Azule waved his hand and the circles floating in the air vanished. His eyes moved towards Nevil and Garius who were in the midst of random banter.

Garius laughed, “Nevil wasn’t that fun!? Those damn skeletons of yours are so damn annoying it just brightens my day grinding their bones into tiny little pieces.”

Nevil looked irritated, but in spite of Garius’s provocations Nevil smiled. Or at least it looked like he smiled, it’s difficult to discern expressions on a skeleton after all whose face is a Ram.

Nevil replied, “Indeed, it was so fun discovering how incredibly inept you are Garius. To think that that all it took to keep you at bay were five measly skeletons, who would’ve guessed? You know I feel that we might have to reconsider your current position Garius. ”

“Oh?”, Garius clenched his fists. His veins were popping out of his arms and head as if they were about to burst.

“Is that so, why don't you come over here and say it to my face?”

Nevil acted perplexed “Is this not your face?”

Garius clicked his tongue, "What you're to afraid to get a little closer? Come on, come at me."

Nevil put his arm to his chest, and bowed slightly, "Then I shall oblige."

Nevil raised his cane in the air, whilst Garius took up a stance. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as a dense blood lust filled the air.

Azule squatted down, and said, “It’s good that you’re raring to go at each other, but can you hold off for a few seconds I’m teaching a lesson here, thanks”

Garius looked at Azule, sighed, “ What killjoy, go ahead….”

Azule smiled wearily, he got up and began explaining, “Of the two principles, Quality and Quantity, that determine the outcome of a battle it’s far harder to rely on Quantity than Quality. Because in reality you won’t always be working with a team, with a group, or anyone else in general. And in most cases you’ll be fighting 1v1, or against an entire group alone. Naturally if your strength is superior to theirs by a large margin then there won't be a problem. However when the disparity of your strengths are negligible your weakness will become evident. This becomes even more problematic when you fight against a group that relies on each other to supplement their own weaknesses. The moment someone finds your weakness is the signal of your downfall. But hiding it is no good, you need to fully understand your own strengths and weakness and improve them, for example mages...”

Azule once again began a presentation by making three circles appear in the air. They formed a triangle each with a symbol: a wand on the bottom, a sword on the top left, and a bow on top the right.

“They have one of the greatest utilities in a battle. Depending on the mage they can be impossible to kill, impossible to see, impossible to touch, or the most dangerous existence in the battlefield. They can fly, teleport, and cause damage in scale that far surpasses any other combatant. But even with all these a mage doesn't hold an absolute advantage over others simply because they have just as many disadvantageous. A mage uses Mana at an astonishing pace, and in most cases in an attempt to increases their mana pool forgo reinforcing their body. For most mages close-ranged combat is fatal, and since they require time to chant and use their spells it becomes difficult to even fight back. So for a mage to reach their greatest efficiency they require time and distance. In order to meet these requirements a mages usually work in groups, but for mages who work alone they no longer have that luxury. So over the years mages have come up with a few ways to supplement this like this.”

Azule raised his hand and without a word a flame appeared on his palm.

“This is the fourth option for mages in regards to chanting. [Full Casting], [Short Casting], [Chantless Casting], and this [Wordless Casting]. This naturally reduces the amount of time it takes to use a spell, and is one way mages have been able to supplement their weaknesses. ”

The triangle rotated, and now the bow was on the bottom, and the wand on the top right of the triangle. Azule made a bow and a quiver with about 11 arrows appear.

“And it's not just Mages, naturally each style of fighting has their own weakness and methods to overcome those weakness, like archers [Tenth Bolt], [Hundredth Bolt], [Thousandth Bolt], and [Millionth Bolt]. Though apparently there exists a level above [Millionth Bolt].”

Azule grabbed an arrow out of the quiver, but as he pulled it out it shined and all the other arrows suddenly disappeared. Azule nocked the arrow into the bow. The arrow let out a spark a few sparks, and then Azule shot it.

The arrow flew into the air, and split into 10 arrows clad in lightning. They accelerated and struck the grow overturning it.

“Unfortunately there aren’t that many archers in the Rosen Clan so the best we can show you use [Hundredth Bolt], the ability to shoot a hundred arrows in a single shot. But what I used was [Tenth Bolt] shooting ten arrows in a single shot. Well that's just one way other styles supplement some of their weaknesses. For now just watch them go at it, I’m sure they’re getting impatient.”

Nevil turned to Tristan and nodded. Tristan once again signaled the start of the battle, “Begin!”

Nevil teleported backwards, and raised his cane chanting. However Garius simply stood still. Perplexed Nevil asked, “What the hell are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” Garius laughed, “You heard the man, a mage requires both time and distance to reach their greatest efficiency. Come on you’re a Necromancer aren’t you, I’m just giving you a little time and distance that’s all.”

Garius provoked Nevil and laughed mockingly, Nevil replied, “I see, then don’t come to me cry after you lose. Allow me the pleasure of wiping that stupid grin of your face, without strength you’ve no right to be arrogant.”

Nevil began chanting, and soon enough that space in front of Nevil began fluctuating, forming several dozen ripples in the air. Slowly dozens of large skeletons walked out of the ripples, each of which look far stronger than the five skeletons than before.

Each of the skeletons had a bit of rotten flesh hanging of of them, and were all equipped with similarly rusted equipment. They were far larger in size compared to the previous skeletons and each one of them were at least seven foot tall.

Azule commented, “They’re Death Knights, the lowest ranking ones should be at the 9th Lower Demon Rank, and the rest of them should be at least at the 1st or 4th Mid-Demon Rank. Summoning them in mass like this naturally causes their strength to deteriorate.”

Several more ripples appeared behind Nevil and even more skeletons appeared. In total Nevil summoned a total of 32 Death Knights, 14 Skeleton Archers, 9 Skeleton Mages, which summoned 20 Fiery Skulls.

Nevil continued chanting and two large ripples formed right beside Nevil, and two Bone Serpents flew out. Nevil looked at his miniature army and nodded in approval, he continued chanting, and said, “[From Dust to Bone],[From Bone to Stone],[From Stone to Steel].”

All of the skeletons quickly grew larger before they turned a dull grey color, and then they turned a shiny metallic. Nevil directed his skeletons and his mages began chanting, while his archers began spreading out. The Death knights got into a rectangular formation, before Nevil once again started chanting.

Garius looked at Nevil and cursed, “Shit that’s not good.”

A red aura appeared around Garius quickly transforming his body into a large behemoth with an extra pair of arms, and horns like a bull. He charged at the army of skeletons head first.

All of the Skeleton Mages collectively gathered their mana to cast a spell. Several translucent layers covered every single Death Knight. As Garius quickly neared, the knights raised their shields and charged forward in attempt to block him.

In a matter of seconds the two sides collided with a large boom. Garius easily broke through a dozen or so Death Knights with his charge, but thanks to the translucent barriers and the sheer number of knights they were able to stop Garius in his tracks.

The twenty or so Death Knights surrounded Garius, either jumping at him or wildly slashing. However they were only able to put a few cuts and bruises that healed in a second or two.

Garius struggled to get out of the pile of skeletons, constantly punching holes through their rusted armor, punching through their tough metal bones, and crushing the Knights who fell down beneath his feet. The number of Death Knights were quickly dwindling, and it wouldn’t be long before he would break through. The 20 Fiery Skulls that were idle flew over towards to towards Garius. All of the Death Knights jumped and piled up on top of Garius.

The mages finished casting a spell and suddenly the Fiery Skulls began to glow. They each rammed into each other fusing into a larger Fiery Skull. Eventually there were only two large Fiery skulls left, and went they fused together what came out was a Massive Skull with three horns called an Inferno Skull.

Flames completely surrounded spewed out of it's massive skull, and despite it's size flew towards the Death Knights and Garius with it’s mouth wide open, scorching the ground along the way. The Inferno Skull reached them and with it's massive mouth swallowed the group whole, burning them with the Inferno raging forth in it's mouth.

*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Garius punched a massive hole right through the Inferno Skulls metal head causing a large explosion of flames. Garius leaped into the air with several melted Death Knights stilling cling onto him.

The Mages and Archers took the opportunity to bombard Garius with as much as possible while he was the in the air. A massive cluster of hundreds of flaming arrows, and fireballs Garius causing explosion after explosion pushing him back. But as soon as Garius landed on the ground he smashed the ground pulling out a large pile of stone and dirt, throwing it at the archers.

The archers ran away, but a few of them were still caught in the impact. Garius to the opportunity to charge at Nevil with increasingly great speeds. He quickly neared Nevil, and in an attempt to protect it's summoner one of the Bone Serpents coiled around Nevil completely shielding him.

Garius charged at the bone serpent and punched out with his two right fists cracking the steel exterior of the serpent. With another strike from his two of his other fists he managed to bore a hole right through it revealing Nevil who was still calmly chanting.

Garius smiled, and yelled, “DIE!”

A red mist covered Graius's two fists and red scales began to emerge around his hand, but before he could punch Nevil the other bone serpent intervened. The second bone serpent dug into the ground and attacked Garius from underneath, ramming his chest with it’s skull.

Garius was sent flying backwards, and took up a defensive stance as the Bone Serpent whipped its tail at him. Garius easily caught the bone serpent’s tail, but as he was going to pull it in and crush it the Skeleton Mages casted a number of chains connected to dozens of magic circles floating around him.

The bone serpent broke free of his grasp and coiled around Garius trying to constrict him as much as possible whilst the archers once again bombarded him with arrows.

However Garius's spike suddenly extended piercing through the bone serpent and tearing it apart. He grabbed the bone serpent and tore it in half with his hands. He glared at the Skeleton Mages and punched the air sending a shockwave in their direction.

The shockwave completely obliterated the the Skeleton Mages and the ground around them. He sent another shockwave flying towards the Skeleton Archers annihilating them as well.

Garius charged at Nevil once more, and the bone serpent around Nevil quickly uncoiled himself, and charged at Garius. Garius cupped two of his hands and smashed the serpent’s metal skull.

Garius jumped at Nevil punching repeatedly, however his fists only met thin air as Nevil teleported away. Nevil reappeared to the right side, and raised his cane in Garius’s direction. Chanting something incomprehensible Nevil summoned a cage constructed out of bones. The cage fell down on Garius, before quickly growing in size, and turning a dull grey.

Garius punched right through the cage, and the cage turned a metallic color. Garius suddenly appeared beside Nevil and managed to land a punch on his left arm.

But before Garius could do anymore damage Nevil teleported away. Garius and Nevil were play a cat and mouse game at speeds that surpassed the speed of sound.

Azule commented, “This is a the short-distance rapid teleportation spell [Blink]. It makes up for a Mages speed, and allows a mage to survive a little longer. However it burns up just as much mana as [Teleportation], and the amount of mana required to constantly use this is not something to trifle with. And what Garius is using is the technique [Instantaneous Movement], a spell designed to reduce the distance between a Fighter and their opponent as fast as possible. After all a mage might not be able to use spells as well as they can normally in close combat, but a Fighter can’t do anything at all in long-distance combat.”

Azule commented, and explained the techniques as Garius and Nevil were just running around throwing a few attacks and each other while spamming [Blink] and [Instantaneous Movement].

However Nevil stopped running away, and instead teleported in the sky, and chanted, “[Fly]”

Nevil began to float in the air, and then he quickly summoned two more bone serpents. However he didn’t even bothering strengthening them as he sent them towards Garius who jumped upwards.

The two serpents charged at Garius each biting into his shoulder, pushing him down to the ground. Garius looked at Nevil floating in the sky and frowned. Nevil finished chanting and said, “[Greater Summoning: Six-Eyed Bone Dragon]”

A massive rippled appeared in the air, and slowly large six-eyed rotting dragon fell from the sky. The dragon fell down in front of Garius and let out a deafening roar. Garius charged at it, letting loose dozens of shockwaves into the air with his fists knocking the dragon back slightly.

Azule explained,“And this is the most common ways people supplement their weaknesses. A Blood-Bound Partner, a Contracted Beast, a Summon. If you yourself aren’t perfect, and you won’t always have others to stand beside you, then make it so someone will always be by you. Make it so you always have someone to help you. It's one of the simplest solution to this complicated problem, but who knows maybe the simplest methods is the best method. Though that Dragon is a little different, because you see...”

Nevil stood on top of the Bone Dragon's head and summoned another bone serpent and a fiery skull, he chanted, “[Assimilation]”

The Six-Eyed Evil Bone Dragon shone brightly, it’s body began morphing as it crawled up Nevil’s body. It covered his clothes and transformed into an armor made out of bones as well as wings. The Bone Serpent turned to the Fiery Skull and ate it, bursting into flames. Nevil grabbed the bone serpents skull and crushed it before pulling out it’s spine.

Azule continued, “Nevil can’t exactly be classified as a real mage you see. In truth Summoners, and Necromancers like Nevil are a bit of a far off subcategory of Mages, and are at times considered their own category. But even that category doesn’t exactly fit him, because Nevil’s not just a Necromancer….”

Garius started at Nevil and laughed. His body began to once again grow larger, but this time his spikes grew smaller along with horns. Garius grow two more arms again, and two new heads, turning into an Asura.

Nevil watched Garius transform, and descended. He conjured up nine spears made out of bones and launched them. Garius finished his transformation and stood still staring at the spears. Garius invoked [Instantaneous Movement] and disappeared once more, leaving behind nine broken spears as he suddenly appeared next to Nevil.

“You see in search of perfection, in an attempt to supplement their own weakness there are those who pioneer new spells, and techniques. And you see Nevil is one of those pioneers, who simply gave up in being a stronger Mage, a stronger Necromancer. Instead Nevil gave up being a fragile Necromancer, but it was to late to train as a Fighter. So he became an Assimilated Magic Knight, The Assimilated Bone Dragon Knight Nevil Ramzi".”

Nevil gripped his sword and swung it at Garius. All six of Garius fist constantly bombarded Nevil with strikes, but Nevil met each fist with his sword.

Nevil blinked back, and his sword sort of loosened up. He lifted it up in the air, and the sword was several times longer than it was before, and he struck down at Garius with a thundering boom. The sword had turned into a bone whip.

Garius grabbed the whip, and pulled Garius towards him forcing Nevil to let go. He quickly charged forward instantly covering the gap once again. Nevil made a bone serpent appear behind him, but before it even fully emerged from the ripple in space Nevil crushed it’s skull and pulled out it’s spine turning it into another sword.

Nevil and Garius continued this exchange blows like this for several minutes, and their speed gradually kept increasing. It came to the point that there were several after images of Garius and Nevil battling, constantly Blinking and moving.

Azule turned the group and said, “Well let’s go back, at this point you won’t learn anything. But engrave this scene into your minds at the very least, because this is a battle of the strong”

Satou turned to look at the two fighting one last time and thought, “And this is only the High-Demon level…. “

THE TESTS THE TESTS. So yeah got test coming up, had a test this week too, so I didn't put out a chapter. But I will put out a random week chapter, and if I ever feel like I owe you guys a week chapter then I'll keep a tally at the bottom of every latest chapter. Anyways Friend is busy on a trip, so tell me if there's any grammatical errors, and the like. Also guys tell me what is considered Long and what is Short. It's hard for me to tell really.

Announcement of Poll

Satou won so it's just gonna be Satou

Week Chapter Count

One