CHAPTER 20: HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE

"Of course not! I’m not afraid! I was just concerned I’d hurt you since you’re so weak." Rhys yelled back.

Before the duel could begin, Alaric’s voice rang out, loud and authoritative.

"This match will go on until someone surrenders or I deem them unfit to fight."

Lady Claudia’s jaw tightened. "That hardly seems fair that you’re the judge given your son is in the duel Lord Kaiser."

Alaric stared at Lady Claudia for a second before answering. "Your son issued the challenge and you’re in my home. I will set the rules."

"Of course my Lord." Lady Claudia said as she bowed.

"Sounds easy enough." Rhys said as he locked eyes with Jack.

"This should be fun Lady Genevieve, I’m sure you and your daughters would love a good show with a meal." Cassius said as he chuckled.

"Yes, quite so. I’m sure this will be an eye opener for everyone." Lady Genevieve said as she fanned herself.

Jack and Rhys locked eyes. Other nobles’ families murmured amongst themselves as they started betting on who would win.

Then...

"Begin the duel!" Alaric’s voice boomed through the training grounds.

Rhys struck first. He charged forward with a quick, decisive strike to Jack’s chest. No hesitation, no testing his opponent. Soley focused on ending the duel quickly.

After Jack freshened up before coming to the garden. He had a talk with his system. He decided to invest all 10 stat points into agility.

After dealing with the slimes and feeling the presence of the giant snake, he decided he would need to be quicker to handle anything.

Clang!

Steel clashed against steel, ringing through the grounds. Jack had managed to block it at the last second.

"Not bad for a nobody." Rhys said with a smirk.

Wow he’s clumsy. I thought he’d put more of a fight up.

[Jack, he’s not clumsy. You just have a higher agility stat. So your reflexes are quicker.]

What are his stats system? Can I see them?

[Of course.]

[Analyzing...]

Rhys Lufiel (level 10)

Class: Wind Mage

Strength: 12

Stamina: 12

Agility: 19

Vitality: 40

Endurance: 17

Magic: 25

Mana: 478

HP: 300

Magic Talent Rank: A

Martial Talent Rank: B

Affinity: Wind, ??

Oh, I thought his stats would be higher.

[His stats are above average. You just have the noble system. Your body, your reflexes, and even your magic is superior. So you’re above your peers in terms of stats.]

’And here I thought you’d be stronger.’

Jack’s gaze was calm. The flicker of irritation in Rhys’ eyes told him that he was bothered.

Rhys’ gaze sharpened as he started a series of blows.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Rhys’ eyes sharpened as he started to take it seriously.

’This is getting boring, Rhys.’

Lady Claudia gripped her fan until her knuckles turned white. She was getting irritated at the outcome.

All the nobles were in silence. What they thought would be a one sided fight for Rhys, was actually a one sided fight for Jack.

Rhys increased his pace and it looked like Jack was beginning to lose ground.

Rhys’ strikes carried more weight. They were faster, more precise and relentless.

But it didn’t matter.

The sharp clang of metal rang as Jack deflected each blow. Rhys jumped back gasping for air.

Before he could plant his feet, Jack was in front of him and smacked him across the face with the bunt of his spear. Then kicked him across the grounds.

His sword dug into the ground as it scraped the ground.

"I..." Alaric started to talk before his

"This isn’t over!" Rhys cried out.

Suddenly the air around him began to tremble.

A ripple of green energy began erupting from Rhys’ body. Frustration was the only emotion readable on his face.

Octavia went to step forward, but Alaric put his hand in front of her. "What are you doing father, we have to stop this." Octavia’s voice tensed.

"Trust your brother, he may surprise you." Alaric answered calmly.

Rhys’ mana erupted from his body. Green energy crackled off his body as the ground beneath his feat broke.

The air grew heavy, and his sword was glowing green.

He launched himself forward, faster than before. Streaks of green mana flowed behind his body as he charged toward Jack.

He moved faster than before and saw Jack’s slow reaction. He smiled knowing the match was his.

In the moment right as Rhys was going to make contact with Jack’s torso, he pierced air because Jack wasn’t there.

The crowd gasped. Everyone was in silence including Rhys. Confused about what was happening.

Then Rhys heard a small noise in the corner of his ear.

CLAP!

A large purple sphere of mana erupted from Jack’s hand as Rhys was sent flying into a bunch of sandbags.

Boom! Sand flew into the air.

Silence stretched as everyone waited patiently for the sand to clear.

He coughed up blood as he struggled to his feet. Rhys knuckles turned white as he gripped his sword. His jaw tightened.

He knew Jack had just been playing with him this whole time. The great Rhys Lufiel, used like a toy.

This only made him angrier. He couldn’t accept defeat.

’Father, I believe that is the match.’ Jack said with a smile.

A single clap was heard from the crowd.

It was Octavaia.

She began the slow clap until everyone cheered for Jack.

"That is the duel." Alaric announced for everyone to hear.

"Jack, well done!" Annabelle shouted.

"Way to go little brother!" Celeste cheered.

As more people began to clap and shout Jack’s name. Rhys launched himself again towards Jack. This time he broke the floor beneath him.

Jack felt Rhys getting closer. But before he could react, Alaric grabbed Rhys by the throat and slammed him into the ground.

He whispered into his ear. "Know your place boy. You lost, your kind’s arrogance knows no bounds. Try that again in my home and I will end you."

The clapping stopped. Everyone turned to look at what just happened.

"Nothing to see here." Alaric clapped his hands and everyone began moving back to the grand hall and the gardens to continue the soiree.

Alric walked up to Jack. "You’ve improved considerably Jack. I didn’t think you were this skilled already."

’Thank you father. If he’s the competition I have to face, I feel like I’ll do quite fine." Jack said with a smile.

[Hidden quest complete!]

[Quest: win your first bout.]

[Reward: 5 stat points.]

[Hidden quest completed!]

[Quest: Make a name for yourself at someone else’s expense.]

[Reward: Title "Young Master of Sorne"]

Wait, I got a title? What does it do!