How did it come to this? Mikaela wondered to herself as she picks herself up after getting thrown back five meters away even after blocking the bald bastard Dom's attack. She was supposed to win over him easily just like when they fought earlier at the restaurant, her attack speed far surpasses his despite his advantage in reach, she even managed to land an attack causing a gash on his left hand.

But now...

Mikaela realizes how pitiful she looks. Although she managed to avoid receiving a previous wound, it's at the cost of her body being covered by cuts all over. At this point, her dream of standing shoulder to shoulder with the old man is slipping further away from her grasp.

Where did she go wrong?

She did everything she could to improve her reputation. To stop being seen as someone who just rode the coattails of the old man to the top. Countless times she tried her hardest to attain achievements that would grant her some recognition, but everything she does, all of the accolades fall upon the oldest members of the White Wolves, the old man, and Porsha. Not that she's angry at the old man for it, gods know that they deserve the praise. Her gripe is with the masses, overlooking their contribution like they did nothing after all the trials and difficulties they faced.

True, it was the old man and Porsha who defeated the Lich in the Inaran Dungeon, but it was she and Claus who discovered and disarmed the traps to make sure that their party could pass through safely through the dungeon, not to mention that she was the one who found the secret room which hid the Lich's phylactery, which if not broken, would enable the Lich to possess another body even if its former body is obliterated. There was also the instance where they were hunting down the shadow wolves that were terrorizing the West Woods. While it is Claus who was of greater help at that time, she protected Porsha from the elusive ambush magical beast that targetted her with her sharp instincts and quick reflexes.

But did she even hear a peep of their accomplishments from the mouth of the people or even the bards?

The answer is NO.

Even when the old man himself praises Claus and her in front of the masses, they just take it as the old man being humble and considerate of their feelings that is why he is trying so hard to include them in his stories. What a load of bull shit. The old man is the last man she could call humble, and more importantly, is that they did do those feats, yet no one gives them the acclaim that they deserve.

Even her latest achievement where she paid a couple of bards and men to spread the story where she defeated ten bandits single-handedly and along with that perverted man, put down the infamous Bone Crusher Gen was credited to the old man. After that, she finally realized that she wouldn't be able to get the respect she deserves while she's with the old man. The realization made her feel conflicted.

One part of her wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with the old man, to have her name mentioned along with his and stories about their heroics told to the masses, but the other part of her realize that to achieve that, she must leave the old man to chase fame on her own, and that is a thought that she couldn't bear.

But there is something that she fears more than the thought of leaving the old man.

It's being left behind herself.

With her skills not amounting to crap since anything she could do, Claus could also do, and more, and with the pervert joining their party, her relevance to the party has hit rock bottom. The fact that Claus is the one accompanying the old man instead of her further proves that she is losing her place at the party. She understands that her strength has reached a plateau and it won't change if she doesn't learn how to use Mana or Aura. That only leads her with one way to prove that she has some worth.

I must gain fame. To do that, I must win!

She doesn't just need to win, but she must show her strength. Back in their spar against Esteban and Artreus, the audience has given all the credit for their win to the old man, pointing out that she did nothing but run around, and it is the old man who defeated both of their opponents.

That is why this time she will not run away. She will prove that she is strong enough to stand beside the most heroic adventurer of all the land!

With a roar, she darted towards her opponent. The twin ax-wielding brute named Dom. Once more, their hands became a blur as they both unleashed a flurry of attacks. She might call her action attacking, but in reality, she could do nothing but defend as her opponent's attack speed far outclass hers, and the only reason she is not overwhelmed is her experience fighting someone who is faster than her from sparring against Artreus.

Although she doesn't want to admit it, there is some good she gained from the daily beating she endured against that brute. Thanks to him not holding back in their sparring, her reflexes have gotten a lot better, enabling her to react and parry attacks that would've spelled her defeat a week before.

"What's da matter bitch? "Where did all yer spunk go? Ye said yer gonna make me pay? Well? I'm waitin!" His attacks started to pick up more speed and she is starting to lose ground once more. "Is this all a member of the famous White Wolves could do? Or are ye tellin me that all the stories of the White Wolves are nothin but a load of bullcrap? Well, it won't surprise me. Yer leader seem to be nothin but a braggart full of hot air."

After hearing that, Mikaela could hear the shouts of the kids and Artreus from the side, but their voices were drowned out by the deluge of hate within her. How dare this insignificant flea to speak ill of the group that the old man raised from the ground up?

She will cut him to shreds!

As if the flame inside her reignited her strength, with both daggers in hand, her vision narrowed, focusing on the target of her anger as she spurred forth and renewed her barrage. Unfortunately, her newfound strength was only her imagination and her attacks were all intercepted by her opponent's ax with the speed that surpasses her own. As she laments the inequality of the gods above by bestowing power to lowlives like the man in front of him instead of blessing those who are deserving, the taste of her own blood brought her back to reality as she was sent spinning through the air after her face was hit by something.

She groggily tried to stand up, but before she could get to her feet, she felt the air forced out of her lungs after a boot was planted on her stomach and she collapsed once more to the ground, and even before she could scream in pain, the same heavy boot stomped on her head, rattling her brain, and making her headache even worse.

She could hear Artreus shouting something, but her brain couldn't understand the words coming out of his mouth, all she can tell is that he is upset about something. Is it because she is losing? That his effort of teaching her was wasted since she was never able to Awaken? No, it must not be it. Even after a week of failure, she never heard a peep about her inability to utilize mana or aura. She does hear him whine about the new fighting style she adapted.

Hmmm... What was she doing again? Mikaela wonders to herself. She tried to remember what she's doing, but her a headache assaulted her, so she just sighed.

Oh well. Whatever it is... It must not be that important... All she can say is that her eyes feel heavy and she wants to sleep. The ground feels cold, but it's okay. She's sure that when she wakes up, she will be sleeping in a cozy bed after the old man carries her back to her room. Nothing to worry about. She just has to close her eyes and everything will be okay.

Unfortunately, before she could sleep, a cracking sound and an intense pain jolted her back to consciousness. Screaming in pain, her groggy vision landed on her left hand and saw her fingers twisted in an unnatural angle.

"Tis still early ta sleep missy. We still have more fun ta have." The man whispered to her, his foul breath filling her nostrils.

Her eyes wandered around and saw people shouting and cheering, while some look concerned and are screaming something her dizzy mind couldn't process.

Right... She is in a middle of a fight. She tried to find a familiar face, and it didn't take long till she saw Artreus and the kids standing on the side of the stage.

"D-rty b--t-rd. -et --r f---t. -o- al----y w--!" She could hear him shout. But the noise of the crowd and her dizziness made it impossible for her to discern what he is saying.

"Hah! We agreed ta fight till one either faints or admits defeat. Look. She be conscious still, and I don't hear a peep of surrender from her busted lips. I guess that means the fight is still on innit? hahaha!" The hateful man that is her opponent laughed boisterously.

Mikaela could feel the pressure on the foot that is pressing against her back increase, making it harder to breathe as she squirms in pain. Never in her life has she felt this much pain. But even as her mind screams at her to give up, that it is hopeless and she should just surrender if just to save herself from more pain, her heart wouldn't let her. She couldn't afford to lose. But what could she do? Try as she might, she couldn't think of a way to overpower him. Her strength is lower than his even in his base form, not to mention the gap has widened even further after he Reinforced himself with mana. Her speed that she was proud of has been matched, no... With her injuries, her speed has become slower than before, and with the bones of her left hand broken, she just couldn't find a way to win.

With no road to victory in sight, her mind begin to slip into depression.

That is when a familiar voice pierced through the noise of the crowd.

"Foolish woman! Stop being stupid!" Artreus roared. His booming voice, probably infused with Aura silenced the crowd. "Either start fighting seriously like when we first fought in this stage, or give up! I would like to fight soon and I don't have all day!"

"Hah! Don't ya worry, little man! Imma play with this here little girl a little more, then I'll hand her broken body back ta ya. Tis her payment fer this here wound she caused me." Dom replied with a wide smirk on his face. But even as the bald bastard speak, Artreus didn't give him any attention. His fierce eyes still locked with Mikaela's. The bald bastard continued his monologue, seemingly unaware that the man he is talking to doesn't give a damn about him. "Don't be such in a hurry. It'll be yer turn soon. I'm sure Niel is itchin fer---" Before he could finish, he was cut by Artreus' voice.

"Shut up, you bastard! I am not talking to you. Speak one more word and I will bash your face in. Damn the rules that enable torture in public." His voice full of hate, Mikaela might still be groggy, but she swears she could see him visibly shaking. As if he is ready to jump in at any second to tear apart the man who reduced her to her sorry state, but is only holding back by a shred of self control. His eyes now looking in a different direction. Following his gaze, it seems that he is glaring at the Guild Master, Paul Bret Anderson.

"Adventurer Dom didn't break any rules that they have set. Since Miss Mikaela is still conscious and does not admit defeat, the fight continues. Don't worry. Any injuries she might incur, the healers would be able to heal, and If we deem that a fighter's life is in danger, we will stop the fight."

"Is bleeding head and broken hand and bones all around is still not a sign of danger?" He asked the Guild Master.

"All minor injuries. An adventurer of her caliber should still be able to fight and win even with her condition." Guild Master Paul replied. "Also, regarding her broken hand." He paused before continuing. "She still have the other hand right? Then she could fight."

Mikaela could feel his Aura rising. Artreus is trying hard to hold himself back, but she could tell that his patience could break at any moment. Why is he like this? Why is he angry to the point where he looks like he is ready to fight everyone here for her sake? Why? She couldn't remember any good she did for him to act like this. On the contrary, she badmouths him most of the time and during the week they were training, she disregards his advice in terms of fighting and she stubbornly stuck to a fighting style that she is not compatible with. How can he still care about her when she have treated him poorly all this time?

Is he just good-natured? Or is he just an idiot who doesn't care?

No... He is a good-natured idiot. Someone who lay down his weapon to save a hostage, believing that it is the noble thing to do, not thinking for a second what would stop the debauched Gen from doing everything he wants to the hostages once Artreus has died from his hands. He's an idiot. But an idiot who means well.

That is why Mikaela must swallow her pride. For as good-natured as he is, she knows there is a dark side of him. The dark side that was able to twist his plain unremarkable face into the very description of wrath and kill those bandits in the most gruesome way he could without a shred of mercy in his brown eyes.

"Bullshit! This is a farce! Stop this at once or I'll--" Just as the idiot was about to further argue with the Guild Master, she cut him off.

Mikaela roared and summoned what little strength she has left. With it, she grabbed her daggers that fell to the ground and stabbed the leg of the bastard who is stepping on her back. The brute scream in pain and took a few steps back. There was a brief opening, but in her state, she couldn't get near enough for a dagger attack, so instead, she gathered herself and launched a back kick to the bald man's stomach using her whole weight. It wasn't strong enough to knock the bastard out, but at least she was able to see his face twist in pain as he raises his ax in defense while he recuperates.

Wiping the blood from her mouth, she used this time to catch her own breath, then with her back facing Artreus, she spoke. "You're telling me to just lie down and give up? Just who do you think you are talking to, idiot?" She then glanced at him. "I am Mikaela, a member of the famous White Wolves. Getting this injured is just a part of my plan. For if I fight in full capacity, then it wouldn't be fair for this bastard." She then returned her attention to her opponent. "With this self-imposed handicap, we are more or less equal in strength. Now, prepare yourself. This time, I will fight you seriously." With her working arm. she pointed her dagger at her opponent. The smile on his face earlier was replaced by a snarl.

Good. She is tired of seeing this bastard's smug face.

As she prepares herself for her attack, she couldn't help but think of the idiot who is now watching quietly at her back.

Artreus did everything he could for her. So, as a member of the White Wolves, she must repay it in full. Who cares if she looks unsightly at this moment, what they would say about her fleet-footed fighting style? It is a style that she learned to compliment the old man, covering his vulnerabilities with her own strength, as feeble as it might be. The only thing she cares about is winning. If she fails that, at least she would go down swinging. The old man always says that to lose after giving it your all is not something that one should be ashamed of, instead, one should be proud,

And if she did lose, she could rest assured knowing that Artreus would tear them a new asshole for her.