Hollow’s metal boots kicked up a patch of grass as he charged at me full burst. He was just slightly shorter than most humans and had an extremely slender build. I couldn’t imagine any of his attacks hurting. For the sake of building some of his confidence, I let his first attack hit.

  A subtle glow of white light filled the edge of his sword, poised to strike. My eyes tracked its movements right up until he was in front of me, and then it disappeared.

  This must be his Straight Edge; hopefully, it’s got some kick behind it.

  The blade disappeared behind a blur, and in the blink of an eye, he had closed the distance and made contact. It wasn’t anywhere strong enough to hurt me, but the impact was firm. Even so, I remained there, unfazed.

  I haven’t really gotten the chance to fight with my body since I started using magic. I might as well take the chance while it’s here.

  I brought my floating claws down on Hollow's sword, but he avoided it with a sudden back-step.

  (Don’t think I’ll let you escape that easily, Hollow! Here I come!) I focused my mana through the dirt beneath me and shouted the skill in my mind, Construct!

  Suddenly, two of my claws, made from hardened mud, held onto his ankles. Hollow stumbled back, but couldn’t move from where I locked him down.

  Construct might be cheating a little, but I’m still an Oblivion Wraith at the end of the day. Magic’s in my nature. I charged at him with a staggered pace. Even at full speed, it wasn’t very impressive. I'd better keep my punches light, just in case…

  Two balled fists flew through the air and connected with his chest and helmet. Hollow’s torso fell back, but with his body still locked to the floor, he hung back as if he were about to fall over.

  The health bar above his head dropped to just under halfway, and there was still no reaction from Hollow. Even when overwhelmed, he remained completely devoid of emotion or pain.

  Did that even hurt him? His health went down, but he’s not even reacting... Still, I can’t go too far or it might actually kill him. This is only a sparring match; I should end it here. I activated telepathy and sent my thoughts over to him. (Maybe we should stop here for now… It’s only a sparring match, so don’t feel too bad about losing–)

  The thought had barely finished by the time I noticed his sword was missing. Suddenly nervous, my eyes scanned left and right, trying to see where he dropped it, but it was nowhere to be seen.

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  Woosh! Woosh!

  Beats of air forced my attention to the sky, where the spinning sword was headed down from. I brought my floating arms towards me to block just in time before it hit my face.

  When did he have a chance to do that? Wait, don’t tell me it was when I hit him? But why…? My attention slid back to Hollow, or at least, where Hollow was before.

  The arms I fashioned from dirt had been broken, and Hollow vanished. I activated Perception and could tell he was close by, but with such a faint mana source, it was hard to tell where.

  Did he run off? No way, he wouldn’t just leave like that–

  The sound of metal kicking dirt broke off behind me. My body jerked in the direction with both arms raised at the ready, but Hollow had already closed the distance. It all happened so fast, I barely had a chance to react. I instinctively reached out to grab him, and the subtle gleam of white slipped under my levitating arms.

  So fast… Is that Straight Edge?! How is he using it without his sword? Bewildered, I watched as Hollow slid under me and nabbed the sword on the ground, then leapt back on his feet in one smooth motion. His sword? So he was aiming for it all along. I won’t let you get by that easily!

  My arms weren’t going to reach him; I didn’t have the agility for it. My body was in the perfect position, and I made use of my size to body slam into him.

  “Grooooooaaaar!!” I released a bellowing roar as my chest collided with the ground.

  Hollow stood firm, with his feet wide spread and his shoulders locked. His sword adjusted in my direction and cut through the air towards my chest.

  Why’s he stopping? Doesn’t he know that at this speed, I’ll kill him?!

  It was too late to stop myself. My weight picked up enough momentum that once I hit him, the ground beneath had shattered and broke apart. Even so, I felt the distinct jab of his sword dig into the core at my chest.

  I pulled away, nervous, but luckily, he was still alright. If he didn’t have the Unyielding Stance skill, he wouldn’t have been standing there alive.

  That was a crazy stunt! It can’t even be considered a training match with something that reckless. Seriously, what was he thinking putting his life on the line like that?

  My eye caught my health bar in the bottom right corner of my vision.

  A small chunk had been chipped away. Nothing considerable or life-threatening, but it hadn’t been there before. It must have been from that last attack Hollow landed, no, I was sure of it. He purposefully went for my core, which is the vital part of a monster's body. If he were stronger or my defence any weaker…

  (That was a good match, Hollow.)

  Hollow nodded his head with the same stoic silence that usually followed his actions.

  I’m surprised to admit it, but he actually might have some potential. He managed to use all three skills against me and surprised me with every one. If he gets a little stronger, he’ll be a pretty scary opponent. It’s a good thing I added him to my party and not as an enemy. I nodded in agreement.

  Watching Hollow walk alongside me, his arms swayed a lot looser at his sides. It was subtle, but his head was definitely bobbing left and right as we walked.

  I guess that’s how he shows he’s happy?