*Since his return to school, Ezio had done his best to forget about the Gawains and basically what had happened in the past few days. He, who thought he had managed to get rid of them for good, found himself having classes again with his former crush.*
-But what is this situation? *He thought to himself*. I want to die, please.
*Stacy was sitting next to him exactly like the last time, and she couldn't stop staring at him, attracting everyone's attention in their direction. However, it wasn't for the reasons you might think.*
-So... Hot or cold? *She asked in an amused voice*.
*But before anything else, let's go back for a moment. Shortly after he announced his departure from the mansion, Ezio was challenged to a duel by Hitchcock, Stacy's butler. The duel request was accepted, drawing the curiosity of many guards. The two individuals found themselves in the courtyard on the training ground, with about a dozen enthusiastic spectators. The field itself had stands and resembled a gigantic athletics field, the two opponents standing on the grass. Heraud Hitchcock had just his casual butler outfit, wielding a rapier instead of a sword. On the other hand, Ezio was just in shorts with a red polo shirt featuring flame patterns and a pair of flip-flops. By the way, the young man had also changed physically; he had become slightly taller, and his body was much more toned. The two opponents eyed each other.*
-Who do you think will win? *Asked one of the guards*.
-Old Heraud is a veteran. He has several dungeon cleanings under his belt.
-Hey hey. Several cleanings, are you serious? Lord Gizon has several Genocides.
-I'm sure the books have exaggerated. Besides, it has been debunked several times by historians, and...
-Screw your historians; we have history right in front of us. Just ask him.
-In that case, why does he avoid any contact with us? Maybe he saw that we painted too idealistic a portrait of him and that his exploits were exaggerated.
-Shut up, both of you, and place your bets. *Said another guard*.
*Stacy, who was in the middle, served as an intermediary.*
-Okay, both of you. Since it's not easy to injure a high-ranking Psyker, let's just say the first one who bleeds loses.
-Works for me. *Said Heraud*.
-For me too. *Casually said Ezio*.
-Ready? Begin.
*She stepped away from the field the moment she gave the signal. Hitchcock took a defensive stance, while Ezio put his hands in his pockets in a relaxed manner. The old man noticed and displayed an annoyed expression.*
-I see he doesn't take me seriously. But let's move on; this is probably a bluffing tactic. The minute I get close, he'll pull them out to launch one of his attack spells.
*On his side, Ezio thought differently.*
-What's with this weird fighting pose, kid? A new martial art?
-Haha, very funny. I just do that when I'm stressed.
-Are you making fun of me? He'll shred you to pieces.
-Well, I hope not. Did you think I'd become an expert in manipulating aura* in two weeks without training?
*Note: Referring to psychic energy.*
-You faced a sea dragon, and you're afraid of a simple old man?
-He's a human being; it's totally different. By the way, now that I think about it... I never asked you, but... Have you ever killed a human?
*The hero remained silent for a moment and simply said*.
-Be careful. He's coming.
*Hitchcock concentrated his aura around him, then, in a single step, lunged towards the young man at full speed.*
-Here. *Thought Ezio*. He's slower than I expected. Must be his age.
-On the contrary. This old man is faster than you might think. *Gizon said*. Get ready and do as I told you.
*Ezio closed his eyes for a moment to take a deep breath. When he opened them again, an enormous surging wave emanated from the field. This wave was a massive halo of heat that carbonized everything in its path and dried the air around it. When activated, Ezio's hair stood on end and turned bright red.*
-Incredible... *Stacy exclaimed, shocked*. It's Lord Gizon's famous thermal shield. The first step in creating the Chaos world. A huge wave of heat that annihilates everything in its path, including projectiles. It seems that the closer you get, the more it feels like approaching the sun.
*Stacy had protected herself with her aura, so the effects on her were reduced. The guards, on the other hand, were sweating like pigs.*
-I learned to master this technique after getting hit by a Fury's tongue. *Gizon explained to Ezio*. That bitch threw it at me from a distance just before she died. It was six times faster than a crossbow bolt.
-Oh, you must have suffered.
-Focus. You need to grasp the energy around you and imagine yourself like... a fireplace.
*Ezio displayed a bored expression.*
-Don't you have a better comparison?
-Sorry, but I couldn't find anything better. Well, imagine yourself as a huge sauna. Something that emits heat all the time.
-Like a thermal power plant? Okay, I got it.
-A what?
*Hitchcock himself couldn't get closer and stepped back several paces. Indeed, his technique mainly consisted of concentrating his aura at the tip of his rapier to deliver the fatal blow. He found himself quite helpless when the massive wave of heat hit him. Although he avoided it narrowly, the shockwave was enough to cause some burns and destroy the front of his costume.*
-Damn, I'm quite surprised even though it was to be expected.
*The old Hitchcock regained his composure with a slight sigh, took off the top of his jacket, and unsheathed his rapier. One could see the aura growing around him to form a protective halo.*
-What's going on? *Exclaimed a guard*.
-Damn, my camera got fried; I couldn't film anything.
-What were you saying about myths?
*Hitchcock's rapier had melted due to this fight. Stacy, who had witnessed the entire duel without moving or blinking, hadn't missed a thing.*
-It's exactly like in the books. *She said*. He combined rock and his natural pyrokinesis to create a magma gauntlet. However, it's strange that he uses his thermal shield in this way. He wanted to preserve the old man's life.
*Ezio managed to keep his calm, playing the role of a professional actor. However, internally, he was glad that everything had gone well.*
-This old man is not bad. *Gizon commented*. If he had an appropriate armor, your little wave of heat would have barely touched him.
-Little? I think I emitted enough heat to melt an iceberg.
-An aura powerful enough to withstand my thermal shield. *Added Gizon*. I see that the descendants haven't been idle during my absence.
-I thought you didn'tcare about them.
-It's important to acknowledge effort when you see it. *Gizon remarked*.
-Tsundere, huh?
-Tsu what?
*So, the matter was settled. Ezio had won, and he was going to withdraw. With the show he had put on in the training ground, he wanted nothing more to do with the Gawains. As he packed his things, lost in his thoughts, someone knocked on the door.*
-Enter.
*It was the young Stacy, dressed in just a mini-short and a crop top. Ezio tried not to pay too much attention to her as he packed his belongings.*
-Where do you plan to go from now on?
-It doesn't matter to you in any way. *He said coldly*.
-If you want, I can accompany you to the city's exit.
-If you have nothing important to say, little girl, go away. *He said with an irritated voice*.
*She lowered her head and pretended to leave, then came back and said.*
-By the way, Ezio, Makoto leaked your internet history. Currently, the whole school thinks you're a pervert.
*Ezio got angry and gave her a murderous look as he shouted.*
-Mac, you little bastard, I'll have your skin. *He yelled*.
*Realizing that he had broken character, his gaze fell on Stacy, who was staring at him.*
-I knew it.
*She grabbed him by the mouth and pinned him against the bed, holding his wrists. In a state of stress, Ezio couldn't control himself or think straight.*
-You... Something happened during the ritual. Don't tell me it didn't work.
-It's not what you think.
-It's not possible. I invoked the body and the spirit. You, you dirty little pervert, enjoy seeing us bow down to you, don't you?
-No, damn it. I said there's a misunderstanding.
-How did you do it? Since when have you been pretending to be someone else? Silly me? You're an actor; I should have thought of that.
-But let me go. Damn, she's strong for a girl. *He thought*.
-I thought I missed my shot. *She continued*. I was sure you were him. But after your fight today... Thermal shield... The real Gizon would have thrown three fire comets right from the start.
*Suddenly, a flame pillar formed in the middle of the room, and a winged crimson armor appeared. The armor spread its wings and faced the two young ones.*
-Who are you to decide which weapon and which spell I use and against whom? *A deep voice, as if from the depths of the earth, said*.
*With just a glance, Stacy immediately understood what she had in front of her.*
-Enough. I will not tolerate this sophism towards me.
-You... You... You... *She choked*.
*To be continued...*