Revenge of the Serpent

Chapter 37

“Are…Are you crazy?” Eugene frowned in disbelief, his singular eye trained on Theodore's figure, as if studying him.

Theodore simply stared sternly at the other brunet. “Well, am I ever not serious?”

“Eugene, draw your axe now.” Merlin said in a low tone, his bow raised and a light arrow appeared in between his fingers, nocked and ready to fire.

“You too!?” Eugene’s eyes widened, if the usually carefree Merlin was serious about it, then he should really pull out his weapon.

Theodore’s eyes shifted towards Rhys as he activated his magic, a soft green glow appeared around the blonde as the pain in his wounds dissipated. “Take the arrows out, you need to be in top condition.”

Rhys looked hesitant, though since he didn’t have the freedom of choice, his hands moved on their own and plucked out the two light arrows from his thigh and shoulder, in which they would instantly disperse into dust and his injuries would magically close up soon after.

“…You’re not going to bully us, right?” Eugene carefully grabbed the handle of his battleaxe, unslinging it from his back.

Theodore thought about it for a moment as his focus averted to the ground. “I won’t use ice magic, how about that?”

Rhys’ eyes widened. “But…But sir, you have black magic.”

“...I have fire magic and divine magic too, do you want me to not use magic then?” Theodore raised his eyebrows, he wasn’t interested in bullying his friends with ‘training’ as the excuse, so he thought that maybe he should just not use any magic at all.

“Theodore Varon without his magic?” Merlin sneered. “Wouldn’t that be too easy?”

Theodore blinked at his best friend’s remark, slightly surprised to hear that he thought he would be weak without his magic, the thought caused him to smile. He spoke in an amused tone as he unsummoned his staff. “Okay then, I won’t use magic, but the rest is fine right?”

“The rest? Skills are fine.” Merlin replied, his arrow now trained on him, more specifically, it was aiming straight at his chest.

‘He’s serious too?’ Theodore narrowed his eyes.

Eugene sighed. “Okay, should we set the rules first? Like…No killing?”

“Let’s see…” Theodore tilted his head while thinking for a bit. “I don’t want to hurt you guys, so if I can knock you out of the basketball court then you’re out.”

“What about you?” Eugene raised an eyebrow.

“Go all out,” Theodore shrugged. “Come at me like you want me dead, because that’s what the other demon kings would most likely be doing too.”

“So I can headshot you?” Merlin said jokingly.

Though Theodore wasn’t joking with him. “Go for it, if you think you can, that is.”

“Then let’s start!” Merlin shouted in a frustrated tone and let go of the arrow, letting it fly through the air and head straight toward its target.

However, that arrow would never get the chance to even do anything impactful.

Dark fog burst from Theodore’s body as it engulfed him, and as soon as the projectile came into contact with the sinister aura, it would instantly shatter and disappear. The smoke rose upward and expanded, growing taller and longer until a pair of bright green eyes stared at the three men from within the smog.

Everyone instinctively took a few steps back while raising their weapons, eyes widened with fear and body shaking with anticipation. Merlin swallowed nervously. “…Did I f*cked up?”