SOUL-SEEKER || (On Hiatus)

(Chapter 31) Past Ghosts.

Felix and Nolan faced each other, their eyes locked. Felix took a deep breath and concentrated on his breathing. He clutched his blade tightly, knowing that he needed to be careful. Nolan was a skilled fighter, and Felix was still a student. But Felix was determined to win. Nolan swept the dust off his coat and cracked his knuckles. He waved Felix forward to begin the fight. Without hesitation, Felix dashed forwards and struck with his blade. But Nolan was too quick. He maneuvered out of the way and grasped Felix's arm, turning it like rubber. This momentary lapse in Felix's focus allowed Nolan to hit him in the face with an elbow strike. Felix staggered backwards and wiped the blood running out of his nose. He knew he had to be more careful. He charged at Nolan again, this time with more caution. Nolan met Felix's charge head-on. He blocked Felix's blade with his own and countered with a kick to the stomach. Felix doubled over, gasping for breath, but he didn't give up. He pushed through the pain and slashed at Nolan's legs. Nolan jumped back to avoid the attack. He knew that Felix was getting stronger, and he couldn't afford to underestimate him. The two fighters circled each other, waiting for the other to make a mistake. Finally, Nolan saw an opening. He feinted to the left, then quickly spun around and kicked Felix in the back. Felix fell to the ground, but he quickly got back to his feet. Felix knew that he couldn't keep up with Nolan's speed and strength. He needed to find a way to use his own advantages. He was smaller and more agile than Nolan, and he could use that to his advantage. Felix ducked under Nolan's next attack and swept his legs out from under him. Nolan fell to the ground, hard. Felix immediately moved in to attack, but Nolan rolled out of the way just in time. The two fighters stood up and faced each other again. Nolan charged at Felix, but Felix was ready for him. He sidestepped Nolan's attack and countered with a punch to the nose. Nolan staggered backwards, clutching his nose. Felix saw his opening and took it. He rushed at Nolan and unleashed a flurry of punches. Nolan tried to block, but he was overwhelmed. Felix knocked Nolan to the ground and pinned him down.

NLN: You've got skills, kid.
FLX: Thanks, master, but it was evident you weren't trying.
NLN: I'm that obvious?

Felix rose from where his master was lying down and stretched his arms as Nolan stood up and retrieved a cigarette. He proceeded to ignite it and take a smoke.

NLN: So how was it?
FLX: It felt exhilarating.
NLN: That's the first time I've heard that.
FLX: Your other students don't think so fondly of battle?
NLN: Nah, it's just your vocabulary is much more refined than those knuckleheads. Did you see or feel anything different while fighting?
FLX: Now that you mention it, guess it did feel weird.
NLN: In what way?
FLX: Something like a rhythm. Everytime we clashed, something changed in my instincts.
NLN: (This kid has already awakened his technique...)

Nolan walks past Felix, runs his hand through his students' hair and giving him a pat on the back. Felix turns to ask where he's going but Nolan throws him a rugged journal.

FLX: (A guide on soul techniques... is he giving me homework?!)

Felix expresses his frustration with a sigh, but then he decides to relax by lying down on the grass and begins reading the journal. In contrast, Nolan chooses to leave the house and makes his way towards the summit of the mountain, where he arrived at the top of Mount Yōtei.

NLN: Out of any other place you could've picked, you chose the nest of an active volcano?
MKA: Hmm? Look what we have here. An A-Class hunter just for me!
NLN: Don't get too excited, Mitoka.
MKA: You know my name..? Have we met before?
NLN: You devils are really lackluster.
MKA: Tsk, there's always something with you hunters.
NLN: Tell me, why Hokkaido?
MKA: Well because there's no hunter agency stationed here, why else?!
NLN: You're sick, just like the rest.
MKA: You curious to find out how much?
NLN: As always, you overestimate your own power.
MKA: That goes for you too!
NLN: Soul Technique, Rubber Band.
MKA: Soul Technique, Phasmoception!

While this was happening, Felix had just wrapped up reading the guidebook. Afterwards, he headed back into the house and inquired with the elderly gentleman about Nolan's whereabouts. The gentleman promptly told Felix that Nolan had embarked on a journey to reach the summit of the nearby mountain. Just as Felix was preparing to follow Nolan's trail, a surprising and unsettling event unfolded. The elderly man suddenly launched a sneak attack, wielding a knife. However, Felix's honed reflexes and skills came to the rescue. In a swift and calculated move, he diverted his gaze to the rear, causing an icy chill to run down the old man's spine. Simultaneously, he effectively disarmed the assailant by sending the knife clattering away, and with one precise blow, he rendered the old man unconscious.

FLX: (Something's wrong...)

Felix's urgency was evident as he sprinted down the very trail his master had recently traversed. It wasn't long before he reached the pinnacle of the mountain. Within the crater, an astonishing spectacle unfolded before him. His master, Nolan, was locked in a fierce, no-holds-barred battle with a formidable devil. The conflict was intense, with neither side yielding an inch, but it was unmistakable that Nolan was facing a formidable challenge, straining with every ounce of his strength to hold his ground.

FLX: Master! Let me help!
MKA: Wonderful! More prey to feast on!

Felix, driven by determination and courage, made a daring leap into the heart of the crater. His trusty blade was swiftly drawn from its sheath, ready to face the looming threat of the devil. Side by side with his revered master, Felix launched himself into a fierce and relentless battle against this diabolical adversary. With unwavering resolve, the student and his master joined forces, pouring every ounce of their strength and skill into this formidable confrontation, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation in their valiant effort.

End of Chapter 31
"Past Ghosts"

[ Nolan & Felix battle against Mitoka. ]