''Haa… what a mess.''


    Why did things have to end up this way? Why, of all people, did I have to be confronted with Legris Damien?


    "You had better give up now." A daunting smile formed on my face as I tried my hardest to radiate confidence.


    My opponent, the very same person who had outsmarted me thest time, didn''t seem too scared by my sudden appearance—even when I had backup with me.


    Edward, Lemi, and Ivan were also with me as backup.


    While I knew that none of them could really prove to be much of a threat to the enemy, it felt smarter to rely on the mirage of strength in numbers.


    In the worst scenario, I would simply transport everyone back to the base while fighting Legris myself.


    "What a surprise, Jared. You can use Aether now? I wasn''t expecting this development so soon…" Legrisughed, pping his hands.


    As always, he threw me off guard. I couldn''t tell if he was lying about his surprise or not, though the former seemed more usible.


    ''He''s trying to misdirect me again. I won''t underestimate you, Legris.''


    In any case, Ciara and Jerry seemed to be in a rough shape.


    For Jerry, he must have exerted himself too much—enough to render him unconscious. As for Ciara, she had to have been exposed to a huge wave of Nether. It must have affected her ability to use Mana, as well as weakening her considerably.


    ''Her body doesn''t seem to be in good condition… though it''s getting better on its own.'' My thoughts rang as I thoroughly observed her body.


    It most likely had to with the Arcana in her possession. It made me d that they hadpleted their mission.


    ''That leaves only Neron and Serah.'' A smile formed on my face.


    Of course, that only depended on the possibility of us winning this round against Legris.


    "You know, we''re a horrible matchup. Even if you have Aether, the possibility of beating me is low." Legris grinned.


    "I''m more amazed that you can use Nether. How long have you had ess to it?" I swiftly responded, narrowing my eyes in curiosity.


    In the past, I couldn''t tell what energy he had that made me so frightened. However, I now understood it to be Nether.


    The problem, however, was how he was able to utilize it so freely. Regr people—no, even powerful beings—weren''t supposed to be utilizing Nether as freely as Legris did.


    "Ah, that. I''ve always been able to use it… I think."


    His response made it seem as though it was only natural. And that seemed off for so many reasons.


    "No… back at Ainrk, you didn''t have this power. I don''t know how you were able to pull off your escape, or how your survived my Spell, but…"


    It wasn''t until after that moment that Legris began exhibiting this new ability. Granted, he could have hidden his ability from everyone. However…!!!


    "I refuse to believe you wouldn''t have used Nether to stop me back then."


    Did he y me at that point? Had he been in no actual danger when I cornered him that time? Was everything just a fool''s crusade?


    I had many questions, but I kept my cool regardless.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "Ohh, so that''s what you mean. I don''t believe you have any right to know any of that, Jared. I mean… why should I tell you?" Legrisughed in response.


    He was definitely right about his answer. Even if he gave me a response, there was no genuine reason to believe him. In the end, I wouldn''t be able to get a definite answer.


    "Just so you know, Jared, you actually won that time. I''ll admit that I was cornered with no way to escape. It''s not easy admitting a loss, but I admit that one."


    Was he trying to appeal to my ego? Trying to make me a bit more confident and careless?


    ''Not a chance!''


    "You say that, yet you were able to win in a game with much higher stakes." I responded.


    ''Alright. I''ve bought enough time. I''ve restored Ciara''s and Jerry''s energy with Resonance. Plus, we''re ready to move anytime.''


    My [Strength] Arcana was also on standby, in case Legris pulled out his Nether to interfere with my Original Magic.


    ''I really don''t want to fight with him since I have barely gotten a hang of the power.''


    If Legris was telling the truth about his masterful experience with Nether—which was believable, to be honest—then I was probably screwed in a fight.


    "Yeah. Fair enough. I''m not arguing that I''m superior to you, Jared. At this point, even Neron is…" He chuckled slightly.


    ''Is he implying that he can beat Neron?'' I couldn''t tell truth or lie apart with the man in front of me.


    "What will you do now?" I prepared myself, stirring the energy within me.


    It still took time—no matter how little—to teleport. The rest would have to escape while I covered them.


    ''Thank goodness Asa, Maro, and Vida are still in the base. Less people to worry about…''


    "I mean, you guys must have a ton of Arcanas, right? Why would I let any of you escape my grasp?''


    As expected, he was going to engage. Why would a member of the Nether Cult skip on his chance to obtain a good number of Arcanas—especially since they were gathered in one ce.


    ''That''s not going to happen, though.'' I red at him.


    "Alright, Jared. Shall we begin our next round?" Legris released his Nether, causing the entire area around him to be shrouded in unpleasant darkness.


    "Tch…" I conjured the energy in [Strength] and spread the power of Aether around me and my allies.


    Any moment now, I would forcefully teleport them away.


    They would simply be a burden to me, at this point. I couldn''t afford for any of them to slow me down. Besides, the Arcanas were—


    "Here Ie, Jared."


    Shockwaves sent even the earth parting as Legris made to close the distance between me and him in one swift motion.


    ''Shit! Here goes!''