It seemed that we were back to where we had started at the center square, though, my systems were too disoriented to clearly make out the environment. Hoffman was there to greet us.

"Have you cleared Wally's Castle?"

"Wally, sadly, had fled to another area. It is unknown where it had fled since I cannot pinpoint its location, but luckily, without their leader, the soldiers and bandits are without command so I do not expect them to wreak havoc here. Wally is probably in hiding, recovering its wounds like a lowly mutt with its tail between its legs, that monstrous "Nasod."

Hoffman still dismissed us with thanks after showering us with praise and gratitude as well as a portion of awards from highly known merchants. Fully stocked and wealthy, we discussed our next course of action.

"The next stop, Bethma, has harsh, buffeting sandstorms, blistering heat, and a dry climate. It'll be a difficult journey and the monsters are just as tough. We may not make it far if the monsters are as strong as Wally. We probably won't save ourselves along with the town,"

We all grew silent because we knew that it was true, wishing we were stronger. I too, sought strength for we were in our breaking points, but I do not whine and mope to get stronger, I will find out how and apply it.

Hoffman appeared behind us, overhearing our conversation when he suggested a person names Camilla who specialized in combat and also managed the Sparring and Arena System. We aimlessly walked around to find Camilla in the center square, yelling her heart out occasionally, with a megaphone, while smiling with a toothy grin.

"Arena? Sparring Test your skills here! How about you, sir? You seem tough! She shouted cheerfully, motioning towards Raven.

"Err, no, Hoffman told us that we should ask you to become stronger."

"Then Arena and Sparring is for you~ Let's spar first!"

Not wanting to question Camilla's "expertise" we reluctantly entered a completely barren room except for a portal.

"Who wants to go first?!" She said in almost an insane tone.

"I'll go!" Elsword and Aisha blurted out angrily.

They whipped their heads around and glared angrily at each other and started snapping at each other as if they were having a contest on who is most loud and obnoxious right in front of everyone. Raven and Rena sighed and walked away to the corner of the room and started chatting while Chung just sat there confused. I slowly brought my palm up in anger indicating that they'd best run away, when Camilla cut us off.

"No! No! No! That just won't do, you two are too weak, scrawny, and annoying! To-tal kids. Sorry little tikes, but Sparring and Arena is too dangerous for the likes of you. (Not to mention you're not tall enough to battle) she murmured while holding her hand above their heads, indicating how tall they should be. Now shoo! I wasn't going to pick you anyways!"

They gave her a murderous look that would make even Rena jealous, then charged at her like total buffoons. I wonder how Camilla will react if Hoffman stated that she was that much of an expert with such high appraise. She seems awfully not fit for the job. I closed my eyes momentarily to blink, but when I opened them, Elsword and Aisha where sprawling over the floor in pain while Camilla didn't look like she moved a muscle as she continued talking about the rules and principles of Sparring.

We remained rather silent, when Chung shyly rose his hand.

"Are you sure kid? Don't want you getting hurt, that would be bad for business and I would have to complete paperwork on your death."

Chung sweat-dropped, then politely insisted, Camilla nodded, when Elsword volunteered again.

Camilla seemed to be thinking, Hmm..both scrawny and short...but no.

She asked what were our weapons of choice.

"Sword, Cannon, Magic, Elven Martial Arts and Bow and arrow, Sword and arm, Nasod battle units."

"Okay, Chung and...Rena! Step up!"

Before they could react, Camilla pushed them into the portal as we surveyed them from a readied themselves as Chung swiftly loaded his cannon, and Rena charged mp.

"FIGHT!" Camilla shouted from the intercom.

They both raced at each other, picking up speed. Rena suddenly did a quick backflip, then shot three, 45 degree angled arrows. It harmlessly bounced off of Chung's armor, but he cringed, surprised. She went in for the kill, falling fast as she did a sliding kick which didn't seem to cause a massive burn and pain from the friction of her leg and the ground, then brought him up in the air with her heel.

(Rena's POV)

I quickly scanned him for weaknesses in his armor, before identifying them, and shot arrows into the air in quick succession and some managed to pierce is armor. He squealed in pain, and I looked up concerned, before he was quickly brought down with a ground stomp launching me slightly up as he bashed at me several times, reloading his cannon in between that also hit me. Chung flung me afar as if I was a rag doll, then shot me six times in seige mode, then stopped as I fell, hard, on a rocky platform. The air rushed out of my lungs, escaping me, and I became breathless, trying to gulp in air. He remained in the spot he was in and just looked at me, still holding back, and so am I. I could have easily jumped out of harm, I got up quickly, and kicked his chest, but it was like kicking a tree with all that armor on and it ended up as recoil, hurting me as well, I gritted my teeth slightly and continued kicking, if he was afar, I would shoot him with nature arrows causing it to pierce, then finished off with a roundhouse kick before he would fall onto a platform several feet below and launched a Rail Stinger, A gigantic green arrow emerged from my bow. The arrow shot forward forcefully, bringing me back slightly and causing me to dig my heels into the Earth as it went in a straight line making the sound of howling wind as it soared past. He shakily got up, and swung at me, but I double-jumped out of it. Chung somersaulted behind me and shot off a cannonball with a loud bang, damaging my sensitive ears and I shut my eyes, trying to recover my momentary deafness.

"Scare Chase!"

He finished off with a honing missile, something that I wouldn't be able to easily escape from, and a blue explosion blasted me to the floor and I landed gracefully, feet first.

"Okay! Enough! Battle's over! The both of you were obviously holding back. Chung, Rena could easily jump out of your combo and you're a bit slow, another smaller, ranged weapon or two would compensate for that weakness and make you more agile, a gun would do nicely, kid. Rena, the arrows bounce off of the kid's armor easily, as making it a waste of mp. Your kicks too. Although both are strong, something is also missing for you. A dagger would be easy to conceal and find specific weak chinks in a heavily armored person. Also, traps would be pretty helpful and effective to pierce through their defense." She truly was the suitable person to consult with. Quite the expert at close and ranged combat.

(Camilla's POV)

"Okay! Eve and, Raven!" They both seem strong besides Rena. This will be interesting.

(Eve's POV)

She harshly shoved us into the portal and watched from a safe distance. We were about town meters and five feet away from each other, Raven's facial expression was dead serious as he silently unsheathed his thin, but swift sword. I wore the same face and held Moby and Remy at the ready.

"FIGHT!"

Our eyes sharpened as we raced at each other at extreme speeds. I stopped halfway through our sprint, then turned around, not facing him anymore.

"Photon Blink."

I retreated backwards, untouchable for a few moments and he passewright through me, as I had anticipated. I smirked slightly at my reverse psychology technique, designed to trap fast opponents in a more efficient way. Raven seemed a bit surprised, but he seemed to turn into a shadow and stepped away right through it without getting harmed. He didn't even get stunned by the plasma and electricity that I carefully conjured, with my plan ruined I got ready for what would happen next. I expected as much from an experienced person such as him. We were both left without injury besides the mana that we had wasted. Raven used another Shadow Step, slightly confusing my systems, but I could still detect the movement and I successfully blocked his strike to the fist. He was stronger physically however, and my hand withdrew as I tried to gain some distance. My palm throbbed in pain as it swelled and became discolored with a red instead of ivory color. Raven seemed fine however, he rushed at me once more while I was still examining my hand and I bit back a curse. Slashing at me quickly with the dull part of his blade, a million cuts and scars appeared on my clothing and punctured my delicate skin, tainting the shallow cuts with the color scarlet. I grimaced as I was finally knocked down with three powerful punches to the chest and stomach, grinding his knuckles into my skin and causing bruises, then caused a blow to my chest with the hilt of his blade. Gasping for air I flipped and got back up, trying to regulate my breathing systems. He isn't going to go easy on me, so be it Raven.

I grabbed Moby while I was still facing the ground, then whirled around to face Raven and slammed him straight in the face with my battle unit. I took Remy, and kicked it on Raven's knee and his legs buckled for a short moment. Raven almost crumpled to the floor, surprised, and I kneed him in the chin so that he could look up, then slapped him, hard, turning his face to the side. I hit him multiple times like a boxer with Moby and Remy, socking him in the face mercilessly with my heavy drones before slamming my boot into the ground. Moby and Remy fused into spears at my feet, launching Raven into the air, and chained my electronballs skyward. But, no, I wasn't quite done yet. I used Phtoon Blink to catch him, and then summoned a Nasod Scout. Weak looking, and it was, but I knew the extra benefits it had for summoning one. While I hit Raven. The Nasod scout scuttled around, shooting beams and lasers, stunning Raven. 3...2...1...

BZZT* The Nasod scout finally exploded, leaving Raven on the floor. I placed my foot over him and stared at him emotionlessly.

"It seems that I have won."

Me: Oohh~ I made this chapter epic:o

Eve: smirks*

Raven: growls*

Electricity sparks in the air and we all sweat-drop ^^;*

Me: o-o. Ahem* Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please R&R and F&F~ Later!