With Nikal's sudden proposal, Askyros debated whether or not to accept.
"D-don't do it!" [Ryse]
He stumbled forward to stop Askyros, but ended up tripping.
"Ack!" [Ryse]
His fall scraped his hands on the dry earth, turning him into a laughing stock for the crowd around him.
"Ugh… A-Askyros!" [Ryse]
He immediately brought himself back up and continued to plead with Askyros.
"Don't fight him! He's a son of a noble!" [Ryse]
"Shut up! It's none of your business!" [Ambrose]
Without so much of a warning, he kicked Ryse back down into the dirt.
"Guh!" [Ryse]
The sight of Ryse caused most of the crowd to laugh, but some were beginning to show signs of concern.
"Hahaha!You should know your place." [Ambrose]
Askyros glanced at Ryse and glared at Ambrose.
"...Why did you do that?" [Askyros]
"Huh? Why wouldn't I?" [Ambrose]
("Uh oh.") [Adam]
Filled with a dull hatred, Askyros threw his fist at Ambrose.
"I've been waiting for this!" [Ambrose]
He raised his arms to block the blow, but it was much more than he expected.
"Ugh!" [Ambrose]
("He hits hard!") [Ambrose]
He slid back a few feet, but managed to stay standing.
"Hehehe… You definitely hit hard. Now, let's continue!" [Ambrose]
He lunged forward, but was stopped when a cold voice spoke to him.
"Ambrose, when did I give you permission to fight?" [Nikal]
Ambrose froze, beads of sweat began to appear one by one on his face.
"I-I didn't mean to… M-my apologies!" [Ambrose]
He knelt down to one knee and lowered his head.
"Good." [Nikal]
He turned to Askyros and held a hand to his chest.
"Pardon my subordinate, it seems that he requires more discipline." [Nikal]
His interference was surprising, but Askyros was used to sudden changes in his environment.
"...It's not a problem." [Askyros]
"Hmph." [Nikal]
He glanced at Ryse and back to Askyros.
"Let's begin shall we?" [Nikal]
He raised a hand and motioned to Ambrose.
"Fetch me a sword!" [Nikal]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The rest of the trainees cleared the field and allowed Nikal and Askyros to occupy the area. Provided with wooden swords, the two faced off with an audience.
"I thank you all for your cooperation! As appreciation, enjoy the show!" [Nikal]
He displayed an act of ostentation, gaining applause from those around. As Nikal entertained the crowd, Askyros inspected his sword.
"Hm… Poor craftsmanship…" [Askyros]
Unlike Nikal's sword, Askyros' was dusty and cracked in multiple areas.
"It would have held up longer if I made it instead." [Askyros]
He mumbled to himself, unaware of Ryse approaching him from behind.
"Askyros!" [Ryse]
He whispered to Askyros in a low voice, trying his best to go unnoticed.
"Are you really going to fight him?" [Ryse]
"Of course." [Askyros]
"He's a noble! You know that right?" [Ryse]
"Indeed I do." [Askyros]
"He's been trained in swordsmanship! You're going to lose!" [Ryse]
"I doubt that." [Askyros]
"Nikal's the son of Count Goldart, do you know what will happen to you if he gets hurt?" [Ryse]
"Not my problem." [Askyros]
"It is! If not you, then they'll go after your family-" [Ryse]
"It's starting. You should step back." [Askyros]
Cutting off Ryse, he emitted an unapproachable air about him.
("Ryse just touched a sore spot…") [Adam]
"Are you ready peasant?" [Nikal]
"Just go." [Askyros]
"Then allow me…" [Nikal]
He started with a full sprint, closing the distance in mere seconds.
"Entertain me!" [Nikal]
He grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at Askyros, obscuring his field of vision.
"Tsk!" [Askyros]
He waved the dust cloud away from his face, unveiling Nikal drawing his sword in close proximity.
"Predictable!" [Nikal]
He slashed at Askyros' ribs, but Askyros managed to react in time. Tilting his body backwards, he relaxed his legs enough for him to pass underneath.
("Did he just do the limbo?!") [Adam]
Straining his body, he brought himself back up and counterattacked.
("An overhead swing? How uncouth. I can just handle it with just a riposte.") [Nikal]
Askyros swung with tremendous force, surprising Nikal on impact.
"Hrngh?!" [Nikal]
He attempted to let the Askyros' attack slide off the edge of his blade, but the weight prevented him from moving.
("How is he so strong?!") [Nikal]
Askyros' body was unlike the rest of his peers. Not built for combat, but built for craftsmanship. A body capable of carrying a multitude of wooden logs and eyes sharp enough to analyze an item in an instant. Nikal greatly underestimated the power of someone who had forged their body under the man named Alyk Ventyk.
"What's wrong? Are you not entertained?" [Askyros]
"Ngh! Don't push your luck!" [Nikal]
He kicked off the ground, rolling backwards to release himself from the burden of Askyros' blade.
"...How unfortunate." [Askyros]
A single glance at his wooden sword was all it took for him to sigh. The middle had split, leaving the top half barely connected to the lower half.
"Askyros, here!" [Ryse]
Pushing through the crowd, he held out a new wooden sword.
"Keep it." [Askyros]
"Huh? You can't be serious!" [Ryse]
Watching Askyros' actions, Nikal stood up and chuckled to himself.
"Ha… Haha… Are you making fun of me?" [Nikal]
He glared at Askyros, emotions overflowing.
"No, this is just better." [Askyros]
At a moment's notice, he swung at Nikal despite the distance the two were from each other.
"Are you daft? That's not going to reach me!" [Nikal]
The loose top of Askyros' blade broke off, launching itself at Nikal the moment it was swung.
"EH?!?!" [Nikal]
He brought up his blade and parried it. The sword tip bounced away, revealing Askyros standing before Nikal.
"Crafty bastard!" [Nikal]
Askyros lunged, thrusting his broken blade at Nikal's chest.
("I'm not going to make it!") [Nikal]
His attempt to intercept the attack failed. The attack blew the air out of his lungs and sent him tumbling around in the dirt.
"How does it feel? To be looked down upon by a peasant, that is." [Askyros]
Gasping for air, Nikal held his chest as he stood up.
"Urgh…" [Nikal]
His figure was now a mess. His clothing was now covered in sand and disheveled hair covered his eyes. Mumbling to himself, Nikal raised a hand and aimed it at Askyros.
"Are you conceding?" [Askyros]
"Thats…!" [Ryse]
"Stone Lance!" [Nikal]
The ground beneath Askyros churned, sticking out a spear made out of earth at him. Tilting his head slightly, the lance grazed his cheek.
"...Magic." [Askyros]