Reincarnated, we get strong weapons and become heroes.

[ This guy... he nearly interrupted me again.]

Slaine was slowly going through the mountain's peak, looking for Monadias. The wind was lightly moving her hair, like flames from the campfire. Soon, the one she was looking for appeared.

- There goes our plan...

- I was just stronger than him. If he were on your level, then maybe it would work out.

- Maybe, but we are here, so stop talking and just go on.

- Well, if you say so...

She then made a fire slash, like the one in reality, but this one was bigger. It still got neutralized by Monadias's wind, but not fully. It didn't have much of an effect though.

- He knew you would do this, but why? Wind counters fire, I think...

- Eliminate stronger first, so that the weakers morale falls off.

- Handeron's morale isn't falling off anytime soon.

- Yeah, but he wouldn't be able to keep up with me alone, since he was struggling when there were both of you, so if I defeat you, he is gone too.

She then raised her sword to the sky.

- Scena!

Soon, a burning hot fire was emerging from the sword, in amounts that would most certainly be mistaken with a volcano explosion.

The heatwave started.

The mountain peak became hot as ever. Monadias could already feel his stamina burning away, his eyes blurry, and his skin drowning in sweat. He tried cooling himself down, but the wind soon became hot as well, and it had a completely different effect, increasing his temperature.

[This is like in a sauna... but a hundred times worse...]

Slaine then made another fire slash, this one was bigger, stronger, and it burned whatever was in the sight. Monadias tried dodging, but he was already feeling the lack of stamina catching up to him.

[I'm already tired, I won't survive another 2 minutes!]

Slaine then closed the distance, and tried cutting him, Monadias could only dodge it once and before he knew it, he was cut in half, just in the middle of his belly. The last thing he saw was a fully red greatsword, heading for his neck.

As both of them woke up, Handeron was trying to land a hit on Slaine, but it was useless. Monadias came back to his senses, and he tried attacking Slaine once more. She got distracted a little, but still managed to block them and hit Handeron.

[Dang, the drawback of losing in Ionsai by death is different compared to losing in attack. I feel weaker with every shot I take.]

Slaine was attacking Handeron hit by hit, attack by attack, and nearly everything landed. She then tried finishing him off with a knockout. She disregarded Monadias's arrows and went straight for the offence. As she was landing every hit she could, she sensed something weird. Handeron then caught her hand, and it was now him that attacked Slaine.

- How? Don't your gauntlet's heal you, only?

- Nope.

- Ahh, so you get stronger the more you are hurt...

He was counterattacking, but Slaine still managed to block most hits. If it weren't for Monadias's spiral shot that made her lose focus, Handeron's attack wouldn't have had much impact, but he managed to deal one powerful blow to her stomach, her face intesne from pain. She then went to instant counter attack. One time she was sending fire slashes towards Monadias, and then was exchanging blows with Handeron. It was quite even for the time being, around 4 minutes of immersed fighting, but it soon became very intense, because Slaine was, again, trying to use Ionsai on Monadias. They both knew that if she catches him now, it might as well be game over. So, the idea was simple.

[I've got to use it now.]

As Handeron was kicked back, Slaine did what she tried to do from the beggining, but it wasn't her that was first.

- Ionsai!

Handeron emerged at a very saddening scene. There was a fire in a village. The flames eated out every house in sight. There was nobody to take it out, to save what could be saved. And there was her, standing at the center.

- Bad memory?

- No, not really. I am the one that started it. It was necessary. Those stubborn... nevermind...

- I will go on. A scar sometimes hurts more than an open wound...

Handeron then charges at her, and as they exchanged blows and Handeron was losing, soon enough they were equal, and then Handeron was once again losing. They did that for about two minutes, when Slaine increased the distance. Handeron was sweating due to the heat emerging from the flames of the burning village, but it wasn't an inconvenience. It made him more pumped, he liked to bring out a sweat in a competition. She then sent out some flame slashes, but Handeron was able to get through them.

- You aren't the type to hide your crystal.

- My crystal can't be protected in any way, so it's easier to just hide pride and do something like this.

- Well, I couldn't agree more. But it is not great news for you.

- Why?

- Because I will have to defeat you now, not break your crystal.

As they exchanged blows once more, when Slaine again tried to fall back, Handeron predicted that, and went for his trump card.

- Last Stand!

Handeron then dashed immidiately to Slaine, and started hitting her as fast and as strong as he could. She was defenceless, and definitely not ready for something like that.

[What is this? How did he become so strong in just a second? Maybe he...]

She managed to block some hits, but they were not enough. She slipped, and soon, she was squashed by the amount and strength of punches connecting.

As she woke up in the real world, she was instantly hit with a spiral shot. If she won that, she would definitely dodge it, or even block it. She assumed she was at around 84% potential now. Considering that she is fighting against a 80%, no... two 75% she was in a bad spot.

- What was that ability, Handeron?

- Ace in the sleeve, but also a double edged sword.

She was in an equal exchange with Handeron, but Monadias's arrows started hitting more and more with every second.

- We go all in now!

- Okay.

They attacked and attacked, punch after punch, arrow after arrow. Monadias's stamina was slowly coming to an end, but he still managed to shoot one last spiral shot, before falling to his knees. Handeron was the only one who could finish it, he attacked, and attacked, and attacked, and it seems like Slaine was unable to fight more after that exchange of blows. Her stamina ran up, she was hurt and totally overwhelmed. She was still standing, though.

Handeron watched her, and the first thing he did, was to try and give her his gauntlet. She pushed it away, and said.

- Good job boys... You both really are strong... I didn't run out of stamina in ages! Now... time to wrap things up....

Return from the ashes.

Some red strings started to cover her skin, and a red aura around her could be seen. Soon, she disappeared, like she burned away, and was found in the place where the battle started. Handeron watched with disbelief, as she just casually went and finished Monadias in one hit. He tried dodging and it seemed like he can manage, but the barrage of attacks was too much, and he couldn't create distance. Not only she was recovered, but also stronger. She then approached Handeron, and that was a massacre. Handeron, even after having been hit countless times, couldn't match her. She cut him up through the empty spots in his armor, that didn't cover his body, and even his regeneration wasn't enough. He soon passed out, and the fight was over.

***

Monadias woke up in the tavern they were staying in, one gauntlet on. Handeron was beside him, his bed was put closer so that the gauntlets could heal both of them. He decided to not move much, so that Handeron can get fully healed too. He changed positions multiple times, thinking about the outcome, when he saw a note on the desk that was from Slaine. It said.

Good job both of you. Train more to increase stamina and just get stronger. But yeah, overall good. 8/10. See me when you wake up. Both.

Slaine Teaglhach.

As Monadias read it, he was quite held back by such a short letter. He thought that there will be a deep analysis of their fight, but was met with just a surface level of information.

He immersed himself in thinking about that so much, that he didn't see Handeron next to him, snatching the letter out of his hand and reading it.

- You good?

- Damn, you scared me. How didn't you make any sound?

- Ninja ancestors.

- Seriously?

- No.

- I thought so...

- Anyways, we got a definite loss today, but it wasn't that bad.

- I've got a lot of training to do...

- Yeah, me too, probably.

They sat there for a while. When both of them were healed, they decided to go to Slaine's office. As Handeron went through the door of their room, Monadias stopped him, and said.

- Where do you think you're going?

- To Slaine's office, like she wrote in the letter.

- And the bed will place itself on the other side of the room?

- Oh, yeah, sorry.

Handeron then lifted the bed with one arm, and placed it on the other side of the room.

***

They arrived at Adventurers Guild, greeted the mummy and then, entered the office. She was there, with some documents on the desk. As she saw them enter, she said.

- What do you think you are doing?

- Dang, I forgot...

They closed the door, and soon, knocking could be heard.

- Excuse us, it's Monadias and Handeron, may we enter?

- Go on.

They enter and stand in front of the desk, behind which Slaine was sitting.

- Never forget to use proper etiquette.

- Sorry, Miss Slaine.

- Anyways, I will now go over what will be waiting for you in the upcoming future.

- We are listening.

- Okay. First things first, your documents are ready. You will be attending third and final year of the Weapon Master University of Caipitil, as I mentioned once before. You are formally on the last year, but you will only be attending the practical lessons of the third years, while you will also be going for the theory lessons of the first years. It is due to the fact that you already have completed whole second year, which is about overall weapon training. The first years lessons are about everything humans know about weapon use, techniques and basic stuff, while the third year lessons are all about fighting others. Your documentation and all of this is thanks to the Crown Prince of Daonna, Aonghas Rioga, the first son of the current King of Daonna, Ardgal Rioga. You will have a chance to meet him there. Now, here is the most important part. Listen up.

- Yeah?

- Why did you free that girl, Monadias?

He didn't hesitate. Not at all.

- Because I can't bear to see anybody being persecuted, treated like trash, and who that person is doesn't matter to me.

- Good, and can I ask you, do you trust Handeron with everything you have?

- Yea, of course.

- Okay, then. Come closer, please. Both of you.

They both lean in, and wait for her to say something.

- Closer.

They lean in even closer, awkwardly closer. Slaine then handed them a note, that had a message on its front, saying.

Read immidiately.

Monadias opened the note, and there was a message there.

It all is to prepare you to take down the nobility. Our king stands in no power against them, but if they were to lose something that could create a wound, like slaves, the people would prey on their loss, and thus, create an opening for the King to take over. If you will be able to fulfill what we expect from you, you will be honoured, and not forgotten. You in?

They thought for a while, but the decision was pretty clear. They borrowed a pen, wrote their answers and returned the note.

We end slavery, we good.

Yup.

Slaine smiled a little at that statement. She then stood up from her desk, and pointed to a carriage outside her window.

- That is your transport. You have about an hour to get packed up, and to leave. Sorry that it had to be done in such place and in such way.

- It's nothing. Thank you for everything, Miss Slaine.

As they were heading to the exit, Handeron turned back and asked.

- Oh, and what about the girl?

- The beastwoman? I will take her through the border when time comes. I'm.... quite restricted here with my contacts, but I will work something out. Besides, we can use her as a mediator in a peace treaty with beastpeople, so it's not like she will be useless if not sent back.

- Good, thanks again, and see you around.

- We certainly will meet eachother. And also, take care of my little sister.

Monadias then looked over at Slaine, with a blank expression.

- If she is your sister, then she doesn't need our care.

Handeron looked over at Monadias, with a piercing look, definitely not happy with his answer.

- Don't stay stupid stuff like that, of course we will take care of her.

Handeron then turned around to face Slaine, this time his eyes were showing kindness and understanding.

- Her name is Aine. Aine Teaglhach. If there would be one thing I wanted to ask youto do, then just help, and protect her.

- Okay, we will see what we can do. So, again, bye.

- It was good to meet you, boys.

They left the office. Slaine sat down on her desk and talked a little to herself.

- What will grow out of these two...?

^^^