"Good job Morpho! That was impressive" Rhamn praised the brave butterfly.
Lying on the floor, Viper struggled to look at the almost forgotten Selene.
"Why don't you help me!? I am doing this for you damn it!" His voice was filled with frustration.
Selene finally moved from the shadows, approaching with light footsteps. "You've failed at your work. The experiments were not successful." She came over to his body and stared down at him.
Cyril cautiously gave way while applying healing magic.
"Instead of hiring the best there is, you pocketed most of the money. And when the laboratory was invaded, you were missing." Selene's voice was cold, each word as sharp as a blade.
"I don't mind if you want to play Emperor in here, but you need to show some worth first. All I saw was a pathetic waste.
Before Viper said anything in response, she quickly poked him on the head, knocking him out.
With this done, she now paid attention to Cyril.
"Have you thought this through? Do you want to be my disciple?" She said again in a calm tone, like nothing was wrong.
"Are you serious right now?" Cyril said in contempt,.
Selene didn't reply to his question but looked him in the eyes with innocence. "Why would I not be serious?"
"I don't want to be a disciple of someone experimenting with human lives." Cyril held his spear at the ready.
Selene still looked unperturbed. "If that makes you feel better, I am not the one responsible for this project. I was simply nearby, and someone asked me for a favor.
After saying this, she nodded with certainty: "It's fate we met today. What's the harm in learning from me? I will not ask you to do anything you'll be against, and you won't be forced to join my faction."
Her words were tempting for Cyril. He did want to get stronger, and her abilities looked sufficiently powerful, but he still had slight misgivings about learning under someone like that.
"Why are you going to such lengths to find yourself a disciple?" Cyril said with suspicion.
"Because you are the most suitable person to learn my magic. The fight just now convinced me even more," Selene answered with no hesitation.
Cyril was conflicted about what to do right now. After a few minutes of contemplation, he raised his weapon and approached Selene.
"Morpho, go hide again. Now" Rhamn warned.
"What are you trying to do?" Selene tilted her head in confusion.
"I'll fight you. First of all, you are a criminal, and I should try to apprehend you; second of all, if you were to be my master, I should feel your strength personally," Cyril said in an arrogant voice.
This was the decision he came to. This way he can at least say he tried to do justice.
Selene silently looked at his approach, then slightly smiled with satisfaction. "Yes. It is only right we do this."
She put her left hand behind her. "I will only use one hand. If you manage to make me move a single step, then you win, and I will tell you all everything I know about the experiments. If you lose, then you become my disciple. How is that?" Selene said provocatively.
Really? Let's see then..."The impudence!" Her words successfully ignited Cyril's fighting spirit even further. "I agree!"
Despite his current injuries, his dash speed was still great.
With enough speed and power to easily crush most people, he thrust his spear at Selene.
Just as the attack was about to connect, Selene, in one sudden motion, grabbed the spear with her hand, leaving only a few centimeters between the sharp tip and her throat.
Cyril tried to take back his weapon, but no matter how much strength he exerted, he couldn't pull the spear away from her hand.
How is that possible? This was the first time someone overpowered Cyril physically.
Selene suddenly let go of the weapon, making Cyril stumble backwards a bit before he regained his footing.
A few drops of sweat appeared on his forehead as he looked at relaxed Selene.
"Well? Are you going to attack?" Selene beckoned him with her hand.
"Tsk..." This successfully provoked Cyril into attacking.
While on the move he cast a fireball spell, only it missed its target by an obvious degree.
When he came close, Cyril swung his spear at Selene's legs.
The fireball traveled for a second before coming back around, flying straight for her back.
This way, Selene had to face an attack from two opposite directions.
She grabbed the spear and pulled it this time, taking Cyril with it. With a twist of her body, Selene threw him behind her back with surprising speed.
Cyril hit the fireball and rolled a few times on the ground before getting up.
Luckily he managed to activate a barrier mid-air. His body was fine, only his dignity suffered.
"Do you want to go again?" Selene said without even turning around.
Shit. I need a better plan. Cyril tried to think of a way to win while he circled to face her, but nothing good came up.
He still didn't have enough time to accumulate spells. Once an opponent exceeding him in both strength and technique appeared, his options became rather limited.
Cyril cast a spell. It was still a fireball, but now it came to a point in the air and stopped.
Then he cast another one and another one until the air around Selene housed more than 10 fireballs, all stuck in place, waiting their time.
This took a good chunk of mana. And this far away from the Tower the iconic emptiness could be felt all the more vividly. His face became paler.
Selene looked at the ones she could see with an approving stare. "The quality is not bad."
Finally, all of the fireballs started moving at the same time, closing in on their target in no time.
Feeling the heat of all the spells around her, Selene was still as relaxed as usual.
She made a circling motion with her hand, and a wave of energy went out with her at the center, blowing away all of the spells.
Right at this time, Cyril went in with another attack. He jabbed his spear at her chest at the most opportune moment.
But Selene's hand suddenly became much faster, leaving afterimages in its path.
In one elegant motion she deflected the spear, making it pass by her.
Then, with her index and middle fingers held together, she poked Cyril in the chest.
Cyril only felt a great force hitting his chest, forcing him back a few steps, before the world in his eyes started becoming darker.
"It's my win. I'll see you later to begin the training." After hearing these words, he lost consciousness.
...
When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Morpho sitting on his nose.
Seeing him wake up, she flapped her wings and began flying around.
Cyril raised his body with some difficulty and looked around him.
Selene was already gone; Myra was still knocked out.
Jack was back, crouching in front of Viper, unmoving.
"We got quite the kicking, huh?" Rhamn was sitting near him.
"In that last attack she sent a stream of mana into your body, forcing it to turn off." Her voice was filled with wonder. "I won't let this technique work on you the second time. But still..." Then she turned contemplative.
"If her techniques work by manipulating the human body with magic, then perhaps they really are suitable for you." It seems she held no grudge over being defeated so easily.
"We made a bet, and we lost. There's no use being upset about it. There is no shame in losing to someone strong."
You are right... Still doesn't feel good.
"Oh hey! Are you feeling fine now?" Jack said with a friendly voice,.
"Didn't expect this rogue would come back."Maybe he came back to help.
"You have quite the luck with women, eh? She was impressive indeed! The way she threw you around like you are nothing... some would pay to be in your shoes!" Jack said in a flattering manner.
So he saw it all? Cyril shot him a cold look.
Jack pretended not to see it and continued, "By the way, what are you planning on doing with Viper?" His voice became a level more serious.
"I need to get rid of him. Don't ask me why, but I thought you would want to interrogate him first. What do you think?" Jack asked as if he was doing a favor.
"When Myra wakes up, we'll do that. You'll have to wait for a bit," answered Cyril.
"Sure thing, brother. You helped me out a great deal back then. This is nothing." He sounded genuinely grateful.
Cyril wasn't sure why he was thanking him. Maybe that's just how he talks.
"Cyril! Moprho tells me there is something interesting in that room," Rhamn pointed at an unremarkable door on the side.
They somehow missed this door when passing by. "I think there was a spell on it before. But it's gone now."
Under the questioning eyes of Jack, Cyril came over and opened the door with no issue.
It was a small storage area filled with boxes.
When he first entered, the sudden brightness almost blinded him for a second.
I forgot I had this! He felt completely natural during this time, but he probably had strange-looking eyes when talking to Jack earlier.
He didn't even say anything about that.
After a bit of time, his eyes returned to normal.
Morpho flew directly to a particular box in the corner. She felt a trace of mana in here.
Cyril came over, easily broke the lock and opened the box.
Inside was a bunch of unusually shaped plants.
They had a thin, coiling stem covered in spikes. The flower is purple and bell-shaped.
Aren't these the plants Myra wanted?"It's definitely them, exactly as she described!"
There was a good amount of them here, probably enough for whatever it is she needed them for. It was a convenient find.
"A little bit too convenient" Rhamn said with suspicion.
Cyril observed the box from all angles and tried to feel anything with magic, but nothing seemed weird.
Maybe Myra is just lucky. She does say that a lot."Maybe..."
Jack also came in. He observed the butterfly with curiosity, but upon noticing Cyril's loot, his eyes widened. "Ooh! This is Death Bell! A very potent poison, and not something a respectable young man like you should carry. How about I buy it from you? You won't get a better price anywhere else."
"No, I'll take it," replied Cyril and closed the box, keeping it.
"Are you sure? Let me know if you change your mind. The money is good..." Jack said dejectedly.
Cyril ignored his words, came over to Myra, and slung her over his shoulder. In the other arm he carried the box.
"Pick up Viper; we'll go outside," Cyril said to Jack.
"Me?" Jack looked at the muscular body of the Viper and then at his own thin arms. "Alright then..."