*Author’s Point of View*

“What did you mean by that?”

From being angry, Key’s glare suddenly loosens up and put his guard down a little.

“If I tell you the truth, would you keep our conversation a secret? And if possible, I want you to not tell her that you met me here?”

Key didn’t immediately understand what he meant, but because he got curious about his relationship with Matilda, he put his claw away and sat back on the chair.

“I’m guessing that you’re supposed to be her fiancé aren’t you.”

After making a short laugh, Senmael sat back on his chair while covering the ominous totem.

“Sorry for the misunderstanding, but it’s just a one-sided feeling.”

“Is she aware about it?”

After Key asked him that, he made a short giggle which annoyed Key a little.

“I think she does and pretended to not know.”

“Is this another childhood romance like Allenshyre?”

“I see you’ve met our new Red Knight.”

“Just answer the question!”

Senmael shook his head in denial.

“Returning back to the main topic, I’m curious about what does that totem do to Matt’s curse. Does it save her or kill her?”

Obviously, Key became impatient because their topic went astray. Since he’s being forceful about it, it made Senmael chuckle.

“To be honest, I also have no idea what it does. But according to my research, it’s related to Matilda’s [Phantom’s Crystal] curse.”

“What the heck? This isn’t some kind of betting game, Senmael, we’re talking about Matt’s life here. Whatever happens to Matt is my responsibility, if you cause something bad to her because of your experimentation, I won’t even hesitate to kill you.”

“Please do not be too much in a hurry, Sir Chardelier. I still have something more to say.”

Key became angry at Senmael’s words since he sounded like a scientist that only cares for his research. But Senmael raised his hand to deny his accusations while making a serious expression.

“The [Phantom’s Crystal] isn’t actually a unique curse. Although it’s rare, it’s not uncommon. There have been numerous people and magicians diagnosed with this and some of them were saved by this item. If we—no, you, if you use this item, you’ll have a chance of releasing Matilda from her curse. Isn’t that what everyone here wants?”

After hearing Senmael’s words, Key linked his fingers and looked down on the floor while leaning on his hands.

He thought deeply about the words that came from one of his possible enemies. He took account of his relationship with Matt and Senmael’s.

When he looked at Senmael, he thought, ‘this guy’s an enemy, but we have the same aim.’

Key’s sense of trust is tilting in favor of Senmael, but when he remembered that he was a possible threat, it immediately balanced again.

Then, Key leaned his back on his chair while letting out a heavy sigh. Since it was too sudden, Jane got startled and Marie woke up while Lapis remains the same.

After Key gave Marie to Jane let them go upstairs, Key stretched out his body on his chair without minding the etiquette breach he did in front of his visitor.

Seeing such expression, Senmael wore a half-amazed expression while looking at him. He was impressed to the fact that Key did that in front of him which is obviously an opening in his defense.

“Fine, I’ll accept your offer, but on one condition.”

Key talking all of a sudden, Senmael stiffened in surprise.

While talking, Key wore a stern expression which is very different from what he shown earlier when the girls were still around.

“I’m all ears.”

“Then, after I accept your offer, in exchange, I want you to fight me.”

When he said that, Senmael became dumbfounded as he did not expect those words coming out from Key’s mouth. After understanding what his intentions are, Senmael then turned his dumbfounded expression to an amused smile.

But in contrast to that, he was also releasing bloodlust like a monster’s.

Of course, Key didn’t lose on that part.

“Then I’m taking it as a challenge I suppose.”

“Let’s go outside shall we?”

***

When the knights were told that Key is having a bout with the visitor, every one of them immediately notified the neighbors of what they are going to do.

Sora erected a barrier around the field that they are going to use in their duel. This field was also the same one that Matilda and Cherlaine used in their fight.

And now, Key and Senmael stood 30 meters far while facing each other.

Since they are going to have a fight as magic knights, not one of them is equipped with swords.

“I will not hold back with my punches.”

“I’m expecting that you won’t. If you did, there’s no meaning even if you accept my challenge.”

Then with a sound of a horn blown by Sanjeet, Senmael immediately started his chant.

“Oh God that governs the four winds of the world, bless me with the air of life to best my foe >”

All of a sudden, the wind around them became violent like a tornado is forming around them.

Everyone who doesn’t know how to use magic was overwhelmed by the amount of pressure coming from the eye of the raging storm. Because of the air suction effect, everyone tried their best to hold onto something so that the wind will not take them.

And with one burst with Senmael as the center, the melting snow was blown away.

There stood Senmael clad in full silver and blue colored light armor, a rapier with a storm styled knuckle guard, and the most eye catching of all, he has silver colored steel wings extended on his back. These wings weren’t like bird wings. They look more like plates hanging down from a post, except each of these plates beautifully designed with the image of gushing wind and the poles that they were hanging from had beautiful gems attached to it.

“Your turn.”

Senmael said while pointing his rapier to Key.

“>”

Fire started appearing around Key’s body when he invoked the magic’s name.

Everyone became stunned by the appearance of Key engulfed in violet flames. Their excitement swelled up while watching Key equipping his magic.

But then, like hot iron poured with cold water, that excitement disappeared.

“What the—”

To Key’s surprise, his violet armor broke like glass and disappeared.

It was unknown why it did that but it surely gave Key a huge opening.

“Hey!”

Like a bolt out of the blue, Senmael suddenly appeared in front of Key with a stabbing stance.

Key managed to dodge it barely. But his coat his damaged due to being delayed.

“Shit! >”

Since he can’t use the new magic, Key uses the original form as a back-up since the fight has already started.

“Oh, it’s like what the reports said. You did steal the [Divine Flame].”

While saying so, Senmael continued to attack Key with his rapier.

“You must be misunderstanding something. I did not steal it, I merely copied it.”

Key deflected the barrage of quick attacks with his Scarlet Crystal Sword made from the combination of > and sword summon of Force Magic. Since the attacks were faster than anticipated, Key used a boost that multiplies his strength and speed up to 20 times. Even so, he can barely manage to parry each attack.

Key jumped away from Senmael’s barrage of slashes. But while he is mid-air, his stance suddenly changed like the air forced him to move.

“What the!”

“>”

Just when Key’s attention shifted, Senmael suddenly appeared in front of him flying with the rapier’s blade shining in turquoise blue light.

Key knows that this attack is very dangerous.

He summoned another Crimson Sword and crossed it with the other sword while anticipating for the attack.

Even though Senmael is a few meters away from Key, when Senmael threw his attack, a ray of light flew from the rapier towards Key with great speed blowing away the surrounding air.

Key couldn’t do anything but receive the attack.

Because of the unexpected power of that attack, Key got blown away like he was hit by a truck to the barrier. It was so strong that the swords that intercepted the attack broke and even the crimson armor that seemed to be indestructible now has cracks on the chest plate.

“My apologies. It’s been a while since I’ve equipped my armor so I forgot how to manage my attacks. I bear no ill will.”

“It’s fine, it’s also been a while since I’ve last felt physical pain. This will be a good exercise for me who’s done nothing but sit around.”

Standing up from getting beaten down, Key’s armor auto-repaired and flames started burning behind Key.

‘I misjudged this guy, he’s stronger than I expected.’ Key thought while preparing himself. Even though his thoughts are negative, inside his heart, he’s getting excited as Senmael was the first one who dealt damage to him after a long while.

Companied with a bomb-like explosion, Key rocketed his way towards Senmael with a new Crimson Sword on his hand.

Key attacked with a diagonal slash, but Senmael simply evaded it by flying away.

“And about earlier, I think you also misunderstood something.”

“What?”

Key slashed horizontally, then Senmael evaded by flying slightly upward.

Senmael countered with a dozen of stabs with his rapier, but Key defended using his armguard which is turned into a scaly red shield.

“If you think that you only copied the [Divine Flame], you are actually thinking wrong. >”

“What?”

Senmael’s plate wings suddenly detached itself away from the pole without Senmael’s flight ability disappearing. These plates are eight in number.

Moreover, it suddenly went flying to Key like it has a mind of its own. It’s not only beautifully shaped, but also razor sharp.

Key tried flying away from those plates and guarded the ones that immediately came close with his shield.

“What are you talking about?”

Before getting his answer, Key dodged another attack that was imbued with >.

“In truth, the [Divine Flame] is only one of the fragments from the four [Divine Elements] that is granted by the elemental Gods.”

Key drew a magic circle on air and then shot a huge fireball from it even though they are conversing.

“These, divine fragments carries a very strong power that no normal human can possess. >”

Senmael formed his wing plates into a flower shaped shield to defend against the giant fireball that Key shot at him. After that, he slashed the air and threw an x shaped wind attack.

“And these fragments are unique as they cannot be taken away even by the gods who have given them.”

“And how come I ended up stealing the [Divine Flame] instead of copying it?”

While preparing for the incoming sharp plates, Key invoked > to intercept it. Unfortunately, the barriers broke every time three of the plates hit the same barrier which is done is repeated succession.

“It’s because the [Divine Fragment] cannot be replicated. Although I don’t know how you manage to take it, I can tell the reason why it transferred from him to you.”

“Which is? >”

When the plates finally destroyed every barrier, Key used > to step above those plates and evade them.

“Isn’t that obvious? I’m talking about your [Infinity].”

Key rocketed towards Senmael with a slashing stance, but Senmael made his attack slip by controlling the air around them.

“So it’s like the slave contract huh.”

What Key meant as likening the [Divine Fragment] to the [Slave contract] was the fact that the Slave contract will have a different effect if one of them is a higher being. In other words, the [Divine Fragment] recognized Key as a higher being due to the [Infinity] power inside him thus letting the [Divine Fragment] transfer to Key.

Using his free hand, Senmael made a short chant and released > which stuck Key’s back. Fortunately that magic wasn’t strong enough to hurt Key, but it did make Key loose his stance.

Seeing that opening, Senmael changed with a stabbing stance towards Key. However, Key noticed it and rotated to his left, bashing Senmael with his shield hitting his body hard.

Since both received strong blows, both landed on the ground exhausted. Especially Key who kept on flying around dodging the wing plates that kept on chasing him.

“As expected, you are quick to understand.”

 ‘Despite not having a proper fighting style, he overcomes it using different kinds of magic. Not only that, he easily used my wings as a foot hold earlier. One would normally have their lib cut into pieces if they touch it. Just how did he manage to do that?’

Under Senmael’s helmet, his expression is tired. Nevertheless, he was feeling impressed at Key despite having the upper-hand in their duel.

However, his expression became warped as he slowly realizes something is crippling on the back of his mind.

‘I will be borrowing your body, mortal.’

A voice out of nowhere suddenly spoke to him.

And immediately in that instance, his mind went blank.

*Our Alcoholic Protagonist’s point of view (A.K.A Key)*

Dang, he’s really strong despite not having infinite mana just like me.

I notice it every time he attacks. Each one of his attacks is well timed and all of it is meant to save mana. Without a doubt, this guy’s way stronger than Allenshyre.

If I didn’t challenge him in a duel, I’d never find out how strong these guys are.

Although I first objective was to copy his magic became unsuccessful, I got a good amount of new information thanks to him.

Since our duel has ended, I dispel the magic armor and walked towards Senmael.

“That was a good match.”

As a sign of trust, I use my left hand which to shake his hand.

All of a sudden, a sound of wind breaking passed my left ear.

When I turn my head, it was one of the wing blades.

I also notice that I have a shallow cut on my cheek.

[It has been a while since I’ve gone down to the mortal realm.]

Huh?

The voice didn’t come from Senmael’s mouth. To be accurate, it’s like it came from my head.

“Chevalier Senmael?”

For some reason, my skin is having Goosebumps and I feel like I need to run away.

[The one you call Senmael is currently asleep.]

I know that voice. It’s one of the voices that called out to be two months ago.

“W-why are you here?”

All of a sudden, Senmael’s body suddenly levitated while the wing blades line up beside him.

[I am here to meet you personally. Although this lump of flesh cannot possess my full potential, I can still confidently say that I am too powerful for you to handle.]

“Then it obviously means that you’re after my power.”

Suddenly, the helmet’s eyes suddenly glint like it became angry.

[Fool! The power of Infinity does not belong to any mortal. That power should belong to a god.]

So this was the reason.

Then, all of the wing blades pointed their tips towards me. He’s going to attack.

“Then let me ask you this, which god does it belongs to?”

When he extended his hand towards me, all blades flew towards me with a gravity defying speed.

Immediately, I equipped > with > and > to make myself lighter and faster.

While dodging every attack of the blades, we continue to converse.

[The power of infinity should be mine. With that, I can become the highest ranking god, higher than Helius and Darkus. And everything in this world will become mine.]

…. What’s with this cliché line? I feel like I’m watching some retro fantasy movie because of this.

Since my thoughts went astray, one of the blades found an opening and slashed me on my shoulder just near the collar bone. I think I pissed myself there a bit.

[What about this, Heretic, you give me the power of infinity and I’ll leave you and your family alone. Isn’t that what you want?]

Like time froze in a moment, everything stopped moving including me, the blades, and for some reason, the air too.

“Are you serious?”