"You're weak. You need training, so don't waste my time — I have a score to settle."
Andrei grabbed his weapon and activated the Earth Stone. He struck the ground with such force that it cracked beneath him, the earth splitting open before the stranger. Then, he used the Fire Stone, making his weapon release blazing flames everywhere, forcing the man to step back.
"Interesting… you use energy stones. I think this will be entertaining. By the way, my name is Volak, and you are Andrei. So then, Andrei, try to endure against me."
Volak burst forth with insane speed — moving in front, behind, and to the right of Andrei. I can't even see him… he's too fast.
"Fine!" Andrei activated the Light Stone, and his weapon shone so brightly that Volak was blinded. Andrei tried to strike, but Volak dodged easily and kicked him away.
"That's your second lesson: your senses come before your body — they are your instincts."
"I see now. I didn't care about you, Ice Lord… but is that all you've got?"
"No… not all I have."
Andrei removed the stone from his weapon and advanced toward Volak.
"What? Attacking me without a power stone? At least use the sword you're holding."
"Why would I? That's your mistake — underestimating me."
"What—?!"
"Thunder Stone!"
A lightning strike suddenly fell, hitting them both. Volak was injured, but Andrei stood unharmed.
"Andrei, are you okay?"
"Emily, stay back! Don't worry, I wasn't hurt — the stone absorbed all the lightning and shattered. Now get away."
"You, little girl, you'd better move aside, because I won't hold back anymore."
Volak smirked. "I admit, that surprised me… but prepare yourself. I'll use 10% of my power, and if you can't withstand it, you'll die."
He stomped the ground — the force splitting it open. Then he vanished. Suddenly, Andrei felt a fist slam into his stomach, hurling him into a rocky wall. Pain surged through his body, unbearable. Yet inside him, the demon was grinning: More! Could you give me more?
Andrei tried to stand, but Volak seized his head and smashed it against the wall again and again, then tossed him aside and kicked him hard. Andrei lay on the ground, eating dust, unable to move.
"I may have gone too far against this rookie… but he needs to understand the reality of this world. Now that I'm done, I should go."
Inside Andrei, the demon spoke: Look at you — lying in the dirt like a worm, covered in blood. If you had used me from the start, this humiliation would never have happened. How disgraceful for my host! Sit back and watch how true fighting is done.
Andrei grabbed hold of himself: "Listen. Everything you say is true. But I'm the one in control. Stay where you are. I refuse to use you — even if I die. Do you understand? I'll never let you out."
Never?! Who do you think you're speaking to, boy? Without pride to move your fragile body, you don't even have the right to talk to me!
"And now… watch how I fight."
Dark shadows coiled around Andrei.
"Wait—! You can't come out! Do you hear me, Demon Lord?"
When Volak was just a step away from leaving the mountain, the demon's voice echoed: Isn't it too soon to leave? Especially when the fun isn't over yet? Look at me — standing tall. Was that your strength? You call me weak, and now you run? Weak!
The words made Volak tremble. Without realizing it, he unleashed 70% of his power and attacked Andrei, smashing him into the wall again. But Andrei emerged, smiling.
"Well done. Now let's begin."
Andrei gripped his weapon — this time with no stone at all. Volak was shaken. What… why did my body move instinctively when that boy spoke? As if I sensed a danger that could destroy everything. His aura… it feels heavy all of a sudden.
"This is round two. Shall we start?"
Andrei rushed forward with insane speed.
"What? Using lightning again?" Volak scoffed — but before he could finish, Andrei appeared right at his neck.
"I just wanted to show you the meaning of fear."
A shallow cut appeared on Volak's throat. Blood trickled.
"What?! When—? How?! I didn't even react!"
Andrei hurled his weapon with incredible force — too fast to see. It slashed Volak's shoulder, leaving a deep wound.
"Wha—? Did the leopard lose his speed, or what?!"
Volak summoned blades of light and attacked furiously. Yet Andrei, with a weapon stripped of power, blocked them all.
"How?! How can a powerless weapon stop this?!"
Andrei answered coldly: "Here's your first lesson: when two warriors swing their swords, the faster strike always wins — because speed pierces and cuts through everything."
"You dare lecture me? You're nothing but a rookie who was eating dirt a moment ago. But now you've scarred my face — if you say anything I don't like, I'll kill you. Compete with me in speed? Fine! Either you or me — come then!"
Volak dashed at supersonic speed, circling Andrei. But when he tried to strike, he froze. Andrei was smiling like a predator, waiting for his prey.
"What is this feeling…? Fear? Impossible. I, Volak, the strongest warrior of the Spear Clan, am afraid of a rookie? No! I'll bury this!"
"Enough!" a voice thundered.
"Volak… I didn't expect you to attack a member of your own team. Have you fallen so low? Are you a coward now?"
"I'm not a coward!" Volak snapped. "I was going to face you, but that boy got in my way."
The Demon Lord glared at Julian with irritation, but calmed down, returning Andrei's body to him.
"That doesn't excuse your attack. Either back down, or continue the fight."
"Neither. I wish to speak with the Ice Lord — not as your enemy, but as a former vice-captain of the Spear Clan."
"…If that's the case, then let's go."
"Kaïto, bear the pain a little longer. I promise I'll avenge you, but not now."
"It's fine. I wasn't hurt badly."
Julian kept thinking: That power I felt… was it Volak's? Or did it come from someone else?
"Andrei, are you all right?" Emily asked.
"Yes. Don't worry."
Emily hugged him. "Thank goodness. If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do."
"Don't worry. Your big brother is strong."
From afar, Maurice watched silently. "I thought you had nothing in that head of yours. Since when did you start caring so much? Don't worry — my plan is going better than expected."
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"Dear readers, the two chapters are now released, and this is the first one as I promised you. I hope you enjoy it, and please support the novel with Energy Stones, as it's heading fascinating really exciting."
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