Pitch-black—that was all the mage could see upon looking at the curse.

From the sideline, sitting on the soft grass of the sanctum’s open training ground, Ray observed the slow spar between Dunnford and Brig attentively in silence. He had gone to Ignes for his nosebleed, which got him banned from further training for the whole day. Thus, he was only observing.

Dunnford swung his sword horizontally toward Brig’s waist; and she, in response, shifted her sword to receive and block. All the motions were being executed slowly.

From a glance, the slow spar seemed like a joke. Suppose others were to see it and say it was so, then Ray wouldn’t blame them.

I would have thought it’s a joke, Ray thought.

He only knew it wasn’t because he had seen how Freya had fought.

Dunnford’s and Brig’s sword made contact. She succeeded in defending, though the block wasn’t perfect; as she had been late.

How was it that Brig was late in blocking Dunnford’s strike, despite them sparring with the same slow motion? The answer would be because Dunnford’s movement was more refined compared to Brig’s.

Slow spar is all about efficiency, Ray analyzed. Dunnford has less wasted movements and his sword traveled through a short path toward Brig, making him fast.

In Freya’s fight, Ray had witnessed how efficiency could impact the outcome of a battle. Had seen how it was used to overcome her physical limitations. Slow spar was a good training to practice efficiency; the fighters were both given generous time to consider their moves and how they could improve it within the slow-motion restriction.

Rustle, the soft grasses often sounded when the wind blew.

Rustle. Rustle. This one, however, was caused by footsteps. Of someone approaching from behind. Ray looked over his shoulder and saw Elaine.

The mage, though her face fresh from having slept the night, had messy hair. Usually, her self-care decreased according to the problems she encountered; this could be proven from how she had skipped sleep before.

Must’ve been because of the Extinct Formulae Magic, Ray thought.

Elaine walked past through Ray; straight to Dunnford.

‘I found out what the Extinct Formulae Magic does,’ she said.

Immediately, Dunnford turned toward her and lowered his sword. ‘What does it do?’

‘It negates magic.’

‘What magic does it negate?’

‘… I don’t know.’

Ray remarked, ‘Back to square one. Great job, Elaine.’

She turned and looked at him with contempt. ‘Excuse me? To my knowledge, you’ve contributed nothing.’

‘You participated and contributed nothing.’

Both of them began arguing against one another.

***

It negates magic… Dunnford thought.

‘Are they always like this?’ Brig asked Dunnford, she referred to the verbal fight Ray and Elaine were having.

‘Always,’ Dunnford answered.

‘How long will this last?’

‘They could go on endlessly.’

Hearing that, Brig approached them on her own, her dull sword in one hand. Them not noticing her presence, she raised her sword high, giving Ray and Elaine a few more seconds. The argument kept going; thus, she swung her sword down between them, slamming the ground hard and clawing the grass and soil.

That deadly swing made them speechless. Dunnford didn’t miss this chance to speak.

‘Miss Elaine, can you investigate on what the Extinct Formulae Magic negates?’

***

Ray was surprised by that sword swing.

He knew that Brig’s sword was heavy; but, looking at the destruction it had caused on the ground, how it had visibly left its mark, Ray didn’t expect it to be that heavy.

Elaine needed a few seconds to overcome her surprise before answering Dunnford’s question.

‘… There’s no need to investigate. I already know the formula; I could make my own negate and use it to cancel the negate.’

That’s possible?

Hearing Elaine’s proposal, Ray had to admit that it sounded like a good idea.

‘I understand where you’re coming from, Miss Elaine,’ Dunnford spoke his thought. ‘However, it’s only a good idea depending on what the Extinct Formulae Magic is actually negating.

‘You assumed that the negation is doing harm and that it’s best to cancel it. But, if I were the enemy, I would consider using the negation as a trap. I would write an offensive Formulae Magic, then negate it. That way, once the negate is cancelled, the Formulae Magic activates.’

‘That’s… It could be...’

‘Isn’t that unlikely?’ Ray pitched in. ‘Why not use an easier trap? This trap you’re talking about relies on the enemy knowing that there’s a mage who could understand the formula.’

‘Magic could gain more strength with restrictions. By setting the conditions, there’s a possibility that the enemy is setting a trap that is sure to kill. This might sound farfetched, I will have to admit, however without knowing the monster worshipper’s true objective, it’s a possibility that is dangerous to exclude.’

No stone unturned…

Despite the Extinct Formulae Magic, the enemy did aim for the Stormpiercer. The latter could be their true objective; and Dunnford could be right in saying that the Extinct Formulae Magic was a trap.

‘Investigating it will take time; and we don’t have much of it,’ Elaine said.

‘We don’t?’ Dunnford asked.

‘We’re leaving Lune today.’

‘‘Today?!’’ Ray and Dunnford said in unison. They knew the possibility of leaving early was there, but they didn’t expect it to be this early.

‘Yes, so it’s best that we hasten the matter with the monster worshippers.’

‘No matter how fast we hasten it, it’s not possible to finish it by today...’

Dunnford then glanced at Ray.

Should Ray choose to leave Lune today, then Dunnford would be forced to either abandon the sanctum or his master. Fortunately for him, he needed not decide. I’d like to follow Freya and learn more from her, but…

‘I’m not leaving today,’ Ray assured Dunnford.

He breathed relieve. They were both going to stay behind. ‘Are you leaving with Freya today, Miss Elaine?’

Knowing Dunnford, he had his reasons asking that question. First was that the three of them, though unlikely, could convince Freya to delay her travels. Second was that, considering the enemy’s usage of magic, it was better to have a mage around.

Elaine wore a troubled expression.

‘I should be with her, but… I don’t feel at ease leaving without settling this matter. It’s just my intuition speaking, but seeing the Extinct Formulae Magic, I feel like something is brewing... I’ll try investigating the alleyway now, see what magic is being negated, then I’ll make my decision accordingly.’

Having said that, Elaine took her leave to immediately check the alleyway.

‘What’s your take on the situation, Brig?’ Dunnford asked, seeking perspectives.

‘We should worry less about the magic and seek out the monster worshippers.’

‘When the time is right, that would be our move,’ Dunnford nodded. ‘For now, we should get back to our slow spar.’

Sitting on the soft grass, observing the slow spar again, Elaine’s words lingered.

Something is brewing…