Algernon Black

(Chapter 110) The Limits of His Annoyance

Algernon went to the practice hall, resolving to expel his anger onto the sand that could conform to his every thought. He knew the exact shape of the person he wanted to punch through right now. But to his bitter dismay, he came face to face with the eyes of Luke and Orenza. They were practicing, or more accurately, Orenza was practicing while Luke pestered her in the backdrop.

"Algernon?" Luke questioned, figuring him to be the last person he expected see getting in extra practice. Or second to last person. Cecil was the first. "What are you doing here?"

"Never mind," Algernon grumbled, turning to leave.

"If you're here to practice then come," Orenza ordered, tightening the bandages around her hands. "I've been wanting a decent fighting partner."

"I am decent." Luke defended himself. "That's why I won't fight a girl." Orenza glared at him prompting Luke to be more truthful when he added, "That and I still have bruised ribs from our last fight."

Orenza ignored Luke to gesture for Algernon to join her on the mat. Algernon hesitated for a moment but approached his old captain, supposing anything was better than solitude spent in his current state.

Orenza charged Algernon but he deflected her swing aside. She countered with an uppercut to which he dodged, though it wasn't effortless. Orenza had learned a unique fighting style that turned her smaller height into an advantage and forced Algernon to be quick on his feet. The swing and duck rhythm went on for quite a while with Algernon only half-heartedly trying.

Luke noticed Algernon honing in on the match, and it made him wonder what had him so distracted in the first place.

"I wonder if Lucy could use some extra practice as well," Luke spoke into the air, causing Algernon to immediately falter. Bingo.

Orenza heeded the opening to land a stalwart blow. Algernon felt the impact on his rib and a high surge in his anger.

Luke grinned. "Careful Algernon," He mockingly warned, "You're exposing your weak spots."

Algernon glared at Luke, but it didn't bring about any fear in the older artifact user.

"Orenza let me have a turn," Luke chimed in, stepping up to the mat.

Orenza glanced between them, sensing some unspoken business between the two. She just hoped Luke comprehended the limits of his annoyance before Algernon followed through on his menacing gaze.

"Well alright." Orenza said, undressing her gauzing as she walked to the exit doors. "I'm going to take a shower then."

"Is that an invitation?" Luke suggested, which would have promoted a physical assault from Orenza if Algernon had not made to fulfill it first.

Luke scarcely dodge the attack, but not the next one that caught him square in the gut.

Luke tottered back, narrowly keeping on his feet. "Umph." He moaned, pressing against the ache. "So just how angry did Lucy make you?" Luke asked, witnessing the immediate outrage he provoked from Algernon as the boy rushed him.

"Gez!" Luke yelled, side stepping the onslaught. "It's not like I was the one who put you in this mood!" He said, using his magic to shield his body from the attacks to quick to evade. It was a common technique employed by practitioners to protect themselves, just like it was to buffer their hands with magic when physically attacking, but Algernon wasn't, meaning his knuckles were sustaining the full impact of his landed punches. Luke knew this technique too, trying to mask internal distress with tangible pain.

"You know it's best to use our words to work through our problems," Luke sang in his typical lightly mocking manner. Algernon strengthened his next punch, shattering one of Luke's defense shields composed of dark magic. He looked impressed but also frightened.