Huge, is what I could say about this place, with reinforced walls, floors and no windows at all but one huge vent at the tall ceiling above us and a giant entrance. The entire area is filled to the brim with spectators and the gallery is so thick I can't seem to see the floor. With food and drinks in their hands they stand to watch while both Seyong and I choose our weapon.
I pick up the spear, it is at such good quality that I wonder who took the time to actually carve the wooden spear and the metal holders and tiny ball pummel at the bottom. The only thing that differenciate this from a real spear is the wooden blade.
(Is this what the spear here looks like? Interesting, just like how spears may be universally everywhere but the shape is always different. At first, using the different head may be tough but with enough strength, discipline, and mastery, and experience.
I look at the prince as he seems to choose a spear as well but with a different shape and a small mechanism that seems to pop up.
"Woah, Seyong Ssi, you use a spear as well!?"
"Kinda, I actually use many types of weapon. So I fight with a customized mixed of the bunch. Then again, I am an arch mage at the core so I tend to shoot my enemies before they got close."
"That makes sense... Say do you use tonfas perhaps?"
"Hoh? You can tell? And I'm surprised you know about them."
From the shape and size, it seems to be a vertical grip as it pops out making it look like two tonfas being attached.
"Of course! I know many weapons, like chakram, scourge, falx blade, hook blades, trident, flails, and since you know Tonfas you must know the urumi right?"
The prince's eyes sparkle more brightly with each weapon I named before he excitingly shouts:
"Hell no! Tell me more! More like you have to show me what you said! My knowledge extends only across this peninsula, the frontier above us and bits and pieces of southern Heaven. I never heard of said weapons."
Seyong leans closer to me bursting with curiosity and I simply reply with,
"Um... Sorry but I doubt I can since they're all region exclusive and unique weapons, not many wields them."
(More like the wielders are even harder to find then the weapons themselves... I guess my halberd is considered unique here since nobody really use them).
"Then at least you have to tell me where I can find them! This is why I wish to become an adventurer! There's so many unknown curiosity to be discovered beyond this kingdom and getting such unique exports are even harder! I had to personally commission this to be made with trials and errors, you understand me right!?"
I nod understandingly saying:
"Yea!"
(Like my retractable spear is almost impossible to find if Nicole didn't given me to it as a gift or May's custom made detachable scourge heads or Sis Rubeca's extending glaive and butcher knive. It was all being made inside Aunt's workshop).
"Well, maybe we can continue our conversation after the spar. Heh, I can't wait."
The prince walks away towards the corner where Elder Hon-Kwon awaits and I saw him swing and twirl his weapon as I take to one of the corner as well where Yoo-Ah and Juha awaits holding my dress with worry and bathed breath.
"Be careful, Sova! Better yet, just surrender!"
"I said it many times but I hate to admit she's right, try to end the fight as soon as possible. The prince is strong, the strongest among the kingdom as well, so beware."
"Okay, sure..."
I swing and thrust with the spear to get comfortable with it before I swing and twirl it across my back and to my other arm and back before slamming the pummel down saying:
"I'm ready."
Awaiting at our corners, the prince step forward with a huge grin. Like a kid awaiting his new year present Seyong steps forth towards the centre as I did the same before we stop at a comfortable distance. The entire crowd seems to come to an agreement and quiet down as silence covers the hall.
*Step* *Step*
The prince steps to the side as he circle and I do the same until we stand at our opposite spot. Remembering back, the prince as soon as he left the party hall strips his expensive robe at the middle of the way and reveal his casual wear of undershirt and pants while I remove my dress to fight with my own casual wear Moriz hands to me.
(If there's one thing, I guess Moriz did gave me this good comfy clothes).
Raising our weapons, I try to break the silence asking:
"Say, Seyong Ssi. Between you and the Colonel who would win?"
Seyong eyes widened in surprise,
"Heh, hahahahaha!"
Before he breaks out laughing and putting his weapon down saying:
"That's a pretty funny question, Sova Ssi. It's definitely Iseon Hyung nim. He can easily cleave me in one strike even when I'm at full power and from afar. After all, what's the point of hiding behind a mountain when he can cut through it right?"
"That sounds pretty crazy..."
(Is that really possible with qi? Then again, people can flatten mountains too so maybe it's not a bit stretch since the Colonel is strong).
He then points at me with his weapon saying:
"Don't kid yourself, you can't fool me. Owlian you may be, but you're hiding some very dangerous power. I have to admit, just like the younger generation of the Heroes of the coalition, you are a monster as well.
Just like the eldest from the family of heroes, Jin-Cheo Hyung nim. Everyone may think he is dead weight after he hole himself in. But I can assure you, he could easily wipe the floor with me and finish me in one strike as well now. I'm just curious to see who would win now between him and Iseon Hyung nim. Maybe Iseon Hyung nim could have a rematch and pay him back for losing to him."
(A fight between the two? Not that I cared but Jin Cheo runs around calling himself the night lancer right? And Jin-Cheo is stronger than the Colonel!? If that's true what about Moriz who even he says he can't do anything about?)
"Now, shall we? Uncle Hon-Kwon, would you do the honours?"
Snapping back to reality by his words, Hon-Kwon steps in and stand between us while Seyong takes a weird stance where he push both his arms forth as if he is handing his spear diagonally and I spread my feet and hold the end of the spear over my right shoulder to take the wrath stance.
"Hoh? That's a pretty unique stance. Sova Ssi. I didn't see you use that at the promotion exam, or you did?
"I suppose, this is best for fighting one on one. But don't you have a unique stance too, Seyong Ssi."
"True!"
Counting experience on my battles previously, I take a step to the side as he does the same before Hon-Kwon raise his hand and jumps back shouting:
"Begin!"
I step forward within striking distance with my body leaning back and swing down at Seyong as I feel my muscles pulse in response. My strike seems to cut the air while Seyong seems surprised by my speed yet simply smile and slide his weapon to extend the lower vertical grip and lean forward.
*Crash*
He parry my spear while sliding across his weapon before it's forcefully stopped by the extended vertical grip. Now standing on my side, he is brings the weapon up while he encircle me to my back as some kind of choke. With my weapon still to his vertical grip, my weapon gets pulled alongside as he try to grab the other side of his staff. Realizing the dire situation, I take in my breath and use my left hand to grab his weapon and circle around. Elbowing his left hand further with my right hand.
Turning the tables, I extend my right hand further to pull my spear back and thrust forward at his chest but Seyong dodges and grabs the back of the spear's edge. Detaching his weapon in half as he then grabs the tonfa by it's end try to strike my head but I raise the other half of his detached weapon I grabbed and block him using his own weapon. Using my strength I tried to overpower him and push him away but he's not moving much.
(Damn, So much for Mary saying I have some strongest constitution when almost all the strong people I met keep evening it out... Is the body perhaps outdated or maybe I'm just not catching up?)
*Murmur* *Murmur*
The crowds and gallery around us erupted loudly as they start speaking to themselves when Seyong starts speaking,
"Heh, good, I expected much from you. But this is not all is it?"
"Fuuuh... Nope!"
Twisting my body a bit, I pull him closer as I raise my left leg and bend it for a mighty kick thinking,
[Dynamic Horse Technique: Mighty Punt!]
He let's go of my spear as he dodges to the side and the forceful blow of my kick seems to send shock waves to the audience and knocking them all down and back to the walls.
"Oh no!"
"They'll be fine! They know the risk!"
The prince shouts as he seems to grab hold of the tonfa I drop and rush at me with a flurry of unfamiliar combos. And with his very close distance over my spear, I have a hard time parrying and dodging his attack as he not only changing the range of his blow midway by swinging his tonfa for a sweep attack and even targeting my feet as he is trying to thrust while striking with the other with huge movements.
When I block an upper strike he swings his tonfa over my spear as I'm then force to dodge not once but thrice when he sweeps with his other tonfa at my side and then down to my feet before finishing with an uppercut.
(This might be the first time I faced someone actually using a Tonfa. I fought someone using a scythe, bare fists, guns, axes, and more but...)
Gripping the vertical grip he delivers a right jab, left hook, which I dodge. He connects his left hook with his left tonfa sweep which I dodge by leaning back and seyong starts using his feet for a right low kick and I raise my left feet before he starts connecting it with another left straight.
(Isn't he just kick boxing now!? And he's really hampering me from using my spear for getting so close! It's like fighting a pugilist but harder).
*Boom*
I grab his strike with my left hand before I sweep my spear to his open left, he simply shove my hand away to ruin my balance and try to strike with a back hand hit with his tonfa but I easily block using my spear by holding it with both hands. Seyong smiles when he seems to see an opportunity by sliding his arms in and entangle the spear between his armpit and forehand before elbowing me with his tonfa which I quickly twist and turn to dodge.
(No way! This is similar to the arm grab I copied but for weapons!)
With my weapon stuck and standing back to back after the turn, I try to counter with a side kick without letting go of my spear. But Seyong easily blocks by raising his tonfa and slide in for another left elbow when I quickly turn to him and use one hand to grab the back collar of his shirt and with my spear raise his arm for a shoulder throw!
"Woah!"
Bending my knee, I lift him up and try to use his giant size against him but maybe because of his height, he lands his feet first and as I feel my feet leave the ground and my view spin, I realize I've been counter throw as he let's go of my spear.
(Height difference is a bit unfair. And he's pretty good).
Regaining my balance with the rat and monkey technique, I felt my perspective spins while I quickly turn to face him when he tries to strike but,
"Don't tell me, that's how you defeated the guardian at the promotion quest?"
Seyong asks stretching his neck and warming up his arms.
"Of course not, if I use that it wouldn't be fair."
With a bit of fair distance between us, I take my wrath stance again and Seyong take a different stance with his tonfas...
(At least, now I got a good hold of some techniques! Getting close to him is dangerous, and I can only imagine from afar with his magic... Let's try something).
"I'm getting a bit more serious now, here I come!"
"So, you're not serious?"
I rush ahead again this time with my spear barely at striking point and strike at his side. But he blocks my attack and scoop my staff but I easily circle around for a thrust only for him to tilt his head and wrap his arm around the shaft which I quickly pull back and make a round swing but Seyong ducks and delivers a straight punch which I slap down and drag across his arm to smack his head but he simply bend backwards dodging by a hair's breathe before jumping forward with his arms wide as if he is trying to hug but I dash back and the prince follow suit staring face to face that our nose almost touch.
(Is he really a mage? If close quarters battle won't work... Maybe some mid-range power moves would do... I really don't like doing this...)
I aim upon his chest and clench my fist gathering my strength to my arm as I feel a jolt of pain from my head remembering,
[Platinum Bull Run technique, Demise Path: Frontal Devasation!]
*Crack*
Doing what the prince does, I sent out my full powered straight to his guts that he barely manage to block with his tonfas as he flew farther away. I twitch seeing his legs and arms react as if he's trying to grapple my arm and shoulder for a lock but he didn't...
(I see... I really still need to improve. But you'll rue it for underestimating me!)
But not stopping there, even as I feel my hand has just punch through bricks, my muscle expand and tense as I put all my strength in this strike.
[Almighty roaring tiger technique, Fury path: Tiger's Rampage! No qi variation]
My single strike turns into a 3 fold side slash whick surprises Seyong as he blocks them and...
*Boom* *Boom* *Smack* *crack* *kreee*
Our weapons cracks from my strike while Seyong was forcefully push to the side while his feet drags with a loud screech. I continue with another 3 fold strike from below which he jumps further back to dodge and with a fair distance and Seyong still mid air, I pull my spear back,
[Immortal Tormentor Crane Technique, pillar path: Piercing the Heavens. No qi variation]
I hold the pummel of the spear at my palm and charge forward thrusting my spear and Seyong is a bit caught off guard. He awkwardly dodge breaking his posture. Wracking my brain, I wonder what technique is in store as my spear reach below his shoulder, I continue with,
[Divine Moon Dragon Technique, clear path: Crescent Severing! No qi variation]
*Smack*
As if I'm holding a long sword, I swing my spear up to his armpit and slash in an upper crescent shape disarming his right hand while pulling my spear back.
but Seyong doesn't mind, trying to close our distance and counter with a left hook and a sweep. But I jump high bending my body till my legs reach my back,
[Invincible Dancing Monkey's technique: grand slam, no qi variation]
*Crack* *Shatter*
And purposely miss as the spear slams the ground beside him, cracking the floor and splitting my spear in half. Seyong sighs heavily saying:
"Heh, you win."
"Yea!"
"The fight is over!"
*Clatter* *Chatter* *Cheer*
Hon-Kwon shout and the entire training ground erupted with cheers and applaud. Seyong drops his weapon and clasp his hand to bow down saying:
"Thank you for the experience."
"No problem! This is a pretty good warm up and sorry for breaking your weapon."
(And I feel like it's been a while since I swing my weapon in real life... Well can I call days long? But being bed ridden feels very long and making me weak, too weak).
"Hahaha! Don't be! I had a lot of fun. And I guess I can understand why you use Malia. If even that wood breaks from a couple of techniques, I doubt any normal weapon would suffice. Fuuuh, you really are strong."
"Not really, I mean, I'm fighting a mage in close combat. It is at your disadvantage no? It's a bit cheating you're good at both close and ranged combat."
(Then there's you holding back).
"Haha! Keep the compliments! Come, Sova. The night is still young, so let's find somewhere we can speak more. You just have to tell me more about those weapons, or better yet, what's outside this peninsula is like."
"Sure...?"
(Fuuh, here I thought I've gotten stronger after defeating that Wolf-Kin. I still need to be careful).
"Since you're from Heaven you must know many stuff right? Like tell me who do you learn-"
"Stop right there!"
Yoo-Ah cuts in between us before turning around and check if I got hurt shouting:
"Are you okay!? Does it hurt anywhere!? You have to tell me quickly! Especially when Ji-Hyun unnie is not around!"
Juha continues to pay on me and I
"I-I'm fine, Yoo-Ah. I didn't even get hit in this fight."
(More like I hurt myself but it was merely a minor bruise).
Juha steps in saying:
"I hope that's enough, prince Yeon-Seyong nim."
"Heh, please, no need to be so on edge when the person in question is having so much fun."
"So you're saying it's fun fighting a recovering foe?"
"It depends."
Seeing the two staring knives at each other, I look at the broken spear and wonder,
(I wonder if I should use special weapons? But then again, simple is best, and I already have an unstable ability to worry about).
"Gasp! Does your feet hurt!? I saw him strike at your feet earlier!"
"No, Yoo-Ah I'm fine. Like I said, I didn't get hit."
"Rrrgh! Just try not to get hurt when recovering okay!? We can't do much when the prince is the one asking!"
"Oh? Is that how it goes? I should maybe learn more about how things work here."
"You should!"
With the hall quieting down as they continue to discuss the battle, I wonder what to do here as we wait for Miso's performance. Curious about the glass garden and maybe seeing more of the pond I turn to Juha who's looking angrier by the by.
"Tch!"
Clicking her tongue, Juha turns to me along with the elated prince asking:
"So, Sova, you wanna swing around the main palace? I'll help prepare some refreshments if you want while we chatter. All you gotta do is just ask. Better yet, why don't we bring you to the infirmary just to be sure."
"Oh, really?"
(Wait won't it be bad if they saw something unnecessary... Or maybe this is the perfect time? Or not?)
Interested by his proposal, I look at both Juha and Yoo-Ah and sigh with clear intentions on their faces replying:
"Sorry, Seyong Ssi. It seems I'll be leaving early. Don't worry, I'm totally a-okay!"
The prince smirks at my words as he looks at the troubled Yoo-Ah replying:
"Really? No problem then, come visit if you're at the capital or hopefully we can meet during your quests."
Seyong stretches his arms and rub the part where he block one of my techniques before saying:
"You sure are pretty strong without qi. As for me, I do need to visit there. Please be careful on your way out or not if you're that strong, ask the servants if you need anything and grab whatever meals you want along the way. Good day."
"Oh! Thank you!"
"Please continue enjoying the party, everyone! I will be back in a moment!"
As the prince bows gracefully and leave, so did many of the guests. Seeing the crowd, I wondered about the ones I accidentally hurt and realize they're just pushed back and is already back at their feet some grumpy and some happy. Looking back at the two who just seem to come out of a warzone, seeing their worn out expression I say,
"Do you want something to drink? I'll grab some. Maybe we could bring it to Miso's concert."
"Oh yeah! Great idea! Quick! Does anybody have any wares- no! Wait, you're okay right, Sova!?"
"Yea, I'm fine."
"Sigh... That works I suppose, since the prince is the one who says so, let's ask his servants for it if trouble arose. Take him up to his words."
"If there's no problem, to the food sections!"
Yoo-Ah grabs my hand and rush away and stops abruptly. She hands me my dress saying:
"But first! Let's find a place to wear this!"
"Right..."
*************************************
Hearing a beautiful tune play with the calm cold winds, the sound of a music box echo with the sound of a cord. Coupled with the beautiful glass carving and flora around us, this is a very nice place to be in...
(But where is the music coming from?)
If I follow the sound, it comes from the building beside the glasshouse but...
"So it really is a glass carving of a garden."
At the centre of it all is a beautiful recreation of a small world of fauna around us made of glass. As we appreciate the aesthetic this place gives I can't help but ask,
"So what do we do now?"
"Huh!? Well..."
"Hmph! Just because we wish to leave doesn't mean we need to leave immediately. At least let's visit one place before we go to where Yoo-Ah will take us. That'll stick some senses to that prince."
"Didn't know you could be that petty, Juha- Oh! Then can we visit the surface of that forbidden pond again? Wait can we enter the surface of the "forbidden" pond? I mean we did cross it from that aquarium but..."
"Hum! Hum! Of course! Forbidden is just another old name for it! Well, I guess they say something about it is where the founding king supposedly kept his secret treasure!"
"Treasure you say?"
My ears twitch upon the mention of such a rare and ideal word. The reason heroes are chosen may be because of a great calamities but treasures are what makes everyone can be a hero. After all, I heard more stories of people becoming heroes from treasures and blessings than by themselves. Plus, as time passes by, treasures are a real rare commodity in discovered territory. But didn't Shan said the World Hunters discovered a new continent? Maybe I should put that on the list.
"Hmph! Don't get too excited you idiot."
"Huh? Why?"
Juha tried to temper my excitement while Yoo-Ah nods shouting:
"That's right! Turns out that "treasure" was just the king's time capsule with pictures of his children when they are still naked babies or embarrassing moments! The stories that comes after that is the true treasure!"
"Oh? I guess family photos are pretty important treasure."
(After all, I never know what photos was until recently and I guess I never had a family photo... I'll write that down as another to do list when I reunite them. Or better yet, I should take one with Sis Yuwei or Sis Fei too).
Juha seems to agree as she tries to hide her smile but the corner of her lips just can't be contain as Juha then says,
"That is... True. After all, it was thanks to that incident that the rule stating that, and I quote here,
"Paintings, pictures, or medium to potray the royal family can only be taken when they reach the age of 13 and above."
Or so they say but that law was quickly scrap away and is changed for something more suitable."
"That is one weird story."
I comment and Juha nods along saying:
"That is true as well. Though I'm more impressed that for someone who hates history to know such niche story."
"Well duh! Of course everyone would know something that stupid and remembered it! Just like how the story of how a dead body of a criminal becomes a idol mascot and a mannequin for decade before they realize it was a real dead body!"
"Excuse me what?"
I turn around with concern of her story but Juha looks at her surprised before saying:
"I suppose your specialty lies with obscure and small tidbits of bizzare modern history it seems."
"Yup! Never bothered with the names but I always got the main points right!"
"Whatever suits your boat..."
Up above the skies, where the stars doesn't shine for once. From the moonlight behind, dark clouds is gathering above. Standing here I realize,
(That's a really bad omen).