Babel and Joshua stood in a small training ground in the backyard of the Dukes mansion. This time, Babels sword wasnt wooden. His reflection shone clearly from the blade.

This is my very own training ground, so you dont have to worry about someone coming. Last time, we played games with those pathetic toys I dont think I can wield my mana properly through a piece of wood. This time, I want to fight using a real sword. Babel shot Joshua a smug grin. The birds scattered from the trees around them, as if they could sense the danger in the air.

If you need a sword, I can lend you one Joshua interrupted him with a laugh.

Whats funny?

Youre still crazy, Babel von Agnus. Pfft Babel scowled derisively at Joshua. When I saw the look in your eyes, I thought Did it happen again?

What do you mean? Babel frowned.

Babel von Agnus treasure of the family. Joshua didnt bother hiding his smirk. You think you can fool me with that pathetic act of yours? Your desire for victory is just an illusion! All you really want is to get your filthy mitts on the Duchy.

You! Babels face flushed red. This insult was a disgrace to his very name!

Are you doing this for recognition? Babel thought.

Youre dog shit, Joshua thought. The Dukes treasure and only heir; a C-Class Knight at the age of fourteen, renowned across the Empire. A person worthy of respect for just being himself?

Such trash

No more insults will be tolerated, Babel grunted, hefting his sword. Take up your weapon, Joshua.

I dont need any weapons.

What?

For you, these fists are enough. Joshua raised his bare hands. Let me show you the difference between our talents.

Babels face burned unbelievably red.

Die! Babel dashed towards Joshua. He wasted no time gathering his mana into a hazy mist around his sword.

Haa! This time his swing was neat and efficient, unlike the ignorant movements he used before. Elementary, but powerful.

When Joshua tilted to the side to avoid his attack, Babel calmly turned his sword towards Joshuas side. The sword hissed through the air. But

He disappeared? Babel couldnt hide his bewilderment.

Here. Babels head snapped downward.

Pang! Babels sword rang from the impact of Joshuas fist.

Hngh! Babel desperately clutched the hilt of his sword, which was rapidly becoming slick with his blood.

So much power. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Many knights considered losing their sword in battle a fate more shameful than death. As a result, they tended to treat hand-to-hand combat as a vulgar act for lowly mercenaries.

I can tell what youre thinking just by looking at your expression.

What?

You must have ignored the fundamentals of fistfighting, because its just for sellswords? Babel flinched.

From now on... Joshua clenched his fists. I will show you just how terrifying martial arts can be.

The spear technique Joshua learned encompassed more than just the spear. It detailed various techniques to subdue the enemy using his entire body.

Joshua shot towards Babel.

Ma-Mana? Even in such a brief instant, Babel could see the energy in Joshuas fists.

Mana in his bare fists! Infusing mana into the body should be exclusive to the Masters; the difficulty of simply applying mana to a medium, such as a sword, and directly to the body differed by an order of magnitude.

Haah! Babel desperately swung at Joshua.

The mana condensed on Joshuas fist exploded against the tip of Babels sword. The training grounds shook from the detonation, louder even than the last time. Joshua had detonated his mana just before impact, doubling his effective power.

The name of this technique was Aura Explosion, and only Joshua could use it.

Ugh Babel tumbled away, head over heels. Blood dripped from his mouth, and his sword which hed managed to keep his grip on was bent at the tip.

It was as if hed slammed his sword into a block of iron.

Damn it. Babel slumped.

I dont want to admit it, but I have to: this guy is a genius. A genius incomparable to himself, who was already considered the best in the Empire.

It was then that Babel understood how vast the sky was.

Are you upset? Joshuas voice rattled his exhausted body.

Be strong.

I know these words. Babels eyes widened. Hed heard the same thing from someone else not so long ago. I need to be stronger?

While Babel mulled over those words, Joshua continued:

Dont forget this feeling. Dont forget how you were beaten down by someone using their bare fists the fists you looked down on so much.

I want to make an excuse, but nothing comes to mind. In the end, he was the one who lost the battle.

According to our agreement, one of your limbs was to be completely broken.

Babel trembled.

But because I havent seen a passion like that in a long time, I will let it slide this once. Babel heaved a sigh of relief; had he won, he wouldnt have hesitated for an instant.

However Joshua approached.

Tell me! Babel desperately heaved himself up. The pain of defeat twisted his stomach, but he managed to look Joshua in the eyes.

If you insult me or my mother again

...I will make sure you never hold a sword again.

For the first time in his life, proud Babel felt fear.

You and me, right now dont forget how I made you kneel. With that, Joshua walked away.

To Babel, it seemed as if Joshuas back was larger than life.

Damn it. His quiet murmur echoed in the empty training hall.

One of the most secretive places in the Duchy was the Duchesss room.

In the middle of Vanessas room, a glowing orb of mana crystal sat on a wooden desk.

A portable crystal ball like this one would cost incomprehensible quantities of riches. Even high-ranking nobles above the counts would struggle to acquire one. It was hardly a normal artifact, after all: these crystal orbs, developed by a Master, were worth tens of thousands of gold at a minimum at that price, you could purchase any castle in the countryside.

As the crystal ball brightened, a human figure became visible within.

Everything is ready. The robed figure bowed deeply to Vaness before stepping back.

Uncle?

Oh, Vanessa. Its been a long time. Has the Duchy treated you well?

I am always fine. Vanessas lips drew into a deep smile. Is uncle doing well?

Well, Arcadia is the same as always. The same boring routine, every day.

Thats right. Vanessa nodded along, but her eyes glittered with malice.

Her next words were quiet, but heavy and cold like a snowstorm.

Uncle I have something to ask you.