Chapter 21: A Chance To Grow Stronger [3]

With both daggers in hand, Ken rushed Arthur giving him no time to prepare. His speed was still unbelievable even from fighting Cra earlier, Arthur was under the impression that Ken would be out of energy and mana, but it seemed like the complete opposite of that. All the battle with Cra did was make him even faster and resilient.

Ken slashed away at Arthur attack after attack all getting blocked, leaving no chances for him to launch a counterattack.

"This boy really is skilled there's no doubt that he has a chance at beating this troll, Nay, with this kind of skill, he could even reach my level in a matter of years. I suppose I should enjoy this battle while I can since I won't have another for a long time."

It finally seemed like Arthur was starting to enjoy this battle to the fullest.

While being barraged with attacks from Ken, Arthur finally saw an opening and prepared to attack, but at that exact moment, he heard one word that ruined it all.

"Fireball!"

Ken jumped back to avoid the attack launched by Zad the timing was impeccable. Arthur turned around to the fireball, slashing it away once again. Ken knew that Zad fired that intentionally to cancel out Arthur's attack.

"I see so one's playing the attacker and the other is supporting from a distance. If I don't take care of fire boy over there first, things will continue to be troublesome for me."

Arthur turned his attention away and looked directly at Zad, rushing towards him with his sword in hand, ready to attack. After travelling half the distance, he said to himself.

"This range should do, even swinging from here should allow the attack to land directly."

"Oh no, you don't!"

Ken appeared before Arthur with several lightning sparks around him, blocking him mid-attack with a single dagger. With an overconfident attitude, Ken said

"You really shouldn't underestimate my full speed, great knight."

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

After exchanging those words, Ken vanished, and a fireball appeared from behind where Ken previously was when blocking the attack.

"A surprise attack with just a fireball, I expected more from the both of you."

It was then Arthur heard a voice from behind him saying.

"You shouldn't be so disappointed when you couldn't even figure out our real goal."

"What? An attack from both sides, impressive."

As the fireball and Ken's dagger infused with strong wind magic neared Arthur. He smiled and put out both his arms. His sword pointed at the fireball, and the other hand raised at Ken.

"I commend you for making me go this far, even if this is your first time fighting alongside each other, your teamwork is nothing short of magnificent."

Ken knew that he was about to get with a strong attack and tried to form a barrier of wind, but it was useless. He was driven back several meters by Arthur's wind magic, as for the fireball, a vortex of water appeared from the tip of his blade swallowing the fireball and hitting Zad.

With Ken and Zad both down, the victor of this battle became quite clear. Ken sat up and looked over at Zad who was lying there drenched in water. Ken thought that he would have to teach everything to Zad from the beginning but after this fight that wasn't necessary.

Arthur put his sword away and walked to Ken, putting his hand out to help Ken get up. Ken grabbed hold of it, pulling himself up.

"It seems like the boy won't be able to move by himself, are you able to take him?"

Ken spoke with confidence saying.

"Leave it to me."

Ken walked over to Zad and helped him up supporting him while walking back to the inn. What confused Ken was the lack of people that were around the village at night. He looked around but couldn't find anyone, Arthur took notice and told him.

"Ever since that incident with the witch, the people of the village have stayed on high alert and been afraid to go out at night."

"I see..."

"It goes without saying, I regret not dealing with her while I had the chance. All to protect my own identity, I really am selfish..."

Ken didn't expect to hear those words from Arthur, that's when Zad decided to ask a question.

"Do you think you could beat her?"

"I can, however, she's not someone you should try fighting. Not yet, that is."

Ken looked ahead and saw the inn.

"Looks like we're almost here, we can talk about the rest tomorrow, this time how about you don't go off trying to kill each other in the middle of the night."

Everyone went to their separate rooms and decided to rest for the next day, Ken lied there with his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling, thinking about all the things that happened on the first day of his adventure it was a lot to take in, but also exciting.

"There's no way I can let that witch and her little minions run loose in this world."