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A hazy pink dragon rampaged through the forest. Misty flames burned everything around it to ash. Breaking through every obstacle, it bore down on its target.

A young man in his twenties, with shiny metallic hair and a silvery mark on his forehead, was running, gliding in fact, away from the cloudy dragon. Every once in a while, his sword flashed, sending crescent slashes towards the dragon. 

Soon, the mist dragon was whittled down, its power only an echo of its prime. Gayle cleared the area of the pink mist, his wind blowing at the speed of hurricanes. 

A snapping sound echoed.

A few of the remaining trees were uprooted, and a colossal serpent made of mist reared its head. A young woman was standing on its head. Gayle took a step... and the sky rippled. He appeared in front of Aisha, on top of the serpent's head.

Yet Aisha looked unconcerned. Gayle saw her well-known pride in her eyes. To carry such pride even when he had entered a disadvantageous range... Gayle prepared himself for the true battle.

The serpent disappeared, the mist collapsing in on Aisha. It surrounded her body and became a translucent battle armor, while a translucent greatsword appeared in her hands.

The air became heavy, the mist restricting Gayle's every move, but he strode forward with conviction. His movements light and fast, he approached Aisha at a speed which would seem like a blur for a normal warrior.

However, his opponent being a fellow Master, was able to meet his strikes. 

Gayle's abilities allowed him to be even faster though.

A powerful hurricane formed, and Gayle accelerated. This time, Aisha could not react to his blistering speed.

[Moon's Crescent]

The longsword bathed in moonlight struck hard and fast.

But it was stopped.

Aisha had focused an immense amount of her mist as a shield. It had stopped the shield, but her mist decreased. 

Gayle did not stop, however. His momentum only increased, his strikes getting swifter and stronger. 

Aisha's defense was crumbling, her actions became desperate. Trees were pulled up by mist and flung, only to be ripped to pieces by furious gale. 

[Windstorm]

It was an Art at the unawakened rank which had been brought to the next level by Gayle. But the moment his concentration was divided, Aisha unleashed a barrage of blows. 

They fought through the night, locked in an even battle.

******

Aster had long turned his eyes away from the battle. It had ceased to be of interest. His senses had failed in identifying the existence in this world. So, he used his own eyes. The entire continent could not escape his sight after all.

The forest had suffered irreversible damage. The administrators probably had not expected two Masters. It was not a concern anyway. 

The two were evenly matched, but they lacked experience. They flung their Arts around, relying on pure power. It was inefficient and predictable. They were Master only due to their Spirit Energy level and Arts.

He leisurely looked around, appreciating, or trying to appreciate, the pristineness of the close-by sea. Suddenly, his pupils contracted.

…He had not seen a single supervisor.

******

Gayle had long since run out of Spirit energy. Seeing that his opponent did not use Spirit energy either, she was the same. He had not expected that she would match him in swordsmanship, considering her ability. 

It wasn't a problem though. 

He was going to win after all.

He stomped on the ground with explosive strength. As the soil erupted, his blade instantly initiated a graceful slash... towards the neck. 

Aisha panicked, not being particularly experienced in close-ranged battles. Her greatsword trembled, and Gayle's blade slipped past.

It was over.

"..."

"..."

The battle was over, but what should they do?

The awkward pause stretched on. Both tried to say something, but stopped. Their lips twitched and they burst out laughing.

"Ahh, I didn't know what to-"

WHOOSH!

Gayle was cut off by a wave of darkness. They pair corrected their postures, although unable to muster any energy.

Through the haze, Gayle thought he could see a figure with pale skin.

******

Aster shrouded the archipelago in darkness. He could not allow anyone to to watch. Not yet.

In front of him stood, or rather floated, a regal man. Imperial dignity was present in his every move. His presence demanded service.

He was a being born to rule.

He was also a being similar to the Fool...

"We are pleased with your dedication to the-"

"Who are you?"

The man stiffened. His demeanor changed from that of a regal ruler to a cold blooded tyrant. 

"YOU DARE INTERUPT ME?"

Although the words were that of a third-rate villain, it was different when he said it. Even Aster had needed conscious effort to speak out of turn. 

"Child, you bear curiosity towards us. So, why antagonize me?"

"You are greater than any God I've met, but I haven't seen you anywhere. Just what do you do with all that power? I'm not asking you to be righteous; I feel it is a waste of time too. But, I'm genuinely curious, what do you do with all that power?"

The man sighed. His eyes flashed with disappointment.

"I thought you would make a fine servant, but I have no need for one who questions me. I will at least give you what you've been searching for. I am the Emperor. The Fool and I belong to the transcendent group, Arcana. Now, I will erase you."

Aster knew he could not defeat his current opponent. However...

Holy light encapsulated his body, his figure becoming reminiscent of an angel.

The third world, Luminaire.

There he had learned weakness. 

He lost himself into the memory.