"Noooooo!" Tyr yelled, fearing the worst.Rushing to the hole in the wall, his movements were frantic and chaotic as he scrambled over the rubble. "No, no, no, please be alive," he muttered, tossing stones and debris aside in search of Hagar.The sound of footsteps echoed from within the house, growing louder and louder as they approached the exit. Suddenly, a wrinkled and aged hand stretched out from the doorway, gripping the jagged edge of the ruined frame. An old, fragile figure emerged slowly, the sunlight creeping over him and revealing his weathered features.Tyr turned toward the sound, his breath hitching as he laid eyes on the man. The stranger had long grey hair that flowed past his shoulders. His forehead bore deep lines of age, and his sharp, puffed eyebrows angled like daggers. His eyes were deep-set and a dark, penetrating brown, surrounded by wrinkles that added to his severe expression. A sharp, angular jaw and prominent cheekbones framed his face, leading to a long, flowing goatee that moved faintly in the breeze. The old man's entire presence exuded menace, his piercing gaze locking onto Tyr like a predator stalking its prey.The old man's voice boomed, deep and commanding. "You're next, runt."Tyr's body froze momentarily under the weight of the man's presence. Fear gripped him, cold and unrelenting. But as the man's words settled in, Tyr's fear began to dissolve, replaced by anger rising steadily within him. His hands clenched into fists, and a faint blue glow flickered in his eyes as his emotions boiled over.Fighting against the suffocating intimidation, Tyr took a step forward, his voice erupting into a scream. "Ahhhhhhh!" He charged toward the old man with reckless abandon.In a blur of motion, Hagar appeared behind the old man. His fist flew toward the man's head, aimed with deadly precision. But the old man didn't flinch. With a simple motion of his hand, he intercepted the punch effortlessly, remaining completely unmoved.Tyr's anger flickered into relief as he saw Hagar. "Hagar!" Tyr shoutedThe old man's voice cut through the moment, cold and unimpressed. "You thought you could sneak up on me? You really have grown weak after all," he said with a sigh. "Seems I've taught you nothing."His eyes shifted to Hagar, sharp and calculating. Hagar, quickly leaped back with precision, putting space between them."Ah, you noticed," the old man said, with an amused tone.The old man's cloak fluttered as he shifted, revealing his other hand glowing faintly blue. "You were going to kill me," Hagar growled. "Fine then."With a swift motion, Hagar threw off his cloak. Blue energy pulsed through his veins, lighting up his arms with a radiant glow. The old man watched him intently, unimpressed."You think you can hit me with such weak soul energy?" the old man asked, his tone dripping with disdain.Hagar lunged forward, his right fist blazing with blue energy. The air around him cracked audibly as his fist tore through it, aimed directly for the old man's face.But the old man didn't move. He stood firm, his eyes locked on Hagar reading his movements. At the last moment, he raised his hand and slapped Hagar's punch away with ease.Hagar's left fist followed immediately, swinging toward the man's jaw, but it was met with the same fate. The old man deflected it effortlessly, his movements precise and almost casual. Hagar threw punch after punch, blue energy sparking and flying through the air with each strike, but none landed.Tyr watched the exchange in disbelief. His eyes narrowed as he observed the old man's technique. He's not just blocking Hagar's punches, Tyr thought. He's knocking Hagar's soul energy away with his own.Each time Hagar's fists met the old man's palms, a faint flash of light rippled outward, and the energy surrounding Hagar's attacks dissipated. The realization hit Tyr like a stone. This guy is a monster.In the midst of the flurry of attacks, the old man's voice rang out, calm and commanding. "Enough of this."With expert timing, he stopped deflecting and began dodging instead. His movements were fluid and precise as he weaved through Hagar's punches, his hand darting forward like a viper. His palm shot toward Hagar's diaphragm.Hagar's eyes widened. Shit. I won't be able to block it in time. Desperately, he tried to cross his arms in defense, but it was too late. The old man's palm struck true, landing squarely on Hagar's diaphragm.A massive surge of blue energy erupted from Hagar's back, forming a brief spectral outline of his body before dissipating into the air. The force of the impact knocked the wind from Hagar's lungs, and he dropped to his knees, clutching his chest and struggling to breathe. The glowing energy coursing through his veins vanished entirely.Hagar gasped for air, his words strained and broken. "Is this… how you treat your student… after all this time?"The old man's expression remained cold, his voice firm. "No. This is how I treat an arrogant fool."Hagar coughed, a faint, bitter laugh escaping his lips. "What was I supposed to do?"The old man's gaze sharpened, his tone filled with disappointment. "Not be a coward."With that, he raised his foot and kicked Hagar squarely in the chest. The force sent Hagar flying backward, his body skidding and rolling across the ground. Dust and debris filled the air as he came to a painful stop.Hagar groaned, propping himself up on one arm as pain coursed through his body. His voice was weak but resolute. "You're right… I was a coward."The old man raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued, and began walking toward him. "Stay down. I've separated your soul energy from your body. You're no longer able to fight. Such a pity… my most talented student reduced to nothing but a weakling."Hagar coughed again but forced himself to his knees. His voice gained strength, and his gaze flicked toward Tyr. "I may have been a coward… but now," he said, his voice firm, "I've found a reason to fight."The old man's expression hardened as the energy in his hands began to intensify. A brilliant azure glow enveloped his palms, swirling and condensing into a lance-like form. The air around him grew heavy, cracks spreading through the nearby buildings."no one has survived my Lance of Victory, It's time I ended this," the old man declared.Tyr's eyes widened in horror as he saw the energy lance forming. "Hagar! Move!" he screamed, running toward him.But Hagar's voice cut through the chaos, commanding and resolute. "Stay back, boy!"The sheer authority in Hagar's tone froze Tyr in his tracks. Hagar turned his gaze back to the old man, his lips curling into a faint smirk. As his eyes began to glow a faint brilliant whiteThe old man hesitated for a brief moment, confusion flickering across his face. But then, with a sharp motion, he unleashed the lance.A brilliant flash of light consumed the street, leaving everything silent in its wake.When the light faded, the old man stood still, his hand lowered, no longer glowing. A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. "You always were my best student," he said, his tone now carrying a hint of warmth.He extended a hand, pulling Hagar to his feet. Tyr stood frozen, his face a mask of bewilderment. "W-what?" he stammered.The old man turned toward him, his stern face softening ever so slightly. "Who is this child, Hagie?"Hagar shot him an annoyed glare. "Don't call me that.""Sure thing, Hagie," the old man teased, a sly grin tugging at his lips.Hagar sighed and gestured toward Tyr. "This here is Tyr. He needs your guidance."The old man stroked his goatee thoughtfully, his intense gaze studying the boy. "I see. You possess a peculiar soul, young man."Tyr Looked up at the old man his face puzzled "What do you mean peculiar"The old man waved off Tyr's question "There will be time for questions later, as for now, my name is Agnar"Tyr still felt intimidated by Agnar's presence, he muttered "It's nice to meet you"Hagar looked back at Agnar, his tone softening. "Will you teach him?"Agnar paused, his expression unreadable. "I'll need to take a closer look at his soul first."With that, he turned and walked toward the ruined doorway.Hagar glanced at Tyr, gesturing for him to follow. "Come on, boy."