Chapter 16 – Challenge in the Arena
The guild was wrapped in festive chaos. Voices rose, mugs clashed together, and the atmosphere vibrated with the excitement of a celebration that seemed endless. The echo of laughter filled every corner when, suddenly, the main door swung open with a sharp bang.
Five silhouettes stood framed in the doorway, walking with firm, confident steps.
"They're here!" shouted an adventurer, raising his beer mug.
"The heroes of the guild! The heroes of the city!"
In a matter of seconds, everyone present began chanting loudly:
"Long live the heroes! Long live!"
The applause and cheers shook the very walls of the hall.
At the front of the group advanced Arthus, his shining armor polished like a mirror and an arrogant smile seemingly crafted for applause. Behind him followed his team: the stoic knight Roland, the enigmatic-eyed mage Liora, the calm archer Eris, and the agile assassin Nerya.
But the cheers of the crowd fell into a murmur of anticipation the moment Arthus fixed his gaze on one person alone.
"Lyyraaa!" he exclaimed, eyes gleaming theatrically, striding toward her in long steps.
The young woman instinctively stepped back, raising her hands to keep him at bay.
"W-what are you doing? Don't get so close!"
Ignoring her discomfort, Arthus dropped to his knees before her, stretching out both hands as though before a goddess.
"Oh, Lyra, most radiant star of this guild. They say it was you who defeated the fearsome Super King Goblin… Ah, how worthy of glory you are! How sublime! How perfect!"
The guild erupted in laughter. Some whistled, others pounded their tables to egg on the scene.
"Come on, Arthus, don't be so intense!" one adventurer laughed between drinks.
"Give the girl some air!"
Lyra, red-faced with a vein throbbing on her forehead, shoved him away.
"Enough! Stop spouting nonsense!"
A nearby adventurer raised his mug, cutting through the tension.
"We're celebrating Lyra's achievement! She took down an S-class monster! She deserves every honor!"
Arthus shot up suddenly, silencing him with a grandiose gesture.
"Exactly! And for that very reason, she is worthy of someone at my level! Lyra and I… we are destined to be together. The whole guild should acknowledge it!"
The hall burst into laughter and cheers again, but Lyra clenched her fists, trembling with frustration.
Arthus stepped forward, extending his hand to her with solemn air.
"Join my party, Lyra. Together, we shall shine like no others in this world."
The answer didn't come from Lyra. A deep, firm voice resonated from the back of the hall.
"Impossible."
Everyone turned. The guildmaster…
"Lyra already belongs to a new party…"
"Eh? W-what… did you just say? Lyra… in a new party?"
"With who?!"
"No way!"
Arthus blinked, dumbfounded.
Another adventurer, laughing hysterically, shouted:
"Of course, Arthus! Lyra and her boyfriend already formed their own group. They're inseparable!"
Arthus collapsed and rolled on the floor. His face, usually radiating confidence, twisted into a grotesque grimace.
"N-no… boyfriend?"
The murmurs turned into roaring laughter. Some cheered, others chanted the word as though it were a song:
"Lyra's boyfriend! Lyra's boyfriend!"
Arthus's eyes began to tremble, filled with disbelief and a dark spark of jealousy.
"W-who?" his voice shook, then roared with fury. "WHO IS THE IDIOT THAT DARES TO CALL HIMSELF THE BOYFRIEND OF MY BELOVED LYRA?!"
Lyra, red with embarrassment, slammed the table hard.
"Kael is NOT my boyfriend! He's my partner! We've just formed a new group, that's all!"
The name rang through the air.
"Kael…" Arthus repeated, turning slowly until his eyes locked onto him.
Kael sat in silence, daggers at his side, watching the scene with the same cold expression as always.
An uncomfortable silence spread through the room. Then, Arthus burst into laughter that echoed across the guild.
"That brat?! That useless rank F?! Please! Don't make me laugh!"
His teammates watched from behind. None intervened. They only observed with neutral expressions, as if silently assessing the situation.
Arthus strode toward Kael with heavy steps, each one dripping with contempt.
"Do you really think you can compare yourself to me?" he sneered, leaning close. "An insect like you should be working the fields, not here among true warriors."
Kael didn't respond. He only looked at him. His gaze was so cold, so sharp, that for a moment Arthus's smile faltered. A shiver ran down his spine, though he covered it up with a forced mocking laugh.
"And that look? What do you think you are, brat?"
Inside, however, he thought:
What the hell…? Why do his eyes make me feel… threatened?
Quickly, his pride drove him to retake control.
"I know." His smile returned, brimming with arrogance. "We'll have a duel. You and me. Then Lyra will see with her own eyes who's truly meant to be by her side."
"Are you insane, Arthus?!" Lyra immediately stepped between them, shoving him back. "Kael only just joined the guild! You don't need to pick on a rookie!"
Arthus ignored her, turning his head theatrically.
"Oh, dear Lyra. Don't blame me for wanting to protect you from someone so weak. Aren't you always the one defending him? If he can't even protect himself, how could he ever protect you?"
The guild's laughter accompanied him.
Kael finally spoke. His voice was low, sharp, like the edge of his daggers:
"I accept your challenge."
The hall fell silent.
All turned to him, shocked he had replied. Kael stood tall, his chilling aura saturating the air.
He turned to the guildmaster.
"Just tell me where."
The guildmaster narrowed his eyes, folding his arms.
"I'll allow it, on one condition: the duel ends when one of you can no longer stand. I won't permit deaths under this roof."
Kael nodded.
"Understood."
Lyra rushed to him, tugging at his arm.
"Kael, don't do it! Even if he's an idiot, Arthus is rank S! You can't possibly—"
"Don't worry." Kael cut her off, his voice as cold as ever.
Lyra glared at him, frustrated, cheeks burning.
"Idiot! Always so cold and arrogant!"
The guildmaster led them to a small training arena beside the guild. With every step, more and more adventurers followed, eager to witness the duel.
"The rookie against the hero!"
"This is going to be epic!"
The crowd filled the improvised stands. Their cheers pounded like a war drum.
Kael and Arthus entered the arena. The metallic gleam of Arthus's armor clashed with Kael's dark, silent presence.
Arthus smirked at him.
"Well, well, I thought you were a dagger assassin… but you're wielding a sword. This'll be even easier."
Kael slowly unsheathed his weapon, eyes locked on him.
"Enough talk."
The guildmaster raised his hand.
Silence spread, sharp as a blade about to fall.
"The duel… begins now."