Dragon.

"Hmm..." Octan stood amidst a crowd. Usually a man of himself, he would never consider joining the masses, but this was different. A request that much highly intrigued him sat.

"Hey," The masses spoke. "This is insane, just how many figures is that?"

"One..." another counted, "Two... Three... Four.... It just keeps going..."

"That is to be expected," Another said. "A dragon is no easy creature to slay."

"True," The many voices of the masses said. "So why post it publicly?"

"Noblemen," A man snickered. "They believe us fools, a big number and we prostrate."

"Still, just how long could you live off of that?"

"It will surpass your lifetime, that's for sure." A particularly elderly man said. "Now, do not heath this anymore mind. A fool's errand it is. We are best to keep it for the Ranked Adventurers, not even The Titled will touch it. Back to work you all."

Reluctantly pulling away, the crowd dispersed, leaving Octan and his follower alone.

"Young man," The old man called for the pensive Octan. "Your life's too precious to waste there. Do not allow the zeroes to play you for a fool."

"Don't call me young," Octan said, reaching for the notice. "My age might not surpass yours, but my wisdom surely does."

"..." The old man raised an eyebrow, judging the regular-looking adventurer. "You hold a sword with no ambitions, it seems you've already been stripped of sense." The old man turned around, limping towards the aging rundown fields. "Do as you wish." 

"Heh," Octan chuckled. "If only more people were like you." He turned around, studying the notice he had taken.

Moving, his follower moved as well. Lena had grown, as many years passed since her departure. She still doesn't understand why she left or where she plans to go. Still, sticking around with Octan was more than enough for her. In a way, it felt like that was what the concept she had heard people talk of, 'Home', is.

A couple of days passed, and the two vagabonds stood before a manor.

"This is it," Octan said. "I knew we were working for a nobleman... but still, isn't this just a bit much?" Octan studied the large manor, stretching over their peripheral vision.

Octan stepped in. Lena followed some steps behind. Inside was the supposed meeting, happening in no less than a moment. They might have been late in actuality, as they could already hear the chatter coming from within.

"Welcome all," A man said, his voice large and proud. "Heroes and Adventurers! The ambitious and The inspired! The brave and the savage! The traveler and the wanderer! I welcome you all today, as we aim to break heights yesterday seemed unreached!" The nobleman spoke, standing a floor above the gaggle of recruited. All garbed in their uniqueness, each set of cloth told a different story.

Octan, having arrived late, stood at the end of the crowd alongside his luggage carrier. As the nobleman spoke, Octan studied the crowd, eyeing them with contempt. "What a crowd of clowns. A circus, that is what they are." Lena glanced at the nobleman and then kept her focus on the back of the man she had come to know better than the back of her hand.

"All will be treated equally," the nobleman continued. "The adventurer, whether gold or wood. The mercenary, whether reputable or not. The reward will be equally split among all."

"Hey," A voice among the mass called. "Is that number true? The one on the notice. Are you really willing to pay that much?"

The nobleman smirked, visibly at all that stood whether in the back or front. "Not only that, but you are free to split the dragon's remains as you wish."

The hall erupts in cheers. Calls of praise, shouts of victory, and roars of anticipation. To them, this was nothing short of a path to glory and riches.

The nobleman looked down satisfied, as the masses cheered, he smiled, the standing ovation was for his very own show of benevolence after all.

Octan studied them, his contempt and disapproval growing. Lena remained indifferent, she held no opinion of the current situation nor did she find a reason to. To her it would be the same as always; Octan would take care of it before she could understand it.

"Now," The nobleman said. "Allow my house staff to help you all to your compartments, night has fallen, and I believe you all grow tired. Find it as a little... gratitude, from me to all of you." The nobleman retreated, disappearing into the corridors of his upper level.

"Please," The elder-looking butler said. "Line up orderly, you all will be accommodated equally."

Being at the end of the crowd, it was no surprise Octan and Lena ended up at the end of the line as well. Octan simply sighed, he lost all interest immediately. His expression already spoke of how bored he was, 'Please, just let us go there now...' it said.

While he had no problem going by himself, he feared that doing so would go against the client's wishes a tidbit too much, refusing him his reward. Thus, he played along.

As the line passed, Lena could listen in to the many people's conversations. Those who stood slightly ahead of her, those who got their rooms and went back to converse, and those who couldn't wait in excitement. Some spoke of their future after the great raid, some spoke of the past they had decided to leave behind, and some spoke of the today that waits. Sadly, nothing had piqued her interest, not like it had ever been piqued. She could see the same in the bored man before her. Octan stood, yawning.

"Man," A man said. "This is such an easy path to success!"

"I know," His partner replied. "We got a ranked adventurer among us! Not only that, but it's Yotinham Kolidas! The 3rd amongst the ranked!"

Two men exchanged in the crowd. While Lena had felt indifferent to the information forcing itself into her ears, she listened nonetheless as it helped alleviate the boredom.

"Well, isn't that hypocritical?" Octan said. "What do you mean there are no more rooms?" Octan faced off against the elder-looking butler.

"I'm sorry, Traveller, " The butler said. " I understand that we had promised equal treatment, we just can't accommodate the large sum that had appeared."

"Then," Octan said. "What if I prove more useful than those accommodated?" Octan had made a spectacle of himself, usually moving in the shadows, passing a town if seen unnecessary, he had stepped into an area Lena had believed even he held no knowledge in.

"You, there," Octan pointed towards one of the many gaggled-up people. "I want your room."

"Huh?!" The man stomped towards Octan in disapproval. "And what gives you the right to it, jackass?"

"I don't know," Octan faced him, indifferent to the intimidation the man played. "What do you believe will give me the right to it?"

Octan rested a hand on the handle of his sword, making sure to audibly sound the metal within its sheath.

"Ha, if that's what you wish for," The man said, resting a hand on his sword's handle.

The man smirked, his body running with adrenaline. Completely overwhelmed by the promised riches within his view, he had fallen blind to the potential of an early death.

Lena studied only Octan, as she found no interest in the soon-to-be corpse. To her, this was just another minor inconvenience Octan would pass.

As they both tighten their grip, a sudden call brings both to a halt.

"Now Now," The nobleman appeared, "Gentlemen, how about we decide this without bloodshed? We are no animals, we can handle this without losing the other, can't we?" he said tapping his cane.

Octan let go, "Sure, why not."

"Wa--" The man blurts, left dumbfounded by the openness Octan had left himself as if he wasn't a blade drawn away from death a moment ago.  Then, facing the nobleman, he said "You are the boss." 

"We will use this!" The nobleman said, producing a magic meter. "The one with a greater mana pool will be the one to stay." He said, placing the meter atop a tabletop.

"That is completely unfair," The man barked. "What if he is a magician? He would surely hold a larger mana pool!"

"Oh, but surely he isn't," The nobleman said mockingly. "Haven't you seen him lay hand on his handle? Would that be the reaction of a magician on the line of death?"

"..." The man flushed, stomping towards the meter. "I will go first."

He placed a palm over the catalyst and grunted.

Lena felt pity, as she understood that grunting was as unnecessary as waving your hand to a man's back when producing mana.

"Now... Isn't that an accomplishment," the nobleman said. "A light blue. Now, would our next contestant--and main troublemaker--step forward?"

"Gladly," Octan said, passing the triumphant man. "Now, let's see..." He placed a palm over the meter.

The crowd watched in anticipation, some interested in the indifferent man, some wishing on his downfall as it meant entertainment, and some hoping to find a third marvelous outcome. But, one in particular, gazed with great anticipation, not at The meter's crystal, but at the man ahold of it. Studying the Mana Presence of the casually dressed traveler, he grinned, his teeth showing.

Lena watched indifferently, her gaze at the orb Octan had placed his palm over. As it turned from the Light blue of the man beforehand, to a dark blue. Octan had won.

"Now look at that," The nobleman said applauding, "He kept his word, and so he will keep his reward." He approached Octan. "Though a close one, you have fairly won."

"Sure," Octan passed the nobleman, leaving him with the tantrum of the manchild 'contestant'. "Just get me my room."

"Right this way sir," A younger butler approached bowing. As Octan stepped, following the butler, Lena followed him only to come to a sudden stop.

"I'm sorry," a maid spoke as she placed a hand on Lena's shoulder, "But, as you have just seen, we have no place for you, traveler."

Lena cocked her head, confused. Just what had the woman meant? She turned her face, gazing at the back of the man she had followed for so long. He took a couple of steps, then stopped himself. Spun around, and gazed back at Lena. Both looked at the other, both neutral to their situation. Lena raised an eyebrow, and then Octan sighed.

"She is with me," he finally said. "Let's get going."

Lena rushed to his side, letting loose the woman's grip on her.

"I-I see..." The woman said, conflicted.

Octan lay on the bed, face first. it had been long, too long, since had last felt this comfort. He did wish for it from time to time, and he held the necessary prerequisites for such a luxury, yet he understood that he couldn't afford to, due to reasons that passed the monetary need.

"Ahh..." he said. "Might as well make use of it while I can." He hugged the pillow.

Lena had put down the luggage to the side and stood watching the night sky from within the confined safety of the lord's manor. A window allowed for her to take in the landscape, and she did so appreciatively. The sea of stars, the green forest turned a bluish-dark, the white moon lighting the land, and the mountains scrapping the horizon. She turned around, facing the childish Octan before her. A moment away from jumping on the almost-malleable mattress.

"Hey..." Octan said, frowning at the pity Lena's eyes held. "Don't look at me like that..."

Lena turned away and went for the couch to the side of the room. While the ground was what first came to mind, the interest Octan had shown in the mattress had intrigued her to try the couch.

As she sat, she could feel herself melt into it. Her lips curved upwards taken by an overwhelming sudden surge of comfort. Fidgeting in the cushy furniture, Lena attempted to make herself more comfortable by wrapping her long ponytail around her.

She writhed in an unintelligible sense of joy, wildly rubbing her face against the cushion, clenching and relaxing her hands, and stretching her toes until they felt moments from leaping off. A pure, innocent, and surprisingly chaotic sense of warmth enveloped her. The little girl was experiencing her first surge of happiness, one an outsider could only describe as being 'giddy.'

Lena made her way through the vast and expansive corridors of the manor. Having been given a sudden errand to run for Octan, she found herself aimlessly wandering the labyrinth of an abode she was in. With every step, her curiosity increased, just how long will this maze continue?

Walking based on nothing but a vague recollection of the guide to the room, she maneuvered through. Eventually, the distant sound of chatter affirmed her steps. Following it, the jumble of sounds grew larger and closer.

Lena stepped into the expansive hall, enveloped by an ocean of noise. She believed she could hear stories about even the northern continent among the masses, but she quickly lost interest. That was not the errand she was given; her task was simpler—to acquire tonight's dinner. So, she searched. She attempted to follow her sense of smell, but instead, all she was able to breathe in was a sweet, strong, thick fragrance, something she had once come by on a bazaar. The luxurious item is known as "Perfume." She doubted her line of thought, as the fragrance loomed over the entire hall, instead of a single person... However she once again quickly lost interest.

"Hey," A voice called out.

Lena ignored it, taking it as nothing more than the white noise it was.

"Kid, over here!" The voice called out once more.

Lena turned around, taking the word 'kid' into mind she thought it might be addressing her after all.

Waving enthusiastically, A man faced Lena with a smile. Sat at the end of the hall, his back to a wall, and a wooden table before him. As his hand continued to call Lena over, it exposed his dark-patterned white cloth that sat under his swaying dark cloak.

Lena approached the man, taking a seat before the inviting grin of the familiar man.

"Where is the..." Lena trailed off, and despite suddenly voicing her words, she found one to be rather confusing. "...Cat's chin?"

"Hmmm," The man hummed with a smile, "The cat's chin you say?"

Lena nodded with confidence, allowing the man a fair point to laugh at.

He pointed away from them, deep into the masses.

"I was there just a moment ago," The man said slightly tilting the water held within his gauntlet-garbed hand.

Lena nodded once more and turned to head in the pointed direction.

"Wait, kid," The man called, stopping Lena. "How about we talk? I have a couple of questions I would like to ask. It's rare for me to reconnect with someone, and even then not be on bad terms." 

Lena stopped and fixed herself back on the seat.

A deepening smile showcases the man's gratitude.

"First of all, did you find it?"

Lena cocked her head confused.

"Hmmm, I remember you also asking me for directions back then... What was it for...? Spiritual guidance?"

"No."

"Treasure?"

"No."

"Oh, right." The man snapped a finger. "It was love!"

"No."

"Figures," The man chuckled. 

"The bar."

"Hmmm, I do remember something like that now that you mention it... yes."

Lena went silent.

"Still a girl of few words, huh." the man exasperated. 

In an attempt to make conversation, the man asked a question. "Hmmm, how long ago was it? Our last exchange that is..."

"Three."

"Three years?! You sure haven't aged much... the wonders of youth, I guess..." The man was exasperated.

"Three months."

"Hmmm, that seems much more plausible, I apologize, time is hard to track for someone like me." The traveler said hand on his blade's handle.

Lena eyed the man, something plagued her mind. She wanted to ask, know something. To wonder about an idea, to ponder over it. And the answer to that would be with no one else but the man before her. 

Yet, she kept sile--.

"You can ask," The man voiced. "I do not mind. After all, we are acquaintances now, aren't we?"

"Why were you there?" Lena asked the conspicuous man.

"Hmmm, it's for the exact reason I'm here as well, I would say. There was something to see, so I went to see it."

Lena raised an eyebrow, pushing the man into further answers.

"You saw it too, right? The outsiders that is. Quite the showdown, don't you think?"

"You lied," Lena stated.

"Hmmm, I didn't lie. I immediately left after our exchange. But, it was due to your help, that I was able to see it." The man gave a satisfied smile.

"I did nothing," Lena stated.

"And you didn't need to either. You can say... I used you, in a way. And I will have to apologize for that. I'm sorry." The man gave a quick bow, his smile all the same.

Lena took the man's words, not a care for the meaning behind them as they had not piqued her interest.

"Now that that is out of the way. I would like to ask you, what did you think?" The man asked.

Lena didn't answer, so he elaborated further.

"Of the village, the people, the construct of their life. What did you think?"

Lena's gaze fell for a moment, as she attempted to recollect what she had made of the situation back then, and then eyed the man once more.

Lena shrugged.

"Hmmm, then the outsiders? What of them?"

Once again, Lena shrugged.

The man eyed the girl for a moment, an impassive being, and then smiled, this time his lips curving much outwards, not only was the man satisfied, but content as well.

"Hmmm, then," The man said, standing up. "That is all for my questions. I will be taking my leave."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving, there is nothing more for me to do here."

"Didn't you say you had something to see?"

"Hmmm, I did. But, it appears, I won't be needed after all."

"I won't help you."

"Nor will you have to, kid," The man chuckled at Lena's sudden aggressiveness. "Just do what you have always been doing." He stood before the sat Lena. 

Lena found the man's words as nothing short of gibberish, and the man continued to express his sense of joy by laughing at the clueless child.

"Well, Let's hope we never meet again kid," The man said turning to move away.

"Never?" Lena questioned the man's wording.

"the first was courtesy. The second would be a curse." The man said, disappearing into the crowds.

Lena sat for a moment, then got up and moved towards the direction the man had pointed.

Finding a much more well-dressed person, Lena had completed the errand Octan asked of her.

Dinner in hand, Lena stepped out of the kitchen.

Having finished their meal, they both rested aimlessly. Octan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, no thoughts running his mind, rather forcing them not to. Turning to his side, The child lay on the couch. It seems she had found the difference between the luxury of nobility and the roughness of the wilds to be quite noticeable.

Octan studied her for a moment, only to have them both disturbed. A sudden knock on the door setting both of their guards up.

Lena rushed to the door, as it felt right for her to answer it instead of Octan. While she would usually hide behind his back, she felt like in this scenario this was the right thing to do.

Opening it, a man could be seen standing in the corridor.

"Hello there, little princess," he said passing Lena, patting her head. Lena was left awestruck as she allowed the man in without much hesitance, and more importantly confused on how to feel about his little gesture.

"And, who are you?" Octan stood in the middle of the room, his previous comfort nowhere to be seen. His sword was not in his grasp, but in a sense, that had only made him more dangerous.

"A visitor," The man raised both arms, showcasing himself empty-handed as well. "An intrigued visitor." He smiled.

Lena closed the wooden door and turned to face their standoff. She quickly rushed from behind the man, to behind Octan. He smiled at Lena, and then raised his gaze to Octan, eyeing him with... ecstasy?

"You..." The man said. "Just what are you? " His voice showcased a sense of content. Of satisfaction. While intrigued, it was endearing.

"What are you on about," Octan asked. "I'm just here for the task, like you all."

"I didn't ask who," The man's lips curled. "I asked what. That presence of yours. It is not normal. The aura is controlled, well-kept, and well-distributed. Not only that, but...tame." The man's eyes widened, his gaze studying Octan up and down.

"...I Could say the same about you too," Octan said, his tightened fists let loose. "Arcane."

"I'm nothing," The man said. "To you, your presence, I am nothing. That pristine, clear, controlled, and managed mana presence. To a wild arcane such as myself, though minimal, it holds a much greater beauty.

"I watched you back there. When you had come to place your hand on the meter, your presence grew. As if willingly, you increased your mana pool. That is not possible, without exception. Mana is a concept, depending on your pool, its presence is larger or smaller than others. Not only that, but the presence is simply a portion of your mana, it is the mana that leaks out of your flow. Depending on the nature of the person, it can grow either wild are mundane. But, you... yours is... inhuman. It is as calm as a lake's surface. For leaking mana to showcase as such... That is impossible."

"...Even for an Arcane, that is impressive to notice."

"Oh please, you can stop with the acting. You know who I am, everyone here does."

Octan remained silent, Lena had concluded he didn't.

"..." The man went silent as well. "Are you... Are you kidding me? You just spoke of my Arcane nature, how else could you?"

Octan clicked his tongue, he might have given out too much.

"I see, so that's how it is," The man raised his left hand, resting a thumb on his chest. "Allow me to introduce myself: Yotinham Kolidas, Ranked adventurer." He smirked. "3rd rank."

Lena kept behind Octan, raising an eyebrow at the man. Octan too held no reaction.

"And...?" Octan finally broke the awkward silence, "You expecting a round of applause? I could ask it of the kid. If you want."

Lena raised her hands anticipating the request, only to put them down as gestured by Kolidas.

"No matter," Kolidas said, his disappointment audible. "I only found it necessary to introduce myself before such an existence as yourself."

"You overestimate me--"

"You underestimate yourself," Kolidas interrupted. "Now show me, what you did back there. Just how far can you manipulate it? Your mana output that is." His gaze grew sharper.

Octan didn't play along, instead continuing to stand in silence. A part of him hoped Yotinham would simply walk away, as unlikely as that is.

Each glared at the other, Yotinham smiled, eerily awaiting his anticipated outcome. Octan annoyed, eagerly waited for the man's boredness to kick in.

Finally, a move is played.

Within the confines of the dark room, a spark is lit. Yotinham's hand erupted, its veins glowing. From the tips of his fingers to his elbow, lightning covered then ensued within them. And then, before he could even make a move, he stopped. Instead of jumping forward, he retreats. Then, halted in place, his smile grows larger, he had reached his ever so sought-after ecstasy.

"Just what are you!" He said, his excitement both visible and audible. "That presence, you are unlike anything! Even he, Everett, must cower before you! But, I'm sure, that's not all is it!" Now just slightly further back, his voice grew louder.

"Are you happy?" Octan asked. "Now, leave me alone."

"You know," Kolidas said. "I might have fallen in love." His eyes grew larger studying Octan.

Surprised by the sudden comment, Lena flushed hiding behind Octan.

"Man...?" Octan's tone showcased fear. "I, I'm not like that..."

"Not like that, Jackass!" Kolidas barked. " Damn it, you ruined my fun." He placed a hand over his head. His smile disappeared, seemingly Octan had ruined his fun by not playing along.

Kolidas turned around, going for the door.

"Tomorrow I'm sure," Kolidas said, leaving the two with a couple final words. "Not only me, but all will come to witness the extent of your potential." He said, closing the door behind him.

Lena watched Octan, but he had done nothing. He stood for a second and then sighed.

"What a freak," Octan said turning. "Next time, don't just open the door for anyone."

Lena nodded and went back to the couch aloof—a hint of her excitement to go back and squirm in the silk-like cushion.

She sat on the couch, visibly perking up. Her hands kneading as if a cat.

Octan eyed her, judgingly, then sighed to himself.

"Kid," He said. Lena flinched, immediately collecting herself. "You take that." He pointed.

Lena moved her eyes, following his index finger. He had pointed at the bed.

Lena nodded and moved to it. She first sat, her back sinking into the mattress. The couch was soft, but this was... cloudy. She felt an unrivaled sense of comfort, one that not even the couch she had been moments ago could rival.

She lowered her back and then reached for the pillow... That was it, she thought. That was as far as human comfort could go. Her eyes widened, unknowing of how to take in the surge of emotions, she blushed hugging the pillow.

Octan watched her, she just lost all sense of her surroundings... he thought. Octan never paid her attention, nor did he wish to. He never cared if she were to suddenly disappear, and he quickly lost care in losing her. She followed him, and he allowed it. That was the extent of their relationship.

She never voiced any complaints, nor did she ever make any demands--except for occasionally asking for a little to get herself a hairband, which he didn't mind allowing.

He eyed her, wondering if he should've felt anything towards her. Maybe a fatherly, or brotherly, love. Maybe a sense of protectiveness, or cherishment. Maybe... but he just simply couldn't care. It's not that love had left him, nor that he had turned into an emotionless monster.

No... It wasn't that he couldn't let himself.

I shouldn't, He thought, forcing himself to sleep.

"Will we even get a chance to do anything..." A man voiced among the marching force. "I mean, with Sir Yottiham here, couldn't he just do it by himself?"

"Meh," Another much calmer man said. "The boss said that we are promised even distribution, so we getting something even if we do nothing."

The raid team had gathered early in the morning and moved led by one of the nobleman's personal guards. The dragon had taken one of the many caverns in the noble's land as its lair, understandably, frightening the nobleman. To slay it was the aim of this task, as the nobleman felt he wouldn't be able to rest until it died. Driving it away wouldn't be enough.

Octan moved alongside the crowd. He was quite alive, as it was the first time in too long since he had gotten a good rest.

I wonder how the bed would've been, he thought.

Lena some steps behind, followed Octan. Her body was light, one reason might be the incredible rest she had gotten, but it was most likely due to the luggage that was missing. Since they were going to get back to the manor anyway, Octan had told her she didn't need to carry it around to the cave. "I won't need it," He said taking only his sheathed sword.

She had done a quick search around when they first took off, but the conspicuous man was nowhere among the crowd.

He really did leave. Lena thought to herself.

The crowds moved at a steady pace, filling the air with their anticipation.

Lena watched Octan's back, as she had always done. He moved alone among the crowd, some had pumped shoulders with him, but he paid it no attention. He was avoiding unnecessary confrontation as much as possible.

"Hey," A familiar voice entered Octan's ear. "So, are you really a swordsman?" Kolidas said, eyeing Octan's sword.

Octan didn't answer, ignoring him. Lena watched, seeing as Octan went from blending in the crowd to becoming its center. No, it was Kolidas that was the center.

"Come on now," Kolidas said. "I'm getting bored. This trip is taking too long, don't you think? Let's make conversation."

Octan persisted in his silence. Lena watched as his long white coat fluttered. Some had started to eye Octan, whether it was due to the jealousy of monopolizing the attention of the ranked adventurer, or due to his play yesterday and his disrespect today. They all eyed him with hostility.

"Hmmm..." Kolidas rubbed his chin exaggeratedly. "Then what about you?" He took a step back, this time facing Lena.

Lena flinched unexpecting the sudden attention.

"I don't see you with anything... no staff, no sword, no knives... hell no pocket catalyst either."

"I don't fight," Lena said. She found no reason to lie, so she didn't. She continued to eye Octan, who had left her only with his back. Even when Kolidas turned to her, he didn't pay her, nor him, any attention.

"A little too straightforward, don't you think?" Kolidas said. "I get honesty and all, but aren't you practically saying you are here to leech off of our hard work?"

Lena tilted her head confused. It had never crossed her mind, she might have gotten a portion while doing nothing. Still, she would've just given it to Octan, so she didn't feel like she was leeching.

She noticed to the side people had started eyeing her.

With that she had decided, she didn't like Kolidas.

"I don't want anything," She declared. "I will ask to not receive a portion."

Seemingly, this had taken Octan by surprise, as he had glanced at her over his shoulder.

"Isn't that a promise!" Kolidas said. "Then why even come here?"

Lena shrugged.

"So, you are going to play the same game?" Kolidas said, losing interest.

"I do know a couple of tricks," Octan said. "With the sword I mean."

Kolidas matched his pace with Octan, immediately losing interest in Lena.

"That so!" Kolidas said, excited as if a kid meeting his hero. "Then how do you, as a swordsman, hold so much control over your mana presence?"

The surrounding crowd voiced confusion. None of them could understand what Kolidas had been speaking of.

"Well," Octan replied. "you can say I know a couple of tricks there as well."

"A swordsman, and a magician!" Kolidas exclaimed, "But that sword, it doesn't seem to be one of a conjurer..." As Kolidas falls deep into thought, he is interrupted by the leading guard's announcement.

"We've arrived," The guard raised his voice for all to hear. "We will be leaving, to not disturb the tasked adventurers." The pair of guards immediately left.

Lena guessed that they didn't want to risk standing next to the soon-to-be battlegrounds of a dragon.

"Here you go champ," Octan said, pushing Kolidas forward. "I would guess they want you taking charge."

Kolidas moved with anticipation. "I can't wait to see you in there," He said.

Kolidas moved, reaching the very front of the crowd, and then turned to face it. He was clad in armor, paddings that protected his shoulders, and a chest plate that covered his upper torso. Under it, he wore patterned clothing, a white shirt lined with blue streaks, and trousers that matched its patterns. He clearly had not taken the event seriously. Though, Lena felt like she wasn't one to judge. She wore her usual simple long-sleeved shirt and trousers, both slightly oversized as it was more comfortable.

Kolidas babbled some words. Lena didn't care much for what he had to say. Instead, she kept her attention to Octan. He too seemed to barely pay attention.

Eventually, the crowds cheered and launched in. Kolidas at their head.

Octan moved too, though keeping his slow pace walk. Lena walked, closing the distance between them, and then matched his pace a step back. Eventually, the entire party had passed them, leaving only Octan and Lena behind.

Octan continued his walk, eventually passing the cavern's entrance. The echoes of the battle within reflected into their ears. The grunts and screams of men, the roars and growls of the Dragon within.

"Kid," Octan said. "Don't move further, stay back."

Lena nodded. She had accepted Octan's demand without him even having to turn to face her.

Octan sighed. "I appreciate you playing along, but don't you want to ask me why?"

Lena faced him and reflected on his indifferent expression as if in a mirror.

"Why?" She asked, showing no real interest.

Octan sighed again.

"Well," He said, playing along. It was his request in the first place. "There are only two outcomes here. One, the dragon will slaughter them all, though unlikely with Kolidas amidst their ranks. The second, and most likely, is the defeat of the dragon."

Lena tilted her head, isn't that just the obvious? She thought.

"Kid," Octan said, noting her confusion. "Do you understand how many people are here? Enough to fill a nobleman's manor. And, they all plan to share the reward. Do you think they all agree to that? Do not fool yourself."

Lena studied his comments in silence. She eventually concluded.

"He will walk to us alone," Octan said, facing the cave's depths. "Once done with the overgrown fly, he will come."

The echoes continued to run. Whether it be the sounds of crashing, explosions, splattering, iron colliding, men screaming, or even the dragon's screeching roar. Eventually, as Octan and Lena stood guarding the entrance, a man came running.

gasping for air as he ran, He dashed without eyeing them. Escaping.

As he came to pass them, Octan shot an arm to his side, grabbing the man by his skull.

"What are you doing!" The man shouted, barely making the words. "Let me go! Let me go!" He demanded clawing at Octan's arm.

Octan eyed him, a hint of disbelief. He then threw the man back towards the cave and collected himself.

"Why do you run?" Octan asked. "It was but a moment ago that you fools cheered victory. But a moment as you all egotistical clowns rushed in their in calls and roars of triumph. Why cower now? Why run? Because you are weak? Because you were not given the end you were promised?"

Octan stepped forward. "For your foolery to leave this place in a piece. I will not allow it." He said.

The man, broken down, was at the end of his line. Unable to think straight, he begged, prostrating himself.

"Please... I have a family... Please..." He begged.

Octan eyed him for a moment and then kicked him. Sent flying, the man falls on his back.

"I will hunt them down too, then." Octan declared.

"I will leave none of your kind behind," Octan said. "It was because of him. Because of you. Because of them. You egotistical bastards." Octan spat.

The man had crawled back, dragging himself to the end of the cave's side. His back now to the wall.

He continued to beg, a complete mess. He eyed the kid, Lena.

"Please..." He said facing her, only to find a similar reception.

As if a kid studying a struggling ant, only to step on it a moment later. Lena returned him an indifferent look.

"Now," Octan said. "You go back in there. You do anything other than that..."

The man faced Octan, turned to the depths of the cave, and then faced Octan again. True horror covered his person, he was faced only by death. Whether to go back there, to the bloodbath of a battlefield, or to face the man before him, his eyes a spiraling abyss.

"Damn it!" The man said, leaping towards Octan.

Even though he understood he stood no match to the man before him, he wasn't going back there.

Not back to that thing! he thought.

The man was soon left with a fountain for a head. As blood gushed out of where his neck used to sit, it crashed to the ground.

"Idiot," Octan said. It had taken him but a moment. He sheathed back his sword and walked. Gesturing for Lena to follow.

"Something's wrong," He said, picking up his pace. "Kolidas wouldn't have allowed anyone to escape. Hell, I can't sense his presence anymore. Something is terribly wrong."

Octan soon rushed, finally closing the distance. As Lena finally matched him, she saw what had come of the battlefield.

"How..." Octan questioned.

It had gone beyond his predictions. The one that stood victorious, roaring a breath of fire, was the creature. The cave, covered in the remains and organs of what had been the raiding party, stank of burnt flesh.

Lena studied the scene and then went back to Octan. She didn't feel worry, or fear. After all, it wasn't the first time such had to face such grotesque. She could swear she might've even seen worse.

"I see..." Octan said, stepping forward, and reaching for a gauntlet that rested on the ground. "It too was one, huh?" Octan wore it, the gauntlet that used to be of Kolidas. He clenched his fist, allowing the catalyst at its center to glow. Then threw it away.

"An arcane dragon," Octan said. "Such a rare existence. Holding power matching to that of its uniqueness. It's even said that one could match the Demon Lord in battle. To think that you all would be so unlucky to face one." Octan stepped forward, facing the mystical existence.

Lena watched at the entrance, understanding that another step would only mean her end.

Hidden beneath the cave's darkness, the monster's eyes glowed. Munching on the remains of the party, it raised its neck, spreading its spiked wings. Its scales a scarlet red. Its wings a dark crimson. It faced the man.

Both of their presences clashed. That of the large unique existence, and that of the small simple man. One glaring, its eyes that of an animal, eyeing its prey. The other walked, slow and powerful steps. Octan unsheathed his sword, allowing it to glimmer with the reflection of the creature's breath.

Lena felt it, for the first time since departing. She felt concern, a question. Will he be able to kill it? She questioned herself. But, her worries were quickly discarded. As a presence overwhelmed the other, the winner was declared.

Octan took a step, his presence growing. Lena was no ranked adventurer, nor was she a magician. She was never thought in the ways of mana, nor fighting. But a porter to Octan, she was as clueless as they come in the field of battle. But, even she, in that moment. As Octan stepped forward, gripping the handle of his blade, she could sense it. His presence, its overwhelming aura.

"Show me, beast," Octan said. "Are you truly of the demon lord's level?" He said dashing towards it.

The creature screeched, its breath lighting the cave bright. Facing the rushing man, it drowned him in its flames completely enveloping him. A moment later he had lept upwards, out of the flame, seemingly pushing himself away using wind. He then quickly spun, stretching out an arm behind him, he was then pushed towards the screeching anomaly.

It turns, flapping its tail sending Octan flying. Crashing into a side of the cave, he smiles. As just now, the world had blinked. He quickly jumps to his feet, rushing once again, this time with several ground platforms following him, stretching either from the ground or the wall that surrounded him, all the way to where he was. The further he ran, the longer they stretched.

The dragon whipped a wing at him. Replying, he jumped onto the next platform. It then inhaled and then shot out its breath, he quickly jumped to the further away one. If it was just any other magician, he would run out of platforms eventually.

But, I'm not! Octan affirmed, allowing more and more platforms to join him.

The dragon roared and then spun. Anticipating its next move, Octan powerfully jumped upwards, reaching for another platform that came from the cave's ceiling. The dragon had completely destroyed all the other platforms using one strong swoop of its tail. Clutching the handle beneath the platform, he hung as it extended upwards over the dragon. His sword gripped by his mouth, he pointed his empty left hand towards the dragon.

Focusing on the very tips, he shot out 4 concentrated water bullets. Piercing the dragon's body, they crash into the ground. The dragon, turning back around to face Octan, screeches.

"That hurt you, didn't it?!" He said, swiftly swinging himself off of the handle. With his left hand remaining stretched, he continuously shot out bullets of water, each passing through the dragon's body. With every round, the dragon tumbled, unable to focus on the prey falling on top of it.

Withdrawing his left hand, Octan raised his right. Taking hold of the sword, he tightly clenched the grip of the sword, allowing the muscle of his arm to expand. Then, leaving behind a gust of wind, he hurls the sword as if it were a spear at the lizard's glaring eye.

"That is no conjurer's sword," He said. "But, it should do the trick." He fell on top of the dragon's scalp, quickly digging his fingers into its scales. The dragon continued to screech, stumbling around as it fell victim to the pain of losing its eye. It swung around, throwing its head in all different directions.

"Finally," Octan said, feeling the skin his fingers gripped onto heat up. "Show me why you are so feared, Arcane."

The dragon roared once again, this time, its entire body erupting in flames. Flames escaped all outings of the monster, whether it was its nose, teeth, or even the numerical scales on its person. It had turned into a complete creature of flame. An Arcane of Fire.

Forced into letting loose, Octan is pushed off of the Arcane. He clenches his fists, allowing water to form on the ends of his knuckles. Each condensed and held, he focused all his mana into them. Then, with a powerful thrust, he smashes the creature's spine.

"An Arcane of Fire," He said. "Let's see how well you mix with this."

Rapidly, his fists crashed into the creature's back. With every crash, the creature cried. With every crash, his knuckles erupted, exploding within the creature's flame of a body. The dragon attempts to roll around, to take off but is then immediately stopped by Octan. Shotting himself to the side with wind, he strikes it again, sending it off balance.

With a spin, the creature whips a tail at Octan. Retaliating, he puts up an arm, focusing his mana. But, hit with the Arcane's flame-induced tail, he finds himself flying away, once again crashing into the cave's walls.

"That's hot..." Octan said, looking down at the now twisted and burnt left arm of his. But, it was nothing more than a minor setback, he swiftly raised himself, arm regenerating itself. He sighs, preparing for another dash, only to once again get engulfed in flames. This time, a much more powerful surge, continuously pushed him back.

The dragon had collected itself and blasted Octan. The flames were much more powerful and fierce than those of a moment ago. As, now, it was tapping into its full potential after igniting its core. The flame pushed Octan backward, his back to the wall. The surge increases in force, cratering the cavern, and cracking it.

Octan grunted, his quick-wittedness saving him. He had quickly wrapped himself in a miniature atmosphere, a domain of his, that was able to push away and withstand the force of the Arcane's fire.

In an attempt to fight back, a wall is raised in-between Octan and the flames, only to have it melted in a blink. Another is raised, then another, then another. All standing no chance to the force of nature that was the Arcane's breath. Octan pushed, raising more and more. More and more. Thicker, larger, numerical, layered. He pushed his mana to its extreme. But, it all melted, giving him only a moment, and that was enough. A moment was all he needed to escape it, finally away from the overwhelming force of its push.

Dashing to the side, he added a gust of wind on every step, giving a significant jump and increase in speed. The Dragon cried and turned its head, following the speeding man.

As the walls of the cavern melted, increasing the temperature within, Octan kept rushing, steadyingly closing the distance between him and the Arcane.

Glaring at Octan, the Dragon roared and brought its breath to a stop. Octan immediately took the chance and went for a beeline toward it. The beast stretched its burning wings, and then, as it cried, it flapped them procuring gusts of flames to shoot all around the cave. Though they seemed like nothing more than ashes carried by the wind, each moved with the swiftness of a bolt, and each detonated on impact, eradicating all that surrounded it.

Octan dashed, keeping at his beeline. His right index ignited any ember that threatened his path with a quick water bullet.

The dragon, understanding the futility of its actions, inhaled, growling. Bringing back it's head, raising it's neck.

"No, you don't," Octan said. Raising a platform from the ground before him as he dashes, he uses it to leap at the dragon. His right hand clenched into a fist, he aims his left hand. His palm straight at the dragon, he quickly produces an orb of fire, shooting it straight at the lizard's bulging neck. The orb, boosted by the momentum of both Octan and its releasing shot, explodes on impact sending the dragon into a cry.

The dragon screeches, losing the fire it had surged.

Now, left to do as he wishes mere moments before crashing with the beast, Octan builds up water, concentrating it on the tips of his knuckles, its pressure growing exponentially. His fist tightened, his nails piercing his skin. Then, with a grunt, crashes his over-empowered fist into the Arcane's flaming head.

The dragon tumbled, losing its balance. Its head flying to the side, no longer blocking him, Octan persisted with his momentum forward. He raised an arm perpendicularly over his head and processed the mightiest gust of wind he could muster, allowing himself to spin. His legs crashed into the wall behind where the dragon had been. He squatted for a moment, building power and redirecting himself, and quickly kicked off the wall back towards the dragon.

This time, concentrating on both his knuckles, he crashed on top of the creature, the impact cracking the ground beneath it.

His body enhanced with mana, from the tips of his toes to the strands of his hair. Every part of him burst with strength. And yet, even with pure strength, he continued adding the power of concentrated water magic, each piercing the animal's scales, and then exploding within. Continuously, without a stop, without a break, his fists rammed into the creature. Eventually sending the creature to its feet, it crashes to the ground. Yet, he doesn't stop.

Now taking in both the crash above its spine from Octan's fists and from the ground beneath at its torso, the creature couldn't get back on its legs. With each strike, the lizard whimpered.

With each strike, Octan's emotions grew. Hatred, loathing, disdain, disgust. With every strike his power grew. With every contact, his presence amplified. The creature, left whimpering, a supposed ruler of nature. Yet, he overwhelmed it. His knuckles burst, his body unable to match his overwhelming power. He understood the reason behind his force. Why he could overwhelm the anomaly beneath him.

Octan was reminded of what it had cost him, what it was forced to cost him. The cost of his overflowing mana. The cost of his evergrowing strength. The cost of his wealth of knowledge. The cost of his never-ending tactics.

Is this what you had wanted? he thought, his strikes no longer puncturing the scales, but piercing them, digging into the dragon's flesh.

Octan cursed. As he overwhelmed the creature only rivaled by the Demon Lord, he was forced to accept the reality.

'He' had won.

Noting that it had stopped retaliating. Octan stopped his rush, taking to his feet. Though he no longer crashed his fists into it, he still crushed it with every stomp. Making sure to add bursts of wind to his feet. With every step, the existence whimpered, its flame giving out. Octan stood atop its head, and landed to the ground, eyeing it.

He gazed at its eye, the only one left as his sword took the other. It was tired. weary. It had lost and accepted it. It whimpered, begging for an end. Its organs crushed due to the barrage of strikes Octan had delivered, it felt pain and fear. Approaching the end of its life, an existence that must've been never rivaled before met its end in such a one-sided slaughter.

Its slit of an eye lowered, weak.

"..." Octan said nothing. With his left hand gripping the upper scale, he clenched his right fist and then crushed the creature's eye. Blood gushed out, showering Octan as he stood close.

It still whimpered, barely alive. He turned, moving for it's neck. As he moved, he picked up a weapon that lay on the ground, it didn't matter if it was his or not, nor if it was sharp or not. To him, any weapon worked. He stood, its neck before him.

"That's it," he said. "That's as far as you go, Arcane."

Lena had watched the entire exchange. Though she had done nothing more than gaze at it, Octan's movements were still to the most part beyond her. Barely making out the afterimages, and the cries of the creature, the fight was brought to an end.