In the scorching hot sun, they stood face to face, holding their swords in hand. A small area had been cleared where they were going to fight.
Sir Richard had a sword twise the size of the one Alec was holding. Both had burning glare. Every spectator had his eyes fixed on them.
" You really showed up." Sir Richard look down at Alec's figure. "I thought you were too scared to even show your face."
"How could I? When I was the one who initiated this." Alec sound calm and collected, like he had everything under control. But if you look closer, sweat was dripping down.
He was nervous but he had to calm his nervers for this was going to be his first battle.
"You seem fine. Or is that your way of preparing you mind for a failure?" He pointed his sword at Alec.
The spectators started to whisper among themselves. A voice came from somewhere, urging them to start.
-is there even a duel starting?
Then others joined in as well.
-well, they said there's a fool trying to challenge people. I think it's that boy.
-He's so young! Why is he fighting Sir Richard?
-I heard it's some past revenge.
-poor boy, he's gonna lose.
Behind Alec, Aileen and William were standing. They were quite worried for Alec's safety. It was Alec's first duel afterall.
"How about this? Since I'm so kind, I'll keep my sword covered." Sir. Richard lifted his sword up with pride.
His real motive behind saying that was to gain sympathy points from the masses. He was boasting his kindness. Most people can be drawn in if you just show them a bit of kindness.
-Sir. Richard is too kind. That boy is lucky to even duel with him.
-You're right. We all know that Sir Richard is an upright and honest man.
-He really is doomed to lose.
Alec let out a deep breath.
"I appreciate your kindness for me. I'll do my best." Alec pulled out his sword and stood in position. His eyes showed his determination and confidence.
"I liked your confidence. See, all you have to do to win," he tilted his head with a grin.
"Is to place your sword on my neck. The victory is yours."
His words sounded more like mockey than encouragement.
Everyone was tensed as the match was to start in a few seconds.
"Listen, boy. I have a proposal." Sir Richard had a cocky grin on his face.
"If I win, you're gonna be my deciple for as long as I want."
They begun to walk in circles, fully on guard.
"And if I win?" Alec knew it was going to be a feat to win. He was up against someone several folds stronger than himself. Alec tightened his grip around his sword.
'my opponent is not someone to be underestimated. Right now, my chances of winning are....'
"If you win," Sir Richard sneered. "I'll kneel to you and acknowledge your swordsmanship in front of everyone."
Every spectator, along with William and Aileen were shocked beyond comprehension.
'...0.001%'
Everyone had the same thought that Alec....is doomed to lose badly.
It was not a simple thing for an experienced swordsman to kneel to someone. He probably said thoes words because he knew Alec wasn't going to win.
'my best option right now...is to dodge.'
The duel begun with a loud bang from behind.
In an instant, Sir Richard launched at Alec. Alec held his sword tightly. Sir Richard stopped midway and bolted in zig-zag formation. It was the best to distract opponent first. His speed was difficult to keep up with. He suddenly disappeared and reappeared to attacked from left.
Alec had a bit difficulty keeping up with his speed. He quickly shielded the attack with his sword. But the impact was stronger, making him fall back.
After that, sir Richard kept launching attacks from different sides while Alec stopped the hit or dodged it with difficulty.
' he's too fast! This isn't good..'
Everytime Alec blocked the attack, the impact would be greater. Alec would hardly be able to stop the attack if this goes on for few more minutes. He was only faster in defence. It would be more difficult if he were to go for offence,too.
-clenk!!
Another attack stopped. At this point, all Alec was doing was dodge. This was one of the trainings that he received from Sir Alestor.
He learned to dodge the attacks he couldn't block. Another attack came as Alec dodged it and tripped over.
Sir Richard didn't show any signs of stopping. He struck the sword once again. Alec quickly blocked the attack with his sword. Sir Richard's smirk widened as he applied pressure on the sword, forcing Alec to stay in one place.
****
"What are you doing?! Turn to the side if you want your Limbs to stay intect!"
Sir Alestor shouted, standing on a tree branch. He saw Alec running and panting.
"How is this training?! " Alec caught his breath for three seconds before running again.
He looked behind, a wild bull comming at him with full speed.
"You'll learn your answer." Sir Alestor rolled his eyes.
"Now, move that body if you want to survive!"
The bull locked it's eyes on Alec and sprinted with a loud roar. Just as the bull was 2 Meters away, Alec moved to a side. The bull couldn't stop in time and hit the tree trunk.
Alec fell to a side and quickly ran to hide.
"What am I supposed to learn from here? How to run when a bull attacks? Is that why you made me wear all red??"
The bull shook it's head violently before finding Alec. It's eyes were reflecting Alec's red clothes.
****
Alec was pinned to the ground from all that pressure. William and Aileen held their breaths. They watched intecely. It was clear that Alec is going to lose.
"He should've just not battled with Sir Richard." Aileen's words felt more like talking to herself than talking to William.
"I don't see how he's gonna win." William also commented. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to cool his head.
"Damn...he shouldn't have accepted that bet! Ahh, we don't even know when Alec's gonna get out of Sir Richard's grasp after this."
"All we can do right now...is hope that a miracle happens." Her voice carried the seriousness with the same weight of the situation.
On the other side, Alec used all his strength to keep blocking the attack. His face was drenched in sweat.
'this isn't good. At this point....I might just..'
Give up.
"I underestimated your strength. You blocked all my attacks and even now.." sir Richard applied a bit more pressure.
Alec gritted his teeth and used more strength to block the sword. His arms trembled. He knew he was on his limit.
'no....no! I can't lose now. If I lose...'
Sir Richard was slightly surprised as his sword was lifted a little. But quickly recovered and used more strength to hold him back.
'...if I lose...I won't be able to find thoes rings!'
"Aaaahhhhgggg!!!!"
The spectators' eyes were wide open when the saw alec slowly lift himself up from the ground.
Gradually, black smoke raised from Alec and Sir Richard's feet. The black smoke emerged and gathered around them.
-Aaaahhhhh!!
A shrill voice was heard. Everyone was shocked to see what had unfolded before them.
-what is that?!
-B-black smoke? That's the cursed mana!
-Everyone! Run!
The spectators were all in chaos. Aileen and William couldn't believe their eyes. Between the stalterd people, they kept their eyes on the on-going duel.
The cursed mana spun around them, making it hard to see what was going on inside. Sir Richard was shocked beyond words. The twisting mana seperated the two of them from the rest of the people.
"What...what is happening?" Sir Richard stepped aside from Alec. His eyes darted on the mana twistor around them and landed on Alec, who stood up from the ground and held his sword in position.
Alec lifted his head as Sir Richard saw the red pupils, shining with a dangerous glare. Alec's body twiched a bit.
At that moment.... Sir Richard saw what they call death. His eyes showed the fear as if what stood Infront of him was the grim ripper himself.
Outside of the mana twistor, everything was in a chaos. The wind was crazy strong. Aileen and William tried to see what was happening inside the twistor.
"What on earth is going on?!"
"I don't know! Where did this storm came from?!"
"Aileen! Do you think it has something to do with the duel?"
"Could be, but a mana this strong that it creates a twistor?! This is my first time witnessing something like this "
Alec locked his eyes on Sir Richard. Before he could react, Alec was gone and appeared right behind Sir Richard. His sword placed on Sir Richard's neck.
Sir Richard didn't even had the time to think what happened and his slight movement can cause his instent death.
Right next second, there was a big explosion of mana. The mana twistor had exploded, it wasn't any dangerous blast. But everyone could feel its power.
When the mana dust was lifted, people saw what was supposed to be impossible.
Sir Richard had his knees on the ground. While Alec stood behind him. His sword grazing sir Richard's neck.
"I won."
Aileen and William had the same thought,
'was that mana twistor.... Alec's?!!"
****
In a dark room, there were several items just laying around. The room was glowing dimly from small magic stones and a glowing sphere on a table in the centre.
A figure slowly approached the sphere crystal. She sat down on her chair and swiped her hand on the crystal.
She chuckled darkly and her smirk turned into a grin. Her shrill voice was barely above a whisper.
"Found you."
****
In the underworld, two figures sat face to face. Their expressions were serious.
"You felt that,too. Right?" The female demon asked. She had a horn on her left side.
"Yes... it's him." Replied the male demon who had a horn on his right side.
****