" Can I?" Ray was perplexed, he would be lying if he said he didn't want to fight this strong old man but he also didn't want to expose Sanguis.
"Don't be shy! Look even Flora wants to see you fighting." Ray turned around and There stood Flora with sparkles in her eyes poring his back with a strong gaze. She was obviously pushing him to accept. With no choice left he just thought 'You can hear me right, Sanguis?' and indeed he got a reply. 'Loud and clear. But how did you know that I can hear your thoughts?'
'Fuck off. Anyway, is there any risk of exposing you if I fought Galdof?' This was his main problem with this fight and if he could hide Sanguis then there was nothing to stop him.
'You can go ahead and get fucked as much as you want and that old geezer wants even feel my existence. Of course, I don't need to tell you not to use Blood manipulation, do I?'
"Fine, I accept." Answered Ray.
"Great! Flora gives him your sword."
Then Flora, threw her sword to Ray and retreated a few tens of meters and sat on the same tree Ray was sitting on. But when she took a look at her Grandpa she saw him also holding a sword.
"Grandpa, why are you also holding a sword? Don't tell me....you're taking Ray seriously? Fufufu." she giggled at her own joke but the reply she got made her freeze in her place.
"This boy over here is a little monster for his age. Don't underestimate him! Let's begin." With his sign, Ray's eyes changed from those gentle yet strong to a cold gaze as if he's whole being entered battle mode. Then he disappeared from his place or that what seemed to Flora.
She turned her head and he was already behind Galdof and his sword was inches away from his face. But the old man was able to stop the attack barely.
"As I thought. You're one little monster! Hahaha" He laughed but Ray didn't answer and disappeared again this time he just appeared in the air above Galdof and swung his sword horizontally. "It won't work two times Ray." Said Galdof while taking a defensive stance with one hand behind his back. But to his surprise before Ray's attack could connect The little boy disappeared again appearing behind him like a shadow.
Galdof couldn't remember the last time he felt a chill run down his spine like this. he was the strongest swordsman in the lower lands with a huge difference between him and the others. Many tried to fight him but all of them got miserably defeated. 'He's no joke, is he? I guess I need to get a little serious.'
Then, when Ray thought he got him, a massive aura exploded from Galdof. A massive amount of mana covered his body and threw Ray a few meters away. He was barely able to land on his feet, but when he stood up his met a sword pointed to his neck.
"Wha-!"
"Fuh! You really made me use my mana, Ray. You're extremely talented and I can't even fathom the level you could reach with such a monstrous potential." There are a few small beads of sweat accumulating on Galdof's face. He was alarmed by Ray attack which made the boy proud of this.
Who was even more surprised was Flora. She lived with her Grandfather for a long time so she knew very well how strong he was. But Ray over there made him get serious in two moves! He indeed lost instantly but still, no one can deny that Ray was very talented with the sword and also using his mana. His speed was the result of a masterful control of mana and using it to maximize his explosive speed and quick attacks that take his opponent by surprise.
"That was amazing Ray!" Flora quickly jumped from the tree and ran towards Ray with a mesmerising smile that could make anyone fall in love with her instantly.
"Oh please! I was just lucky, I still need to train more. Sir Galdof, I know I may be selfish but can I request something from you." He looked at Galdof with a serious face. He knew that he had no right to ask the old man to train him. But he knew that this opportunity to make himself, even more, stronger and reach new heights presented itself for him and he will try to seize it with everything he had, Even if he refused, Ray won't regret anything.
But before he could even continue he was interrupted " You're now a part of the family so of course, I will train you. What do you think Flora, you want a training partner?"
"Yes! when I saw Ray's skills I thought I need to train even more so I can reach his level"
"Hahaha, don't fall behind. You're my granddaughter after all." Said Galdof while laughing heartily.
"Hey! What did you mean with that?"