A Story of Evil

Unlike the crystals which has finally arrived at King Jubilee's doorsteps, the team had to travel back to the domain. Specifically because the haul was too much, making it impossible to teleport both them and the crystals as well. Hence they needed to sacrifice themselves which, they didn't actually mind that much.

With the quest completed, the group was free from the burden of the responsibility that came with it. They were finally able to relax and to enjoy. Almost to the point that their journey back felt like a tour outside the domains.

However, Sol's head was still preoccupied with what they left. It wasn't just him, everyone else was the same. They thought that it was a pity to leave such abundant treasures behind. Sol thought it was a pity as well but, this was for a different reason altogether.

He thought that if he only had his [Analysis], then he would've made out what the items actually were. He also thought of the possibility of these things being looted by other monsters during the interval when they were away. Both these thoughts weighed heavily on Sol's mind. So much so that, he needed a distraction, one which he found in the middle of the night.

"Alice do you have a minute?"

"What the hell man it's the middle of the night." The girl answered. Her hair all messy because she just got out from bed.

"Yeah and it's your turn to take watch right? So I need you for something right now." Sol said in reply.

Even with the group traveling back, they needed to keep up the night watch. Primarily because they were basically still within enemy territory. And Sol wasn't stupid enough to let his guard down, even if they already cleared the same path once.

For that night, it was Alice's turn to take watch. He was the first one of course and, during this time, he had a flashback of his fight against Drazon. How he fought a bit differently from his normal style and, how he wanted to improve it. That's why he came to Alice who was obviously annoyed.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I want to train my gravity spell."

Sol has realized the fatal flaw which he had with his skill, specifically his ultimate skill. Something which he greatly overlooked during the whole duration of him both having and using it.

This skill allows him to control both gravity and space. It isn't as easy as everyone else thinks and, just by activating it, a person needs a certain degree of mental fortitude just to ensure its accuracy. That's why Sol has always been careful when using it. Ensuring first that, none of his teammates are close by whenever he uses the pull of gravity.

Sol also had a good mentor. King Jubilee has taught him the ropes and even showed the boy the extent of his abilities. But, this proved to be a poor practice of powers. With him wanting to imitate King Jubilee so much, he forgot that his ultimate skill had various applications. Not just wide range. In short, the skill had a potential to make him invincible in close quarters combats. To make him the ultimate duelist.

"So what you want is to use your skill on short bursts and, to focus it on specific body parts at that? Don't you think that application is too complex to learn overnight?"

"I'm not planning on learning it overnight. I just want to get a feel of it."

"Okay but are you sure you're not gonna accidentally tear off my body parts?"

"I'll try my best."

"The fuck is that resolve man?" Alice said, getting scared all of a sudden from the thought of getting accidentally dismantled. But Sol simply laughed at this, making her worry seem feeble as the male paladin responded.

"Don't worry. If it's with you, then even by instinct I know that my body wouldn't do anything to harm you." 

"W-Well if you say so. I'll help you out then." Was Alice's nervous reply, her face turning red.

The fight against Drazon thought Sol one thing. That his powers wasn't good on long fights. If it's a short one, there is usually no problem. But if fights go on for a longer time than he wants, then he would surely be cornered and, possibly killed.

Fighting with Drazon forced him to micromanage his mana. To only use his ultimate when entirely necessary and, to do so sparingly. He wasn't able to execute this well and, his output was still all over the place.

But Sol nevertheless made progress. And in order for his body to remember this progress, he needed an opponent which would force him to get serious. One who was already an expert in dueling. And there's no other person who fits this criteria other than his partner. A woman blessed with Battle Sense.

"I'm gonna kill you if you mess up got it?" Alice said, tying up her hair into a pony.

"Like I said, that's not gonna happen." Sol said, holding a scabbard instead of a blade.

"Easy for you to say." Alice said, gripping the same item in her hand and, right after speaking, she lunged towards her prey.

Sol was quick in reacting to this, using his scabbard to parry the thrust. But Alice wasn't slow enough to be stopped by just this. As her weapon was thrown out of its attack pattern, she ducked and switched the scabbard to her left. With little delay, she then swung upwards, forcing Sol to make a step back in order to dodge – with the attack of Alice' grazing the tip of his chin.

Sol quickly returned the favor, pivoting his body to the side and swinging his weapon down at his opponent. Alice felt this coming and tumbled away, kicking up at the same time which deflected the attack and reset the fight.

This didn't last for long. Sol proceeded to chasing after Alice. Making two quick steps and giving his body a short boost of gravity. However the amount he released was a bit too much, increasing his speed to a point where he was only able to make a sluggish blow, one which was easy for his opponent to dodge as she ducked down.

This created the momentum needed by the girl. With Sol still in mid air, she quickly turned to chase after him. Her speed was so quick that, just as Sol dropped to the ground, she was already in swinging motion. And this would've hit too, if not for Sol pushing away the weapon with his gravity. A bit too much again and making Alice's face twitch from pain.

Out of concern Sol wanted to stop but, Alice continued her attack. The girl continued with a fury of blows that made Sol raise his guard each and every time. However, since this caught him by surprise, he wasn't able to hold out to Alice who was fully intent in winning.

In fact, she allowed Sol to feel her bloodlust and her intent to strike. Making one quick blow that Sol was thinking of blocking yet again. That's why the girl finally caught him out of his own game as she suddenly let go of her scabbard and, grabbed on to Sol's wrists.

Alice then made a pull and, created a quick motion – like a snake binding its prey down. Holding Sol in a submission move similar to the Peruvian Necktie.

Sol thought of using gravity to get out of the hold. But remembering how he used too much on his two attempts made him realize that it wasn't going to work. And that he wasn't going to bet Alice's welfare on such a gamble. Thus he was forced to finally tap out; declaring his surrender. Making Alice release the submission hold which made Sol's upper body sore.

"That's what you get for hurting me dumbass." She commented.

"I was planning to stop you know. That's why I tried reaching out for you."

"Yeah right. As if I'd allow things to end there." Alice said, satisfied that she won despite the method being a bit underhanded.

"But it's good. I was able to get something out of that."

"Oh yeah? What is it then?"

"That I need more practice."

"Yeah you do. But I don't plan on being your partner anymore in this training of yours. This idea is too dangerous Sol."

"I couldn't agree more."

Sol was holding back his powers. It wasn't released on a level which could cause serious injury on Alice. But, it was also on a level that could potentially inflict a huge amount of pain. That's why Sol was also careful on when he'd use it. With the last release being forcefully done in an attempt to give him a leverage.

"I think what you need to raise first is your fighting prowess without the powers. You're not actually that good in fighting without your battle sense." Alice said.

"Thanks for the heads up." Sol said, already aware of this, but nevertheless knowing that Alice's advice was correct. Sol also added his own comment after the firsthand attempt.

"I think this power is something I should test out against monsters. You know, so that I don't need to worry about using too much."

"Agreed. But save that idea for later." Alice said, getting up and wiping the dirt at her back as she added:

"Right now we need to go back to our domain."