The crowd roars with excitement as the last leg of the competitions are hitting off as Gran confront a mixed race mage having a staff that is too tall to its user. Gran hits his stance, a usual knuckle first stance. "Ready! Fight!"
As the announcer say that, the long haired mixed race lady mage have cast six spell circles behind her and Gran observe her first move. The lady are also waiting for his move, but this momentary waiting gets to the crowd and the announcer as well. "Why they aren't fighting?" The announcer remarks as Gran steps with a wicked thud and through the floating sand from his left foot he dash through and he chamber his fists.
"Water Spell: Raging Sea!"
As the mixed race lady mage cast that a violent surge of water just appear from the spell circles and this make Gran jumpback to avoid getting hit by this overwhelming volume of water. Gran lands back to where he stand before, then he feels that the whole arena are being filled by the mage's water. The mixed race lady mage smirks as she flies out and Gran just understand what she'll be doing. "Tch! I need to do something."
"Lightning Spell: Thunderbolt!"
She raise her hand and several ball of lightning just tried to hit the Exorcist and he prepares his Compression to mitigate the water and the lightning. Gran dodges this lightning strikes as the lady mage spam this attack until Gran bleeds his nose again. He is obviously pushing himself and the Compression to remove the water out and Gran do this in one fast sweep.
"What the! How could you?!" The lady mage can't believe this turn of events as Gran's Compression remove the water from the Raging Sea. The lady mage recast her spell as Gran doesn't want to deal with this again. He couldn't find a way to stop the lady mage from filling the arena again with the Water Spell and the Lightning attack.
"Guess I need to bust this one out. I don't want to use this against such non lethal fight but whatever... Gonna have that dagger!"
As the Exorcist say that he clasp his hand together. The left hand is over his right hand. His head starts creating calculations as the atmosphere changes. Gina and the Valkyries witness this change as Van understood something about Gran. "That man... I hope he didn't hold back from our fight but he's really in a bind now huh."
Gran then rotates his clasp hand counter clockwise. The Dimensional Flow in his sight are being grab by his spirit as his Barriers have take a hold of this Flow and contain it. The splashing water, the lightning crossing through the air, the movement of the wind, the rays of the afternoon are somehow are distorting and Gran declarw one of his overpowered technique.
"Stillness of the World."
Everything goes dark. The light hitting this space, this dimension stops moving. Time itself stops, nothing moves here but Gran. As he free his clasped hand he close his eyes since this darkness surrounding him hinders his concentration about feeling the Dimensional Flow surrounding him. He manage to find the mixed race lady mage in the air.
"There you are..."
As the physics itself doesn't work in this state, Gran jumps and he levels himself near his opponent and he goes beside her. He doesn't want to give too much harm to his lady mage enemy, so Gran just gives her a precise punch through her stomach, enough to make her unconscious. "And the Stillness goes away."
The command remove the timestop as the two of them falls back to the ground. The spells just stop being casted as Gran gently put her in his arm as he lay her down. The announcer doesn't understand what happen as everyone in the crowd didn't understand what happened.
"Uh, uh... The winner is the Exorcist!!"
Gran excitedly approach the announcer and he ask for the dagger, which the announcer have one of the girl hand the box to him. He grab and open the box, where he hold the dagger up high and he close his eyes to concentrate. In a single second he fill his Flow's essence to the blade, and he feel his mind getting lighter as the calculation get's efficient a little bit.
"Oh now that's what we are talking about. I'll sharpen you my lovely dagger." Gran mutters to himself as he put it back on its scabbard. The announcer then announce the last fight, Van and a black haired swordsman.
"Hello I'm Van the Sword Saint. Pleasure fighting you." Van politely greet his enemy as he draws his ebony sword. His opponent draws his sword. Van feels the intensity from this blade as the man introduce himself.
"Name's Ao, pleasure to meet you as well." He draws his blade as the two contestants enter their stance while Gran is watching from the fighter's corner, where Gina is standing beside him. "Dude's not bad himself. I'm feeling a different intensity from that man." Gran points out to the dark blue jacket man. Van draws his blade as he sharply observing his enemy.
"Somehow this man have this intensity that can match Gran, but damn it! My fighting sense itch! I do want to have a rematch with Gran!" Van exclaims from his mind as the announcer drops his hand and declares the start of the match. The man in blue cloak blur everyone's vision as he disappear in front if Van as the Sword Saint raise his ebony blade in his back as he block the sword strike from Ao.
The Sword Saint swings a backfist in hopes of getting his opponent off guard, yet it didn't and it lean back and he is gonna be stabbing Van, but he also quick to raise his sword to slash the man with a downward slash.
*SHINNNG
As the blade drops to the ground it creates a gigantic crater and flying debris. The active magic barriers are containing this attack as it block the crowd from getting damage from stray strikes such as this, but the mages report to Princess Lucy how it seems that Van didn't like to hold back now.
"I do understand. That man, even about all of his talk about gentleman's conduct and pacifism, wants a good fight." Princess Lucy explains as she sighs. "Let him do his thing. I don't know how to make you're life fulfilling my love..."
The whole arena shakes as Ao jumps out of the way and he see how strong Van is. He tries to conjure an attack, but Van dash through and his blade already hit the hilt and disarm him. Ao then jump over Van and he starts chanting. "Come out Yatagarasu!"
As he command that a black three talon crow appears on his left arm and it flies at high speed to hit Van. While Ao is in mid air, summoning this Van just turns to look at him and he becomes a blur as well and this time, Yatagarasu disintegrate due to sheer pressure of the wind as Van hit Ao with his pommel, hitting his gut and sending his opponent to the ends of the arena, bumping to the magic barrier with a force of a missile hitting the ground, it actually destroy the barrier in that section.
Van lands with a win. The announcer declare this victory, yet for the Sword Saint the victory is hollow as Van just approach Ao and he see him standing normally, like he didn't took the hit earlier. He is just dusting off his fit as he notice Van approaching him.
"It seems that the fight is over. Looks like I'll be taking the second prize!" Ao states as Van's anger flare up. He is seeing some pattern from him about Gran. "Are you holding back as well? Aren't anyone gonna take me seriously?" Van just look the other way as his anger is frustrating him to no end. Ao apologizes profusely as Van just wave his hand.
"Well, that summon explains it. Guess I shouldn't dilly dally with myself." Gran mutters to himself but he also wants to address this with Gina, whom standing at the other end of the doorframe to the fighters lounge. "Okay! You got your prize and all. What you planning to do?" Gina ask as Gran face her, smirking.
"Oh I'll gonna do a little test drive."
As soon as Gran say that he take his leave while Gina is following him. The two are walking down the street as they see Sylvia being in a middle of something, and both of them feels that she's expressing such negatively in that pestering.
"I hope she didn't hit that man, she looks pretty scary right now." Gran remarks as the man with a boquet of flowers are still trying to speak with Sylvia, who are facing the other way as she is trying to leave him. "Oh my God... Lenny." Gina utter as Gran ask if they know the guy.
"That's the Vice Commander of the Holy Knights, Lenny. He is a good guy, I'll give him that... But his stubbornness is something to behold. I'm not sure why he gets a liking to Sylvia but he is rejected by her by, I dunno, ten or eleven times already?" Gina explains while Sylvia finally face the guy named Lenny as her fists are all ready to fly and send his whole body to another plane of existence. Gran doesn't want to intervene as it is other people's affair, yet the guy is clearly clueless on what's about to hit him.
Lenny kneel again, making a scene as he profess again his love to Sylvia, and the lady knight have enough of it. Her temple is showing it's nerves as her knuckles cackle by just her closing it too tightly. She chambers her punch. "Ma guy watch ou- grrrrrr!"
*FWOOOOM
Gran catch the punch as he pushes Lenny out of the way. He flies like how Ao rockets earlier. He hits a nearby post, and the hit prove itself to be potent when it creates a wicked pressure on the back of the post, almost expose the skirts of every lady there and the stall covers almost fly away. Gran's face make an imprint on that post as Sylvia just returns to sanity.
"Wha... What?!! Gran? How in the-" Sylvia ask as she quickly approach Gran. Gran pushes his head out as he fixes his jaw and focus his Flow into healing his face and jaw. With the help of the dagger's Attunement, his healing becomes somewhat easier to perform in his head as his mind didn't consume too much energy.
"God that hurt... Next time learn to hold back will you?" Gran ask as Sylvia check if his face is okay while Gina shrugs off and ask why he take the hit. Gran stands up as Gina look if he needs any additional assistance. Lenny see this as he also worries on the guy's situation, yet he witness something he didn't expect.
"Oh, is this what you mean? I... Get it now." Lenny's face turn frown as he see how worried his courting. He just lost all of his energy as he trash the flowers on the bin as he walks out like a man losing all of his fortune in a single bet. Gran tell the ladies that he is okay, and he wants to know where the man goes, but Sylvia just looks away and pouts.
"It is clear that I don't like him coming to me. I've rejected him several times already." Sylvia replies. Gran just walks away but he leave some words for her. "Well it is clear to him now. I hope you'll like it then."
Sylvia is puzzled by what Gran said. Gina take her leave as well since she plans to come with Gran. "Didn't know you fancy such... Peculiar wearing man." Sylvia point out to Gina. "Since I am her mentor, I need to take care of him for the mentorship program now can I."
As the two approach and enters the Adventurer's Guild building, a buzz are going rounds as Gran and Gina ask what's going on. Gina see an adventurer woman laying in front of the desk as she's having some fluid from a black slime. "Help! It's an abnormal Black Slime!" The lady adventurer exclaims as the slimy material clearly moves from her and it emerges from her body. It tries to attack anything near it's vicinity.
"Get back Gina..." Gran ask of his mentor as he use his left arm to direct her in his back. The gooey tentacles of the ebony slime tries to hit Gran, but he set a Barrier in his body and it is being repel as well.
The Exorcist throws the ceremonial dagger and hit embed a small Compression in this blade. As it flies, Gran times it near the lady adventurer's body as the Black Slime's tentacles tries to parry it. "Compression."
*FSHHHH
The Compression starts to suck in the Black Slime. It tries to fight back, yet Gran upgrade the quality of the Compression as every adventurer that witness this attack are amazed by his ability. In several moments the Black Slime is suck out of the lady adventurer's body.
"Anybody can destroy the monster in a controlled manner is greatly appreciated." Gran ask as he takes a bow like he is performing in front of an adoring crowd. Some steps back, but he know one woman that can step on this situation. Gina takes her stance as her spear appear on her right hand. "Alright I'll do it." She put a little mana on her spear as she throws it without hesitation.
In a single throw she kills the Black Slime and it's body is burns out. The adventurer there claps and cheer as Gina proves her power to them, not an overwhelming one but a controlled one. Gina waves to the crowd as Gran close his eyes and smiles. He then approach the quest board as he wants to know what will be a good quest to take that noon.
"Actually we have a request for the Valkyries! The Guild Master wants to speak with you about this." The receptionist ask as she's pointing out to the weak lady adventurer as she's drinking an energy potion in order to stand and walk as she's being assisted by the management. Gina look at Gran as he gives her a thumbs up. Gina proceed as the Exorcist are looking at the Flow from the lady's body, but he is not picking any abnormal readings.
The lady adventurer and Gina sit in the Guild Master's Office. The Guild Master, Nato, ask the lady adventurer how she manage to escape and what did she encounter. The receptionist takes her leave as Gina is looking to the lady adventurer's emotional delivery.
"I, i remember going with my party on that cavern to slay some goblins and get some quick coins. Bu-but then this Black Slime jumps us and it absorb two of my friend... Then the monster capture me... And it use me..."
The lady sobs and cries uncontrollably due to what her experience at that cave. Gina and Nato understand what she means as Nato ask the Valkyries to resolve this matter since they are the ones available to tackle it right now.
"Be careful Miss Gina... That is no ordinary Black Slime! It uses poison gas and eliminate magic in its surrounding." The lady adventurer add as Gina accept the quest and Nato handed her the downpayment for this personal quest from the Guild Master. Gina grab the pouch of gold coins as the lady adventurer nods. Gina then exits the room and she see the other Valkyries are assembling there.
"Looks like a trouble at the cavern. You can go home or you can join us." Gina ask of Gran while the Valkyrie members are expressing their disgust. Gran flash a thumbs up but he approach the door to exit the establishment and he inform them. "Okay I want to test something, but can you wait for me? Gonna change from this drab clothes."
"I don't know about you but how the heck you manage to parade yourself looking like... That." The pink haired mage Veronica remarks as Gran stick out his tongue as answer to her banter. "What a man, he can be childish sometimes." The green haired Mayuri irks as she looks at Gina holding a pouch of coins. "You tease him. He is normal if you interact with him." The cute brown haired Rinko answer as Veronica looks at her with contempt.
"Do you like that guy now? Siding with him and all?" - Veronica
"No not at all! I just notice how you..." - Rinko
"Shut up! He irritates me to no end! He is very much an anomaly from the beginning!" As Veronica say that Gina decides to end this noise as she wants to explain what will be the plan about the job this time, which she state that it is a personal mission from the Guild Master.
"Looks like a serious problem Leader. What's the catch?" Mayuri ask as she clear out her bangs to see the map that Gina spreads out on a clean round table. She points out that they will be going to the forest outskirts several kilometers from Helios as a caverns there are being used as a home by a Black Slime. Veronica scoff when she hears about the target.
"You can make a better enemy for me to burn! A Black Slime? Seriously?" Veronica remarks as Gina looks at her and answer. "The lady adventurer who fortunately returns here and report this matter is actually a B rank adventurer. B rankers are suppose to handle even a dozen of those Black Slimes on their own, but her party was beaten up and she escapes."
As Gina explains that, they continue the discussion until the sun sets and the moon is uphigh illuminating anything beneath it. Gran just get a quick shower and his usual wardrobe, the gray jacket and the joggers. His rubber shoes are dry now, so he wears them and his intuition is hit with something on the way to the Adventurer' Guild HQ.
"I somehow forgot this... I saw that monster fell with me in this world. I didn't know where he lands but is it possible he is somewhere out there?" Gran thinks as this put his mood into extra sour and he then approach the waiting girls.
Meanwhile...
At the city of Aluteria, the city on the borders of the Kingdom. A bunch of adventurers and the little girl bust inside to call upon the Guild Master to post a warning. The Guild Master, through her headache, respond to her recepntionist's call as the Adventurer recounts to her what happen in the village rescue mission. The Adventurer explain what happen, and this horrify everyone hearing the tale.
"The man just destroy everything! Anything into dust and nothing left there!" The man rambles as his companions nod and support what he is stating. "So... We will warn the whole Guild about this then."
"Is this a rogue element? A mage that's gone crazy?" The lady receptionist ask as the adventurer turn his head side by side to disagree. "That man doesn't have any mana whatsoever. We couldn't get any Mana readings from him... And he is looking like a priest and all." The adventuret answers as somethinh comes up in his mind.
"Oh I remember! I'm not sure if this is the guy's name... He said his name is Soli."