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    Simply growing stronger was boring. I also want to experience more. Sure, battling wild beasts and monsters was very fun… but there''s something even more fun than that. Fighting against someone that has also been growing stronger on their own.


    Despite what it might seem, my fight against Aquarina really left quite the impact in my mind. It made me realize that I really wanted to fight strong people. There was a certain, intrinsic fun in doing so, as if something primal within me was always ring up when I did.


    I guess I might be a battle junkie deep down, or maybe it''s out of boredom that I suddenly find enjoyment in fighting someone. Perhaps there were more reasons than that, but those were the ones I coulde up with for now.


    I''ve been seeing Zack grow stronger for years now. Since that day I met him in this vige, where he was following us around like a creep, all the way to now, when we epted him in the party. Now, he was a crucial part of our trio. He was indispensable. Even Aquarina would think that if she were forced to say the truth of what she thought.


    Aquarina''s fight with me was amazing. She had showcased abilities I had never seen before. Plus, she showcased to me what her intentions were. She wanted to protect me a lot, because I might act too reckless sometimes. She wanted to overpower me and show me that she was strong enough, stronger than me, so she could properly protect me.


    But in the end, I still beat her, and I showed her that I didn''t really need the protection of someone. Also, despite being reckless, I had the strength to back up my recklessness. In any case, I still found a lot of value in her emotions and concerns, and I also realized that having someone protecting my back is never a bad thing, especially if we protect each other''s backs.


    But what about Zack? Unlike Aquarina and I, he didn''t seem to be moved as much by emotions or something like that. He was often rather rxed or calm. At other times, he felt like the one that was the most grounded among us, the one that was often a voice of reason to us, although he also tended to be a bit weird himself.


    But the thing is… what were Zack''s ambitions? What does he want to aplish with all of this? Does he just want to grow stronger and nothing else? I wonder what''s moving him aside from survival.


    "So, Zack. Why are you growing stronger?" I asked.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Eh? Why…?" he asked, somewhat confused.


    We were currently facing one another in the middle of a clearing near the Amazon vige.


    Zack''s emerald-colored eyes looked down to the ground as he seemed to be thinking.


    "What do you mean? I just want to survive… it''s normal to want to grow stronger in a world like this one…" he answered.


    "That''s fair… but is there nothing else driving you? All of us are ultimately driven by survival, yes, but there''s always something else as well," I replied.


    "Something else… w-well… I want to… I want to one day travel around the world with you… so I don''t want to be left behind… I know you''re a hero with Aquarina… and I''m not one… I wasn''t blessed by anyone… so that''s why… I have to put in extra effort so I can stay by your side… I guess…" he replied, averting his gaze from me while blushing.


    "Ooohh~?! So that''s it! Oh dear…" I could not help but say. I couldn''t help but feel embarrassed after that.


    It was all because of me! To think he would be sopromised for my own sake… he really has be a good friend, isn''t he?


    "W-Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.


    "Nothing, I was just surprised… alright. Let''s begin!" I said as I charged forward.


    "Eh?!"


    FLAAAASSSH!


    By utilizing the Light attribute spell ''shing Movement'', and the Life attribute spell ''Metabolism eleration'', I was able to enhance my movement speed, as well as the metabolism of my body, boosting the total strength of my entire body.


    With that, I reached up to him in an instant. Ember was used below my feet to propel my legs, giving me explosive movement. Thisbination of spells was always the best at allow me to move at fast speeds!


    "Agh…!"


    CLASH!


    I swung my normal sword against Zack. In response, he quickly had to intercept with the tip of his axe. However, axes were terrible against swords. The round de usually slipped off the de of the sword, so I was able to easily slip through his resistance and attack his side.


    "Come on, Zack! You''re way too slow!"


    CLASH!


    "Nngh?!"


    I hit the left side of his ribs with a moderate amount of strength, using the dull part of my de. After all, I wasn''t aiming to pierce through his flesh.


    "Aaagh!"


    Zack cried as he was thrown to the side, rolling over the grass.


    Oops, after he said such a sweet thing to me… I do this.


    Was I too brutish?


    "Zack, are you okay?" I asked in concern.


    "…"


    Zack looked at the floor and suddenly clenched his fists.


    He grabbed the axe again and looked back into my eyes.


    His eyes suddenly shed with bright light.


    Something suddenly changed.


    "Haahhh…"


    He suddenly began to utilize some sort of breathing technique. His entire body exuded a strong aura of mana around him… I could sense something else within him.


    I quickly felt his aura suddenly grow threatening. I quickly got into a stance, recognizing that he might be getting serious now.


    "Sorry for attacking you abruptly. I wanted to test your reflexes. Now,e at me," I said to him.


    "I''ll show you I''m not someone you''ll mess around with… Sylphy, I''ll make you take me seriously!" he roared, rushing towards me.


    His strong and corpulent body would imply that he would move slow. However, the winds epassed his entire body, making him move at an incredible speed.


    CLAAASH!


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