Augustus flew backwards—wind spiraling around his limbs—landing and skidding to a stop.
He straightened up, breathing heavily as he looked forward at the ori-tandemon.
The demon licked its lip, lightning sparkling around it as it spun its sword. "What's the matter kid? I thought you were all fired up."
The spiraling wind around Augustus's limbs ceased. "I am." A strong wind pressure suddenly spiked around him, leaving the demon surprised. "And I won't hold back anymore."
The spiraling currents returned to his limbs. A compressed belt of air formed around his waist and neck. The wind pressure then died down until it stopped.
The demon stared at him with a blank expression. "Huh?! What's with the new addition? It doesn't seem much of a–" The demon paused, noticing something.
Augustus wasn't standing on the ground although it looked like he did.
He was actually floating just two inches above the ground. Wind was blowing lightly from under his feet.
The demon grinned, taking a stance. "Okay then. Show me what you got."
Augustus chuckled. "I was hoping you'd say that."
With an outburst of speed, he ran—or more like skated—forward. He was air skating toward the demon.
The demon's grin got wider, lightning crackled around its body as it also lunged forward, delivering a downward thrust to Augustus who blocked with one wind drill arm.
The force from the impact bounced both opponents back—or the demon at least.
Augustus didn't move back an inch. He spun in his position, using the arm that blocked the demon's attack to hit the demon in the jaw.
It stumbled a few meters backwards, recovering quickly and glancing back at Augustus with shock.
Augustus stood, keeping the wind current spiraling around his limbs.
"Wh—what just happened?" It thought, shaking its head. "For a second there, it looked like we were both going to get blown back from the bounce."
It tightened its grip on its blade. "But... come to think of it, only the striking limb recoils. If it's your arm, your arm bounces off. If it's your leg, your leg bounces back. The rest of the body just moves along with it."
It took a step forward. "But in that instant, he used the force from the recoil to swing his arm in an arc, causing his body to rotate. What incredible mobility and reflex."
The demon chuckled, speaking out to Augustus. "I have to admit you're quite interesting."
Augustus smirked, getting ready to attack again. "Well, thanks."
Then he leaped, coming down with a spinning kick.
The demon blocked and pushed the attack back.
Again, Augustus spun in his position, delivering an upward kick to the demon's jaw.
The demon was sent flying from the attack. It managed to balance itself before landing, feet dragging backwards against the soil.
Augustus landed, clicking his tongue in frustration. "What's up with his body? I can even scratch him."
The demon straightened up. "What's wrong? Thinking about how you can't hurt me?"
Augustus flinched, taking a step back.
"The answer is simple." The demon knocked on its chest. "The higher a demon ranks, the denser its energy gets and the tougher its skin becomes."
It pointed one finger at Augustus. "So unless your energy levels up, you can't hurt me."
Augustus's breath hitched. "C–come on!"
The demon grinned. "But then again, none of us seem to have an upper hand. I mean, I might be tough but what good would it be if I can't hit you with that mobility of yours."
Augustus also straightened up, bringing his hand to his chin as if lamenting on something.
His expression brightened up as a smirk creeped on to his lips.
The demon's smile faltered. "It seems you have a nice idea."
"Damn right." Augustus took a stance. "My mobility and your toughness. Let's see which one wins."
Then he lunged again.
The demon's grin returned, lightning surging around its body as it also dashed forward. "I won't have it any other way."
A few meters before impact, everything seemed to slow down while a child's voice sounded in Augustus's head—
"And when I'm old enough and I have authority, I'll come back to this country and make sure the Academy's branch extends here."
A bright light filled the place and suddenly—
"Grandpa, I heard you were so cool on battle." A little, dark skinned boy spoke with enthusiasm.
[Augustus at age 7]
An old, dark skinned man laughed, sitting on a couch. "Well, of course." He lifted one arm as wind spiralled around it.
"Blowing wind alone might not be cool. But if you utilize it well, you can make it cool in your own way."
Little Augustus's smile widened as he watched his Grandfather. "Grandpa! When I grow up, I'll be just as cool as you. Or maybe even more."
The old man laughed again. "Oh, really? Don't keep me waiting then."
Then scene faded back to the battlefield.
Augustus grinned as he closed in with the demon.
'You said power depends on how you use it, right Grandpa. Well watch me.'
Both opponents clashed on—
Augustus using recoils to his advantage but still not managing to make a scratch on the demon while the demon was having a hard time trying to avoid Augustus's hits.
They both jumped away and lashed out at each other again.
"I'll beat you." Augustus said, his expression screaming determination. "Even if I don't go past my limit..."
The demon made a sideways attack with his blade which Augustus jumped over. "I'll tear my way through your skin."
He landed with one hand on the demon's head.
Wind spiralled into a drill around the other hand as he plunged it into its head.
It couldn't pierce though, but the pressure brought it down on one knee.
Augustus—still hovering above the demon—spun forward, giving it a downward kick.
The demon sunk on the other knee as Augustus landed on both hands behind it.
Performing a vault, he kicked it in the back, sending it strolling across the ground, tasting dirt.
I stopped on its feet and spat out sand before charging again while Augustus air skated towards it.
As they got closer, it swept its blade in an arc at Augustus but Augustus dived, twisting like a drill as the sword passed above him.
Wind surged from beneath his feet, ramming him forward as he spiralled head first into the demon's chest.
Once again, the demon flew backwards. But this time, Augustus chased after him.
As soon as the demon landed, Augustus was already at it, delivering an uppercut. He followed up with another attack. Then another.
One strike became two—
'Not enough.'
Two became three—
'Still not enough.'
Three became a storm. His fists blurred as he kept raining assaults upon assaults on the demon.
At a point, he ducked, dodging an attack and swept the demon off balance with his leg.
And before the demon could fall, he rose up, grabbing it by the head and driving it face first into the ground.
He then moved away from it, landing softly and taking heavy breaths.
The demon slowly got up to its feet while Augustus just stood there, watching it.
It spat out blood and wiped its mouth. "Not bad kid." Turning back to Augustus, it added. "You managed to make me bleed."
Augustus chuckled. "Like I said. I'll rip through your skin."
The demon grinned. "I guess you were serious about it, huh?" It said while stretching. "Then maybe I'll power up too."
Augustus quirked a brow to its statement.
Lightning sparkled around the demon once. Twice. Then the crackles multiplied.
The crackling spiked as the demon's red pupils glowed.
Blue arcs of lightning twisted...
...and burned orange.
Augustus took a step back, frown deepening. "What the—"
The demon charged forward—
Augustus's eyes widened. "So fast."
In a second, Augustus was watching the twist its sword in a brutal arc...