6 Marcus and Freya (2/2)

The next day, in the training courtyard.

Martin saw a tall blonde man with broad shoulders walk up to him.

”I am the head knight. You can call me Marcus. I heard that you came here from another world.”

”Is that so? Well you have heard right.”

”As you have decided to take on the Demon lord I would like to see if you really have what it takes. Care for a spar? I want to witness your fighting style.” Marcus stared on grimly and provocatively.

”So the test has finally arrived I see. I like that you didn't confiscate the weapons that I brought with me to this world-”

It was a quite sordid move they played. Fighting style my ass! A spar wouldn't just reveal Martin's abilities and thus usefulness. It would also reflect on his world as he represented the higher ability levels. Martin was sure of that, after his chat with Freya. The algorithms had been adjusted to look for the prefect candidate.

”-but you are soon going to regret it!”

Whipping out two pistols from his underarm holsters,

Martin fired off a few quick shots.

He wasn't called the blue phantom for his health. If it was a show they wanted, a show was what they would get.

Evading the fire and deflecting the rest of the bullets with his sword, Marcus shot back ”Impressive toys, but you are going to need more than that to defeat me.”

Marcus shot forward cleaving his sword in a beautiful arc towards Martin's neck. Flipping over the sword, martin landed a few feet away, firing bullets at Marcus throughout the exchange.

”Looks like you might have something in you, but I was just getting started.” Marcus rushed forth first but Martin kept evading. A few exchanges later, Martin was covered in small cuts while Marcus had scrapes all over him.

”Checkmate Marcus. I got you.” Marcus turned to find a gun at his temple ” Looks like you really got me. I was almost forced to use magic.”

”Yes, you but you really went easy on me.”

”Well I could say the same for you Martin. You held back too.”

Martin froze, 'Monsters they are all monsters!'

”Hahahaha! Looks like you got me there”

They both burst into laughter.

Now that the ice was broken they both sat next to each other.

”So, what's the deal between the demon lord and this king of yours.”

”You noticed huh. His son and daughter, both the crown prince and princess died because of the current demon lord. He calls himself Diablo the VIIth”

”No wander his eyes would darken whenever he mentioned the demon lord.”

”Yeah, no shit.! Otherwise why do you think there was no princess to honey trap you the moment you arrived.”

”Really, I thought Freya was the honey trap.”

”You thought she was the trap! Hahaha this is gold man! That crazy woman ain't no trap. She may look pretty but let me tell you a secret, she is one crazy hell of a-”

”Ahem! Its good that the two of you are bonding but I would really like to borrow Martin now. It's time for him to choose his magic disciplines.”

The two jumped only to find Freya standing right behind him looking at them expressionlessly.

”Holy crap! Where did you come from Freya, see I told you she has magic powers that can sneak behind people too. That's a big red flag bro!”

”Shut up douchebag!”

”Well, in her defense she is the head mage, so she should have magic powers and- I'll shut up now.”

Martin looked away, being glared at by a crazy woman early in the morning wasn't very enjoyable, moreover he was quite excited about the magic initiation ritual.

He turned away only to find Marcus giving him a I-told-you-so face.

Martin smiled. Not a fake smile or conspiratory smile, but his first real smile since Lucas and Vincent's death.

He realized that these people might really not be that bad after all. This could also be one of their schemes in all probability but he would rather wait and see how it plays out. Taking a break from being a vengeful maniac can be quite stress relieving at times. One should really try it. Works like a charm!