In less than twenty seconds, Alfie's punches had become a blur.
His fists hammered against the thick tree trunk one after another, each impact echoing through the forest. He moved around the tree as he attacked, deliberately spreading his strikes across different sections rather than concentrating all his strength in one spot.
His breathing remained steady, but sweat soon covered his face and soaked through his shirt.
A faint aura surrounded his body as his Force Energy continued to grow stronger with every movement. He could feel the power flowing through him, responding to the rhythm of his punches.
I'm getting the hang of this!
Alfie shifted to the opposite side of the tree and unleashed another flurry of punches.
Thud! Thud! BAM!
The repeated impacts shook the trunk. Cracks began spreading around its base, while the roots shifted beneath the tremendous pressure.
Alfie gritted his teeth.
"Just a little more!"
He planted his feet firmly, drew back his right fist, and gathered every bit of strength he could muster into one final punch.
BOOM!
The impact sent a powerful tremor through the ground.
The already-damaged roots finally gave way, and the massive tree began to topple. Its branches swept through the surrounding foliage before the entire trunk crashed to the ground, crushing smaller trees in its path.
Alfie staggered backward, his legs trembling from exhaustion. He dropped to his knees, catching himself with both hands.
Hah... hah... I think I overdid it this time.
He stared at the fallen tree, still struggling to believe what he had accomplished.
Then, something suddenly occurred to him.
My sword.
His eyes widened.
"No, no, no, no! Where did it go?"
Alfie scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the fallen tree. He pushed aside broken branches, searched through the scattered leaves, and examined the area around the massive trunk.
Come on! Don't tell me I lost it.
He hurried around the fallen tree, growing more desperate with every passing second.
Just as he was about to completely lose his composure, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.
"Looking for this?"
Alfie froze.
He turned around and found Lucy standing a short distance away, casually holding his sword in her left hand.
"Master?"
His mouth fell open.
"How... how did you get here so fast?"
He hurried over and took the sword from her, checking it before securing it inside his scabbard.
Lucy regarded him calmly.
"Is there a problem?"
"Of course there's a problem... That tree practically flew some distance across the forest."
Before Alfie could say anything more, Rebekah approached from behind Lucy.
"Don't act so surprised, you idiot. That's nothing unusual for Master. Remember, she used to be a Special Darkside Knight."
"I know that..." Alfie protested. "But her speed is just insane. Did she use some kind of technique?"
"When you're ready, I'll teach you," Lucy replied.
With that, she turned and continued walking toward the border of the Kingdom of Eminence.
Alfie watched her leave, his curiosity growing.
She's going to teach me how to move that fast? Now that's something worth looking forward to!
He quickly caught up with Rebekah.
"Hey, where's Master's horse?"
"She's sick," Rebekah whispered. "Master is keeping her inside her ring for now."
"Oh. I hope she gets better soon."
The two continued following Lucy, maintaining a little distance behind their master.
"You two shouldn't lag behind, my dear students. I won't bite," Lucy called without turning around.
"We're good from here, Master," Alfie and Rebekah answered together.
The three continued through the forest, heading toward the border separating the Kingdom of Eminence from the Kingdom of Sunflower.
---
Meanwhile, at the border between the Kingdoms of Sunflower and Eminence...
High above the forest floor, Sasaki sat on a thick tree branch with one knee raised. His sword rested beside him, and his eyes remained fixed on the path ahead.
On a lower branch, Lyon was still fast asleep, using his cloak as a makeshift blanket.
Suddenly, a grin spread across Sasaki's face.
They're getting close.
He glanced down at his sleeping partner.
"Rise and shine, partner! Our targets are walking straight toward us."
"Mmm... Just a moment..." Lyon mumbled, barely opening his eyes.
Sasaki nudged him with his foot.
"Get up. We've got a kid to catch."
"Alright, alright! I'm awake!"
Lyon slowly sat up, stretched his arms, and let out a long yawn.
"So, it's finally time for some action? After all that tracking, I was starting to think we'd be sitting here forever."
He jumped down from the tree and landed lightly on the ground, brushing the dirt from his cloak.
"There should be a lake up ahead. Let's get some water before we move."
"I don't need water," Sasaki replied coldly. "If that kid gives me trouble, I'll break his legs and drag him back myself. None of them can match my strength."
Lyon's smile faded slightly.
"If things get out of hand, I'll seal the woman before she can hurt anyone. I won't spill innocent blood unless I have no other choice."
He glanced toward the lake, where the early morning sunlight shimmered across the water.
Without waiting for a response, Lyon started walking in its direction.
Sasaki followed, keeping his attention on the path ahead.
---
Elsewhere, in the Kingdom of Scale...
At Bash's residence, Jackson and Marcel were busy putting on their gear when a voice called from outside.
"Both of you, get out here! The teleportation circle is ready."
Recognizing Bash's voice, they quickly finished preparing and hurried through the doorway.
Bash was waiting outside, his face concealed behind a mask.
"Stand close to me," he ordered.
Jackson and Marcel moved toward him.
Marcel glanced at Bash before taking a small step sideways.
"Uh... hey, old man. Don't you think you're standing a little too close? And what's with the mask?"
Bash's eye twitched.
"Stop calling me 'old man'! It's Mister Bash! How many times do I have to tell you before you learn some respect?"
"Okay, okay. Mister Bash," Marcel replied, raising both hands.
Jackson chuckled.
"But shouldn't you stand a little farther away? If your Renshi signature mixes with ours, won't it affect the teleportation?"
Bash stared at him.
"You fools! I'm the one activating the technique. How exactly do you expect me to teleport you if I don't stand inside the circle?"
Jackson paused.
"Well... when you put it that way..."
"Enough talking," Bash snapped. "Just stand still and let me concentrate."
He stepped between them, closed his eyes, and brought his hands together.
A low hum filled the air.
Lines of light spread across the ground beneath their feet, illuminating the Renshical teleportation circle. Its intricate markings gradually grew brighter as Renshi gathered along their edges.
Jackson watched the circle take shape, his expression shifting from amusement to surprise.
"Wait a second. You're coming with us?"
"Obviously," Bash answered with a grin beneath his mask.
Marcel exchanged a glance with Jackson.
"Well, that's one way to avoid leaving us in the hands of some crazy enemy," Marcel muttered.
"I heard that!" Bash barked.
"Nothing, Mister Bash!"
The circle suddenly blazed brighter.
A surge of Renshi erupted from the ground, surrounding all three of them in a column of light.