Looking at the people surrounding them, Raze backed away a bit, he is in no way going to fight this, not when Sage could kill them all in a second.
"Albert, give these men and women some gold coins." Sage said from inside the carriage, leaving Raze speechless.
"You are not g-" just as he was about to question his a small ball of water hit him in the face. He stood up somewhat angry, but decided to shut up when he saw the water ball floating around him.
"Yes sir." Albert said as he took oit 30 Gold Coins and gave each of them one.
"The roads are dangerous in these times, go back to your village and protect yourselves" Albert kindly said to the woman who looked to be the leader and then made the horse go forward again. The 'bandits' just stepped aside and let them go somewhat puzzled and thankful.
"Let's go, you heard him." the woman said and lead the group.
As they carriage got somewhat away, Raze could not hold it in and questioned their decision.
"Why did you not kill them? they would have killed us if we did not have money." He said somewhat angry.
"Shut it brat, did they look dangerous to you?"
"Those swords pointing at me did, yes."
"You mean those rusty swords? that were held by their shaking hands? Not to mention the clothes of villagers?"
"...this.."
"Master Raze, no man or woman is born evil, it is their circumstances that drive their path. If a few gold coins can not only save them from going on the wrong path, but also help them out in these difficult times. Then the pay is worth it." Albert looked in the sky as he spoke.
"Remember this Raze, Don't judge someone by the actions that might do, but by the actions they have done and why they did it." Sage said and closed his eyes.
"I....Thank you for this lesson." Raze said softly as he once again thought back to the group. 'The really did look like the aunties and uncles in the village.. I have much to learn, not only about this world, but also about how to be a judge of character.' Raze then once more put himself in his practice, a few hours later Albert instantly stopped the carriage.
In front of them 10 men came out, Albert furrowed his brows when he saw them. As Raze was thinking if these men were good or bad, a Water Ball shot out from the carriage, turning into an Arrow as it penetrated the heart of 9 people in a blink.
"This..." Frozen in his spot Raze and the last bandit looked at the carriage in shock.
"Raze, you need to gain fighting experience, take a weapon from the corpses and go fight." Sage looked at Raze as he spoke. He then looked at the last remaining Bandit.
"Survive 1 month as he training partner and i will let you go." The Water Ball then became a ring as it landed on the man's neck.
Although Raze had many questions, he decided to comply and ask his questions later. it was true he lacked any fighting experience against humans.
Taking up a dagger from the ground, he held it in a reverse grip as he looked at the man in front of him. As a white gass was about to emit from the man's hands, The ring around his neck tightened make him hold it in pain.
"No Perks, that includes you too Raze." Sage said and the water ring softened again, allowing the bandit to breath agaun
After the man stood back up, Raze ran at him. Just as he was 2 meters away from the Bandit , sword came right in front of his eyes.
'Am dead.'
As this thought ran through his head, a small projectile hit the sword, sending it to the side.
"Focus on your enemy, don't just run forward, this is not a marathon." Sage said as the water ball went floated around him once more.
Raze once again looked at the bandit as his fists clenched the dagger. 'He is the same level of body refining as me. This must be why Sage left him as my practice partner.' Once again he dashed at the bandit, this time however he held the dagger forward, keeping an eye on the enemy.
*Clank!*
"Don't look at your opponents face, he is not that good looking. Focus on his weapon." Sage said as another water ball returned to him after blocking the bandits sword again.
"Again" Sage said as Raze once again went into position.
Raze again ran forward, however, he took Raze's advice and watched the sword.
*CLANK!*
"I said focus on the weapon, but that does not mean to neglect the enemy themselves. Although i limited the uses of perks here, in a real fight you won't always know the enemies perk and will need to watch out for it. Again."
Sage saw how Raze and the bandit kept clashing, only for him to constantly interrupt the enemy and point out the mistakes Raze made. After around 4 hours he decided to call it day and proceed their journey.
'Although i could tell him what to look and whatch out for, it is best for him to experience failure to know that if he does not improve, he will die when i am not there' Sage though as he remembered his teacher sending him to fight in the Labyrinth only to interfere when his life was in mortal danger.
'Hehe, just wait till we reach the Labyrinth, finally will feel my pain i felt back then.' Sage grinned as he looked at Raze, who shuddered and looked Sage as he slowly backed away.
"He-hey, I don't swing that way. Maybe the bandit would be interested." As he said, Raze ran towards Albert and hid behind him.
Black lines formed on Sage's face as he conjured multiple Water Balls to make Raze trip and fall constantly.
"You don't swing that way? What way? I am 100% Straight! I am so straight, i could suck a dick and it wouldn't be gay!" Sage said but soon stopped as he saw the interested look of the bandit and the fearful look of Raze while the kind smile of Albert.
'Ah fuck'