The Sovereign of Faith motioned to a servant, who then left and returned with an armored man. He appeared to have short black hair along with eyes that resembled rubies. He was well equipped with black armor that had far more platings than the average soldier. It appeared that it would give him more flexibility.
"Introduce yourself." [Blue Knight]
The man wearing black armor Stepped forward and placed a hand on his chest.
"I am Nikal Goldart. Heir of the Goldart house and candidate for the title of titan." [Nikal]
As he made his greetings, he seemed to direct his gaze at Askyros.
"Here, you two shall duel for the right to become a titan." [Sovereign of Faith]
Applause erupted within the grand hall. Many people stood along the sides of the hall as if they had come out of thin air.
"Nikal, Askyros. Come forward." [Blue Knight]
The two walked forward. They both continued until they stood side by side within an open space before the throne.
"You will be given a selection of weapons. Choose and emerge victorious." [Blue Knight]
Two servants rushed in with a rack of weapons. Swords, spears, bows, even strings were hanging neatly on it.
"Go ahead and choose first." [Nikal]
Crossing his arms, he waited for Askyros.
"Hm." [Askyros]
Walking up to the weapon rack, he stood there and scanned it.
"This is what I will use." [Askyros]
Contrary to Askyros' large build, he picked a small weapon. Above all, it didn't even seem like a proper weapon.
("...An iron ball?") [Aleph]
"Are you certain you would like to choose that?" [Blue Knight]
"I am." [Askyros]
He then returned to Nikal's side.
"Your turn." [Askyros]
Nikal glanced at the iron ball and put on a look of annoyance.
"Are you mocking me?" [Nikal]
"A suitable weapon for a suitable opponent." [Askyros]
The provocation angered Nikal, but he remained calm as he couldn't afford to show disrespect before the Sovereign of Faith.
"Nikal, choose your weapon." [Blue Knight]
Breaking off eye contact with Askyros, he approached the weapon rack.
"This will show him his place." [Nikal]
He pulled out not one, but two swords of different shapes. One was a straight sword while the other was a bit curved into a hook.
("Duel wielding. This is going to be tricky.") [Aleph]
"Are you certain you would like to choose that?" [Blue Knight]
"I am." [Nikal]
"Then let us begin." [Blue Knight]
Waving a hand, a circular sphere appeared around Nikal and Askyros. It then changed their surroundings into a land of water that reached up to their knees.
"...Spatial magic." [Askyros]
"The environment will change every minute. You may begin." [Blue Knight]
Though they could not see him, the blue knight's voice resonated through the space.
("What is that?") [Aleph]
Though he was not within the sphere, Aleph could see inside clearly. However, the opposite could not be said for the two inside.
"Askyros. I never expected that you would be the one I duel for the title of titan." [Nikal]
Nikal gave him a friendly smile.
"There is no need to put on airs. Come." [Askyros]
Nikal's smile faded, revealing a rageful expression.
"You're as arrogant as ever." [Nikal]
He threw one of his swords forward, but Askyros deflected it with his iron ball.
"Zil." [Nikal]
Vanishing from his spot, he appeared next to the deflected sword. He then snatched it out of the air and swung at Askyros.
"..." [Askyros]
Watching carefully, Askyros blocked it and allowed the blade to grind against his unconventional weapon.
"Oh how I've waited for this day!" [Nikal]
He shifted his grip and pushed the iron ball out of the way. He then crossed his blades and attempted to behead Askyros.
"I do not recall asking." [Askyros]
Lifting the iron ball, he placed it between the blades.
"Tsk!" [Nikal]
Clicking his tongue in frustration, he attempted to trip Askyros. It was only until Nikal threw the kick that he realized the water severely impacted his momentum. Though he did manage to kick Askyros, it did next to nothing.
"Hm." [Askyros]
Lifting his leg, Askyros kicked forward.
"Ha, you think something like that will hurt me?" [Nikal]
He placed his swords before him, blocking the attack. Nikal planned on spinning around it to counter, but found that the strength placed into the kick far exceeded his expectations.
"What the-?!" [Nikal]
The kick forced Nikal to press the blades on his chest, and even then it was able to knock the air out of him.
"Oof!" [Nikal]
Through some sort of miracle, Nikal stood his ground.
"..." [Askyros]
He furrowed his brows. It appeared Askyros was unsatisfied with how it turned out.
"Achos xisi. Risen Stone." [Askyros]
Earthen pillars rose from the water, encircling Nikal.
"What's this supposed to do?" [Nikal]
"To stay there." [Askyros]
He lifted his iron ball and chucked it. It zoomed towards Nikal, who dodged it by a hair's breadth.
"What was that supposed to do?" [Nikal]
He began to regret the moment those words left his mouth. Nikal witnessed the ball bounce off the rock pillars, somehow accelerating and moving unpredictably.
"These kinds of tricks…!" [Nikal]
Nikal tried to follow its movements with his eyes, but quickly lost track of it.
("How is it going so fast?!") [Nikal]
It was not until he found the ball a mere inch away from his face that he recognized it. Luckily, he managed to even by bending backwards.
("Damn accursed peasant! That almost took my head off!") [Nikal]
The ball continued to bounce around, all while Askyros stood there and watched.
"You arrogant little swine!" [Nikal]
Reading the moving patterns, Nikal somehow managed to parry the ball into Askyros' direction.
"Have a taste!" [Nikal]
The iron ball moved at a speed far surpassing the original throw, but Askyros simply caught it. Contrary to how easy it looked, water rippled violently from the shock.
"...So that won't work." [Askyros]
He looked at the iron ball. It appeared to be dented in multiple spots and looked to have a few cuts on it.
"Regretting your choice of weapon?" [Nikal]
"No. I am waiting." [Askyros]
"Waiting?" [Nikal]
Within the next instant, the watery landscape shifted. Next thing they knew, the two were falling down from the sky.
"I have finished waiting." [Askyros]