After using the Scale Hardening technique to break free from A'keal's Power suppressing formation, Leonard's whole appearance changed.
Although the dragons on the Alaad continent are pure-blooded, their physical appearance was only slightly different from that of a human. The only apparent difference was that the dragons had horns in their heads that had grown with them as they grew up.
At this moment, however, scales appeared on Leonard's skin. As well as acting as an impenetrable defense, the scales also acted as an offensive force that made a dragon warrior of 3rd rank 20 times stronger than an average human just by sheer physical strength.
Even though A'keal was already severely injured, he was not about to give up just because Leonard used Scale Hardening.
"Stop the match! Leonard, you are using Scale Hardening, even though I specifically ban it in this duel. Are you ignoring tradition? In addition to challenging someone so much lower than you, you are intending to use such a technique as well." said the Vice-captain with a stern look in his eye.
The vice-captain and everyone else had a valid reason to be mad. Experienced dragon warriors and up each have a special technique with their rank, so it is unlikely for a lower-rank warrior to win in a duel. Without suppressing his power for the duel between him and Leonard, the vice-captain would not have lost, since he is a peak 4th rank Dragon Warrior. Traditionally, warriors whose rank is higher than 3rd and who are facing a lower rank opponent are supposed to suppress their power. But what Leonard had just done was ignore this tradition entirely.
"Unless A'keal would like to continue the duel, I declare the spar to have ended," said the vice-captain.
"Come on now, A'keal, don't be a coward. Face me. Would you be satisfied with only defeating me when I'm not at my strongest? " Leonard said tauntingly.
A'keal then agreed with him and told the Vice-captain, "I want to finish this duel, even if I lose, at least I would have finished it".
The match continued, and Leonard sprinted toward A'keal.
Clang!
A'keal's sword broke while clashing with Leonard's scales.
Bam! Bam!
Leonard's attacks were unrelenting, and A'keal was left defenseless.
Crack! A'keal left leg bone broke from Leonard's surprising right kick.
Now A'keal was once again backed into a corner. Suddenly, he had an idea. Leonard's punch looked almost certain to connect, but A'keal ducked at the last minute. He used the opportunity to do a vertical handstand kick with both his feet and step back.
This kick did not damage Leonard, but it did sting him.
"You think you can defeat me with such weak attacks?" Leonard shouted.
A'keal then uses the chains of the power-suppressing formation to lift him to Leonard's shoulder and do a 360-degree flying kick right to Leonard's jaws.
Ptui! Leonard spits blood. "How is he able to move so agilely with two broken limbs? I have to keep my focus and predict what he will do next," Leonard asked himself.
Huff! Puff! "I'm losing stamina. I can't drag this battle out any longer. With my next move, I need to deliver a decisive blow. I'll use another feint to counter Leonard and end this battle," A'keal thought.
Leonard himself was also thinking of ending the battle. He launched the strongest technique in his arsenal, 'Barrier breaking fist'.
A'keal already expected this attack to come. He was staring at the punch coming straight at his face like a missile was launching at him. Right as A'keal was getting ready to dodge... He couldn't move his body.
A'keal had overburdened his body to the limits during this duel. It was a miracle that his body didn't already give in to his injuries. A'keal kept thinking, "Move!, Move!" but he had lost control of his body.
"My body is too injured. It feels so heavy. I can't dodge this attack," A'keal thought.
A'keal was once again sent flying into the wall of the training grounds after the 'barrier-breaking fist' landed right in his stomach. This time, he couldn't get up.
"Match ends, Leonard wins!" said the vice-captain.
Although Leonard won the duel, A'keal's determination and fighting spirit were evident, despite being faced with an opponent much stronger than himself. Some in the crowd started having second thoughts about A'keal and considered him a true warrior. Others, however, continue to hold the opinion that he is not suitable for the position of king.
Later that day, news of the battle reached A'keal's father, the king.
"Ooh, it seems the boy has gotten stronger. To think he can face an Experienced Dragon Warrior when he is only a trainee. Things are finally starting to look bright," said A'keal's father.
In the royal hospital, A'keal had his arms and feet bandaged. But because of his massive injuries, he will have to stay in bed for a couple of weeks before he can do anything strenuous.
Knock! Knock!
" Come on in," said A'keal, thinking his overprotective mother was there to lecture him.
At this moment, a 12-year-old maid with green hair and green eyes wearing a traditional white and black maid uniform came in.
Puzzled, A'keal said, "Ooh Arya, what brings you here?"
Arya had been A'keal's close friend and maid since he was young. Despite everyone else losing hope in A'keal, she never gave up on him and always encouraged him to stay strong.
"What brings me here? Look how injured you are!" said Arya while shedding tears.
A'keal didn't know what to say to comfort Arya. After all, he was the reason why she was crying in the first place. All he could do was stare awkwardly at Arya as she cried.
"Don't cry. It was my fault. I won't put myself in harm's way like that again," said A'keal while trying to comfort Arya.
"You better not!" said Arya while pouting. By the way, you have another guest.
As soon as Arya said this, an attractive 4'7 ft /140 cm girl appeared, with long lavender hair that had a tinge of silver and purple eyes that could charm any man. Her name was Ryrla Alarie, the daughter of the Dark Dragon royal family patriarch, who is also known as the king of the Dark Dragon kingdom. She was A'keal's childhood friend and fiancée.