The fight resumed with increased violence. Jasper threw a right straight punch. The Patriarch dodged by tilting his torso to the left. Jasper immediately followed with a left hook that the Patriarch blocked with his forearm. The impact made the air around them vibrate.

The Patriarch countered with an uppercut to the chin. Jasper stepped back and narrowly avoided the blow. He replied with a front kick aimed at his opponent’s torso. The Patriarch caught Jasper’s leg with both hands and twisted it to unbalance him. Jasper pivoted on his other leg and freed his leg with a sharp movement before landing back in a stable position.

They were now circling each other in the damaged clearing. The Patriarch threw rapid punches. Jasper parried the attack with his open palm. The force of the impacts made his bones shake, but he held firm.

"You have gained in endurance," growled the Patriarch while continuing to attack.

"I only followed grandmother’s instructions," replied Jasper between two breaths.

Jasper saw the flow of mana concentrating in the Patriarch’s legs. He anticipated the jump and stepped back just in time. The Patriarch landed with a descending knee strike that dug a new crater in the ground. Without waiting, Jasper struck with the flat of his hand toward the exposed neck. The Patriarch ducked and sent a backward elbow strike that hit Jasper in the side. The pain radiated through his ribs, but he clenched his teeth.

Jasper grabbed the Patriarch’s arm and tried to throw him over his shoulder. The Patriarch used his weight to reverse the hold and sent Jasper to the ground. Jasper rolled and got back up in a bound before the Patriarch’s foot could come down on his head. He counterattacked with a high circular kick. The Patriarch blocked with his arm, grimaced from the impact and retreated two steps. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Sweat was now flowing down both fighters’ faces. Their torsos were heaving rapidly. Jasper felt his muscles burning, but his moon eyes allowed him to recover little by little.

They closed in again. The Patriarch followed with a right hook that Jasper blocked but the power of the shock made him slide back several meters, leaving two deep traces in the grass.

Jasper breathed deeply and charged. He feinted a punch to the face then pivoted to deliver a heel strike to the Patriarch’s floating ribs. The latter absorbed part of the blow by contracting his muscles and countered with a low sweep. Jasper jumped, but the Patriarch had anticipated it. He struck upward with his fist while Jasper was still in the air. Jasper crossed his arms in front of him to protect his torso. The impact sent him backward. He landed heavily, rolled and got back to his feet.

"Not bad at all," said the Patriarch while wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

The Patriarch leaped toward Jasper and tried to grab him by the throat. Jasper caught the Patriarch’s wrist, spun on himself and slammed him violently to the ground.

The Patriarch got back up almost immediately, his face marked by dirt and sweat. He charged in turn. Their fists met in a violent clash that sent a shockwave through the entire clearing. They began exchanging blows at very close range, almost body to body. Each impact echoed like a drum. A blow from Jasper to the liver, a blow from the Patriarch to the jaw, a knee from Jasper to the abdomen, an elbow from the Patriarch to the back.

The clearing was now nothing more than a field of turned earth and torn grass. Nearby trees bore burn marks and deep gashes. Both fighters were breathing hard, covered in sweat and small cuts.

Jasper threw a powerful right straight punch. The Patriarch narrowly dodged it by leaning backward. Jasper followed with a spinning kick that hit the Patriarch’s shoulder and made him spin on himself. The Patriarch used his momentum to launch a spinning backfist that struck Jasper squarely in the chest. Jasper stepped back, gasping for air.

They faced each other again, fists raised, eyes locked on one another. Neither wanted to yield. The Patriarch smiled slightly despite the fatigue.

"You have really become strong, nephew."

"Thank you, uncle," replied Jasper, his voice hoarse.

They rushed forward at the same time for one final exchange. Jasper launched a mana-charged palm strike. The Patriarch blocked and replied with an equally powerful punch. Their attacks collided in an explosion of energy that lifted a cloud of dust around them.

Just as they were about to resume, Norah’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.

"Enough!"

The two men froze immediately. They remained still, panting, muscles trembling.

Norah rose slowly from under her tree and approached them with a calm step. Her expression was serene, but her eyes showed clear satisfaction.

"This fight ends here," said Norah. "You both did good work."

The Patriarch straightened up while massaging his sore shoulder. He looked at Jasper with newfound respect.

"You exceeded my expectations. I am proud of you."

Jasper tilted his head slightly, still out of breath.

"Without your teaching, I would never have reached this level. Thank you."

Norah placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"You fought well. Jasper, your training is complete. You are ready for what comes next. Rest now. The day is not over, but you have done enough for today."

The two fighters nodded. The tension in the clearing gradually eased. The sun continued to filter through the leaves, illuminating the traces of the intense fight that had just taken place. Jasper slowly put his headband back over his eyes, dimming their special glow. He felt every muscle in his body protesting, but a deep sense of satisfaction filled him.

The Patriarch gave a friendly pat on Jasper’s back, a rare gesture from him.

"Come, let’s drink something. A good infusion of moon leaves will do us good."

Jasper accepted with a nod. Norah watched them both with a discreet smile. The elf summer continued its peaceful course around them, as if the clearing had not been the scene of such a violent confrontation just moments earlier.