissing his boots, to think there was someone capable of calming the demon.
He looked up at Mr Faizo with appreciation, even though there was no compassion in those eyes "You two fought well this time, though your opponent was kind of ruthless. Such a performance is still worthy of a reward; hence, you two will escort the family to the selection rights in two months"
'Well, that isn't much of a reward, ' the thought lasted for a mere second before more concerning matters rose to take up his thoughts.
His eyes fell upon Tai, who was stuck groaning on the ground "What's wrong with you?" Tai turned up in indignation as if the words that had just come from his mouth were blasphemy against his being
"I lost the meaning. I'm stuck with both yours and my chores tomorrow" Hal had forgotten about the reward he was owed if he was the first to strike Elizabeth, but now that he did, he couldn't resist a smile.
But at the same time, what was he going to do with so much free time on his hands? Mr Faizo cleared his throat as he reached into his coat and pulled out a blue envelope that was sealed with red candle wax.
"This was sent here for you, Hal. I suppose you must read it" Hal received the envelope and examined it. The wax had sealed the letter possessed a seal he was not familiar with
It had a wave rising into the air as a mermaid-like creature reached out a vase to receive it. Mr Faizo looked down at the seal and fixed his glasses, saying.
"Oh, that is the Aquilia family seal, and now that I think about it, just a few days ago, one of the butlers arrived with a gift for Lady Elizabeth. I think it was that spear she used, though I wonder why they would suddenly pick interest in your company"
It finally hit him why the aura of that spear's power felt so familiar; it was none other than the weapon forged from the dragon they fought at Clear Water Lake.
Hal threw a glance at Tai, who closed his eyes briefly, saying, "I'll go take a bath" Hal saw the disappointment on his face as he left.
The three of them were not part of the company until further notice from Lay Roxanne, and who knew when that notice would arrive.
Hal stood up on his feet and said in a calm voice, "I think I will join Tai in the bath"
Mr Faizo nodded as he added on his own comment, "But don't forget about your duties as a butler at Harleyclover House"
Hal strolled off towards the bath. There was no real conversation between him and Hal, and soon enough, Hal found himself changing into his usual butler attire and sitting down comfortably on his bed.
Hal had learned a lot from the battle, but the main thing was the fear that almost seemed to control his body; it made him go with instinct as than prediction, which yielded a lot from him in that entire fight.
"I will have to refine that state of mind first if I am to utilise it at its full potential, now for the letter" Hal still had a lot to think about, but this letter acted almost like a beacon calling out to him.
And going by the words told to him, Lady Roxanne, a letter from the Aquilia family meant a letter from Mrs Terisia Aquilia, he used his ordinary dagger and unsealed the letter.
He calmed his mind and began to read its contents. There wasn't that much written on the letter apart from a simple address and a few words asking him to be there by noon tomorrow.
The invitation asked him to be there on the day he was meant to be free. It seemed convenient, but it was also too convenient 'Did somebody plan this'
The only one who knew about his bet with Tai was Mr Faizo, and besides, it seemed that the two of them knew what was in the letter before he even did
The mere thought of it left him perturbed, but at the same time, there was little he could do about it was there. He wanted answers to his questions, but this world had little of those to spare
He placed the letter in his closet and went on to do his butler duties and prepare for tomorrow, when he will meet Mrs Terisia Aquilia.