Alastor’s afterimages allowed him to cut Ursax chest. The second attempt failed. The pain snapped Ursax instinct. He completely blocked him and attempted to counter, but Alastor is five feet away from him.

The area was wide enough for them to fight. The only thing that keeps them at the edge is the trees that surround them.

Alastor admitted to himself, some of his movements are uncalled for. He tried to outflank him but he was caught by his wind magic and got blasted away.

He circled him around. Alastor’s footsteps are impressive. There was no hint of where he’s going to strike.

Ursax swayed his white cloak. His face was scrunched up in anger but remained composed. He slowly drew another blade from his belt. The blade made a hissing whisper as it was removed from its purse.

Alastor didn’t wait furthermore and attempted to strike him from his behind. The sharp hiss of wind cut by Alastor’s blade caught his attention. Ursax turn over to his left and blocked Alastor’s sword.

Alastor hasn’t completely forgotten that Ursax has another blade on his left. It would be laughable if his eyes would miss the blade that’s currently up and be swung downward. His knife blocked the incoming attack.

They’re now competing in strength.

Even if the enemy is slightly stronger than him, they’re in a position that would be considered favorable and well-balanced. He would certainly hold his position. Or so he thought.

“Don’t hold back now.” Ursax snarled at Alastor.

Alastor’s shoulders shrugged as he struggled on their contest of strength. He put on his weight and pushed forward. Their blades gnashing, grinding, and causing sparks.

“What happened to you? The ‘Alastor’ I remembered was better than you!”

Ursax’s muscles tightened and employed force. Slowly but surely, Ursax pushing Alastor back. Despite the sparks created by their inhumane strength, he didn’t flinch. Ursax wanted to see for himself what made this man in front of him.

“Just as I thought,” Ursax started as if he’s making a conclusion. “Poor ignorant boy. Shackled by those people. I pity you for falling for their words. If you were there, maybe, Augustus would have saved you from their lies.”

The name rings a bell on Alastor. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“So, you are one of them? Tell me. What do you know about Augustus?”

Ursax grinned and cracks his neck. “So, you do remember him?”

“Batshit. That motherfucker attacked our home. I will kill that traitor.”

To some extent, Alastor couldn’t care less about the mansion, he’s more concerned about the people who live there, to those who have yet to have the opportunity to live their lives once again, to those who were robbed of their freedom, and to those who never had a home.

“Struck a nerve there, didn’t I?”

“Alright. If you’re not going to give me the answers I want, I’ll just have to beat the shit out of you!”

“I thought your mission is to protect the political envoy?”

“Consider this as a side mission. Given that you’re not cooperative, I guess I’ll just have to take you with me.”

“Take me? As a hostage? Buddy, there’s a fine line between delusion and reality. That’s not boldness, that’s arrogance.”

“One last chance—”

“Or what? You’ll go all out on me? You make me laugh.”

“Fine then.”

Ursax didn’t reply. There’s only a grin appeared on his face.

As Alastor slowly loosened his muscles, his right foot trudged back, throwing himself off with a quick back spring. He landed with an audible thud.

Ursax, on the other hand, rotated his body, flattening out with great succession, and threw himself over Alastor is a form of spin.

Alastor shifted his weight, backed his strength to withstand the attack. Just as Ursax’s blades were about to reach him, Alastor threw his arms and their blades connect, but, to no avail, the force of momentum shook his balance. The entire force of his spin transferred to Alastor’s feet and was pushed aside with great strength. His boots trudged all the way on the edge.

Alastor’s concern transferred to Liber. A sighed of relief expunged knowing that they’re far enough for his unconscious partner to get involved.

Seeing his eyes made Ursax trembled in anger. The broken composure made it available to witnessed as his gripped tightened.

“This is beyond comprehension. Even if you didn’t lose your memory, you won’t still show a hint of emotion. I will knock some sense onto you.”

He didn’t listen to him.

Alastor threw him a cold hit of glance. He swayed his arm. Several mirror protective walls appeared. His walls are floating and are in different positions.

Ursax observed he’s unable to comprehend how will the mirror walls play on their bout.

Alastor rushed to Ursax. When his boots planted on the ground, he dipped and weaved right slashed downwards with the sword.

The attack was too obvious.

Ursax parried it with the sword in his left and countered with his right. Alastor used the knife to blocked the attack.

“You knew how sturdy I am. Why waste—”

Something wide hit his back. He felt the cold glass of the wall through his thick white cloak.

“It seems you forgot that I can manipulate these walls.” Alastor grinned.

Ursax crashed against the trees and made a break to the mountainside. The loud crash resonated with the billowing wind.

Alastor waited and not too long Ursax appeared out of the shadow. The blood from his forehead trickled down to his nose and to his chin. He spits out a tooth.

“Not even near to your savage nature.” He muttered under his breath.

The fight is not over yet. The man in front of him didn’t even appear to be bothered by his attacks despite the damage he received.

“Although I admit you’re a good sparring partner, come on… Are you done with all of this? Is this really you, going all out? How ridiculous.”

Alastor hissed. “Talking big with no bite.”

“If this is all that you got, then I take that as my turn.”

Ursax put excessive force on his feet and sprung. The blade on his left flipped in a defensive position. His right arm swings down.

Alastor instinctively sidestepped to the right just enough to feel the blade passed a hair on him. Ursax quickly descended and with a loud thud, he rushed to Alastor. They exchanged attacks.

Alastor could barely keep up with Ursax attacks. Mostly, he relied on his instinct. Then the time he was afraid of came. Some of his attacks managed to break through and tear a part of his skin.

Alastor could only do right now is to block while darting around. A heartbeat of panic struck him. His movements are slowing.

Alastor’s defense was about to give up when something bolted him.

Something inside of him twitched.

His muscles swelled, stance fortified. He felt his blood boiled.

Ursax felt Alastor’s breath held in his lungs. Then came a push. He felt through his blade the unbelievable strength that astonished his curiosity.

Alastor then made something unexpected.

He bounced back and in a single sweep of his feet, Alastor appeared to be blinking back and forth just in front of him.

Ursax senses heightened. His eyes cast hastily from his whereabouts. A sharp wind whizzed in his cheek. Red blood dripped from his jaw and his position is shaken.

Alastor's furious attacks left Ursax no room for him to breathe.

He can see it all. The muscle movements, the reaction time, and his broken expression, all were available for him to read.

Alastor bounced back with a quick shift of movements. He manipulated the transcendent mirror walls, dancing around them.

Ursax was wide awake and calm.

He heard a loud whoosh from his behind. Ursax turns around. His blades followed the momentum of the twist. The blades made contact and shattered the transcendent mirror wall. However, the upcoming strike is far from over.

Another came over which Ursax dodge, then another, his brute strength easily shattered it. Ursax followed the same pattern for some time. It was rough but his speed is nowhere decreasing. In fact, he’s keen more than usual. He has no slightest intention to get caught by one of his attacks, again.