"I thought you would be covered in bruises and cuts since you performed so poorly against Tomoe, but I'm surprised to see that you are still standing in front of me without a scratch... It seems as if you didn't need my help at all..."
"I was nicked a couple of times, but the wounds have healed thanks to Avalon... Anyways, back to what Gawain had shouted at the last moment..."
"Ah... I've got no clue. I initially thought he had been a member of the old Mafia, but when I saw that blade, I knew he wasn't the one since no one used a sword within the organization."
Bryan could feel his heart seize up for one Tick before he turned around to send a slew of insults toward the poor Marksman. But the two men were interrupted by a Mage sitting on a rock. After feeling a pair of eyes looking at them, the two Mages turned to see the intruder.
"Oh? Ending the insults so soon? Aww... I wanted to hear how creative you can be with your words, little Slayer of the Pillars," said the Mage, who has pale skin and long white hair.
The mysterious Mage donned a white robe with a flowery motif and a white cape. In addition, the Mage wore two cherry blossom ear ornaments and a necklace of a snowflake.
"Who the hell are you?" bellowed Ashley, standing in front of Bryan.
"Me? Oh... I'm no one... Please don't pay any attention to me. Although, I am here because of the Knight that you've just slain... I'm here to pick up the trash, but it would seem that your scythes were powerful enough to finish the job," replied the White Mage as he smiled at the two Mages.
"Wait... This... It cannot be possible..." Bryan said, finally realizing the White Mage's true identity.
"Oh no... You have found out about my identity so soon? I thought I had a chance when your senior had no clue who I was."
The Mage stood up while combing through his long white hair and summoning his weapon. It was a staff, with the top end looking like a miniature harp. Bryan quickly drew out his scythes while Ashley was still trying to figure out what was happening.
As the wind blew, the two Mages lunged at each other. The two weapons' clash created a massive shock wave that kicked up the surrounding leaves.
"I never thought the docile Mage of King Arthur would be so quick to use brute force on the getgo..." said Bryan, pushing forwards.
"I get tongue-tied when casting spells, so I try not to rely on those things as much... Besides, it's quicker to fight this way, no?" asked the White Mage, as he abruptly broke the clash by swinging his staff sideways.
The Slayer instantly leaped away from the clash, landing on a tree trunk. Without waiting for another incident, Bryan immediately jumped back into the fray, zipping around the enemy.
"Speed and distraction won't do a thing to me... I've had my fair share of running rats..." said the enemy, raising his staff.
But Merlin was a member of the inner seats for the Congregation, so if Bryan didn't watch his step, the Slayer would be as good as slain. So as the White Mage aimed for Bryan's head, the Slayer quickly dodged the swinging staff and swiped at Merlin's legs.
But the White Mage merely jumped up and held his staff above his head, ready to swing down at Bryan's figure. The Slayer sensed the danger and quickly rolled away from Merlin. A suitable choice on the Slayer's part as Merlin slammed the staff into the Earth, creating a large crater.
Bryan knew he was in for a ride looking at the damages done by one swing. The poor man barely had enough power for another few spells since he had finished using the most extensive spell he had ever mustered against a single opponent.
"Damn... If I had known I was going against another opponent this soon, I wouldn't have used the Twelve Constellations against that Knight of the Sun..." cursed Bryan as he pushed himself up from the ground to soar through the air.
Merlin followed the flying man, producing sparks with their hitting weapons as Bryan leaped from tree to tree around the area. Ashley was in awe as Merlin didn't seem like the type to use a sword to fight, yet his swordplay was second to none, even for Tomoe.
Sure, Bryan didn't use swords that much but still... The gap should have never been this big. Bryan was forced to be defensive as Merlin's strikes and slashes were too powerful against Bryan's scythes. At one point, the Slayer feared that his blade might shatter.