Flare, who ran ahead, led us with purpose, her eyes scanning the beach ahead as we made our way to our desired destination. The anger which had consumed me kept me so focused on finding Alexander that I scarcely registered my surroundings.

That was until we reached an isolated rocky area. The rocks stood as menacing sentinels, jutting from the soft sand like jagged teeth that we had to move around. Nevertheless, Flare pushed on, her pace unrelenting. Then finally came to a stop before a cave.

"Wait! Arata!" exclaimed Theodore, his strong hand gripping my shoulder and halting me in my tracks. "Before we go any further, you have to tell me what's going on," he demanded, his voice firm and insistent, uncertainty etched on his face, probably worried that I might lash out.

Taking a deep, calming breath, I felt my shoulders relax and my jaw unclench. As I held his gaze steadily, my expression grew more intense, conveying the seriousness of my words. "You'll see," I said slowly, the weight of the statement hanging in the air between us.

As we hurriedly entered the cave, terrified whispers echoed through the walls, growing louder and more frantic with each step we took forward. It wasn't until we reached a large opening in the cave that we finally saw the source of the crying. Mia and Nina, bound by ropes on the floor. The two girls shook with sobs, their eyes red and puffy from crying.

Examining them closer I saw a small bump on both of their cheeks. Alexander must have injured them, and the sight of their bruised faces made my stomach twist in anger.

"Hey!" Theodore bellowed, his voice dripping with hatred. As I looked at him, I could see his face twisted into an angry scowl, a clear indication of the fury that was boiling within him. He shot daggers at the boy standing in front of us, as if his gaze alone could cut him down. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Alexander!?" His tone was so loaded with venom but even so, Alexander remained remarkably unperturbed.

Having noticed us, Nina and Mia's eyes widened with a newfound, radiant hope as their expressions transformed into ones of overwhelming relief.

Alexander ignored Theodore completely and focused solely on me. With a slight smile on his lips and a glint in his eye, he spoke, "You're here earlier than I expected," his voice as calm and steady as his demeanor.

"What do you want, Alexander?" I asked through gritted teeth. Feeling the anger bubbling up inside of me, threatening to burst forth like an erupting volcano I locked eyes with him. And made no attempt to hide my emotions. My gaze piercing through his, daring him to make a move.

"I wanted to draw you out and beat you once and for all," he said, his eyes flashing with fury. "Ever since you got here, everything has always been about you," he continued, his body tensing up as if ready to fight. "Urgh! You make me sick! Sharing a home with you has been my greatest humiliation!" he spoke, his lips curling into a snarl as his face twisted with revulsion.

After a short pause, he continued with a cruel smirk. "My plan was to draw you out by capturing this one," he said turning Mia's head up roughly by pulling on her hair, causing her to let out a sharp cry of pain before tossing her back down to the floor. He then turned his attention to Nina with a devious expression on his face. "But then this one got in the way," he exclaimed, grabbing Nina's hair and pulling her head up as well, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Stop that!!" Theodore roared, his face contorted with rage as he lunged forward menacingly. I quickly intervened, placing a reassuring hand on his seething shoulder, making him stop in his tracks.

"I submit," I spoke out, turning toward Alexander with a lowered head and shoulders. "You win, now let them go," if anything I'd rather avoid any further conflict with Alexander.

"Do you really think that's going to work?" he questioned skeptically, narrowing his eyes. "I only captured them so I could fight you at your strongest," he continued, his tone growing more menacing by the moment. "I won't be satisfied until your body lies beaten down at my feet!" he exclaimed, his anger intensifying to the point where he was practically shouting.

"Then what are you waiting for?" I replied, my voice laced with sarcasm. Extending my hands out as though it were the easiest thing in the world. "I'm right here," I said, my body language inviting.

"Tsk!" he clicked his tongue in irritation. Swiveling to face Theodore, he sharply stated, "You stay out of this," with a determined step he began to make his way over to me, striding away from the girls.

"Theodore," I said, keeping a close eye on Alexander as he neared. "Go release Mia and Nina," I instructed, taking a step forward "I'll deal with Alexander," Theodore didn't hesitate, darting toward them as I turned to face my opponent. My muscles tensed and my jaw clenched as I braced myself for the conflict ahead.

Without wasting any time, he dashed forward at a speed only possible by the use of internal mana control. Quickly bringing my hand up I caught his fist with ease. In one swift motion, I spun around and delivered a powerful kick to his stomach. Stumbling backward he fell to one knee clenching his stomach in pain.

"I see you learned internal mana control," I pointed out. My combat training had clearly paid off, and I felt a surge of confidence as I stood my ground, ready for whatever he might throw at me next. "Did that make you think you'd stand a chance!" I said, my voice laced with anger as I straightened his torso ready to unleash a barrage of unrelenting attacks.

But he quickly swung his arm pushing away my hand that was firmly gripped onto his shoulder. With a swift jab to my stomach, I was taken aback by the force behind it. But before I could fully process the pain, he followed up with a sharp hit to my face, leaving a sharp sting across my cheek. This kid might actually have some talent after all. I thought, pulling away in surprise. But he'll need more than that to beat me.

With flames blazing around his fists, he charged forward. Throwing strike after strike I easily deflected every single one of them, his flames not strong enough to burn me. "You're way too old to be throwing a tantrum like this," I jested, taking pleasure in my opponent's frustration. "You must have realized by now that you can't beat me?" With a sly grin, I taunted him further, "Or has your genius failed again."

With a deep grunt, his muscles tensed, and veins bulged out of his neck, bringing forth an expression of pure fury on his face. "AAGGHH!!!" he let out a deafening battle cry that echoed across the room, fueling the intensity of his punches.

With one quick movement, I aimed my fist straight at his face. With a loud thud, my fist made contact, stirring his brain. His eyes rolled up and he stumbled back a few steps, barely keeping himself from falling to the floor.

Kneeling down with his head low and his knees unsteady, he struggled to lift his gaze to meet mine. Wincing in pain, he gasped for breath, his words filled with venom and determination. "T-This is far. . . From over," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice shaking with rage. "I will. . . Pray on your every weakness. I. . . Don't care what. . . I have to do. I will. . . I will. . . Win."

With no change in my expression, I raised my fist, poised to deliver another heavy blow. "Well. . . Good luck," I said, mocking his desperate attempts at bravado. The sound of my fist connecting with his face was deafening as it send shockwaves across the room that seemed to reverberate across the silent cave. With each blow, his eyes drooped lower, and his breathing grew shallower until a final punch unleashed the knockout blow, sending him slumping to the floor, unconscious.

Giving Alexander one last pitiful look. I turned my attention back to the girls who seemed relieved yet uncertain of my actions. "He really overdid it this time," I said, showing a smile in an attempt to comfort their worries as I neared. "He totally ruined this vacation."

"Arata!" Mia exclaimed, practically leaping towards me with open arms. Her relief at seeing me was palpable as she held me tightly in a grateful embrace. "I was. . . So scared," murmurs of fear escaped from her trembling lips as she buried her head into my chest, seeking comfort and reassurance.

"I-It's all right," I said with a reassuring smile, taken aback by her sadness as I gently reached out and patted her head. "Don't think about it anymore," I said softly as I wiped a stray tear from her eye. Then, turning to Nina, I asked with genuine concern, "Are you okay?" My eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of distress or discomfort.

At my words, she gave me a small nod while her lips curved upwards, expressing her gratitude in a way words couldn't. "So?" I continued, steering the conversation in a new direction. "Did Alexander just carry the two of you out here?"

"No," replied Nina with a shake of her head. Then, raising her arm she pointed at a nearby wooden crate and said, "He stuffed us in there and carried us out here."

"So. . . Um?" Theodore's voice pierced through our conversation, bouncing off the rugged cave walls as he scanned each of us. "What do we do with him?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty as he examined Alexander's unconscious body

"Meh, leave him," I said, rolling my eyes, emphasizing my disinterest in the situation. Walking past him, I turned my attention back to the rest of the group, and with a quick tilt of my head, I motioned for them to follow along. "Come on, we should get going. It's getting dark."

With a firm nod, the others agreed and followed behind me. While Theodore calmly strode my way, the girls sprinted past Alexanders' body, in fear that he might wake up.

Alexander's actions were undeniably disturbing and had the potential to inflict significant emotional and psychological harm on both Mia and Nina. The thought of being forcibly confined inside a box, their bodies tightly bound and unable to move, could very well haunt their memories for years. It is truly terrifying to consider the lasting impact that Alexander's recklessness will have on them. I should keep a close eye on them.