Chapter 253: How the Turns have Tabled

    Averys eyes gleamed in excitement as he looked at Tyron, and the smith shrugged. It looked like neither of them had a problem with going after Derek and Edgar. Tyron didnt look too excited, but he agreed nonetheless.

    Soon, Derek followed Edgar a bit away from the others, so they wouldnt get caught up in anything. Of course, Jasper stuck close enough where he could intervene if necessary. There was no point in bringing a healer if you werent going to make use of them, after all.

    Are you ready? Derek asked Edgar.

    Hold on, Edgar said. We need to make a few rules first. We dont want to go all out and end up killing each other.

    Agreed, Derek said. What did you have in mind?

    First off no using that weird teleporting move of yours.

    What? Why not? Its a regular part of my moveset, Derek complained.

    Its odd, and Im afraid Id have to bring out some skills I dont want to use on anyone who is not an enemy to counter it, Edgar explained.

    Derek thought for a moment before shrugging. Okay, but you cant turn into that ball of lightning.

    Edgar grinned. That was one of the skills I didnt plan on using, so dont worry. Another rule, if we hit below 30% health, we call out, so the other can stop attacking. 30% seems like a good threshold.

    Thats fine, Derek said. Anything else?

    Other than the standard dont aim for vitals, I think thats it.

    Alright, good, Derek agreed, then stored his shirt in his storage bracelet. There was no sense in ruining a good shirt for a spar, and since Edgar was fast and used lightning, he was sure his clothing was bound to get destroyed. He hesitated before deciding to leave his jeans on. He had given Brandi the task of making something like denim before he left, so hopefully she would have something waiting for him when he got back.

    Edgar gave him an odd look before shrugging. Okay, well start in five seconds. Edgar flashed away, putting some distance between the two of them. Five four three he counted down and went silent at two.

    Two one go! Derek finished in his head. At the same time he finished counting, Edgar drew his sword and began walking around Derek.

    Okay, Im not going to go easy, Edgar said before he released his aura, causing his eyes to turn light blue, and his white hair even took on an electric shimmer. The aura was palpable and pushed into Derek even more than Silvis had.

    Derek grinned. Two can play that game. He thought as he let the void flow through his body and released his own aura. With his aura on full blast, it pushed any hinderance caused by Edgars aura to the side. As their auras clashed, Dereks came out on top, but not by a high margin. What aura was left was not enough to affect Edgar in any meaningful way.

    However, that was the last time Derek would let Edgar use that move. The first time was a surprise, and the second was a test to see how much it affected him. There wouldnt be a third. Sure enough, Derek outlasted Edgars assault once again, leading to the prince flashing away and charging yet another lightning bolt.

    This time, Derek used Absolute Nullify and the wall of void sprang up in between them, shocking everyone. With its damn near magnetic effect on all things magic, Derek wouldnt have to worry about the ability again as long as he stayed close to the wall, which he did.

    It also seemed like Edgar couldnt move much while charging his skill, so he was stuck shooting it off at the wall of void. When the bolt of lightning hit the wall, the walls energy fluctuated a bit before settling down, like nothing happened.

    Fucking cockroach! Edgar let out a defeated sigh as he appeared next to Derek once again. You win.

    I havent even attacked yet, Derek said with a smile. Inwardly, he was relieved. Edgar was the real test of how far he had come. If I ever see that damn lunatic Jace again, Ill leave him beaten in a pool of his own blood for once. Oh, how the turns have tabled.

    But Im out of Mana and almost out of Stamina and you you dont even have a bruise, Edgar whined.

    My pants are in pretty rough shape. Derek touched multiple places where his jeans had caught on fire and burned to his skin from Edgars sword. Besides, it would be different if you had gone for my throat or head. I dont think I could have stopped the attack without using my other ability.

    A win is a win, Edgar said. No vital attacks were part of the rules. If I would have attacked your head or throat, I still would have lost. Now I need to get rid of this damnable mana fatigue. Edgar took a blue potion out of his storage ring and drank it before he and Derek walked over to the audience.

    I thought youd be a better version of a punching bag than Gerald, but this is much better than that, Avery said once they got close. I want to fight you after the big guy.

    Edgar plopped down on the ground and began meditating with his eyes open, showing that his skill was very high level. He was already at the point where he could see all of his surroundings while in the trance, which Derek saw as only having a couple levels left in the skill before he could transform it into Greater Meditation.

    Derek looked at the other two. Well, go ahead, we dont have all day well, we do, but you should still hurry.

    Shall we do this? Avery asked the blacksmith.

    Tyron grunted, then began walking out to where Edgar and Dereks battle had taken place.

    You didnt even use an attack skill, Edgar muttered from his sitting position, clearly agitated enough to break his trance and complain.

    Derek shrugged. Didnt need to. He laughed. Probably couldnt have hit you with anything even if I did. Not without my other skill.

    Edgar sighed. 1500 gold on the small one.

    Hmm Derek looked over at the two. He figured Tyron would be in the same situation as he was against Edgar, but without the regeneration to get through it. Still why not? Ill take that bet.