Marcus ate his cereals and smiled. He did not even realize he did it, but Janette watched her friend being the happiest she had ever seen him. Her natural instinct was to tease him, but after all he has been through, he deserved to be happy. Marcus had returned after nightfall, and they had talked through half the night about his visit to Azaa and Janette had demanded all the details. Hearing how Azaa had finally made a move made Janette laugh so hard half the villa woke up. Because Sophon was awake now, Achara and Kou were awake and quickly everybody was in the kitchen and Janette spread the news of the new couple. They were all happy for him and Azaa, and once again Marcus was so glad to be back with his friends.

Grace walked through the kitchen, dressed in her training outfit. "Once you are done with your breakfast, come out to the training area." she said and walked off without so much as a good morning. Marcus watched her leave and looked at Janette "Is she angry with me?". Janette shook her head and smiled "She has missed you too. There is nobody here she can go all out with, besides you." Marcus felt a mixture of pride and dread. He still remembered the harsh training sessions with Grace. Still, he put on light training clothes and decided to go barefoot.

Janette showed him the way to the outdoor training area and he found Grace already warming up. She had gained muscles and overall looked less like the blonde maiden of the past and more like a full blooded warrior. Grace gave off a more mature feeling, but she had not lost any of her attractiveness, Marcus decided after watching her for a few moments. The other thing he realized was, that she was wielding two swords now. One short sword and one long sword, both looked wicked.

Marcus warmed up too and Grace watched him carefully. "I'm level 91 now. What is your level?", "63" Marcus answered and finished his stretching. She nodded contemplating how hard Marcus must have fought to gain so many levels, while surviving in the wilds. "Grace." he said "I don't know if I can spar with you right now." Grace squinted her eyes "Why?" she had been looking forward to reconnecting with him since he got back. "I do not know, if I can hold back. I might seriously hurt or kill you." He said with an innocent look in his eyes. "I'm still nearly 30 level above you and you know I'm strong." She was slightly agitated that he underestimated her this much. She was the strongest member of the clan.

While they spoke several people from the second squad and also Kou showed up for training. They gave the two of them their space, but Grace knew they were here to see Marcus in action. Over the last years the second squad had heard a lot about Marcus, but seeing was believing. "In the last four years, I always fought with my life on the line without holding back. This is not something I can turn off, just like that." Marcus said and Grace understood, he was truly worried about her. Not because he underestimated her but because he was dangerous right now. "I have pushed up my vitality a lot since you vanished and Candis is not too far away. I will not die Marcus." Grace said and smiled.

They went into a combat stance, but further apart than she was used to. She looked him up and down "No armor and no shoes?" Marcus nodded and his eyes turned sharp and cold "This is my current fighting style." and after a second he added "You have to dodge this Grace." Dodge what? A booming sound came from Marcus, the ground beneath him buckled and a moment later he was right in her face.

In a fraction of a second she side stepped, swinging her blade in the direction of Marcus to keep him back but instead her blade connected and caused her to lose her balance. Grace turned around getting her footing back, her blade stuck a few centimeter in his left arm. She had only used little strength remembering Carapace, and how it can screw you, and yet her focused Channel Light should have done more. She tried to jump back but another burst from Marcus followed and he kneed her right into the abdomen. Impulse Hammer crushed into her body throwing her back several meter. She rolled over the floor, gasping for air but Marcus was already above her, his fist coming down like meteor. She rolled to the side, swung her blade with power to remove his hand but it was too late her blade only cut his arm and his fist hammered down, right next to her head. The ground under her cracked and shattered. He stopped moving and after a few breaths his eyes turned warm again.

Marcus got up and gave her a hand. Grace spit out a bit of blood and mentally checked her vitals. Nothing broken, but a rib or two cracked. Marcus looked at her with sorrowful eyes and now she realized everybody around was standing there with open mouths. "Great, I got my pretentious ass handed to me." She said and took a deep breath. "Okay, is that a new ability? You should not have one yet." Grace said and Marcus shook his head "It is a modification of Impulse Hammer. A concentrated blast from my feet allows me to jump or charge long distances. It took me the last two years to perfect it." As they spoke Candis showed up and without asking questions or hearing any kind of excuses started to heal Grace. "You are really something. Range and speed was your main weakness, how am I supposed to handle you now?"

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The people around had stopped pretending to do something else, and quickly more and more people showed up. Marcus explained Grace the mechanics of Burst and also the weaknesses "I need stable ground, a standing position and it is only a straight line motion. It shares that problem with high speed motions from Accelerators." Grace listened and started to develop counter strategies. Once Candis was done they went for a second round. At that time basically the whole clan sat around the training area watching the show.

After his first surprise success Grace quickly got the upper hand. She used the point of one of her blades to deter any quick assault. She rotated around Marcus at high speed, piercing his far too tough body with precise attacks. An hour later they were both sweat drenched and breathing hard. "Your aggressive style has improved, but fighting monsters all the time has made you careless with your body language. You are showing too much intent. We have to work on that." Grace said and Marcus bowed "Thank you for the training.".

With the session officially over spontaneous applause erupted from the onlookers. Grace felt great, not because of the applause but because she got her friend back, and things had not changed between them. He still accepted her exactly the way she was. "That first knee hit, how much power was that?" she asked while they made space for others to train. "About 50% I would say." He said with a smile and Grace couldn't help but laugh. There was no doubt about it, he had the firepower of a level 100 class holder and the toughness too. But the greatest improvement Grace saw in Marcus was the amount of combat experience he had gained over the last years. His once rigorous but predictable style had become fluid and focused on results over form. From now on, she would have to work even harder to stay at the top. Exactly what she wanted.

This was exciting. I can see now why you hold her in such high regards as a warrior. You are surrounded by great talent, Marcus.

I know, but more importantly they are my cherished friends. Marcus thought and moved away from the training field.

Also, I'm certain I have never seen her class before, Paladin you say? Marcus looked up and spotted an unexpected person near the training ground and smiled.

And in a short while, you are going to meet the man who formed the class the most, Xeen.

Exciting!

The man in the white flowing robe and with the long, golden hair leaned against a tree and welcomed Marcus with wide smile. "Please let me change first, Gamma." He said and the other man laughed "He told me to be patient and courteous." Marcus laughed and walked over to the showers as Janette sprinted next to him "You can go and play with your friend but you have to come back soon. An easy mission with the second squad is planned to get you acquainted with them. I also want to show you off on a dinner with Cherry at the end of the week." Marcus made a salute and went to get himself ready but Janette stopped him "AND most importantly your father will be here in a few days too. Take time for your family." Marcus stopped and took a moment, "When he arrives here with Sophia, call me and I will wrap things up with Kim and come back as quickly as possible." Janette nodded and let him leave to meet the strongest class holder in the world.

You know she is right, you should prioritize spending time with your family.

I'm just not used to it, besides I mainly think of Janette and Cherry as my family.

You should fix that attitude Marcus. As far as I understand it, your father has made great efforts to heal your relationship. Do not waste it.

Marcus stopped on his way to the showers. Xeen, do you have regrets regarding your family?

Of course I have regrets. More than I wish to burden you with. Hearing those words, Marcus felt a sadness inside of him and was not sure if it was his own or if it came from Xeen.

After the shower Marcus packed some clothes and returned to Gamma, who was in a deep discussion with Kou. It was not every day Kou got the chance to chat with a Spatial Mage of such high level and experience. "I would be ready now." Marcus said and the two men ended their talk. Marcus said goodbye to his people and Gamma took his hand. A stomach turning second later he fell towards the roof of a familiar building. Gamma gave him a soft ride down, and Marcus could see a man standing on the roof. Ugh, teleportation is worse than going through a portal. Or at least in case of such a low level class holder.

Everybody is low level for you. By the way, what was your level again?

HA! Instead of worrying about the level of a dead man, you should work hard to reach at least the level of this person.

Easier said than done, Marcus thought and found himself face to face with Earth's top level class holder.

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