Lukas continued to follow Shadow through the forest, though he has a strange feeling that something is going to happen. He has this strange suspicion like someone is watching him, though even if he looked around, he wouldn't be able to spot anyone. The two however encountered a particular spot that was rather strange to him since he had spent three weeks exploring this whole island, but this place he didn't know. 

Shadow: "We have been studying your people through the three weeks. Each of your skill sets and Magic affinities have been studied. Yet you went scouring these forests. What was it that you sought?"

Lukas was taken aback by the robot's question, but he remained calm as he responded.

Lukas: "Answers."

Shadow: "Answers? You are in the middle of the most dangerous island in the world boy. What answers would you have been seeking?"

Lukas: "My power."

Shadow: "I see."

Shadow then suddenly came to a halt as he turned around to look at Lukas, who too stood in place.

Shadow: "This is where we shall have our fight."

Shadow's mechanical tail then destroyed Lukas's cuffs as Lukas could finally feel his wrists.

Lukas: "H-Here...?"

Shadow: "I have been hired to kill you, but there is an alternative objective to the assignment. To test you out."

Lukas: "To test... me out..?"

Shadow: "You're trembling boy. Lukas Misaki, it is time to fight."

Suddenly, all six of Shadow's mechanical arms pulled out high frequency blades as it prepared itself by getting into a charging position. Shadow wasn't wrong as Lukas was slightly trembling, but he steeled himself as he relaxed his posture, awaiting for Shadow to make the first move. 

Shadow then suddenly moved so quick that Lukas only had a split second to react, which was using his Wind Magic to propel himself to dodge the attack. Shadow's first attack sliced into the ground as it was a clear cut in the rubble. Shadow continued the offensive as Lukas had to constantly focus on dodging. Lukas had to use the terrain around him, including the ruins to continue to manoeuvre around as Shadow was constantly keeping up. 

Lukas eventually found an opening as he landed a kick on its chest plate as the impact released a burst of wind that knocked Shadow back as it used the blades to stabilize itself. Lukas landed on the ground as he awaited for Shadow to make another move, but unexpectedly, Shadow suddenly cloaked itself as Lukas was confused on where he could be.

He couldn't feel Shadow's presence, so this was going to get complicated as he continued looking around, trying to see if he can spot anything that is off. He did occasionally hear some heavy metallic steps, though it was in multiple areas. He even heard some rattles of Shadow's mechanical tail which was making him feel more worried and aware. 

Lukas: "W-Where is he...?"

He then had a strange feeling that he would be attacked from behind as he quickly side stepped out of the way, only for him to see his shirt get cut by his left side. He wasn't cut per say, but this was going to get complicated as he tried to figure out a way to pinpoint Shadow. He then felt the same feeling again as he dodged again, but as he tried to land a kick, he could tell that he missed, he felt something wrap around his leg as he was swung into one of the pillars of the ruins. 

He felt a lot of pain as he tried to recover, but he saw Shadow uncloak itself as it went in for another attack, forcing Lukas to dodge in an instant. Once he rolled out of the way, he noticed that Shadow did attack with all six blades, but it completely cut through the pillar with ease, forcing it to crumble backwards into the forest terrain, creating a large cloud of dust to surround the two. Lukas coughed a bit as he was trying to pinpoint Shadow, even though he was able to see it for a moment, Shadow cloaked again, making it even more troublesome. 

He then quickly slammed his foot on the ground, releasing a shockwave of wind that pushed all the dust away, allowing his vision to be better again as he figured out that his eyes won't help him at all. So he decided that he needs to rely on his ears since he can't sense Shadow, it does make things more limited. 

He managed to dodge most of Shadow's invisible attacks as he couldn't find a perfect opportunity to attack. Yet he felt a hit into his stomach as he was sent flying back, only for Lukas to immediately used Fire Magic to release a slash of flames that did miss Shadow that much he could tell. Though in an instant, when he landed on the ground, he had the instinct to tilt his head a bit as he did so, only for a cut to appear on the right side of his face by his cheek. He then had no choice but to use his Wind Magic to force himself away from the spot as he flew forwards to dodge an attack that left a crater. 

Once Lukas recovered, he was trying to calculate on how he could possibly get vision on Shadow as he then realized something. He would be able to sense when he is going to get attacked, he could possibly use it to his advantage as he then began to envelop his body in Lightning Magic, as he waited for an attack to happen. Though strangely this time, he couldn't feel any attacks coming his way, yet his body was calm and not trembling, which is making something click in his head. 

Lukas *Thoughts*: "Wait a minute... Shadow is attacking me when I am vulnerable or when I am unsure... Could it be...? If that is the case... How do I trick it into attacking me instead..?"

He was trying to come up with something, but he then heard the mechanical steps getting slower and slower, making him realize something.

Lukas *Thoughts*: "Is it trying to hide..? It's acting like a predator skulking the prey... Could that mean Shadow will only attack me if I am scared...? I think I get it now..."

He then lowered his guard as he relaxed his body, trying to simulate the feeling of fear. His body began to tremble as he was sweating, looking around himself, though he is relying on his hearing. He then felt the attack coming from behind as he ducked underneath, charging up electrical currents into his fist, jabbing into its chest plate, removing the cloaking device.

Shadow was sent back a bit as it could feel the electrical current flow into its system, realizing that the cloaking device is now malfunctioning.

Shadow: "Interesting. How did you figure it out?"

Lukas: "I may not be able to sense you or predict your patterns... But I was able to corelate to what your actions are similar to. So I simulated what you focus on since you didn't attack me when I was expecting it..."

Shadow: "A diversion to lure me out. You are an intelligent one Lukas Misaki."

Shadow stood up as still was ready to attack, making Lukas get on guard again. He may have been able to figure out Shadow's stealthy tactics, but he doesn't know if he can handle Shadow's aggressive assault. He sweated a little as Shadow began his aggression.

Each strike from each individual blade was swift and deadly as Lukas was doing his best to counter attack, though Shadow was shown to be more nimble than Lukas predicted. Before one of the blades were going to hit Lukas, he quickly activated one of his old Magic Spells, that being Mana Barrier. Though as the blade struck, Lukas quickly used his right arm to block the blade. Once the blade made contact, it somehow managed to cut through the Mana Barrier slightly as it sunk into the skin a bit, making Lukas bleed a little as he quickly used his Wind Magic to knock Shadow back.

Once Lukas managed to recover, he looked at his arm where the cut was as he realized that the blades are actually able to cut through Magical defences. He winced a little in pain as he noticed Shadow charging in again. Once Shadow went in for a swing, Lukas leaped backwards as Shadow's mechanical tail grabbed hold of Lukas's leg. Lukas was then pulled towards Shadow as Shadow went in for another attack, though this time, he used his Lightning Magic to let it flow into Shadow before the attack could even hit him. Once he dodged the attack and the grip around his leg was loosened, he immediately boosted himself into a shoulder charge with his Wind Magic to hit into Shadow's chest plate again. 

It knocked Shadow back a bit as Lukas went in for a roundhouse kick, covering his lower leg in flames as he landed a strong kick to Shadow's mechanical head, being knocked to the ground, rolling a bit until it immediately recovered. Shadow then charged forward again, but using each blade to swing once, though as Lukas dodged the last one, Shadow's tail went in for a stabbing motion this time as Lukas couldn't counteract this. It was drilled into his left arm as he could feel his shoulder dislocate in pain as he gritted in teeth, doing his best not to yell in pain. 

Shadow then forced Lukas to the ground as it continued to try and stab him, though he was still moving his head to dodge each strike. Lukas then used his right arm to fire out a burst of Wind Magic as it knocked Shadow back. Shadow was sent flying into one of the pillars as it tumbled to the ground, only to be crushed by the collapsing pillar. 

Lukas got back up slowly as the adrenaline decided to give up as he fell to his one knee, his right hand holding onto his left shoulder. He was panting heavily as it definitely was a difficult fight. He could feel the blood loss sinking in as he was getting slightly drowsy. His vision becoming blurry as he then saw Shadow get back up from the rubble, seemingly having no scratch, making his eyes widen in horror.

Shadow: "You're impressive Omni Magician. It has been years since one could give me quite a challenge. You may not be as strong as most of my prey, but you have shown potential. However, it is over, Lukas Misaki."

Lukas could feel his body getting heavier as he couldn't move at all. As Shadow began charging towards Lukas, he immediately closed his eyes, thinking that this was the end. However he didn't feel any attack hit him as he heard a strange sound. He opened his eyes, only to see roots of nearby trees encase Shadow, which left him confused.

Shadow: "What is this?"

???: "That is you messing with Mother Nature."

Lukas turned his gaze to where the voice came from as he noticed a mature-looking young woman who has light green hair, bright yellow eyes and a soft smile. Lukas had a strange feeling about her that he couldn't describe as she walked up to the two of them.

???: "You alright Omni Magician?"

Lukas: "I... I think so..."

Lukas couldn't help but admire her soothing voice as well as her beauty, but he averted his gaze when he thought about it. Though the woman looked at Shadow, only for Shadow to say her name.

Shadow: "Fauna Ceres."

Fauna: "I didn't expect an artificial being could recognize me."

Shadow: "It isn't recognition as you were in my databanks."

Fauna: "Hmm~?"

Fauna was acting a little dumbfounded as Shadow somehow managed to cut its way out of the roots, only to leap up to the top of one of the pillars. 

Shadow: "My mission is already accomplished here. The data I have collected is sufficient enough. We shall meet again, Lukas Misaki."

Shadow then began making a run for it as Fauna sighed.

Fauna: "Oh dear~ That is quite troublesome. You alright?"

Lukas: "I..."

Lukas was going to say something as he then passed out due to blood loss and exhaustion. This began to make Fauna worry a bit as she realized that she will need to tend to his wounds to make sure he lives.

A few minutes later, Zai managed to reach to the scene where the fight took place as he couldn't find any trace of both Shadow and Lukas. He looked around, noticing that partial bits of the ruins was destroyed, but also some traces of blood. He then realized that if Lukas's body ain't here, then there is a possible chance that he could be alive. Yet he lost the tracks to where he could be, so he decided to head back to Tanigo and Akuma-Sensei to explain the situation to his knowledge...