The animated statue charged forward, its massive weight causing each step to sound like a small explosion. Elias didn’t have time to consider how this kind of sorcery worked as the bull closed the distance with the speed of a galloping horse. It was far faster than a creature that size should be. Elias dove to his left with Becca close behind. Alicia stayed where she was, but Elias could feel that she had turned on her ability. Brent was still in the same position with his arm pulled back, ready to strike the creature.

  Brent channeled more mana into this strike than Elias had ever seen him do before.

  ‘That’s his entire sea isn’t it,’ Elias realized.

  The bull, unfazed, continued its charge; then Brent's fist connected. The heavy steel gauntlet clashed with the iron of the bulls body. Brent caved in its steel head with an ear shattering bang. Still, that wasn’t enough to stop what was probably a few thousand pounds of charging metal. The Bull’s momentum sent Brent flying while Alicia with only an elegant pirouette dodged to the side, in the same motion she unsheathed a dagger and dragged the blade along the creature's flank. It did little more than scratching the surface of the metal. The bull turned, trying to knock her over with little success as Alicia was too nimble. She dodged and slashed around the creature scratching the metal surface but not doing any real damage.

  Elias and Becca were not sitting idly though. Elias had already brought out his water and Becca was in the middle of pulling back the string of her crossbow. Elias figured he needed to give Becca a few seconds to finish so he considered what to do. He was increasing the size of the orb as fast as he could. 3 gallons. 4 gallons. It was frustrating how inconvenient his abilities became without a source of water.

  Finally, the Bull gave up on Alicia and charged Elias and Becca. Ice spike? Tentacles? Nothing he had on him could do any real damage to the charging bull. So, he dodged to the right and Becca to the left. The beast or rather the examiner made the beast follow Elias. He figured that he should be able to survive for long enough for Becca to fire her crossbow. Even at her full power he doubted that she could take the thing out. The smart move would be to attack the examiner but that most likely wasn't the goal of the test.

  Elias poured nearly 80% of his mana into the orb of water and decided to test a little trick he figured out. He spun to face the bull and, palm first, projected a rectangular ice shield, around as wide as he was. With such little water it was only a centimeter thick. Elias anchored it a few feet into the ground. Nearly an instant later the bull ran headfirst into the shield, halting its movements and sending cracks through the ice, but it held.

  Elias grinned at the success. Mana saturated water was an uninteresting thing for the most part, it wasn't until Elias decided to freeze it that he found an interesting phenomenon. It didn't start melting until all the mana had dissipated and it was incredibly difficult to damage. He also found that when the water was so saturated with his mana, manipulating it was far easier. The bull reared back in frustration and instead of doing the obvious move of attacking from a different angle, it charged forward again. The ice shield stopped the beast once more, sending even larger cracks along its surface.

  “Anytime now Becca,” Elias shouted, since it was clear that it wasn't going to survive another strike. With a crack from the sound barrier breaking, Becca released a bolt. It slammed into the creatures flank, actually punching into the metal. The sound rang his ears, but the creature didn’t relent and broke through the shield on the third charge. Just as Elias thought he was going to be turned into paste, the bull stopped, and he could hear clapping in the direction of the examiner.

  Elias was breathing heavily even though the fight had barely lasted 30 seconds. The examiner got up off of his chair and walked over to them.

  “Decent work, though you all need some experience,” The man said.

  “You,” he said looking at brent, who was brushing himself off. “Your attack and defensive power is impressive, however wasting so much power on a single strike was risky. It would have been more effective to keep the beasts attention. Your strikes may be strong, but many beasts can weather even your most powerful strikes.”

  “And you,” he pointed at Alicia, “Maneuverability means nothing if you can’t actually do any damage, your gift doesn’t grant you any offensive abilities so, you’re going to have to rely on enchanted weapons to match the offensive capability of the rest of your team.”

  “Sorcerer. You need the most work, your abilities are slow, and your efficiency is pathetic. Your comrades will die long before you gather enough water to do something useful. At least you were smart enough to not waste your energy attacking with ice. Focus on defending your allies and giving them opportunities to use their abilities effectively.”

  “And finally, the crossbow woman. That empowered bolt could kill many beasts; however, most will not give you the time to reload. Keep yourself ready at all times. I saw you fumble the bolt twice. Use the opening provided by your allies to better position yourself. As soon as the fight began you should have changed positions instead of standing stunned.”

  Elias considered his words, as a sorcerer himself, no doubt he could feel the large amount of waste Elias produced.

  “Now we're going to keep at this until I see that you whelps are competent enough to be called hunters.”

  “This is going to suck,” Elias complained since the man had gone from apathetic to eager. Maribel said that the examination was simple, and they didn't need to worry about it. Elias wasn’t sure if the man saw potential and wanted them to have as much training as possible or was just an asshole that finally found someone to actually toy with. Either way, Elias hated his grin.

  Another ten minutes passed like that. The iron bull was largely indestructible. But it was clear that they had already met expectations. Each time the bull was close to killing someone, that bout would end. Elias, in the middle of combat, found new ways to use his abilities. Like smothering a limb with mana saturated water and freezing it. It took a few seconds for the examiner to break the ice since there was so much mana inside. He also found that with the saturated water he could move his tentacles faster, allowing him to quickly launch one at his allies and drag them out of danger. Or instead of dragging them, grow a shield from the tip of a tentacle to protect them.

  Using his abilities like this was enormously inefficient since he had to dump a significant amount of mana into the water to strengthen the ice enough for it to be effective against the bull. Dragging an ally out of harm's way was effective but the amount of mana needed to move a person was costly. The amount of mana was always a problem. Mundane ice spikes, shields or tentacles were too weak.

  They stood in the center of the arena battered and bruised, but ready for another charge. The bull was heavily damaged but since it wasn’t an organic creature it was just as fast. As it charged, Elias created an ice shield wide enough to cover the entire team. The bull slammed into it cracking the transparent surface. Then he sent two orbs of water to its front feet, freezing them to the ground.

  “Now,” Elias said. Brent went to the left, Becca to the right, and Alicia leapt over the shield. With the beast being immobilized brent managed to get a perfect strike on its right foot, caving in the metal. Becca released a bolt with a crack and pierced right through the metal of the left leg. Alicia came down on its head with both daggers, each aiming for an eye.

  “Stop,” The examiner yelled.

  ‘God, I hope this is over,’ Elias thought.

  “So have we finally passed.” Brent said, sounding smug.

  “You passed ten minutes ago,” HE said with a smile.

  “Then why bother with this farce?” Elias asked exasperated. He was in pain and wanted this stupidity to be over.

  “You all have the potential to become true hunters, not the rabble that goes into the frontier to die. Play your cards right and you might be the next Light Lancers,”

  ‘Hm, it seems I was right,’

  “Really?” Becca said, full of excitement. She was dirty and bruised but looked like she was having the time of her life throughout the entire fight.

  “Really.” He confirmed.

  “What is your name?” Alicia asked.

  “Dumar, a Ferromancer, as you see.”

  “So, what now?” Elias asked.

  “Now you are considered hunting initiates, here,” out of a pocket he pulled out several iron medallions, each hanging from leather cords. They were the size of a coin, with what looked like an eagle’s talon stamped in the center.

  “At each rank you will receive a different Medallion. An initiate receives an iron medallion. Then bronze, silver, gold and finally platinum.”

  “That's only 4, isn't there a rank 5? For class 5 monsters,” Becca asked.

  “Yes, however there has only ever been one five star hunter. And as far as we know there are only three class 5 beasts, currently living, that we know of. Ishrak an Ice dragon of the Galician Mountains, Euratran the Apsara in our very own frontier and Absur, the Leviathan of the whispering deep.”

  Something tickled the back of Elias’s mind “Euratran, would that be a plant woman inside of the frontier.”

  Dumar raised an eyebrow, “Indeed, how do you not know that?”

  “We’re not from around here,” Alicia said quickly.

  “Someone actually became powerful enough to kill a creature of that power,” Elias asked, his eyes boring a hole into Dumar’s head.

  “Yes, though it was with significant preparation. The Elder Fire Dragon Dulator was slain by Dakon Bellaran, the first emperor. He started as a hunter before the Lodge was ever really formed. Then he received the power of fire breathing, he used that and some of the most powerful magical artifacts in the world to conquer most of Fennern.

  Elias let that thought simmer in his mind, remembering the power the power that the woman held.

  ‘What could someone do with power like that? It’s something to keep in mind at least.’

  After handing out medallions, Dumar asked, “By the way have you all chosen a name?”

  Elias wasn’t paying attention when they were discussing it, though he did remember them being melodramatic.

  “The Astral Wardens,” Becca announced confidently. Elias wanted to throw himself out a window.

  After a short conversation about the expectations of being an initiate hunter and the resources available to them, they headed out of the practice courtyard to the main area of the hunting lodge. Where hunters of all shapes and sizes gathered. The sight of them never failed to draw his attention. Amongst the crowd, sitting at a table by themselves, a familiar woman, girl really. Elias remembered her from Kellick’s, she was apparently purchasing the sword she held so dearly, not selling it. And now instead of a homespun dress she wore old hard leathers across her back was an iron-banded wooden shield. Around her neck was a familiar iron pendant.

  ~

  The final two days passed with little of interest, Elias and the rest practiced their abilities and gathered as much information about the Greater Heliox as they could. One of the resources they were able to access were hunting guides, small handbooks on a specific beast. Fortunately, there was one on the greater Heliox. It was a strange combination of weasel and porcupine.

  The creature depicted was silvery white and had a long body ending in a flat, wide tail, almost the same length. Along its back, tail, and feet, there were thousands of spines each between two and four feet long. According to the book, a greater Heliox could grow to be around 50 feet long including the tail. Using magic, the creature could actually fire the spines out from its back and tail with force similar to a ballista. The spines themselves were unbelievably valuable. The spines were as hard as steel and half the weight with many magical properties. Craftsmen, alchemists, and enchanters were eager to get their hands on them. Elias made a few purchases during that time.

  One of which was a cheap sword belted to his waist. While he had no skill in using it, Elias figured it was best to have something to fall back on when he eventually ran out of mana. Becca mentioned something about spellswords being a cliche, but he didn’t understand nor desire to learn what she was referencing.

  The Astral Wardens, as they were now called, marched to the south gate to meet the rest of the Light Lancers and their team.

  Outside there were over 30 people, not including the Light Lancers. They were dressed in light leathers carrying an array of tools. Around half of them carried large wooden harnesses on their backs. Elias guessed that the system of ropes would tie down large beast parts and allow the porter as Elias knew they were called to carry exceptionally large loads. Porters were mostly large men of various races, heavily muscled, from years of caring the heavy loads on their backs across the frontier.

  Next were the skinners. They carried an array of tools on their belt and large ceramic casks that was enchanted to preserve organs. The last five carried pickaxes, chisels, and shears for gathering any valuable gems, herbs or even certain beast parts that needed their tools to extract.

  There were no carriages to be seen since they would be heading deep into the frontier. Though they could requisition carriages from the fort commander for a price.

  “If it isn’t the Astral Wardens,” One of the Light Lancers stated as soon as they exited the town. They joined the Light Lancers at the side of the dirt road.

  “Greetings All,” Brent said.

  “I suppose introductions are in order,” Maribel said, she and the rest of the light lancers were in their pristine white and polished steel armor.

  Orm, the bald man from earlier, specialized in the sword and shield. Based on his heavily muscled build, he had to be either a body builder or a former porter. Juni was the only other woman, she was as tall as Elias, with red hair and grey eyes. She carried a great sword across her back, nearly as tall as herself. Elias thought it was ridiculous, but this world had magic, so he had to throw all his expectations away. Cal was a young, average looking man who carried a spear, nothing about him was even remotely interesting which was strange in and of itself. The rest of the Light lancers carried themselves with no small amount of arrogance, but this man was wholly uninterested.

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  Dav was another young man, likely only a few years older than Elias. He carried two longswords, again Elias didn’t want to presume anything about his effectiveness. He was the epitome of arrogance since he was good looking and knew it. His hair looked like he just stepped out of a salon, his sandy blonde hair was styled with elegant curls. A fashion sense only seen with the more affluent people in Rembrite.

  They all wore the trademark white capes, cutting an impressive figure. Maribel carried both books and an absolutely stunning white staff, which Elias only recently learned were called Conduits.

  Juni, the swords woman, looked them up and down, unimpressed. “They are supposed to be our seconds? I’m sure you could have spent your coin better, Captain,” She said.

  Brent who’s pride seemed easily injured responded immediately, “We’re far from mundane, Juni. I’m sure the captain explained otherwise.”

  “You're a fool if you think your little gifts means you're worth much more than a normal hunter.” Orm, the bald man added.

  The captain was unfazed. Elias guessed that the verbal sparring was expected. Perhaps it was to release tension, or maybe they were testing their metal.

  “No need to be so hostile Orm, they’re beginners. We all have to start somewhere,” Dav imperiously stated, “I’m sure in a few years they will achieve somethin of note,” his words seemed charitable but to anyone with a brain they were laced with sarcasm.

  He was practically talking down his nose at them.

  Becca, who seemed uncharacteristically bold today, contributed, “From what I can see; any peasant can work his way to success, if you and your commoner blood can, then any mouth breather can do the same. I thank you for your vote of confidence.”

  ‘Damn Becca, that was cold.’ Elias thought. Elias had noticed her becoming increasingly outspoken lately. Alicia grinned, seeing that the blow had landed. Dav looked like a preening noble man, but he couldn’t hide the vestigial commoner drawl in his voice perfectly. Nor did he match Maribel’s calm indifference. Some of the Light Lancers hid amused smiles. Alicia pounced, perfectly happy with attacking him while he was on the back foot, “Don't delude yourself Dav, proximity to nobility does not make you one.”

  His arrogant smirk faded into a scowl. Elias stood there silently, not entirely interested in participating in the pissing match. Madeline and Cal stood silent as they continued.

  Juni grinned maliciously, “Well if you are so confident in yourselves, we can always put it to the test.”

  “Now that sounds like a plan,” Orm added.

  “Are you willing?” Maribel asked. There was some shifting and discussion amongst the porters and skinners at that proclamation. Elias realized what was going on; it was a performance for their convenience. The noncombatants would have to rely on them for defense while traveling. Their equipment would hamper their movement, and most were only wearing basic armor and carrying cheap weapons, which were even more inadequate than Elias’s short sword.

  “We’re willing,” Brent said with a cocky grin.

  “Very well. No need to worry about drawing blood, I’ll blunt your blades.” Madaline said.

  Brent looked around to the rest of his team and Alicia stepped forward immediately, Juni stepped forward, clearly confident in her victory. She was the only other human Elias had seen that came close to his height. She drew her massive great sword from a sheath on her back. It was clearly enchanted.

  The porters and cutters, eager to see some battle between hunters, followed them as they walked into the grass field. Juni and Alicia presented their weapons to Maribel. Alicia pulled her daggers, and Juni presented her great sword. Maribel unholstered one of her books and flipped to a page. Elias was standing off to the side behind her so he could only barely make out intricate diagrams on each page, all in the shape of a circle. It took her less than a second to find her desired page.

  Then she brandished her staff and pointed the amber gem at Juni’s great sword. “Dumnus,” she whispered. The diagram on the page glowed a bright blue and he could actually see energy emanating from the gem, enveloping the great sword, creating a thin almost invisible barrier. Juni tapped the edge of the blade against her gauntleted hand. The barrier stopped the blade from connecting.

  He could hear Becca squealing next to him as she watched a wizard cast spells. Then she repeated the process with Alicia’s daggers. Nothing Elias had read, mentioned mages could cast spells through their conduits, but it’s not as if one book would contain everything he would need to know. It seems inconvenient to have that book in one hand and a staff in the other but maybe her spells were just that effective.

  “This is simply an exhibition. If either of your blades come into contact with a vital area such as the head, chest, or neck then the exhibition is over, no restrictions on magical abilities or weapons. Agreed?” Maribel said.

  She got nods of agreement from both women, then she cast another spell, flipping to another page, and uttering another word. “Luminism,” an orb of light spawned from nowhere and hovered a few feet off the ground.

  “Take ten steps away and face your opponent; the battle begins once the light disappears,” the women did as instructed.

  “Don’t worry I won’t bloody your pretty face,” Juni taunted.

  “Fortunately, there isn’t anything I can do to make your face worse.” Alicia replied.

  Juni bit back a snarl and gripped her sword tightly in a firm stance. Alicia reversed the grips on her daggers and kneeled down in a runners starting stance. A second later the orb vanished. Alicia’s ability was ramped up to the maximum and she practically flew across the 20-foot distance between them. There was a gasp from the audience at her incredible speed. She leapt, then brought the right dagger around to striker at her head.

  Fully expecting Alicia’s incredible speed, Juni moved her blade to intercept her. The great sword connected with her dagger while she was mid-air. Juni immediately changed her grip, and her great sword whipped around aiming for Alicia’s chest, which would have been a winning strike. But with her ability at maximum, she saw the strike coming and twisted her body mid-air like a cat to avoid it. Juni lashed out with three more strikes, quick as lightening. A thrust to the chest, a horizontal slash to the waist and an underhand slash to the right thigh. Elias wouldn’t have a chance in hell to dodge or counter those strikes.

  But Alicia’s ability gave her a distinct advantage. The thrust to the chest, she easily avoided. The horizontal sash she simply ducked under, and the underhand strike only met air as she pirouetted out of the way. Juni’s attacks increased in ferocity and speed. Against any normal person she would have won already. Alicia tried to counterattack with little success. Juni swung the massive sword as if it weighed nothing, which with enchanting was a distinct possibility.

  It took Elias a few seconds to realize that Juni wasn’t giving Alicia any openings. It was a contest to see if Alicia would run out of mana before Juni ran out of stamina. Their weapons clashed in a dance punctuated by the sound of metal on metal and the occasional grunt of frustration from either woman. The wave of Juni’s ferocity and surprising speed held against Alicia’s far greater speed and maneuverability. Juni would lash out with strikes so fast Elias could hear the sound of the sword whipping through the air.

  It went on for a few more minutes and Alicia had to dial back her power to conserve mana which gave Juni the advantage.

  Juni simply had far greater skill, she weaved attack patterns in sequences that only left non vitals open to attack. If Alicia went in for a strike, then she would have to deal with an instant counterattack. Their blades would occasionally meet, the barriers releasing impressive looking dispersions of blue energy. Alicia was running out of mana fast. Juni seemed to sense this and increased her attack speed. Her swings becoming more ferocious, Elias wanted to believe that she was gifted but he could feel no mana wafting off of her. Juni clashed against Alicia with a whirlwind of blades. Flipping, twisting, pirouetting, Alicia dodged every attack in an impressive display of agility.

  Gasps, cheers, and hollers erupted from the audience as Alicia dodged with spectacular acrobatics.

  Juni brought her great sword around in a massive horizontal arch, spinning nearly a full 360 degrees. Alicia, who was conserving her ability, realized that she couldn’t dodge and ramped up her mana use to the maximum once again. Then she backflipped out of the path of the blade. Doing three more backward somersaults, dodging repeated attacks until she landed in a crouch.

  “I surrender,” Alicia said with a grimace. Spirited discussions broke out amongst the audience and coin was exchanged.

  Juni sniffed and sheathed her sword, seeming displeased that she didn't get a chance to land a hit.

  Alicia returned to where most of the audience was watching the fight. “She’s too good with that sword; couldn't touch her.” Alicia said.

  “She’s a four-star hunter for a reason, count yourself lucky she isn’t using any drafts,” Dav said smugly, then he turned to Becca “You and me girl, I’ll make sure to take it easy on you.”

  Becca, she grinned showing no nervousness.

  “Really, your too kind, how almost noble of you,” Becca said. She found his weakness and was relentless. Brent said to her, “Careful with him and keep your range, he seems too confident.” Brent said.

  “Don't worry, I have a plan, “Becca smirked.

  There was some slightly mocking laughs from the audience as she literally skipped into the ring. She was too cute by half, but by this point Elias was starting to notice that there was more edge in her than he previously thought.

  Maribel stepped up once again, “I’ll blunt your bolts and throwing weapons Becca,”

  It took her a few minutes since she had so many on her, but there didn't seem to be a limit to how many Maribel could do. Dav only had the two swords. He struck a melodramatic pose with one blade raised above his head. The man may have had a bit of an ego, but Elias didn’t doubt that he was skilled. Becca still seemed confident; her small smirk didn’t even slightly relent as the man went through a complex series of sword sequences. It was so complex that Elias was sure that he would have cut his own legs off if he tried.

  He looked over to Becca who wasn’t slightly moved. One would think she would have the advantage in range, but no one seemed willing to bet anything. Becca must have been confident in her plan. Based on what he overheard from the betting the process was simple. Everyone would place a bet and the loser's coin would be divided amongst the winners. But each sides bet has to be equal. The bet can be increased only if the opposing side can or is willing to match the increase. The winnings would be divided based on the amount bet, so at best you could double your bet.

  Elisa shrugged and shouted to the cutters and skinners, “Ten eagles, on the girl,”

  “Ha, boy I know you want to build confidence in the girl, but I’ve seen Cal fight, she got no chance gifted or not,” One of the gruff men said.

  Maybe she did, maybe she didn't, but something about Becca’s smirk gave Elias some confidence. Not even Alicia seemed so confident in her fight.

  “I’ll add another five” Brent said, “Another five for me” Alicia added.

  There was a discussion amongst the men and women, “Another dragon for Dav,” Maribel said, breaking everyone out of their discussion. ‘Well, I didn't think this would go that far, that’s what two dragons in total’ Elias thought.

  “Make it two,” Juni added.

  The rest of the light lancers laughed for some reason.

  “Do we even have that much?” Alicia asked in English,

  “Yeah, I still have the coin from Kellik,” Brent said.

  Elias was going to suggest that they not bet that much but knew it was pointless, their pride wouldn’t allow it.

  “An extra 23 eagles for Dav.” One of the men from the crowd said. After he walked around gathering coin.

  “Fine 3 dragons and 23 eagles it is, so how about we get this going,” Brent said with only a slight amount of hesitation. For the first time nervousness came across his face.

  Madeline smiled, “Agreed.”

  Then after she collected all the coin, she cast another light spell and there was the anxious waiting. Becca unhooked both her chakrams and Dav readied his swords.

  This battle was even more anticipated now that there was so much coin on the line. As soon as it disappeared, to Elias’s surprise, both contestants used magic.

  Becca, with a dramatic spin threw her chakrams to the left and right. They were not going anywhere near Dav. Dav didn’t so much as move an inch. As soon as she threw the flying discs of death. She started pelting him with throwing knives. The blades whistled through the air as they crossed the 20-foot distance far faster than a normal person could throw them.

  With surprise, Elias watched as the man batted the blades out of the air with his sword. There was some cheers from the audience. She ran out of knives after throwing 30, then unhooked her crossbow and prepared to lock in a bold. Seeing this opening the man rushed forward ready to end it. Close quarters was not her expertise. As soon as he closed the distance it would be over.

  As the man was about halfway it was clear she wouldn’t have time to ready the bolt. A chakram came out of nowhere, the flying discs were almost forgotten due to the flurry of knives she threw. The man somehow reacted turning a full 180 degrees and batted the chakram away. Instead of sailing off into the distance it spun in a massive arc and simultaneously attacked with the second. Two chakrams coming from different directions was not an easy thing to dodge, but he managed it by batting one away and ducking under another.

  Becca couldn’t control the trajectory one she threw it, then after a third pass Elias heard it. The whine of the chakrams rotation changed.

  Elias grinned, ‘Well, I didn't think she could do that.’

  In order to change the trajectory, she had to have been modifying the rotation. Suffice to say the audience was very entertained. And Elias wasn’t exactly sure who they were cheering for.

  One of the blades headed back to Becca, its speed clearly reduced, she caught and threw it immediately. None of the chakrams actually managed to connect.

  “Did you know she could do that? Is that why you bet?” Alicia asked Elias.

  “No, she seemed too confident, and I wanted to make a quick buck,”

  “Yeah, I’m having trouble thinking about how I would fight against something like that.” Brent said, as the discs attacked in unison. In the same moment Becca fired a bolt, it was at least twice as fast as a normal bolt but clearly not to her full power. The man barely dodged it based on the spark that came off a shoulder pauldron. At full power it would have struck true, but Elias guessed Becca didn’t want to accidentally kill the man, enchanted armor, or no. He tried to rush at her, but she would simply retreat all the while, directing the blades to attack him.

  Maribel chuckled, “That girl is the worst kind of enemy for Dav,”

  “You seem to be enjoying this,” brent said.

  “Indeed, Dav is an exceptional swordsman but without his ability to close the distance his gift is largely useless.”

  “What is his gift actually, “Alicia asked.

  “Let’s just say he can see everything within a certain distance, nothing can surprise, or sneak attack him. Combine that with years of sword training and you get one of the greatest swordsmen in the empire. The only limitation is his own body reaction time.”

  “But pair him with someone who can keep him at range then that advantage is mute. I imagine if I was the one facing him the defeat would have been swift,” Alicia said.

  “Indeed, your gift is powerful, but he has decades of experience. This should be good for him since he has been ignoring this weakness of his for some time.” Maribel said. Becca fired another bolt almost twice as fast as the previous one as two of the chakrams attacked simultaneously.

  He dodged again and instead of striking where his heart would be it struck at his shoulder joint, spinning him slightly. He managed to dodge out the way as the two chakrams attacked. To Elias’s surprise he hooked the blades inside the ring of each chakram completely halting their movement. He grinned as he finally stopped the attacking blades.

  Becca fired the bolt again aiming for his heart. Dav could see the bolt coming but the human body, unaugmented by magic, can only move so fast. The bolt struck his heart with a spark. A vital was hit so the match was over. Dav stared at the bolt dumbfounded, as he couldn’t believe that he lost. His armor was still perfect, but everyone had seen the strike.

  “My win,” Becca said smugly. The audience burst into cheers even though they lost coin. Everyone loves an underdog, her being cute as a button probably added to it.

  Then, to either be magnanimous or to rub salt in the wound, Elias couldn’t say for sure, she gave him a respectful bow. “It was an excellent battle Sir Dav, I learned a lot.”

  To not reciprocate the respect offered would diminish him in the eyes of everyone there so Dav had to bow in return, “I accept this loss, one must not forget creativity and innovation are as much tools on the battlefield as a blade.”

  With a nod she walked off and joined her team, “How much did we get,” She asked.

  “Three dragons and 23 eagles.” Brent said.

  'And just like that, we have another three dragons. What was that saying? Its better to work smart than hard,' Elias thought amused.

  Maribel handed Brent the small pile of coins, then Becca, still high off her glory said, “Anyone who comes to the hunter’s cove after this hunt gets a pint on me,”

  A raucous cheer reverberated through the crowd.

  Orm, didn’t look happy, “I still haven’t had my fun,” he said.

  “We have not the time, you can settle debts after the hunt. Perhaps with another round of betting,” Maribel said.

  “I’m game, we like taking your coin,” Brent said.

  “What about you Elias, care to throw your lot into the ring. Wizardry against sorcery, a conflict as old as time.” Maribel asked.

  Elias looked her up and down admiring her impressive, enchanted armor and clearly expensive conduit. “How about we just call it my loss in advance,” he said with not an ounce of shame. Elias had nothing to prove and had enough sense to realize that he had no chance against her. While Becca won decisively, she was still lucky enough to face an opponent who was completely countered by her. Alicia, for all her incredible speed and agility, was defeated in terms of skill.

  There was some boos from the crowd. “Cowardice won’t get you far in the frontier boy,” Orm said.

  “Call it whatever you wish, I have no interest in fights against clearly superior opponents. That philosophy is how people end up in an early grave,” Elias couldn't care less what they thought. Besides, cowards tend to live longer after all. Orm looked at him with disgust and Elias looked at him with indifference. Cal finally spoke, “There is wisdom in choosing your battles Orm. Victory is desirable but not at the cost of your life.”

  “You keep saying that old man, but everything I have, I got because I was willing to risk it all.” Orm said defiantly.

  ‘Old man? The guy looked barely 25,’ Elias didn't understand. But who knows there’s probably some kind of anti-aging magic or something.

  “The sorcerer has made his decision,” Maribel said, though Elias could still see some disappointment in her eyes, “The time has come abandon your conflicts we must now act as a single unit a single predator, now we are officially starting our hunt,” she added sternly.

  Every member of the light lancers stiffened and with unison said, “Yes captain,”