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Karlos strode across the scorched grass, hands on his hips, shaking his head with exaggerated disappointment.
Karlos: "Reinhart, what the hell, man? Even my granny could fight better than what you just pulled off."
He let out a loud, fake sigh, waving his hands dramatically as if it was the end of the world.
Karlos: "Maybe it's time you hung that sword up and started teaching basic sword drills at Solarian School. At least then you won't embarrass yourself in front of Lord Velsun."
He shook his head side to side, clicking his tongue. "What a tragedy… our great True Hero, reduced to babysitting students…"
Reinhart scoffed loudly, his glare sharp despite still catching his breath.
Reinhart: "Shut up, you damned daemon. Go to hell."
Karlos grinned instantly, leaning in just enough to make sure his smirk was seen.
Karlos: "Well… I came from there."
He tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief. "And I'm still in one piece. Can't say the same for you after that spar, can I?"
Veldora barked out a laugh, arms crossed. "Pfft! Karlos got you there, Reinhart!"
Zalario just pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. "Children. The both of them."
Reinhart growled softly, but the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed the fact he wasn't entirely mad—just annoyed enough to want to swing at Karlos if he wasn't so exhausted.
Velsun tilted his head slightly, his expression soft and innocent—almost too innocent—as he smiled at Karlos. Behind him, the light shimmered like a halo, making the moment oddly divine.
Velsun: "Well then, Karlos… How about a spar with me? Since you're so confident, right?"
The grassland fell silent for a beat. Karlos froze, his grin faltering. A tiny cough escaped him, followed by another, far too forced to be convincing. He raised his fist to his mouth, pretending to be weak.
Karlos: "Ahem… oh dear, my lord. I think I've suddenly come down with something terrible… yes, very sick. And, uh… my back! Ouch, must be from overworking around the castle; you know how it is."
Zalario's calm voice cut in without missing a beat.
Zalario: "Overworking? Strange. I was under the impression you were asleep the whole time, while you shoved all your duties onto some low-level daemons."
The air went quiet again. Karlos' eye twitched, his hand still up like he was coughing. Slowly, he turned toward Zalario with a forced laugh.
Karlos: "…You bas—" He stopped mid-word, cleared his throat loudly, and plastered on the fakest smile he could manage, sweat dripping down his temple. "Ahem. Ignore Zalario, my lord. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
Veldora burst out laughing so hard he doubled over, clutching his stomach.
Veldora: "HAHAHA! Karlos, you're pathetic! You were all high and mighty a second ago; now you're making excuses!"
Reinhart, still lying on the grass catching his breath, actually chuckled for once. "For once… I agree with Veldora."
Zalario just shook his head, his voice dry. "Truly disgraceful, Karlos."
Karlos gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath but still smiling sweetly at Velsun. "Traitors… the lot of you."
Velsun chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Velsun: "I'm just joking, Karlos. Don't worry."
The daemon let out a loud sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow while muttering something about "near-death experiences without even fighting."
Velsun turned his attention to Reinhart, kneeling down beside him. His hand rested firmly on Reinhart's shoulder, and a soft glow radiated outward—golden light, warm and pure, flowing from his palm. The brilliance seeped into Reinhart's body, closing his wounds, easing the pain, and replenishing his strength.
The tension in Reinhart's body eased as his breathing steadied. His eyes opened slowly, catching Velsun's calm smile.Reinhart: "…Thank you, my lord."
Velsun stood again, straightening his posture. He glanced toward Veldora, his expression playful but with a mock edge of seriousness.Velsun: "And Veldora… what was that? 'Pathetic'? You might hurt Karlos's feelings, you know."
Veldora blinked, caught off guard. Then he huffed, folding his arms across his chest.Veldora: "Hmph! Like he has any feelings worth hurting."
Karlos immediately raised a hand to his chest, faking the most dramatic gasp possible.Karlos: "How cruel, Storm Dragon! Right through the heart…!"
Veldora rolled his eyes, but Zalario muttered from the side with his usual dry tone:Zalario: "Theatrics. Truly pathetic."
Reinhart, still sitting on the ground with his strength slowly returning, let out a low chuckle despite himself.Reinhart: "You lot… never change."
Velsun gave a small nod, satisfied.Velsun: "Reinhart, I think I healed you completely. What you're feeling is just exhaustion from magicule loss. Once you've had enough rest, you'll be back to your peak. But still—to be sure, do you feel any lingering discomfort?"
Reinhart placed his hand firmly over his chest, testing his breathing before shaking his head.Reinhart: "No, my lord. I'm completely fine now. Just… a bit tired."
Velsun studied him for a moment, then gave a calm smile.Velsun: "That's good then."
He stood up, offering a hand to pull Reinhart to his feet. Reinhart accepted, rising steadily, his grip strong despite the fatigue.
From the side, Veldora tilted his head, arms still crossed.Veldora: "See? He's fine. Aniki always worries too much."
Zalario raised an eyebrow slightly.Zalario: "Unlike you, Veldora, Velsun understands restraint. You could stand to learn from him."
Veldora groaned.Veldora: "Tch. Always lecturing me, aren't you?"
Karlos chuckled, wagging his finger.Karlos: "Better listen; Veldora-sama, Lord Velsun's careful eye is the only reason you haven't blown up half the kingdom by accident yet."
Veldora's jaw dropped.Veldora: "WHAT?!"
The bickering carried on in the background while Velsun just shook his head with a faint chuckle. His golden eyes drifted toward the horizon, the last glow of their duel still flickering faintly across the scarred grasslands.
Velsun scanned the group, his expression calm, almost curious, as though he truly wanted to know if any of them would step forward.
The silence that followed was almost comical. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Veldora was the first to break, clearing his throat loudly and puffing his chest out—though his voice wavered just slightly.Veldora: "Ahem! Aniki, that's… that's a great proposal! But, uh… maybe for another day. My schedule is packed, you know. Very busy dragon things to do."
He crossed his arms with a forced frown, as if that somehow covered up the fact he was backing down.
Zalario's eyes narrowed, his arms still crossed. His tone was cool and measured, but even he wasn't volunteering.Zalario: "Velsun, I believe today's… demonstration was more than sufficient. There is no reason to waste further strength."
Karlos immediately chimed in, a bright but utterly fake smile plastered on his face.Karlos: "Exactly, my lord! Well said! Truly, going back to Solara is the wiser option. No need to, uh… overdo it, right?"
The words came out smoothly, but the bead of sweat rolling down his cheek gave him away.
Meanwhile, Reinhart was still standing at Velsun's side, arms loose at his sides, watching the others with an expression halfway between disbelief and disappointment. His lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes narrowing.
Reinhart (thinking): "Cowards. Every single one of them."
He scoffed quietly under his breath, earning only a faint glance from Zalario that went unaddressed.
Velsun let the silence hang for a moment longer, the corners of his mouth twitching in quiet amusement. Then he chuckled, shaking his head lightly.Velsun: "As you wish. Back to Solara, then."
The others instantly relaxed, shoulders loosening, as though a great storm had just passed them by.
Mimir's voice rumbled dryly in the back of Velsun's mind.Mimir: "Ha! Lad, look at their faces. You didn't challenge them—you nearly scared them into early retirement."
Velsun smirked faintly but said nothing, the glow of the sun still lingering around him as the group began their slow return.
Karlos straightened, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he gave an overly dramatic flourish. One arm pressed to his chest, the other tucked neatly behind his back, and his left foot slid back in a courtly bow.
Karlos: "As you wish, my lord."
With that, he snapped his fingers. Magicules surged around him, swirling into a complex circle beneath the group's feet. Golden-red lines etched themselves across the scorched grasslands, glowing brighter with every passing second.
Veldora raised an eyebrow, muttering as he crossed his arms.Veldora: "Hmph. Show-off."
Zalario, eyes calm but sharp, added dryly.Zalario: "At least he's useful when he takes things seriously."
Karlos turned his head slightly, flashing them both a smug grin without breaking his focus.Karlos: "Jealousy doesn't suit either of you."
The teleportation circle flared brighter, heatless but intense. Reinhart stepped closer to Velsun, still quietly catching his breath, his hand brushing over his sword as he whispered.Reinhart: "…Next time, my lord. I'll stand longer. I swear it."
Velsun looked at him for a moment, his expression calm but approving. He placed a hand briefly on Reinhart's shoulder before stepping into the center of the circle.Velsun: "Then I'll be waiting."
The circle roared to life, magic surging upward like a column of light. In a blink, the grasslands, the scars of battle, and the lingering heat of Incandescence vanished—swallowed by radiance.
When the light cleared, the group was gone.