CHAPTER 106: FIRST BLOOD

Duke Kaelvar was quite impressed by Lucen. Even though Lucen did not even have a single mantle, the way he moved made it seem like he was at the second mantle.

’That could only mean his body is just that much stronger.’

Kaelvar then glanced at Sir Thalos. He had sparred with Sir Thalos before and after the incident with his family. He was once a good swordsman, but after that incident, he stopped using swords and relied solely on his body.

The training method Sir Thalos created to train his body to the extreme could be considered torture.

’Did that child also use that training method?... There’s no other answer I can see that would allow Lucen to gain that kind of body so quickly.’

Kaelvar had seen Lucen before, but back then, his body was so weak, and his talent with the sword was nearly non-existent. Remembering those times and seeing the current Lucen made Kaelvar smile.

’I guess, you found your own path forward.’

***

Duchess Seraphina was looking at Lucen quite interested in the weapon he produced using magic. It was like nothing she had ever seen before.

’I knew that he had a mana core, and was at the first circle, but I didn’t know he had a unique magic. I have seen quite a few types of unique magic. This one’s a first. I don’t even know what it is.’

Based on what she had seen, the weapon was made of metal and shoots out an incredibly fast, tiny object.

’The penetrating power of that thing is the same as some third-circle spells. To be able to produce that kind of thing with one circle, well, that is quite the interesting, unique magic.’

***

Elyra Runescar watched closely as Lucen danced around his opponent. The footwork Lucen was using was not something she had seen before. It was a fluid and efficient motion, ready for both offense and defense.

Lucen had become better than he ever was before. Seeing his action, she was sure that the rumors of his battles were true. Now the question was, was he always this strong and hiding his skill, or did he gain this strength just recently?

If it was the former, why did he do it, and why was he showing his true skills now? If it were the latter, what kind of training would completely change a person?

***

The royal family were also watching the fight between Lucen and Reginald with different thoughts in their minds.

Elric looked at Lucen, wondering if he could somehow make him part of his army. Mirabelle had a mask of boredom on her face, her true thoughts only known to her. Gregory, the same as Seraphina, was focused less on the battle but more on the object in Lucen’s hands.

Elena was mesmerized by Lucen’s way of fighting. It was like a dance, each step, each dodge, each block was a rhythm, and Lucen made it look effortless.

Elion was also mesmerized by Lucen’s fight. He made it look more like a performance than an actual fight.

Normally, Reginald, who was older, taller, and already a first mantle aura user, should have had the advantage. On the other hand, Lucen, who was younger, was a known first circle mage, which meant close quarters combat like this should put him at a disadvantage, but no, he was actually toying with Reginald.

***

Most of the nobles had already expected such an outcome, so what they were betting was not who would win, but how long Reginald would last against Lucen.

Count Vermont, who was aware of such bets happening right now, felt truly ashamed. His son thought that everyone was cheering for him. He thought he was in the right. He thought that he stood a chance against Lucen, but all of those were simply his fantasies.

Elandra Vermont was having conflicting feelings right now. He was embarrassed for his son, since no one here thinks he had a chance of victory. On the other hand, seeing her son work so hard for the first time in such a long while made her feel a little proud.

Despite already being asked to surrender multiple times, he did not give up and continued swinging his sword. He might be in the wrong, but his determination was quite praiseworthy.

***

Reginald was once again kneeling on the ground, Lucen had pointed his revolver at his head again, and said the same words he kept on saying throughout the duel.

"Bang! You once again have fallen and died. So this time, are you going to surrender?"

Reginald gritted his teeth, slapped away the revolver in front of him, and started attacking again.

’Why is this happening?! Wasn’t he supposed to be a loser who exaggerated the things he had done?! Then why can’t I hit him?!’

Reginald wasn’t just some lousy, arrogant noble. He was trained in the kingdom’s swordsmanship. Even though he was like one of those third-rate villains in novels, he was actually someone who trained properly.

He once put in a lot of effort in training his body and learning swordsmanship. Dreaming of one day becoming a general, he even had a dream of replacing the Runescars as the sword of the King.

Unfortunately for him, those dreams were shattered early on. He was one who had always been praised for having talent, but when he faced a truly talented individual, he lost miserably.

After being defeated by Elyra in a spar, he simply thought that it was because it was Elyra that he was defeated. In fact, after sparring with other kids his age, he learned he was actually quite good. He once again regained his confidence, but now, standing right in front of him was one of those unreasonably talented individuals.

’Damn it! Am I going to lose again, and in front of so many people?!’

He could already imagine what others would be saying behind his back, since that was what he would do in a similar situation. Everyone will remember him as the fool who challenged Lucen Thornehart.

’I can’t accept that! Not only will I lose, but I will be forced to apologize for doing nothing wrong!’

Reginald gritted his teeth and started swinging the sword in his hand as fast as he could. Even though the swings were faster, his breathing was unstable, and his stance was all over the place. Lucen did a light sweep of Reginald’s leg, making him fall on his butt. On the ground, Lucen once again pointed the revolver at Reginald’s head, but this time, he said something different.

"Bang. You already went past your limit and are breathing heavily. Why don’t you surrender already?"

Reginald did not respond as he was trying his hardest to stabilize his breathing. He then pushed away the revolver and once again attacked.

’I won’t accept it! How can I lose here, against him! Hmph, can’t he hear the people cheering for me! Wanting me not to bend to his coercion.’

Reginald, who was breathing heavily, truly believed that the other nobles were cheering for him to win. But the truth was, those cheers were those of the nobles simply telling him to last longer, so that they would win the bet.

***

Lucen, who had basically defeated Reginald numerous times, was now actually starting to feel quite impressed.

’A normal third-rate villain character would have fallen already or surrendered... I guess this guy is a second-rate villain character instead.’

Lucen, who was causally evading Reginald’s wild swings, was no longer focused on the fight and was thinking about other things.

’Now that I think about it. If you look at it from a different perspective, I guess in Reginald’s point of view, I’m the villain and he’s the hero. It actually feels like that, since Reginald is doing his very best to defeat me or just to get a hit in, while I casually humiliate him in front of all these people.’

When Lucen’s thoughts got to that point, he frowned.

’This is starting to make me look like the bad guy. I guess I’ll just end this fight. Now the question is how to end the fight. He obviously won’t surrender.’

Lucen looked at Reginald, who was sweating profusely. His sword swings were becoming slower, and he was breathing heavily.

’I could just wait until he faints on his own... Nah, that sounds a little cruel to do. Hmm, should I just shoot him in the knee and get it over with? I could restrain him, and force him to surrender, and if he doesn’t, I guess I can just prick him a little with his own sword.’

The second Lucen made his decision, he let go of his revolvers, making them disappear. This move of his not only stunned Reginald, but the people watching as well.

Lucen then used his favorite Trait, Acting Adept, to use the submission techniques of a character in his past life. The more powerful people watching noticed the change in Lucen’s demeanor.

In one smooth step, Lucen closed the gap, seized Reginald’s sword wrist, and wrenched it behind his back. A sharp cry escaped Reginald as the blade clattered to the ground. Lucen forced him forward and down, pinning him with ease.

"Are you going to surrender now?" Lucen asked evenly.

Reginald did not respond and instead flailed about trying to get Lucen off his back. Seeing this, Lucen sighed as he picked up the nearby sword and made a tiny cut in Reginald’s hand.

"First blood has been achieved, the winner is Lucen Thornehart!" The King’s voice rang across the training ground.

The crowd erupted. Some cheered, some jeered, and more than a few collected their winnings with smug grins.

Reginald, who was resisting furiously, stopped his movements. He could not believe it... He had lost.