After an astonishing verdict, Alex meets a mage named Ella, who will be part of the same team. Together, they head to Arthur's training grounds.
Ella: "Hey Alex… did you really kill someone in the forest?"
Alex: "Of course not."
Ella: "Then why were you brought here?"
Alex: "Misunderstanding."
Ella: "But your clothes… they're stained with blood."
Alex: "Again… misunderstanding."
Ella: "Alright then."
They arrive at the training grounds. Ella exclaims:
"Ah, look! Everyone's here."
Alex watches, thinking:
(Looking closely, each of them seems unique… they radiate something special. Even this girl—she's probably very strong. I can't prove it, but I can feel it.)
The priestess notices them and says:
"Well, what do we have here? My little Ella, with the criminal hand-picked by Arthur."
Before Alex can say a word, Arthur tosses a sword to him:
"Come on, let's have a rematch."
Alex watches it fall in front of him:
"Why would I let myself get beaten again? No thanks. I have zero interest in being here."
Arthur pauses for a moment, then says:
"Alright… if you manage to beat me, you'll be free to leave the team, no questions asked."
Alex: "Seriously?"
Arthur: "Yep. And I won't use any powers like last time."
Alex: (Maybe I have a shot…)
But the knight in the group warns him:
"Don't even think about it. Arthur's too strong, with or without powers. This is just a provocation. But if he insists, it means he's noticed your talent."
Next to the knight, the axe-wielding warrior adds:
"Listen, Silone, our Arthur is craftier than he seems. I'm sure he has tricks up his sleeve."
Arthur, overhearing, smiles slightly:
"Not very nice of you to say that, Furious. Is that your last defeat talking?"
Alex stares at the sword, thinking:
(This seems way too simple… but I can't ignore the warnings from these two. They clearly know Arthur's real level. Yet… it intrigues me.)
Alex: "Hmmm…"
Ella: "So… what's your decision?"
Alex: "Arthur, if I lose, what happens to me?"
Arthur: "You'll follow my training for two weeks."
Alex: (I knew he'd have a twisted plan, but I want to see what he's made of.)
Alex bends down, grabs the sword—it's a two-handed blade. He stands up, testing it:
"So, this is a two-handed sword, huh?"
Arthur: "Of course. Why?"
Alex: "Nothing… it's just my first time using one."
Arthur smiles:
"So… you accept the duel?"
Alex: "I don't really have a choice if I want to leave this group."
Arthur grabs a sword from the pile behind him:
"Excellent choice. Probably your only chance. For fairness, I'll use a two-handed sword too."
He assumes a stance, smiling:
"But I assure you, you have no chance of winning."
Silone (Knight): "We should step back. Arthur sometimes can't hold back."
Priestess: "You're right, Silone."
The group steps aside, giving them space. The priestess looks at Ella, smiling:
"Not to offend you, but your friend is… unusual."
Ella: "We're not friends, but I find him strange too, Lady Iris."
Iris (Priestess): "At least this duel promises to be interesting. I'm curious to see how the boy will hold up."
On the field, the two fighters take stance. Stillness falls. Arthur thinks:
(Here I go.)
Alex notices and braces himself:
(He's coming.)
But before Alex can react, Arthur's already in front of him with a powerful sideways strike.
Alex instinctively dodges. When he looks, Arthur is already gone.
Alex: (Damn… he's gone.)
Turning, he sees Arthur charging another attack.
Alex: (How can he be this fast?)
Arthur swings horizontally. Alex adjusts to block—but suddenly, Arthur switches to a vertical strike.
Alex: (Damn! That was a feint.)
By luck, Alex sidesteps. As he repositions, Arthur unleashes rapid strikes. Using instinct, Alex dodges and blocks a horizontal strike, but…
Alex: (What the hell was that? Too powerful.)
He's thrown back. He stops, but his sword shatters on impact.
Furious: "Arthur didn't hold back at all."
Silone: "True… but the most surprising part? The boy hasn't suffered serious damage yet. Arthur leads the fight, but his opponent is tough. Now I see why he's interested in him."
Ella: "He's really that strong, Arthur?"
Silone: "First time you've noticed?"
Ella: "I think so…"
Silone: "You don't care about training, but Arthur's physical strength alone exceeds any ordinary warrior."
Ella: "Oh…"
Silone: "You worried about Alex?"
Ella: "Not really… just met him today."
Silone: "Yet he seems to interest you."
Ella: "True… but I'd bet he's not a coward."
They watch silently. Iris sighs:
"Poor boy."
Furious: "Curious to see what he does next."
On the field, Alex breathes heavily, keeping calm. Arthur raises his sword, resting it on his shoulder:
"You giving up already?"
Alex glares:
"I didn't sign up to die… just to duel."
Arthur: "I know… but I told you, you had no chance."
Frustration surges in Alex.
Arthur: "What? Giving up?"
Alex lowers his head, sighs:
(I should give up… but I can't stand this guy. Time to clear my mind and give it everything I've got.)
He grips the broken sword's remnants:
"Come on, let's finish this."
Arthur smiles. In a fraction of a second, he's in front of Alex, striking vertically.
Alex stays calm, slightly dodges, and deflects the blade. Everyone freezes, astonished. Arthur launches a flurry of sideways strikes.
Alex parries every attack calmly.
Silone: (This boy's parries are flawless… worthy of a grandmaster.)
Alex: (I can't absorb all the hits—they'd shatter my bones. That's why I deflect and sidestep to reduce impact.)
Arthur raises his sword for a vertical strike, then shifts to horizontal.
Alex: (Saw the feint coming… nothing escapes my eyes.)
Alex ducks, evades, and kicks Arthur's hand, disarming him. As Arthur's sword flies, Alex thinks:
(This time… you'll have to let me go, Arthur.)
Arthur punches. Alex uses the sword as a shield, but it shatters, and the blow hits his stomach.
Alex spits blood, thinking:
(Of course… he could do that too. This bastard wants me dead.)
He's slammed into a pile of training armor. Everyone's speechless. Ella rushes to him:
"Don't pass out! I'll heal you."
She places her hands on his stomach, a white light radiates. Alex's eyes close… but he sees Arthur say:
"I warned you."
Arthur walks away. Alex finally closes his eyes.
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: The Legend of Darkn, the Cruel Demon King