13 CHAPTER 12: THE DANCE OF FIRE

"There are four dances you can practice depending on the spirit you want to appeal to. The dance of fire, the dance of water, the-"

"Isn't this another one of your useless teachings? Show me how to stabilize my aura instead."

I still remember how hard he smacked me that day. If there is one thing he hated above all else, it was to be interrupted.

I reach the courtyard with Emilia but when a butler wants to go and grab some gear for us, I stop him.

"It's okay. I prefer a hand-to-hand fight."

"Are you sure? It will be difficult for me to hold back if I don't use a weapon." Shouldn't it be the contrary?

"I assure you it is okay."

"Okay, if you say so."

"As you wish, sir. May I then be the referee of this match."

"If you would, please."

Right as I answer, the butler moves between us, and Emilia back away a bit.

"You can use your aura. There is no need to hold back. In fact, don't hold back, or else what I am trying to do won't have any effect."

"I…okay, but don't blame me for what happens to you."

"Are you two ready?" The butler raises his hand while looking at Emilia then at me.

"Yes, we are." We answer both at the same time and butler lowers his hand while jumping back and Emilia immediately disappears.

"She is faster than Telestal."

By the time I blink, she is before me, ready to strike. She releases her aura right before striking, as if to make sure I will stay put while I take it. But sorry, I am not one to let you do as you please.

I do the same and a surprising look appears on her face, giving enough seconds to prepare a counter. The only dance he taught me was the dance of fire. I don't know why he called it a dance but it is more like a martial art. It is a straight one that doesn't care about the obstacles and breakthrough until the way is cleared. And you seem to be the perfect opponent for it, Emilia.

"Amplify." I send a straight punch in while reinforcing my skin, my muscles, and my bones. I don't know if it worked for everything but since my body had a little shine for a moment, I guess it did.

Our fists collide and unlike what happens with Telestal, my aura doesn't blend with Emilia's. It completely rejects it and it is clearly visible. Emilia's fist is pushed back and stands before me, surprised like never before.

"This is…You can…"

"The fight is not over."

I move in as he taught me, always start with the left foot to show your desire, then feel and force the energy that rises from it and goes through your body to follow the flow you want. And when it reaches the tip of your part you wanted, you strike like a sword that gets stuck in a tree. It must be hard, effective, and direct.

I strike Emilia and she takes my hit to the stomach without protecting herself. She is pushed back but clearly; it didn't do as much damage as I was hoping.

"Is this real?" Emilia, still surprised, looks at the butler who nods his head without showing any emotions.

"Are we going to fight?" I take the first stance of the dance of fire and wait for her to come. "Or are we going to chat?"

***

Ten minutes later, our fight is going on as strong as ever. For every punch I dodged coming from Emilia, a dozen follows. Blocking each of them makes my body vibrates and the pain is somehow way more intensified than I thought. Even with him, it wasn't so painful. Is it because I have amplified my body? If that's the case then this skill is a double edged sword that I will need to use with precaution.

"You are truly impressive!" Emilia has a large smile on her face. Perhaps because I am able to follow her. It is true that seeing the speed at which she strikes, even a professional boxer would already be KO. But still, it is not that strong compared to him. He really reached the pinnacle.

"Not as much as you."

I manage to land another hit on her shoulder, making it a total of three successful hits. I have only tried to fight against someone using the dance of fire thrice. And all three of them were against him. I lost every time without any chance to fight back but seeing as I can land a hit against someone who is known as strong, I think the result isn't bad.

Suddenly, a window pops before my eyes and completely throws me off. The next moment, Emilia's fist appears and my vision blackens for a moment. When it comes back, I feel intense pain from my back together with the sound of concrete breaking.

"D-dammit." She sends me off right into the wall with a single punch? I was really blocking that thing of punch until now?

"Are you okay?!!" Emilia screams while running to me. "Go and call Sarah! Quickly!"

"Right away, Valk-"

"Stop. I am okay."

I stand back up and I can taste blood in my mouth. My vision is blurry and my head rings like crazy as well. How long has it been since I last felt this? I had almost forgotten. I walk while staggering for a moment but my steps stabilize very quickly.

"How can you say you are okay? You have blood coming out of your mouth. We will call Sarah. She will heal you."

"I told you, I am okay."

"Sir Will, I really believe-"

"Can you two stop worrying over nothing? Let's restart the training."

"No, we can have you being injured when you are this important to us."

"Then we will stop there. Thank you for your teaching." I bow to Emilia and turn to leave but she reaches me and grabs my shoulder.

"Why do you refuse to receive her help? Are you guys not friends?"

"I am not refusing her help, I simply don't need it. This is not the first time it happens."

"I see. Still, I cannot fight you knowing that I could hurt you so much."

"Do you really think I am hurt?" I turn back and look at her. It seems because I am not going full out, you think I am a small game. "Then let's make a bet. The one who manages to strike the other's head three times wins and can ask anything to the other."

"Will, listen to me-"

"Do you accept?" I retake the first stance of the dance of fire and face her while looking straight into her eyes. "Or are you a chicken?"

"Sigh…We have really received weird heroes."

"It would seem to be the case indeed."

Both Emilia and the butler sigh then she returns to her position and looks at me without saying anything.

I don't know what was that notification from earlier but I can look at it later. For now, what is really important is to face this woman, she who has reached a height where you can see the top of the hill. I have to go there as well, to go there and see what he saw once he was there.

"And you are in the way. Amplify."

After my body gets its dose of shine, the pain I was feeling from my head and my back increases. It becomes sharp and my body aches as if it spread instantly. But still, it is bearable. It is just like when I was training with him, so I can take it.

I jump to Emilia and initiate the dance of fire. Left foot first, then stomach and left hand. She evades my punch but this time, I felt something different, it's almost like…it's almost like my fist released a bit of fire. At least, I felt slightly hot as I punched the air.

Emilia launches a kick so I raise my knee and block her. It's a part of the dance but unlike earlier, the sensation I felt isn't there. Was it just my imagination? I am slightly destabilized by Emilia's kick and without backing up, she kicks again. We are both using our auras but I have to admit hers is too much for me right now.

"Is that all?"

I grab her leg as her second kick comes to me and launch her in the air. Then I immediately prepare for the last part of the dance. I stretch my arms in front of me, as far as I can, making sure that all muscles and joints are at the limit.

"Is this a joke?" When Emilia is in the air, however, she kicks the very air and manages to changes her posture and the direction of her fall. She falls not on me like I was waiting for but two meters ahead.

"Tch." It can't be that easy, I guess.