Friends

Unfortunately Noah wouldn't think of such a minor detail. He didn't know much about the aspect of the Battlesoul world called Soul force. Only experts at the Grandmaster Stage would dare engage in a soul battle and even then, they would protect their Soul forms so that no unnecessary bits of their soul would be lost.

Noah and Alyssa had just gotten lucky. The Devilsoul master barely possessed a hundredth of his original strength so the duo could win after putting up a hard fight. Sadly, they had lost a significant amount of Soul force and would have to rest for a period of time as they didn't possess Wills or even Intents to restore their Soul force so they could only wait for their souls to recover naturally. Luckily, the duo possessed Emperor Grade Battlesouls so it wouldn't take much time to gain their battle strength again, although they wouldn't be able to strain themselves much.

Noah hesitated for a while but still spoke as he faced Alyssa. "Why did you save me back there?"

The young girl paused, not expecting such a question. Her hand found the hair at her forehead and she pulled at it absentmindedly. "I - I also don't know. Instincts?"

He stared at her for a while but then sighed. "Okay. Anyways I owe you one from now on."

She smiled lightly hearing his response. "It's okay, we're friends aren't we?"

Noah suddenly paused. His expression became strange as a myriad of expressions appeared on his face. His past memories seemed to resurface before he shoved them back in. In the end, the moment when Alyssa jumped before him to save his weak body against the blast appeared in his mind. "Hm."

The smile on her face widened seeing his reaction.

In the end, the two stayed in silence as they waited for their souls and bodies to sync together again as the soul battle had really done a number on them.

Noah took the time to examine his body as he rested. His body was still fine, his Essence Veins and his Essence Bones were intact. It seemed the battle had only affected his soul.

But he was stunned when he glanced at his Essence core, around the core was a white mist that was barely visible, he had almost missed it. His Essence moved and revolved around his body but nothing seemed wrong with his body. Sighing he could only drop the matter. He hadn't spent much time in this world and didn't know much, he could only wait until he was admitted into Soaring Star Academy. Anyways, the mist did nothing to him at the moment and it wouldn't be too hard to solve later.

***

Noah glanced at the massive gates and strained his ears. "I can't hear any commotion on the outside, it seems like the beasts have run away." He pushed slightly and felt that the gates were actually much easier to open than when he had to push with his full strength from the outside. "Get ready to run at full speed."

She nodded and he breathed in, gathering strength as he pushed open the door. Immediately a bright light engulfed them as they felt a familiar feeling passing through their body. It was the same as when they were teleported here!

When the light receded, Noah pried his eyes open to glance at his surrounding, his Essence ready to burst out. He was shocked to see the familiar hall where they were first teleported. The familiar Boa was still behind him but it had its mouth and eyes closed and seemed to be resting.

"Let's leave." Alyssa spoke as she faced the exit, her voice slightly trembled as she glanced at the underground hall.

Noah glanced at her and nodded. He noticed her emotional turmoil and sighed inwardly. In the end, she was still too young, the surrounding must have reminded her of her Mercenary Group's betrayal. Even if she didn't show it, their act of betrayal had affected her. "Don't focus much on it."

Her shoulders trembled a bit but she still nodded. The two walked out of the Ruins in silence, they had their guard up in case something unexpected happened. Thankfully, nothing happened and the two left the ruins with no uneventful encounter. It seemed like the beasts had either been completely slaughtered or they had run off.

"We'll separate here then." Noah finally spoke once they reached the city gates.

"Huh?" Alyssa was confused and looked at him. "You're not following me to the Academy?"

"There's still about around 11 months left before the exams. I'll stay here for the meanwhile and continue honing my battle experience. But you can't waste more time since the term has resumed, it's better to be on your way."

She hesitated for a while but still nodded. "When you get to the Academy, write to me, I'll show you around."

Noah nodded. "Of course." He then turned around and walked towards Ivory city's entrance gate. "See you in a while."

"Sure." The girl stared at his back for a while, feeling a pang of sorrow as she remembered some of his memories.

Noah only smiled coldly as he stared at the Mercenary Association Branch in the distance. Actually, he had enough battle experience already, the months spent in the alternate space weren't for show. But he had to settle something before leaving this town.

His eyes revealed viciousness as he remembered the scene of Ivan launching an attack at him while he sought to dodge the Boa's maw. One thing he hated more than anything else was betrayal. The memories of his past life made sure to make him remember the consequences of keeping betrayers around him.

His mind raced as he thought of the most suitable way to enact the payback for the near death experience caused by Ivan. In the end, his eyes sparked as he looked towards the Auction House in the distance.

He needed to show this bastard that he was a really vengeful person.