Without much surprise for Loyd, Arimélia and the entire teaching staff on site, as well as a good part of the students, the duel seemed about to end with a landslide victory for Elwyn. However, astonishment still reigned, given the ease with which he had resolved the situation, the force he deployed and the brutality he showed at the end.

  Princess Sylaria and Lorian’s two companions, Linhart and Sarra, were the most shocked by the condition and position in which the prince of Hercor currently found himself.

  Elwyn, now kneeling on his adversary’s chest, looked down at him with the hauteur typical of an Entity facing a heretic of his Domain, preparing to give him a lesson.

  Prince Lorian, for his part, was rather in a bad state. His chest and back hurt from the various impacts he had sustained, his breathing was difficult because he had not had time to properly catch his breath since Elwyn’s punch, and his ego was being trampled in front of just over a hundred people.

  — So, what do you feel being put in your place, human? Is it painful? asked the young nephilim, adopting a moralizing attitude.

  The prince could not answer anything, but that mattered little to Elwyn.

  — In life, there are two kinds of beings. Predators, who hunt and kill, and prey, who are hunted and killed. You, Prince Lorian, are my prey.

  At these words, Elwyn applied more pressure on the prince’s chest, without caring about his moans and pained grimaces that followed the act.

  — You should have listened to Arimélia instead of insulting her. I am a naturally superior being to you and I have surely worked harder and longer than you to reach my current abilities. So, be careful not to provoke someone stronger than you again, otherwise, you will end up in this state once more, or even worse.

  Elwyn released the pressure a little, allowing Lorian to breathe somewhat, before concluding his lesson.

  — By the way, I’d like to remind you of one last important thing. Your title has no value. It protects you neither from stabbings, nor from poisonings, and even less from an Entity performing his moral duty towards an Ilnolian who thinks he can do anything, concluded the nephilim, before getting up and standing one meter away from his adversary.

  — I declare the end of the fight and the winner is Elwyn, proclaimed Loyd, after having observed for himself Lorian’s inability to continue the fight.

  — Well, since this story is now over, we can resume class, declared Aldric afterwards.

  With a quick gesture, Loyd made the training sword lying on the ground disappear and then turned to Elwyn, before joining Ezekiel and Arimélia for their special class. At the same time, Linhart and Sarra rushed to support their prince, who had just begun to cry. He had just been beaten in one blow, humiliated by being dominated on his back and then reprimanded in front of all the students of his year.

  This sight of Prince Lorian left Princess Sylaria perplexed about her feelings and saddened Arimélia. Loyd was then the only person satisfied with the situation, as Elwyn had already moved on.

  _________________________

  On the way to a forest near the academy, Loyd wanted to fill the silence that had settled since their departure.

  — By the way, great fight. You managed to neutralize him in one blow and make him cry like a baby. I hope it will calm him down a bit.

  Elwyn then quickly recalled the confrontation.

  — He was… strangely weak. I expected more resistance from him, given how he behaved, and I must admit it was quite… disappointing.

  — And yet, he is among the best of your year, replied Ezekiel.

  — He has been training hard since he was five and also knows how to use magic, even if it is only single-target for now, added Arimélia.

  — You seem to know him well, even though there is no form of friendship or tolerance between you, remarked Loyd.

  — Yes…, the half-dragoness simply replied.

  The subject of Lorian then raised a question in Elwyn’s mind.

  — I was wondering how it is that he is a prince and that Sylaria is a princess of the same kingdom without being brother and sister?

  — Hey… that’s true… How is that? wondered Loyd in turn.

  — A long time ago, the king of Hercor had twins and did not want to decide on a single heir. Thus, they both became kings, each creating his own lineage, making the kingdom dyarchic, replied Ezekiel.

  — Why such a change for just twins? asked Loyd.

  — Because, if they were perfectly identical, it would have been very likely to confuse them. How could one put a king on the throne when he might be mistaken for his brother? That would have caused too many problems between them and could have ended badly. Not to mention the mix-ups they might have with nobles and other authority figures, thinking they were speaking to the king or his brother, replied Ezekiel.

  Arimélia nodded in agreement with the professor’s answer.

  — Said like that… it’s rather logical. But it remains a big change for not much.

  After a few minutes of walking, they finally stopped in the center of an isolated clearing.

  — Professor, what have you planned for the class? asked Elwyn.

  — Loyd and you will face each other, with and without your powers, while I take care of Arimélia elsewhere.

  The half-dragoness took this declaration as a sort of reproach for herself.

  “I am too different from the others… so I must be isolated so that they can take care of me…”

  Professor Ezekiel then went under his long black coat and took out two kinds of open metal handcuff-like bracelets made of polished metal, and handed one to each of the nephilim.

  — What is that? asked Loyd.

  — These are restriction bracelets. Once put in place, they prevent ether manipulators and users from being able to use it.

  Elwyn carefully examined his bracelet and noticed a magical engraving with two distinct characteristics. First, he observed that the engraving was divided in two at the clasp, implying that when the bracelet was closed, the spell became functional. Then, he noted that the engraving was different from those he had encountered before.

  Generally, a magical engraving is made by projecting ether under pressure to form a complete circle that attracts ether to itself. Inside this circle, a spell is inscribed following its pattern. For restriction bracelets, the slight separation of the circle into two at the closure indicates that the ether is repelled and that each half of the circle contains a distinct spell. The first, on the inside, disorganizes the internal ether, while the second, on the outside, repels the ether around the object.

  "Given the time Entities have spent among the Ilnolians, it is normal that they have found restriction methods suited to us… How many half-Entities have caused harm with their powers? How many victims? Then, given its effects, this object should also work against magicians…”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  — Isn’t it a bit exaggerated to use this kind of thing for a training? asked Loyd.

  — Humm! What a beautiful proof of your naivety. This object will force you to hold back your blows and dodge without resorting to your extraplanar movement. Because, if you ignore it again, there are places where it is impossible to use your powers or ether. So learn to fight like everyone else, if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises later, replied Ezekiel, with a slight condescension.

  Loyd’s gaze hardened at the tone and words of Professor Ezekiel, but he did not try anything against him. He knew it would be useless against him.

  Wanting to test the capabilities of the object, Elwyn then put the bracelet on his left wrist and closed it.

  Suddenly, he felt his body become heavy all at once, as if he had to use more energy for even the slightest movement. He also noticed that his internal energy flow no longer circulated and that he was unable to modify it to strengthen his body. As for the use of ether, he tried to levitate a small piece of wood on the ground, but without any result. The surrounding ether did not come to him.

  — It’s really impressive as an object. I really believe that with this, it is possible to become stronger. Well, if Loyd doesn’t kill me in the meantime.

  — How do you feel with this object? asked Loyd.

  — Heavy and slow… I feel as if I am carrying a weight distributed over my entire body.

  Loyd then put on his bracelet and felt the same sensation, unaware that his feeling was less intense than that of Elwyn. Indeed, the latter usually benefits from a passive advantage of well-being and lightness thanks to the Domain of Life.

  — Well, now that you have understood the effects of your bracelets, start by facing each other for one hour without them, then put them back on for the second hour, explained Ezekiel before nodding to Arimélia so that she would follow him, leaving the two nephilim alone.

  Elwyn and Loyd then removed their bracelets and placed them on the ground, facing each other. Loyd made two training short swords appear and threw one at Elwyn. They then both assumed a combat stance before charging at each other.

  _________________________

  Meanwhile, Professor Ezekiel and Arimélia quickened their pace and left the forest to meet in a plain, not far from a rocky area. The half-dragoness observed the surroundings and noticed a pile of training swords previously stacked in front of a rock.

  — Alright, here we will be alone. So, as it seems you have difficulty controlling your strength, we will spend one hour fighting with swords, with the objective of not destroying the blades. For the second hour, you will take your draconic form, and we will fight again so that you can master this transformation, explained Ezekiel.

  — But… professor, I risk seriously injuring you if I transform, retorted Arimélia with apprehension.

  — Stop whining, kid. You are centuries away from being able to do anything serious to me. I am in charge of handling abnormal and potentially dangerous individuals. So do not think for a single moment that you scare me, especially with your so closed-off and insecure attitude, replied the professor sharply.

  — Very well…, capitulated the half-dragoness, her stomach in knots.

  Professor Ezekiel then went to fetch two training swords and gave one to the half-dragoness, who took it lethargically.

  — A little nerve, kid! If you want to be respected, you are going to have to work hard on yourself. Now, get into a guard stance, growled Ezekiel, exasperated by Arimélia’s behavior.

  The half-dragoness obeyed the command out of fear and took a guard stance facing the professor.

  — Alright. I will initiate the fight, so prepare yourself. And don’t forget, avoid destroying the blades, reexplained the professor, before launching his offensive.

  Arimélia parried the assault with a simple blow of her blade, but nicked both weapons under the impact force. Ezekiel launched another offensive of light blows that the half-dragoness parried or deflected. However, with each impact, the blades slowly began to transform into saw-teeth, testifying to the force she was imparting in her movements.

  — Go easy with your parries, breathe and closely observe my movements. Don’t be afraid of my blade, it is not dangerous, explained the professor during the exchange of blows.

  Arimélia, anxious, lightened her grip on her sword, following the professor’s advice, which led to an almost immediate disarmament.

  — Too light. Hold your weapon more firmly anyway and also think about counter-attacking.

  — Yes…, replied Arimélia in a weak voice.

  The professor’s gaze intensified.

  — You are scared, aren’t you?

  — Yes…

  — You fear hurting me if you counter-attack?

  — Yes…

  Ezekiel then decided to roll up the sleeve of his left arm, then placed his nicked blade on his exposed forearm.

  — Look closely, he ordered.

  Arimélia fixed her eyes on the professor’s pale arm, which had been deeply cut by the serrated blade. Terror seized her as a spurt of blood burst from the wound, after Ezekiel had withdrawn his blade.

  — Professor! exclaimed Arimélia, frightened.

  — It will be alright, don’t worry, replied Ezekiel calmly, while his self-inflicted wound closed in a few seconds, leaving no scar or trace of blood.

  Stupefaction and amazement overcame the half-dragoness.

  — You see, you cannot easily hurt me. So put a bit more of your own into it now. If you want to improve, stop being unnecessarily afraid, he added.

  — Alright…, she replied, still stunned by what had just happened.

  Ezekiel then took Arimélia’s sword and placed both weapons not far from the pile of swords, from which he took two new ones as replacements.

  — Come on, let’s resume.

  _________________________

  At the same time, in the clearing, the two nephilims continued exchanging relentless attacks. However, it was Loyd who led the dance and Elwyn could only endure, even though he had the advantage of being able to make extraplanar movements more quickly than his adversary and thus surprise him from time to time.

  — So, did you get what you wanted? asked Loyd between exchanges of blows.

  — What do you mean?

  — You took your time coming to eat, so I suppose it was to ask something of Professor Sylvia.

  — Ah, so that’s what you were talking about. Yes, I got some information, he replied while chaining several piercing blows aimed at his adversary’s chest.

  — So, what did you learn? he asked, while deflecting each blow with the least possible movements.

  — My father was the descendant of a human Hero of the second generation, so I did not inherit his power, and during his lifetime, he was the most powerful Guardian.

  On the spot, Loyd was taken aback by this unexpected revelation, but recovered quickly after noticing that it had no value for their objective.

  The two nephilims then paused to continue their discussion.

  — You know, nephilims have a growth and power development equivalent to that of a descendant of a second-generation Hero. The only difference we have with your father, before he became a Guardian, is that we cannot use magic.

  — You mean that together, we can have a strength equivalent to his before his death?

  — Not really, the strength of two people does not simply add up. Each has his own physical abilities and fighting style, but if we manage to coordinate and understand what the other wants to do during a fight, then we can be far more dangerous than him.

  — Two against one, isn’t that considered cheating in your Domain?

  — If it is a regulated duel, it is because the individual agrees with that situation. In his duels, Asagar always lowered himself to the same power level as his opponent, even if it involved several individuals.

  — At the same time, if he fought constantly at full power, war or even the slightest combat would no longer make any sense with him on the battlefield.

  — On the battlefield, he reinforces the army he is in charge of with his aura, gives the strategy to follow and makes sure that the rules are well applied by all sides. He only fights against opponents who have real potential as warriors, for his own pleasure, with an agreement in case he is defeated.

  — I see. So he is not only a warrior, he is a war leader, a strategist and an arbitrator… That promises.

  Following this conclusion, the two nephilims resumed their fight with more ardor, in order to make up for the brief pause they had just taken.

  _________________________

  Meanwhile, at the academy, the training of the first-year students continued without a hitch.

  Professor Aldric set the pace for the run around the arena, giving encouragement and motivation to the less athletic, while reprimanding those who deliberately dragged their feet.

  For his part, Professor Luth was very active. He led by example for each muscle-building exercise before correcting the students’ postures.

  Finally, the exercise led by Professor Sylvia went wonderfully, at least for her. The students had to dodge volleys of water spheres falling from the sky at varying speeds and, at the end of the exercise, the professor dried her students to prevent them from getting sick.

  It is thus in this environment that Princess Sylaria was left by her comrades for their special class. Her physical abilities being somewhat below average, she had difficulty keeping up with each exercise, but still managed to survive the class, earning sore muscles for the rest of the day.

  Unlike her, Prince Lorian had a handicap following his fight. Every action and every movement was painful for him. His chest was marked by a large bruise where he had received Elwyn’s blow full force, making his breathing difficult. However, even weakened, he did his best to hold on. He wanted to succeed. He refused to lose again. It was unthinkable for him and for all the efforts he had made since he was a child.