Gabriel was new to using the Ancestral Staff of Darkness. He wanted to understand how to use it as much as he could and get accustomed to it in the meantime.
His battle with Novius allowed both of them to use Magical Staffs to boost the strength of their spells, unlike his battle with Cylix, which was mostly raw.
His battle with Cylix tested their raw Magical Strength expertise without any Magical Staff boost. However, his battle with Novius was going to test their maximum magical potential in battle when they had their Magical Staffs and could use their spells at their full potential.
This was also what made this battle even more dangerous for both of them.
"Dark Poison!" Gabriel exclaimed, tapping the other end of his Ancestral Staff of Darkness on the ground, using one of the spells in his practice.
Standing in the distance, Novius watched Gabriel practice all alone.
There were many times when he forgot that Cylix was dead, only to realize later that he was alone when he received only silence in response. He still hadn't gotten accustomed to the fact that he was the last of them left here.
"The world is really in for a surprise when Gabriel leaves this place. The person who entered this place was a young man who had immense potential but not enough knowledge to complement that potential, but now..."
"I suppose I should also prepare my inheritance for him," he muttered, looking at the small box that was lying in the distance.
****
Seven hours later~
Novius returned, noticing that Gabriel was still training.
He appeared right next to Gabriel, who was tired yet still full of spirit. "That should be enough. Time to eat. Your body needs some energy and rest."
"Just a little more," Gabriel responded, not stopping.
Novius didn't take no for an answer as he changed the surroundings once again, bringing it back to their usual favorite place... A beautiful starry sky above a green field.
Multiple delicious dishes appeared before Gabriel on the ground. "Eat up and stop looking at me like that. If you want to train more, do it tomorrow."
He also sat on the ground, refusing to change the surroundings back to the battlefield even though Gabriel wanted to train more.
Gabriel scratched the back of his head, sighing. Even though he looked discontent and upset, on the inside, for some reason, there was an unknown sense of happiness that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Before his mother had died, even she used to scold him for not eating, forcing him to eat. Maya's family was different as they never did anything like this even when he didn't eat. This brought so many memories back.
He sent his Ancestral Staff of Darkness back to hide inside his Mark of Darkness before sitting down as well.
He started eating, later realizing that he was the only one eating there. Novius was just sitting and watching.
He slid a plate closer to Novius as well. "You need to eat as well."
"It's fine. I'm not feeling hungry," Novius answered. "Moreover, I'm in spiritual form, so I don't have to eat anything to be at my hundred percent, unlike you."
"Eat," Gabriel didn't take no either, showing the same stubbornness.
"I-"
Novius tried to say no, but seeing the look in Gabriel's eyes, he gave in. He smiled as he pulled the plate closer as well.
"Hmm, I must say, it's definitely tasty," Novius commented, taking his first bite. "I think we should repeat it tomorrow as well."
Gabriel didn't initially answer, remaining silent.
After a long time, he spoke, "There won't be a tomorrow for it."
"Hmm?" Novius wondered what he was talking about. "And why won't there be a tomorrow?"
"I'm completely healed." Gabriel further explained. "We'll be having our battle tomorrow."
"I see." Novius lowered his head, glancing at the food. "So that's why you wanted me to eat. This would be our last dinner together."
Gabriel nodded, not showing much expression. He had returned to his usual self, not showing his true emotions on his face. "I wanted to have it with you before you are gone as well."
In his heart, even he felt a bit sad and wanted to delay the battle, but when death was a form of freedom for Novius and Cylix, could he really be that selfish to hold them back because he was greedy?
He had received so much from Cylix and Novius. The only way for him to return some of this favor was by giving them the freedom they desired as soon as he could, even though it left him all alone again in the process.
Novius could feel that the atmosphere was getting a bit down. If it was their last dinner, he wanted Gabriel to enjoy it as well.
"Don't be so sure. Defeating me isn't going to be as easy," Novius let out, flashing a smirk. "Before you know it, we'll be having tomorrow's dinner after you are healed from my thrashing."
For the first time, Gabriel didn't feel bad about that possibility either. Even if it was the case, he wasn't going to be sad. Even if he lost, he could try again, but if Novius lost, that was the end.
"Can I ask you something?" Gabriel broke the silence.
"What?"
"What did you both mean when you said I'm an Exception, for which the Temple of Time will be after me?" Gabriel asked. He still hadn't forgotten that thing.
Novius smiled in response but didn't say anything. He just brought out a small box that was similar to the box that Cylix left behind for him.
"All the answers that you look for are inside that box, along with a small present. But you aren't allowed to open it... At least until you defeat me."
Gabriel held the small box in his hand firmly. Another last gift?
Nodding, he kept the box in his storage, promising to only open it after defeating Novius.
Throughout the night, Novius and Gabriel talked a lot about many things, mostly related to the theory of magic.
"Gabriel, what was your father like?"
Novius and Gabriel had finished dinner and were lying on the soft grass, waiting for sleep to come, when Novius asked a question out of nowhere.
"Why?" Gabriel answered.
"Just wondering if he was as special as you," Novius said as he continued playing with the stars. "Was he also a Mage?"
Gabriel closed his eyes. "I don't know. I never saw him, and he was never a part of my life."
"I see." Novius realized what those words implied. He didn't ask more about it so as to not open up old wounds.
"Mother never told me about him either. She kept saying that she would tell me when I became older, but she also died, leaving me all alone in this world." Even though Novius didn't ask more, Gabriel still answered. "That's why I don't know who my father was. All I know is that he is dead for me... And that's all he'll ever be."
