The other problem here is the one trick he learned isn't really versatile, its a lethal move, so its not like he can go all out against Cerys since it would outright risk her life, so obviously it force him to hold back so he won't beat her by killing her up like he'd do a target.
you maybe want to replay that part again because his lethal move was utter pointless against someone who's specialisation wasn't defensive magic. The terms of the duel was to topple over the other person, something force magic should be pretty good at.
He couldn't even make her flinch. He couldn't even made her shield buckle under his attack, so any Merc with the slightest proficiency of shield magic would have his ass.
And as far as the humiliation goes, it seems like I didn't do a good enough job articulating that nudity isn't a big deal in this world, and, as such, Cerys's actions were meant to be playful rather than humiliating. I had hoped for the short back and forth with Bael in the kitchen where she invites him to stay and eat would help convey that point, but it looks like I should add a bit more to help make it clearer.
I have no problems with the pranks perse because MC was clearly not bothered by it in the slightest but its a one way street MC is the one taking all that shit and didn't prank her once in return. If he would give as good as he got the story would be totally different. But as of right now he is playing a human punching bag, and his refusal to retaliate comes of as resignation.
This is very close to what I was trying to convey. The MC, as The Daemon, is very dangerous in the world outside of the most elite and highly trained mages in the world
And that's why Luthers "respect" for MC makes no sense at all. Luther was in the thick of it and he could best MC easily if they would square off against each other. On one hand MC is super dangerous but in fact he isn't.
Right now all people heap praise on him for what he has done in the past while their actions speak pretty clear that it was nothing.
Luthers respect would be far more believable if its backed up by actions from the MC or the acknowledgment of his raw unrefined power.
But all we got from the sparing was that his power is nothing. Like i said before he should not be able to beat Cery that would be ridiculous, but he should at least be able to spur her into action so she would win, right now all she did was toy with him and he had no chance. She took all attacks head on and didn't even try to dodge them.
Even a comment from her that his spells would crush other mages defences easily while wiping sweat from her brows would indicate that MC is a force to reckon with but he is out of his depths for now.
As an Author the characters can tell us anything, but it means nothing if its not backed up by visible actions.
You wouldn't trust someone in real life who constantly apologises for his wrongdoings just to turn around and keep going with the wrong behaviour.
it just shows the person as untrustworthy and a habitual liar the longer it goes.
