Evan wasn't expecting guests today, and he was extremely surprised to find Roland waiting for him in the living room. The last time Evan had seen this man was quite some time ago. It had been over two years since then, and they had only met once - when they fought in the arena.

"Oh, Evan, hi," Roland said calmly when he saw Evan. As always, nothing embarrassed him, and he acted the way he wanted to.

"What are you doing here...?" Evan asked, puzzled. He didn't understand how Roland had found him. Moreover, Evan had no idea how Roland had ended up in Inlas.

"Well, I was bored, so I decided to come here." Calmly Roland replied as he continued to drink his tea.

Evan wasn't surprised by Roland's answer. They had only talked to each other at the tournament before, but they had gotten to know each other pretty well during their battle. Evan sat across from Roland and said.

"What are you doing at Inlas? And how did you even find me?"

"Oh, you mean, well, my father sent me to some elite Mage Academy, but after a year and a half, I left there. I was tired of the routine, and there was no one powerful and unusual there. I decided to go somewhere where I could do what I wanted, and Inlas was a great option. You weren't hard to find. I live in the neighborhood."

Evan didn't know what to say. That was the answer he hadn't expected to hear. However, Roland wouldn't be Roland if the answer was different.

"Evan, who is this?" Malespera asked, taking a seat next to Evan.

"That, the one whose arrogance knows no barriers, by the way..."

At that moment, Evan had an excellent idea. Malespera was a true genius, and Evan had seen that many times before, but Roland was also far from an ordinary man. If Evan didn't have the Sigil of the Lion, he probably would have lost. Evan wanted to make these two fight. Of course, Roland had to hold back.

Evan had already used the Eye of Truth and looked at his longtime opponent's Pillar of Soul. Roland was at the same stage as Evan.

"Why does everyone say I'm arrogant? People are just too offended by the truth." With a wave of his hand, Roland parried. He had become famous as the most arrogant freshman in the academy.

"So, what do you do?"

Roland put his cup of tea aside and uttered: "Hm.. I work with Paper Hydrangea and often run their errands."

"You joined Paper Hydrangea?" Evan was surprised. He thought Roland was a loner.

"No, that's not entirely true. I have a friendly relationship with them. They give me assignments to kill someone, and if I want to, I take the job. I just have to go to that person and kill them, and Paper Hydrangea does the rest. It's a lot more fun here than at the academy. I can fight whoever I want."

Roland always wanted to fight with interesting opponents, and there were plenty of people like that in Inlas. Some even managed to injure him, but Paper Hydrangea also provided medical services. They were methodically destroying people they didn't need, gradually increasing their power.

Evan nodded.

"I see, Roland. Would you like to fight?" With a slight smile on his face, Evan said.

Roland smirked and quickly replied, "I can fight you any time of day. We can right here and now!"

He expected Evan to either attack or take him someplace appropriate, but instead, Evan shook his head.

"No, you're not fighting with me. You're fighting with her." Said Evan pointing at Malespera.

Both the girl and Roland were surprised.

"What? She hasn't even hit her first Barrier yet. If we fight, I'll turn her into a pancake with the first punch." Roland wasn't going to waste his time on such a weak opponent.

"Why, you! I'll beat you easy!" Malespera said loudly. She really believed her words, as she didn't yet know how important the stages were.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Evan, who is this girl? That's the more cocky person I've never seen before, except for you, of course." The situation amused Roland, and he found the girl's anger rather amusing.

"She's my sister," Evan answered briefly. To the servants in the house, Malespera was his sister, which meant he had to say the same to everyone else.

Upon hearing Evan's answer, Roland's face immediately changed. Now the fight with Malespera was of some interest to him.

"Okay, I'll fight her, but if I'm disappointed, you'll be next."

"Okay, there is no arena in this manor, but there is a spacious training area. But, there is one condition, you will fight without the use of artifacts and Catalysts." Said Evan.

Roland and Malespera nodded. The girl wanted to fight Roland as soon as possible. She wanted to see how much stronger she had become. She hadn't fought anyone up to this point unless you counted a few sparring sessions with Evan.

Naturally, Roland would hold back. He would deliberately lower his level to keep up with Malespera.historical

The servants were also interested in seeing this fight, so they followed Evan. Ordinary people didn't often get the chance to watch two mages fight. Moreover, they were curious to see how strong Malespera was.

"Evan, if I defeat him, will you teach me that spell?" Asked Malespera as she approached the training area.

"Well, if you really beat him, fine."

"Great!" Said Malespera and stood in front of Roland, who was already waiting for her.

Evan agreed. To get Malespera in the mood, he wanted to see what she was capable of in a real fight. But, he knew that even if Roland held back, Malespera had no chance of winning. She had no experience or knowledge, just talent and animal instincts.

"Ready?" Roland said calmly.

Malespera nodded.

"Attack first. At least I'll see what you're capable of." Said Roland with a gesture of his hand urging Malespera to attack.

Whooosh.

Crimson "Warp" Malespera spun, and her mood instantly changed. Her gaze was icy, and she was completely focused on the fight.. For starters, she decided to cast "Doomsday Flame".