11

"Isn't that a bit far?" Eliza raised a brow at me.

"Do you doubt my ability to heal?" My tone went flat as anger coursed through me.

My hostility didn't go unnoticed.

"No," she backtracked slightly, "I just don't care for getting wounded that badly. Seems a bit extreme for a spar."

"I can heal even lethal wounds in mere minutes," I flicked my wrist dismissively, "I have plenty of practice after watching the werewolves spar."

"You know the werewolves?" This seemed to catch her off guard.

"Goliath introduced us," I smirked as my anger calmed down.

It was a simple lie, but I didn't see much benefit in telling the full truth. Goliath made his way over while we were talking.

"Is she asking you to spar?" He chuckled as he asked.

"Yes," Eliza turned her attention to Goliath, "She says the first one to sustain a life threatening injury would be the loser."

"She did say she would heal both of your wounds didn't she?" Goliath didn't see a problem with my terms, "She's the most capable healer I know. She reattaches limbs on the regular for the werewolves."

Eliza seemed to think about it for a little while longer.

"I agree to the conditions of your spar," she said after a bit of silence.

I was excited by the prospect of fighting someone with enough mana to actually give me a problem. My hair braided itself tightly so it would be out of my way as I smiled. Ready for whatever she could throw at me.

"Ready?" Goliath stepped in without needing to be asked.

He waited a few minutes for Eliza to be ready. She peeling off a few layers of her robes to reveal some expensive looking armor. Getting into the ready position afterward.

"Ready," she nodded.

"Begin," Goliath shouted.

Shouting was unnecessary, but I rushed forward anyway. A wall of water popped up between us. My fist slammed into the wall of water. I could feel my bones creak as the water seemed to harden around my arm. Squeezing it like a vise.

My smile widened. I used fire to create an explosion around my trapped hand. Freeing it as I leapt over the wall of water. The wall of water followed me up to wrap around my whole body this time. I couldn't manipulated the water directly, but pure mana could disturb the spell enough to give me a shot at actually getting close.

I lashed my mana out in all directions. The mana created water warbled over the massive amount of mana I released. Making it all too easy to break through. I shot through the gap, and went for a punch. Eliza looked calm.

She dropped the water she was manipulating, and chose to create more instead. It was a smart move since it would take longer to take control of water filled with my mana then it would to create new water. The water turned to spikes of ice. I wouldn't be able to close the distance before she launched her attack. Being fast didn't matter while you were mid air without wings.

She shot the ice spikes at me. The first two glanced off of me. Not having enough speed or strength to pierce my hardened skin. The attack did knock me higher in the air. Preventing me from getting proper footing, and using my speed to my advantage.

The next five spikes moved with far more speed. Four pierced my limbs while the fifth was aimed for my heart. Releasing flames from my right hand with force allowed me to move to the side just enough for the fifth strike to miss my heart. Goliath had already moved to pin Eliza, but a single thought from me was enough to stop him. She'd already ceased her assault.

I landed on my feet. My muscles screeching from the spikes still in them.

"Leaving the ground was a mistake," I laughed.

My voice came out a bit weak, and breathy because of the spike in one of my lungs. The three behind Eliza were thoroughly disturbed by my lighthearted tone despite my injuries. The fact that I could still use my limbs was disturbing to them as well. Eliza on the other hand seemed to expect this lack of concern about my injuries. I pulled the spike out of my chest first healing the wound in a scant few seconds.

I didn't need to tell my cells how to regrow body parts since they already knew how. Now that I could speak normally I looked up at them with a smile. The spike came out of my left arm first.

"It would seem that I lost," I focused on Eliza, "My speed, and strength advantage are nothing if I can't use them."

Eliza yanked the rest of the spikes out. All three at once. This drew a slight growl out of me. My mana rushed to the wounds. Light mana made the wounds seal up quickly with minimal blood loss.

"Your youth shows in your combat style," Eliza spoke for the first time since the beginning of the fight.

"I am curious how old you would think I am," I could feel the spell reaching the end of its usefulness.

"Less then two years if Wyatt was the one to hatch you," she answered quickly.

"You're no fun," I chuckled, "Do you agree with her assessment Goliath?"

"I do," Goliath rolled his shoulders.

He'd felt my pain. Aaron probably had as well. I felt a little guilty for causing the boy pain. I'd been so excited about fighting a great mage that I hadn't thought to block the connection.

"I'll have to apologize to Aaron later," I focused on Eliza again, "I like you."

"She just put holes in you, and all you have to say about it," Alexandria stepped forward, "Is I like you?"

"Dragons respect strength," I dismissed her tone, "Had you been the one to put holes in me I might show you respect as well."