Making my way towards the designated area for our spar, I come face to face with Felix.
…who once more has that haughty cocky brat look that so desperately needs to be beat out of him on his face.
"Hey, Azrael?" He speaks out of know where as we both get into our respective stances. Me taking on a fools guard and him taking a roof guard.
"Hmm?" I grunt out my reply in a questioning tone, something he quickly gets knowing me as a man of few words.
"You've been learning combat arts for a few months now, since you formed your core right?"
Knowing where this is going I sigh while reluctantly nodding my head.
To my confirmation his grin widens in an almost malicious look.
"Good good. As expected of my brother, just don't you get cocky and think your better, just because of this one thing okay? Now come, let your big bro test your skills!"
"Haaaaaah" This time I can't hold back releasing and audible sigh.
As I nod to his words once again, in corner of my eye I see Audrey with sparkling gaze staring at Felix with admiration.
And for a moment a darker thought Occupys my mind.
…what if I wipe that grin of his face by beating that shit out of him and humiliate him in front of his biggest fan.
But I of course quickly restrained those stupid childish thoughts due to the fact that mentally, I'm a FUCKING adult. Haaaah. Also because he is family now, they both are, and it would split my new family apart. My 'eyes' then pick up his emotional intent; worry for me, respect, admiration and familial affection.
Can't really stay mad at that can I, even if I'm a cold blooded monster.
So I decide to not go all out as well as not cheat using mana. I shift into a low guard, deciding to go for a more defensive style.
"3.2.1, STARTT!" A loud shout from Audrey echoes throughout the training ground signaling the beginning of the spar.
At the signal Felix pushes of the ground swiftly and charges straight at me in a speed superior to any normal ten year olds, the muscles in his arm visibly coil and tense as he brings his sword in a powerfully downward slash.
*WHOOOSH*
Although it being sent down in a swift manor, the sword slash was still produced by a 10 year old, so to my eyes and a reaction speed passively buffed, it was slow.
But being the good sportsman I am, I decide last minute to take the blow head on and tank it instead of dodging.
*BAKKK*
Our swords meet in a small clash.
….and my arms are quick to struggle a bit under the weight.
Right, need I forget to mention my body being half a decade younger in development which was mainly spent reading and not training, and when training it was only dexterity training to get used to the age regression. So despite forming my mana core and without enhancing my body it's still only slightly stronger than the average 5 year old.
And I seem to both have forgotten that fact… while underestimating how strong people of this world can get with consistant training even while still being a child.
So it's only normal that I leak out a slightly surprised expression, which further fuels my opponents confidence.
Shaking a little bit at the pressure on my arms I decide a course of action and start to Shift my stance slightly while pointing my trusty wooden blade down diagonally, letting him slide down and almost fall to the floor.
Having his own attack used against him and nearly face planting Felix quickly wipes the smirk of his face and starts to be a bit more serious.
But he recover quickly and distances himself once more, letting out a huff of indignation.
This time it's my turn to strike so quickly I too charge in a manor almost imitating his previous attack, but at the last second I change the position of my sword from a downward slash into a side slash, forcing him into an awkward blocking position.
Thought due to my strength being lower, he shrugs it of before launching another of his own.
He hits me with the same diagonal attack as before, but this time I side step under the attack last minute and tap him on the shoulder.
"My point" I let out a small smirk of my own actually having a bit a fun myself, unlike what I thought this spar would be like.
Felix freezes for a moment and quickly puts on an emotionless expression for a moment.
….His next reaction is anything but negative though as finally Felixs arrogant switch has seems to have been turned off bringing normal Felix is back. He lets out a little laugh as a big small etches its way onto his face.
"Hahaha! As expected of my brother! Come then, I will get the next point for myself."
Letting out a laugh of my own as we both once again go at it.
*****
The results that follow is pretty obvious…
….I won of course!
Sike!
Nah i lost in the end.
Although I could have won by cheating with mana and with my skills and techniques being better, his body was a lot faster and stronger than mine so even with my better reaction my body couldn't keep up in the end.
I still didn't actually go all out though, but don't tell him that.
After finishing up, all three of us got some water from a water fountain nearby and went back to go sit down on a bench in the training ground, the two of us sweating and Arina steering clear away to not get any sweat on her, despit her normal act she is still a pampered noble girl.
"Hahah well done Az! I had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit myself, it was a good spar."
Felix suddenly said out of nowhere after a short rest.
"Hmm? Yeah it was good, I had a lot of fun too" I reply back after another sip of water.
At my words we all settle into a comfortable silence for a while, just thinking to our selves and enjoying the company, with a bit of small talk here and there.
Though after five minutes I decide I've had enough and get up.
"Well it's been fun you two but I will leave you too it now, I won't take up any more your time." I say while stretching my body a little.
"What are you talking about Az, your not taking up any of our time. But very well, we will see you later okay?" This time it is Audrey who speaks up for the both of them.
I give her a nod and a wave goodbye to the both of them, then being lazy I teleport away.
Onwards to the bathroom!
*****
[third person POV]
"Uhhhhhh…. What?" Audrey says in slight shock seeing her younger brother just vanish out of nowhere.
She quickly turns to her older brother and is greeted by a dumbfounded look that almost caused her to break out in a giggles herself, though quickly rembering what just took place, the laughter quickly disappears.
"…..brother… should we… call someone?"
She asks hesitantly, unsure about what to do in a situation where your youngest sibling disappears.
Thought it takes a minutes Felix responds.
"…no I think it's okay. I saw the mark on his hand glow…. So It was probably intentional?" He reply's to her In a questioning tone
They stay in a stunned silence for a total of five minutes before Felix decided to just ignoral the apparent teleportation of his younger brother.
Turning towards Audrey he exclaims in his loud voice full of confidence and his hand stretched outward.
"Come now Audrey, I promised to help you practice did it not?"
_____