For two entire hours, Malachi was beaten like a toddler's drum set.
Due to his enhanced physique and healing factor, no bruises were left behind but the mental scars were more than enough of a reminder.
He still had no idea what he'd done to piss Rose off so bad but he made a silent vow to never do it again.
As the fight went on, Mal improved considerably and was even looking mildly impressive as a rookie.
He had quickly learned to defend her blows and counterattack with his own, as well as make them purposeful.
While his skill was not prodigal or masterful, it was impressive for a beginner and worth praise.
Malachi lay on the floor breathing hard and holding his ribs after Rose launched another devastating kick to his side.
He didn't want to admit it, but he wasn't going to be beating her anytime soon it seemed like.
"Need any of this by chance?" Rose suddenly dropped a bottle of water beside Mal's head and he accepted it gratefully.
"Yea….You actually seem kind of nice when you're not trying to take my head off."Malachi said without much thought.
"I-I just want everyone in the guild to know how to defend themselves. Is that so wrong of me?"
Mal's ribs : Yes!
"Nah… I guess not." He muttered as he closed his eyes to rest on the floor.
"Don't worry about it just take care of me in the future alright teach?" Malachi gave her a warm smile and once again held out his hand for a handshake.
Rose stared at his oddly captivating and relaxed demeanor for a while before she let out an exhausted sigh and ran out of the training room in a hurry.
"Training over, great first day, see you tomorrow, be late and I'll break your nose."
"Again you mean?"
"Shut up!"
With that, she was gone.
Leaving Mal scratching the back of his head in confusion as he sat up from the ground. "I thought we were getting along better but was I mistaken?"
Luna and Aisha suddenly approached Malachi from their spot on the wall and he was immediately reminded that there was another woman who wanted to kill him earlier.
"You bastard! You got another girlfriend and didn't tell me?!" Aisha roared.
The subject of the woman who was now his put a giddy smile on Mal's face that only served to infuriate her even more.
"I was gonna tell you eventually. I just kind of forgot since it still doesn't feel real."
"This is Serana's mother right?" Aisha asked while looking at the picture again.
'M-mother?!' Luna's entire world trembled with just those simple words.
"Yea.." Mal's voice was so delirious it was as if the mere mention of her was enough to put him under a spell.
Aisha nodded, seemingly satisfied that her deduction was correct and with his choice of partner.
"W-wait Malachi!" Luna suddenly intervened. "How old is this woman?"
"She'll be 38 in the spring….I should start thinking of birthday plans for her while I have a moment. "
"Maybe you could take her on a trip?" Aisha suggested.
"That's good, but where would we go?"
As she listened to Malachi and Aisha plan for this woman who was about the same age as her, Luna felt like she was going insane.
"Mal you.. like older women?"
"Loves them." Aisha responded dryly.
"It's an addiction really." Mal confirmed without an ounce of shame.
'Then does that mean I… No what am I thinking I'm his boss!' Luna stuffed her impure thoughts down almost as quickly as they formed.
Mal's phone suddenly vibrated and he smiled when he saw that it was a text from Sei asking him to come to the restaurant.
He hurriedly changed out of his sweats and put on normal attire before bidding the two women farewell and running out of the building.
On the way to the parking lot, he ran into Bianca who scowled at him and yelled something about not giving up before she turned around and ran off.
'I didn't think Serana had so many followers…seems like a lot of people saw that picture."
At the time, Malachi was still unaware of his new fame and didn't think that the picture spread so far simply because he was tagged in it.
-
Arriving at the restaurant, Malachi could see that it was busy but not quite as bad as yesterday.
Word seemed to have gotten around about how good the food served was and now Sei had herself a number of new regulars.
She was waiting for him outside when he pulled up and she happily ran to embrace him when he stepped out of the car.
"I missed you.."She shyly returned his hug and hoped that Serana wasn't hiding somewhere taking pictures again.
"I missed you too." Malachi planted a kiss on her forehead and Sei's face became as red as her underwear.
Deciding to focus before she fainted, she led him inside so she could talk about why she called him here.
In the corner of the restaurant, there was a man sitting down holding a large briefcase in his lap.
"That man showed up looking for you about an hour ago and begged me to call you. I thought about kicking him out but he looks so…desperate." Sei explained.
Malachi looked at the man seated and was able to confirm that the man did have an aura of desperation and hopelessness.
Not only that, but he could hear his heart beating rapidly as if he was incredibly nervous.
Malachi sent Sei away and walked forward to meet the man.
When the man's eyes landed on him they flashed with hope and he stood up and offered his hand.
Mal didn't know at the time that what this man wanted from him would change his mentality about life going forward, and make him the most powerful blessed in the world.