The sound of an explosion followed by pink energy signaled the start of battle.

  Without delay me and Mordred charged forward with little regard over what the mirror-like objects floating around us meant.

  In response, Justin readied his blade as his eyes surveyed us before him. Then I saw from the tip of his blade a concentration of light had gathered. Recognizing it as a skill similar to Katherine’s, I quickly called out a warning.

  “Dodge!”

  Not one to ever question my orders, Mordred and I both jumped at the last second before the blast of light was able to hit us. The ray just barely missed us as I saw part of Mordred’s fur singed and burned.

  But before we could take a sigh of relief, I glanced back and saw that the ray of light had struck one of his mirror objects behind Mordred. My own Kobold instincts were kicking off from the sight of it all. Trusting on it I quickly used my [Material Forge] to create a dirt barrier just as the light reflected right back. Unfortunately, the dirt wall was too weak, and the attack managed to break through and pierced a hole in my Minotaur’s shoulder!

  “ARGH! You bastard!” Mordred protested. At least the dirt wall managed to lessen the damage as I thought it could have done a lot worse.

  Before I could say anything else, I was met with a sense of danger as with my back turned the Justice Sword took the opportunity to close in with a strong thrust with his rapier. He moved so fast I didn’t have much time to react.

  Thankfully I was saved by a well-timed throw from Mordred’s [Tomahawk] blocking the attack despite still feeling the sting of pain on his shoulder.

  Seeing his surprise attack fail Justin jumped back as he prepared for another charged light attack. Not wanting to give him the opportunity, I quickly forged a few [Iron Needles] and tossed them in his direction.

  They’re too small to do any significant damage with the intent being to distract him. Seeing the flying needles coming at him the Justice Sword gracefully countered each one while keeping his concentration on charging his next attack.

  That extra second was all I needed as I forged the platform before me and used my favored tactic of launching myself towards my intended destination. I swung my own blade, hoping to connect its edge to my enemy.

  But he was just as quick to react to my assault, conjuring another mirror object towards my way and redirecting away from him.

  “An underhanded tactic, but that’s what I would expect from a cowardly villain like you.”

  I shrugged, showing my lack of care to how he projects his view of me as I continued my attack. The glow at the tip of his blade intensified as he continues to charge his attack. That made it harder to see the closer I got to him. But that didn’t stop me.

  I extended the length of my blade at the same time I swung, throwing my enemy off guard and using his mirror objects to block me. Despite that he still managed to keep his charge going. As a counterattack, he swung his rapier but the distance between us meant it wasn’t going to reac-

  Suddenly my body instinctively ducked, barely missing an arc beam of light from a sliced maneuver. Seems thrusting isn’t the only motion required to activate his beam attack.

  “Boss! Behind you!”

  Thanks to the well-timed call out from Mordred, I was able to conjure my launch pad below me and propelled myself up in the air right as another swing was going to connect. Since I was up in the sky, I decided to take this opportunity and make it rain on Justin, though it was fairer to call it hail instead.

  Large droplets of ice forged around me as they crashed down to the ground. Showing off more of his reaction time, he sliced the air above him as a large crystal formed, acting like an umbrella to block out all the falling ice.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Don’t forget about me!”

  As his attention was focused on me above, my faithful Minotaur charged in. Amplified by his [Bull Stampede] then took a swing with his giant axe, ignoring the pain on his shoulder.

  “Two against one, unfair wouldn’t you say?” Justin called out, undeterred by the rampaging Minotaur before him.

  “Shut up little man! You talk too much!”

  With another swipe of his rapier, he conjured another crystal to act as his shield as Mordred collided right into it with his axe and stopping his advance. His weapon dug right into the clear crystal and was lodged in place.

  Even Mordred’s strength couldn’t help free his weapon so instead he opted to tackle right at the crystal before him and use it as a makeshift battery ram.

  Meanwhile as I dropped down from the air, I decided to try something. Considering my opponent summoned these reflective rocks, that must mean they were made of Mana as well. Since I was able to freely manipulate my own Mana based abilities, in theory I should be able to do the same with his.

  I thrusted my claw before me as I activated my [Material Forge] and began pouring Mana into the clear crystal. But the second I acted a pang of dizziness overtook my head. It seems trying to reforge any material made from someone else’s Mana takes a strong toll.

  “Nnnghh” I grunted, trying my best not to let it get to me.

  I doubted I would be able to do much with his crystal with this much difference in our Mana but at the very least I should be able to do this!

  I concentrated as hard as I could as I continued to fall from the sky. My focus completely on the crystal as I felt my Mana rapidly drained. And yet, there wasn’t any notable change.

  Just a little bit more…...

  At last, my effort was rewarded. A small crack started to form at the base of the crystal. Deciding that was enough I pointed down my Falchion, letting gravity do the rest.

  Observing both of us in action, Justin readied into a defensive stance while letting some light gather at the tip.

  Me and Mordred were at sync. Both of us managed to utilize our enemy’s crystals. Mordred charged right towards the swordsman, fully powered by his [Bull Stampede] and dwarfing the human. At my end, my sword had pierced right at the newly formed crack as it spread across the crystal. In just a moment it shattered into tiny pieces, allowing it to do what my earlier rain could not.

  Together, me and my faithful henchman screamed in unison. “Have a taste of your own attack!!”

  Despite being cornered, the Justice Sword was unbothered. With enough light gathered in his rapier he jumped back, arching in a backwards motion as the charged light released from the blade and creating a smooth arc line of light that instead of bouncing off of the crystals gets absorbed instead. The crystals glowed in power and pulsed as if readying for something.

  My sense of danger from my instincts kicked in and I reactively covered myself. Unfortunately, Mordred didn’t have such senses and continued with his ramming attack.

  This proved to be the wrong move as the light blasted out from the crystals. The shattered pieces made the absorbed lights beam out through the sky past me, dancing in the air as I felt my body endure severely weaker but no less painful piercing lights. I was glad to have braced myself as it allowed me to defend against any attacks towards my vitals.

  Mordred was less fortunate, taking the full ray of light and forced back before he could even touch our opponent. Smoke covered his surroundings, obscuring my view. Not like I had the time to pay attention to him.

  My body’s nerves were overwhelming my already dazed brain with signals of agony. My own determination being the only thing keeping me from falling completely unconscious right then and there.

  I crashed to the ground, the shattered pieces of the crystals dispersed into nothing having finished its purpose. My body was aching, barely able to move my limbs as the world around me started to darken.

  I could barely hold on to my sword, I turned to Mordred’s position as the smoke dissipates and revealed his current state. He was on his knees, his fur singed and burned but thankfully he was still alive. He gritted his teeth, resolve still plastered on his face. I could tell what he was thinking about doing…

  “So that is the extent of your abilities.” Justin commented, lowering his stance. No longer feeling the need to be guarded.

  “If this is the strength of your master then I could only wonder how such a creature like him could gather such intense loyalty from a monster like you.”

  He stared at Mordred. I could make out a look of being impressed as well as feeling pity for him. I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

  “You got…no right……to insult my devotion to my boss!” My faithful Mordred argued, pulling himself up to the best of his ability using his axe to leverage himself.

  I could feel it. He really was planning to use [Bloody Rage] wasn’t he?! My question was immediately answered with the surge of power bursting through Mordred’s body. It’s dangerous but in a situation like this, I couldn’t be mad at him using it. They’re a lot more powerful than I thought.

  Deciding too late, I checked their stats. The second I did my eyes widen in shock.

  No…...

  No this is bad!!

  Before I could quell in my own panic, the world darkened around me. In a second, I was going to lose consciousness again!

  I have to…

  Without delay with no time to consider I sent a message to all my henchmen before everything faded out.