The Homeseeker: Elemental Adventurer LitRPG [Isekai] (Series Complete!)

Rexler opened the short, intricate wooden gate to the courtyard, Zalan following him in with a frown on his face. Rep and Slauson remained on the outside, leaning on the gate to get a good view of the impending skirmish. Rexler raised a hand to Zalan, indicating for him to stop, and walked to the other side of the courtyard. Flexing his arms, he stretched his legs and prepared himself.

"As soon as Slauson counts us off, hit me with your lightning. I can withstand it," Rexler smirked.

"My lightning? Oh. No, I don't have Elemental Lightning anymore," Zalan said.

Rexler stood straight, blinking once in confusion.

"You are telling some sort of joke?" he asked.

"No, seriously. I don't have Elemental Lightning."

"Amazing. It was fate that we fight on equal grounds, both of us with no Elemental Power." Rexler braced himself, leaning in to rush as soon as the battle began.

"No, I still have an Elemental Power. Elemental Light," Zalan clarified.

This stalled Zalan's opponent, for once granting him some sense of hesitation. He cleared his throat.

"Well, when we last met, I was only Level 8! I am Level 9 now!"

"Level 11." Zalan pointed to his chest with his thumb.

Rexler's eyes widened a fraction, the edge of his lips wiggling downward. He looked down at his hands, as though determining whether they were worthy of battle. Clenching his fists he looked back up to Zalan with determination.

"No matter. Our bout in the tournament was very close. I will certainly come out as the victor this time around," Rexler boasted.

Zalan shrugged and held his fists out in front of him defensively. A faint gust of wind drifted between them as they waited for Slauson to call the match to begin. It was eerily calm in Zalan's heart, not an ounce of the adrenaline he once felt fighting in the arena of the Elemental Rage Tournament. If anything, he felt apathy, like a chore he really didn't feel like doing at the moment.

"Begin!" Slauson exclaimed.

Rexler darted forward, leaning in to push as much force into his first blow. Zalan remembered being stunned by Rexler's speed the first time they fought, but after the several monsters he had been up against since then, it seemed almost in slow motion. When Rexler covered half the distance between them in a second, Zalan imbued himself with blinding light, flashing like a camera. Rexler shut his eyes and turned away from the burning sight, and Zalan took two steps forward.

Reaching out, Zalan tugged hard on Rexler, who was already out of control with all his momentum. In one quick swipe, Zalan drove a knee into his chest and slammed him into the floor. Rexler coughed, the air driven out of him. Zalan smiled to himself, glad to see how much he had improved since he'd last fought hand-to-hand in the tournament.

Rexler wasn't quick to give up, grabbing Zalan's leg with both arms tightly. Zalan imbued his leg with concentrated light, burning the surface of Rexler's flesh. Rexler grit his teeth but increased the grip on Zalan, refusing to let go. Feeling sorry for him, Zalan hit him with a blinding light making him shut his eyes tightly. Then, Zalan used his free foot to twist and kick Rexler hard in his back. Again, Rexler had the air driven from him and he let go involuntarily.

Slipping his foot free, Zalan placed a hand on Rexler's face and emitted a wall of light, imbuing his opponents eyes. Releasing him, Zalan left the energy over Rexler's eyes and took a step back. Rexler had blinding white glasses that he couldn't remove from his face. A blindfold of ephemeral energy he began scratching wildly to pull off.

"Yield and I'll let you see again," Zalan said.

"Never!" Rexler said, jumping to his feet and kicking the air around him.

Shrugging, Zalan walked to the side of the fence with Rep and Slauson. They watched as Rexler tried desperately to tear off the Elemental Power shrouding his senses, occasionally throwing punches and kicks in his immediate area.

"That is an interesting use of your power," Slauson said.

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"Yeah, I just thought of it. I can't do it from a distance. I need to physically feel someone to let light run along their body. And then, with some redirection, I can connect it to a piece of their body. Takes a lot of focus to maintain, but since it's small, I can keep it up. I'm sure I could do it again to anyone," Zalan said.

"I am impressed with the increase in your redirection so quickly," Slauson said.

"I used to be better with lightning before I lost it. This is just me relearning the skill I once had," Zalan explained modestly.

"Very well fought. I thought Rexler would at least stand a chance, but he was handily overpowered," Rep said excitedly.

"Thanks. I think he just doesn't have the same battle experience. He uhhh… He doesn't fight like he's faced down death a few dozen times," Zalan said.

"And you have? You make it sound as though you fought more powerful creatures than even the Elemental Dragon you once discussed," Slauson asked, looking skeptical.

Rep and Zalan remained silent, watching Rexler sweep the floor with one leg, then punch out to an invisible enemy.

"Have you really been at death's door a dozen times?" Slauson asked, sounding more sincere.

"A dozen may be a stretch. Perhaps ten times?" Rep looked up thoughtfully.

"Amazing," Slauson said, looking at them with more respect. "If you die on the course of this journey, would you mind being turned into a Fleshless and joining me?"

"What? Are you serious? That's… No, Slauson, don't turn me into a Fleshless," Zalan balked.

"Absolutely not," Rep said, appalled.

"I was only asking, no need to sound so disgusted," Slauson said nonchalantly.

"I will never yield! Face me, coward!" Rexler screamed, swinging more fists at nothing.

"I think he is being serious," Rep pointed out.

"Fine," Zalan sighed. "I didn't want to beat him down when he's clearly done."

"Make it quick," Slauson said as Zalan made his way back to the center of the courtyard.

Rexler heard the crunch of Zalan's feet on the earth and rushed toward him with all his might, trying to tackle him to the floor. Zalan stuck his leg out and tripped Rexler, sending him slamming into the ground harshly. Rexler groaned as Zalan placed a foot on his back.

"Slauson, give us a countdown. Ten seconds on the ground and he yields, right?" Zalan asked.

"I never agreed to those terms," Rexler snarled through grit teeth.

"Those are the rules," Slauson agreed loudly, rolling his eyes at Rexler.

Rexler roared in frustration, flopping his limbs on the ground like a fish on dry land. Occasionally, he would get an arm on Zalan's leg and Zalan would simply imbue it with enough intensity to burn it away. Rexler tried desperately to push himself off the ground, but Zalan leaned in hard, making sure to keep him pinned.

"That is ten seconds. This match is over," Slauson said unenthusiastically. "Congratulations to Zalan."

Zalan finally got off of Rexler's back and removed the Elemental Light on his eyes. Furious, Rexler jumped to his feet immediately, blinking his eyes as he was able to see once more.

"Rematch!" Rexler demanded. "I was not ready for that bout!"

"No, I'm done," Zalan said.

"Then consider your apology not accepted," Rexler said, smirking.

"Okay. I guess." Zalan shrugged, undisturbed.

Enraged, Rexler threw his arms up in the air and stomped his way out of the courtyard.

"When I get an Elemental Power, I will find you and challenge you again!" Rexler boomed. Then he turned and rushed off, as if intending to immediately find himself an Elemental to challenge.

Zalan said nothing, but waved farewell. Turning back to Rep and Slauson, he blinked in confusion at the number of people at the outside of the courtyard. He expected two, when ignoring the Fleshless, but for some reason he saw three. And the newcomer was applauding.

"Excellent battle! Well done!" the young man said, and Zalan immediately recognized that it was another person he fought in the Elemental Rage Tournament. He was wearing a light shirt made out of bark that looked like a mix of clothing and armor.

"How many people in the tournament came from this city?" Zalan asked, approaching his friends.

"Just myself and Rexler, this year," the young man bowed. "I am glad you recognize me, I made quite the impression, eh?"

"Yeah. You're Leon, right?" Zalan asked when he made it to the fence.

The young man looked crestfallen at Zalan's words.

"Moss," Rep corrected under a cough.

"I mean, that was a joke, obviously. You're Moss," Zalan said.

Moss beamed, bearing his teeth for all to see.

"Exactly! It is good to see you again, Zalan," Moss said, speaking rapidly. "Did you just arrive in Winkerton? Are you already staying somewhere? You can stay with me if you like, no need to pay the increased prices at the inns."

"Uhhh," Zalan didn't know what question to answer.

"Excellent, come with me to my spacious home," Moss said. "I even have room for your…" Moss looked at King Docrun, hesitating to give the Fleshless a name. Instead, he said nothing and led the way.

Rep, Slauson, and Zalan looked at one another. Collectively, they shrugged and silently accepted Moss's invitation. Hopping the fence, Zalan made his way to Moss's place. Moss hadn't even turned around to check they were following him, confident they would want to join him in his home.