A dwarf of robust build held a gigantic battle axe, pointing it at a human soldier who only had a standard emergency axe. His expression was one of disbelief and disdain. For him, a master of hand-to-hand combat, facing a simple soldier with such a basic weapon was almost insulting. However, the reward of 500,000 Thalers made it worth his while.

  —Kid, I hope you're the one I need to stab in the heart. Otherwise, I'll have to work harder than I planned —he said with a mocking smile as he prepared his first strike.

  The clash of their axes resonated with force. The difference in power was clear: the dwarf's brute strength surpassed Axel's, forcing him to retreat. However, in an instant, Axel used the energy from the impact to redirect the force into his own weapon and deliver a counterattack with similar power. The dwarf, surprised, had to block the counterattack instead of continuing his assault.

  —Well, well… so you can absorb the energy of a strike and redirect it! Instead of being pushed back by the impact, you turned it into your own attack —said the dwarf, this time with a genuine smile—. I see you're no ordinary rookie. Thanks, kid! Now I’ll enjoy this battle even more.

  Axel looked at his hand and saw it trembling. The dwarf's strength was monstrous. He hadn’t been able to block it completely; his only option was to use a combat technique to dissipate the impact. He had redirected the force of the opponent's strike into his own axe and then returned the energy with a devastating counterattack.

  But this wasn’t magic. It was a martial combat technique Axel had learned in Hirica:

  Absolute Reaction Fencing.

  Its philosophy was simple: every attack becomes a lethal counterattack, using the enemy's force against them. Axel had learned this discipline in a surprisingly short time thanks to his eyes, which had a special ability. Even before manifesting his ability to foresee possibilities in combat, he already had an innate talent for learning just by observing. However, understanding a technique didn’t mean mastering it, and to perfect it, he needed constant training.

  Another ability of his eyes was the capacity to see people’s auras.

  —This dwarf is incredibly strong. His physical strength is superior to that of an average human… though it still doesn’t compare to Estela’s —thought Axel, recalling his battles with the captain of the Royal Guard—. Well, I always thought she held back when fighting me.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Axel analyzed the dwarf’s aura. It wasn’t that of a villain.

  Throughout his life, he had learned to distinguish the nature of his opponents. Psychopaths and remorseless killers radiated a dark and oppressive aura. Warriors, on the other hand, had a red aura, full of passion and fighting spirit.

  This dwarf was a warrior, not a killer.

  But that didn’t change the fact that he had Axel in a tough spot.

  Axel decided to attack first. However, the height difference complicated his angle of attack, reducing the power of his strikes. He noticed this immediately and made a risky decision.

  With one hand, he spun the axe in the air, using centrifugal force to power up his next attack. The dwarf, surprised, retreated for the first time. But in the same instant, he counterattacked with a low strike.

  Axel, anticipating it, rotated the axe in the direction of the rival’s attack and, at the last moment, held it with both hands, absorbing the impact. Then, he executed a counterattack aimed at the dwarf’s back, which the dwarf managed to dodge at the last moment, though not completely. The impact was cushioned by his armor, but it still forced him to retreat.

  The dwarf took a breath and launched a flurry of attacks at Axel’s legs, trying to destabilize him. Axel dodged each one, but he noticed his stamina was reaching its limit.

  —This guy is too resilient… and he still doesn’t seem tired —thought Axel, feeling his own fatigue building up—. If I keep this up, I’ll lose from exhaustion.

  It was time to use his blessing.

  The last time he activated it, the mental effort left him exhausted and with an unbearable headache.

  —Maybe this time will be different… —he told himself.

  And then he got into a combat stance once more and attacked.

  The dwarf noticed the change instantly.

  As soon as their axes clashed, Axel adopted an unusual posture: his body leaned forward, low and aggressive. Suddenly, his axe disappeared from the dwarf’s sight for a second… and a foot violently struck his head.

  Kick!

  Another kick!

  And another!

  The dwarf was stunned, and in that instant, his battle axe slipped from his hands.

  Axel didn’t waste the opportunity.

  With a precise movement, he used the flat side of his axe and struck the dwarf’s bare head with force. The impact knocked him unconscious instantly.

  Axel, breathing heavily, kept his axe pointed at the unconscious dwarf.

  But then, a heart-wrenching scream snapped him out of his focus.

  —Don’t kill my father!

  Axel turned his head and saw a human woman tied up next to Maxwell. Her eyes were filled with tears and desperation.

  —Wait… "father"? —murmured Axel, stunned—.

  His gaze shifted from the unconscious dwarf to the woman.

  —How on earth can a human be the daughter of a dwarf…?

  Axel’s curiosity soared.