Chương 91: Face Off

The room the receptionist took them to was large and filled with various decorative plants and trinkets. A few small paintings were scattered throughout.

"Blake and Graham," The Mayor smiled.

"Come and take a seat." The two Redigo soldiers shared a quick look before complying and sitting on the carved, wooden chairs. Across from them, the Mayor stood over his desk, a sea of papers below his elbows.

"Hello, Mr. Mayor," Graham politely lowered his head.

"To what do we owe this honour?"

"I take it that you two were the ones responsible for this new character, Eth's initial investigation." Graham and Blake shared a look. Did their lazing off finally come back to bite them in the ass? Why did it have to be the Mayor!

"Y-yes," Graham replied.

"He did well to hide his tracks initially. I… I understand the two of you have some sort of relationship?" Eth visiting the Mayor was the main reason they had to submit a follow-up to their report. At that moment, they knew he was a big deal. Graham just… didn't expect it to bite him in the ass so quickly.

"You could say that," The Mayor smiled.

"In fact, the task I have for you is related to him." Graham exhaled as his body deflated. It really was a task. Although they weren't out of the woods yet, at least they weren't going to die on the spot.

"The two of us got into a slight disagreement, so I need the two of you to handle it for me." Blake chuckled nervously.

"Like shake him down?"

"Kind of. I want the two of you to kill him." A thick silence pressed heavily on the duo. Graham swallowed.

"S-sorry, but I think I may have misheard you. Kill him?"

"Yes. He's a weak man with a poor affinity. I imagine it won't be much trouble for two esteemed Redigo soldiers, would it?" Graham felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't much of a fighter, and even Blake, who was a little stronger than him, couldn't be considered a talent. If Eth's affinity was truly low, then perhaps they'd have a shot, but he'd seen the man and experienced his mysterious aura. They'd seen his absolute confidence and how he'd transformed the slums and created a media empire in such a short time.

Eth didn't feel like an opponent they could beat. From his left, he heard Blake's voice.

"If his affinity is truly low, then I don't see a reason the two of us can't beat him… but is killing really appropriate over a slight disagreement? I'm sure we could get him to apologize." Graham's heart quickened. He knew exactly what he needed to say, but he also knew what that entailed. He took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air from the plants spread throughout the room.

"No, that won't do." The mayor replied coldly.

"I'll need you to take his life."

"I…" Graham stammered. Blake and the Mayor's head turned. He curled up his fists on his lap.

"I'll do it." Blake gave him a funny look before slowly nodding.

"Alright, we'll take the job. We're honoured you chose us."

"No," Graham spoke, straightening his back.

"I'll do it by myself." Silence. The Mayor raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" Ignoring Blake's confused gaze drilling at him from the side, he continued.

"I don't need Blake. I can manage a nobody magician myself."

"Wh—""He's dead weight." Graham interrupted his friend and fully focused on the Mayor. The silence dragged on. The Mayor's eyes shifted between the two of them calmly. Graham couldn't tell what was going on in his mind. He felt a small yank on his arm.

"What the fuck are you talking about!" Blake hushed. Graham didn't turn to face him, waiting for the Mayor's response. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. He felt another yank on his arm, "You're the weak one, how the fuck am I dead weight? If I'm not there, you might actually lose against Eth. Don't be a dumbass."

"It's an interesting proposal," the Mayor tapped his finger on the desk.

"Please ignore my friend here." Blake chuckled.

"He's not thinking straight." Graham kept his focus purely on the Mayor.

"Unfortunately," The Mayor shook his head.

"This is a task designed for the two of you. I'll have to reject this plea." The Mayor pushed himself up from his seat and walked to the window display.

"However, once you emerge victorious, you will be properly rewarded with an influx of credits. I'll also throw in a good chunk of Riak in there as well." Blake straightened his back and eagerly nodded.

"The location of the battle is mapped out on the paper below you. I expect both of you to be there at noon. Don't bring any potions or consumables of the sort." Graham gritted his teeth.

"Would you recons—""I believe everything I've given you all the information you need. I expect the best out of you." Blake swiped the paper off the table and bowed.

"Thank you, Mayor Sir. We won't disappoint." He quickly dragged Graham out of the room. When they were back on the streets, he immediately grabbed Graham's collar.

"What the fuck did you think you were doing?"

"Doesn't matter," Graham mumbled, "We have a fight tomorrow, and we should prepare accordingly."

"You've been acting so weird recently," Blake spat.

"You're not jealous, are you?"

"Jealous?" Graham scoffed.

"Of you?" Then he sighed, shoving Blake's hands away from him.

"Let's get back to headquarters." He grumbled.

"We should compile all the information we have on Eth and at least spar a few times. It's been a while since we've had to fight." Blake gave him a long, uneasy look before nodding.

"Fine." Graham took a sharp breath. If they planned properly, they could win. They had to.

"First, can we assume Eth and The Oracle Hand are the same person?" Evel opened his eyes, greeted by the distant songbirds. The ceiling was different from the one that usually greeted him in the morning. This one was higher up and made of wood. Everything returned to him. The third performance, the Mayor's trap… Using his workers as distractions. The chase. Albert's arrival. The Bud that Refused the Sun. Evel walked to the washroom and splashed cold water on his face multiple times.

He stood in front of the mirror, holding his own gaze. After an unknown period of time, he splashed his face again and wiped it up the best he could. He had a battle today. Blake and Graham… Since his arrival in Ichoris, the two had been constantly on his tail. He'd used them to establish his image in the city and accrued swathes of credits from the information they provided. Despite all their previous interactions, he knew next to nothing of their abilities, nor their fighting strengths.

'Nothing but grunt workers,' huh? Evel made his way to the kitchen, where Albert was already cooking breakfast. He took a seat as he usually did and waited blankly.

"How're you feeling?" Albert asked, placing the two plates on the table. Eggs, crusty bread, and a spiced sausage. Same as usual.

"Fine, I guess." Evel turned to the open window, allowing the cool wind of the harvesting season to wash over him. So much time had passed since he first arrived in Ichoris, and he had never really stopped to appreciate just how much things had changed. But now wasn't the time for appreciation. He had a battle today.

"Got any tricks or something prepared?" Albert asked casually, biting into his own breakfast. Evel answered honestly, biting into his breakfast.

"No."

"Hm? Why not?" Albert was probably referencing the fact that he'd relied on traps and tricks to survive in the recruitment trial. In a sense, it had become his forte. Yet now, he didn't have access to the battlefield, nor knew anything about his opponent's abilities. There wasn't much planning to be done. He'd have to adapt as he learned more, or die.

"Will we train today?" Evel asked,"Is that really the best idea?" Evel took a sharp breath.

"No. You're right, sorry." He couldn't train his body, he couldn't train his ability, and he had nothing to work off in terms of planning. All that was left to do was wait. Redigo, huh? So, Evel waited. He finished his breakfast and helped Albert clean the dishes. Then he went outside and sat on the porch. Just waiting, watching the animals run around in front of the house, and the enormous garden that surrounded it. After a while, Albert joined and tossed him a stemack.

"Less than an hour, now." Evel caught it out of the air with a frown and stashed it in his pocket.

"Didn't the Mayor say no consumables?"

"Just take it beforehand. It displays no properties of Energy, so I doubt the bastard will notice anyway. Even if he does, I'm confident he was mostly referring to potions." Evel looked up. The sun was steadily approaching its peak. With a curt nod, he pushed himself out of the chair and began stretching. He wore his most flexible suit and ensured his pockets were loaded with his cards. By the time he finished, Albert was already waiting for him by the path.

The two walked back into the indigo-green forest, not a single word spoken between them. The squirrels scattered as they walked, and nearby birds watched curiously. When they finally arrived at the old spot, three figures were already there. Across the small clearing stood a copper-haired man. His build was average, and his sharp eyebrows were pointed. He looked a little angry, but above that, focused. He wore a subtle frown, and the handle of a sword rested on his hips.

Intricate and laced with a silver and ferrum pattern Blake. To his left was a shorter man with wavy brown hair. He wore a large brown hood, concealing his entire body, leaving only his tense face to be seen. His hands remained deeply hidden within his hood, and he didn't seem to be holding any weapon. He wore an uncertain expression, but looked focused nonetheless. Graham. There was one last figure. He floated high above the rest of them, just a speck in the air, his cape fluttering in the wind behind.

It was difficult to make out a single one of his features, but his presence was by far the most domineering of them all. Mayor Magnus. Evel closed his eyes. This wasn't a battle he wanted to fight. It wasn't a battle his opponents wanted to fight. It was a battle of nothing. A light breeze swept through the trees, the only sound in the sudden silence. Taking a deep breath, he slammed his eyes open. He took a step forward, hands in his pockets and raised his chin, looking down on the two opponents before him.

His gaze clashed with Blake's, then with Graham's. Blake took a step forward, his right hand firm on the handle of his weapon. Graham took a step back, his hands hidden within his cloak. Then, at the exact same moment, their three auras detonated.