"Six of us? Father! You want to include this kid as well?" one of the children spoke, and it caught the dukes attention.
"Hm? Why? Do you object to my decision to include all of my children?"
"N-no, but for someone who doesn't know how to use magic, why should he participate?" He looked at the other children who were covering their cheeky faces while giggling.
The duke approached the child who rebuked his words, "Kevin, son of my third wife, do not speak any more words, or you will no longer be able to call me your father."
The boy froze and didn't speak a word. The duke then approached Arnold and said, "Though you do not have magic, don't be discouraged. You still have my blood as a strong swordsman."
Though his words were meant to give him confidence and encouragement, the dukes tone and vibe just gave it a different meaning in Arnold's thoughts. It meant, 'If you can't use magic, then a sword is what's best for you. It's either you die or just be better.'
Arnold didn't say a word and only nodded.
"Alright, since there are six of you, each of you will fight one another. I'll pick the partners myself."
'Pair me up with that talentless boy,' the child known as Kevin kept thinking in his mind on how to beat up Arnold and embarrass him.
"Arnold, you'll be fighting Kai, Kevin, you'll be fighting Kaden, and Kayla, you'll be fighting Karson."
Immediately, all of them that were paired up took their stances and were ready for the signal to start. With the sound of the drums, they took action.
Kevin, who is fighting Kaden, is angrily swinging his sword at his brother, thinking why his father didn't choose him to fight Arnold.
His opponent, Kaden, who was close to him before the fight, is struggling to keep up with his brother's movements. They had a one-year age gap, and Kaden was the son of the fourth wife.
Despite that, the two of them were so close that they stuck together always. But with only anger on Kevin's mind, he didn't pay attention to his brother; instead, he thought only of winning and fighting Arnold in the next match.
"Aurghh!" It was the sound of someone getting hit. When Kevin heard the noise, he came back to his senses and saw his brother on the ground, his head bleeding, and his wooden sword had a tint of blood on it.
He won the duel.
Instead of worrying about his brother, he grinned and chuckled, waiting to be praised. But there was only silence. He wondered why no one was cheering. But as he looked back, he saw his father, his wife, and the knights; they were quiet.
The duke had gazing eyes that looked impressed and proud, as if he saw something impressive but expected it. His first wife had her eyes wide open in disbelief; they almost looked like they were about to pop out.
The knights' jaws dropped, and even the instructor was silent.
All of them were looking in one direction and one direction only. Kevin followed their eyes and beheld, up in another area of the duel.
He saw a boy, his brown hair swinging around as the wind came through the open arena, with his sword in his hand and his opponent on the ground. Kevin was shocked.
"Arnold, Kevin, and Kayla have won their fights. They will now proceed to the next part," the instructor shouted with a hesitant voice.
'How? Why? When?' Kevin thought as he clenched his fist. All of their eyes should have been looking at him and not Arnold.
He took the spotlight from him.
"Since you're all children, the fight was naturally quick. The three of you rest up for now, and we will continue later on."
The servants gave each of them water, while the other three who lost were taken to the infirmary to check their injuries.
Arnold, who sat at the very end of the seat, was panting heavily and trying to catch his breath, but it seems that he is struggling to do so.
"Seems like you're out of water. Take mine since I'm not that thirsty. I don't think the servants want to give you any more."
A cup of water was being handed to him by his older sister, the daughter of the second wife. The age gap between the two of them was only months.
"Sister Kayla..."
"Didn't I tell you not to push yourself too hard? Now you're breathing heavily again."
"I-I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
Despite being part of the five children that bully Arnold, Kayla was just acting. She didn't physically hurt Arnold, but in order to put up an act, she has to verbally insult him.
No one else knew about Arnold's potential; only Kayla knows since she would sneak Arnold inside her private training area.
Kayla was considered a prodigy for her age; that's why she was given special attention, being able to enchant any elements she desires on her weapon.
The duke had to keep a close eye on her; she will be a fine warrior in the near future.
"And remember what I told you, never do that–"
"Alright, the three of you go back to your places and take your weapons with you," Kayla's words were cut off when the instructor called for them.
Kayla didn't finish her words but she walked away and headed back to the area where the second duel will begin.
The duke came again, and this time he will personally judge the fight.
"Alright, take your places and–"
"Father!", Kayla raised her hands and tried to act cute to get her father's attention.
"Can I forfeit?"
"Hm? Why, dear? You have already gotten this far, and you might have a chance in the temple."
"You already know what I want, father, and you know I'm not really a big fan of the temple. Can I, please?"
The duke sighed before he nodded, so Kayla went down and stood beside the duke, and now it's only up to Arnold and Kevin.
"Two of you! Take your swords and stances! And... Fight!"
"Heh, this will be the quickest fight in my life," Kevin thought as he took his stance with pure confidence.
When the duke shouted, "Fight!" Kevin smirked and stood still, confident that he would win. In front of him was Arnold, with no magic and full of openings.
"Magic enhancement!" Kevin cast a spell to increase his senses and flexibility.
He looked Arnold dead in the eyes, and when he blinked, Arnold was gone. He was nowhere to be found, even with his enhanced senses; he couldn't feel anything.
Then a wooden sword came swinging towards Kevin's face, but he managed to block it with his sword, and Arnold disappeared again.
His legs, his thighs, and even his shoulders and arms were getting bruised everywhere. He was getting hit without knowing where Arnold was.
"Augh! Cut it off! Wind shield!" The attacks stopped coming while a wind-like shield was covering Kevin's body. It was the weakest spell for wind, but against another kid using a wooden sword, it sure is effective.
Arnold was seen again. He was tired, but he didn't pant heavily like before.
"There you are! Get over here!" Kevin lashed out and ran towards Arnold.
And finally, their swords clashed with each other. Every hit was affecting Arnold's hand, which was struggling to keep its grip.
"Hahaha you got me in the first half, not gonna lie"
"Gurgh!" Arnold was barely hanging on. He knew that in order to defeat his brother, he needed to escape and get out of his range, but with the constant clash of swords, he couldn't do it.
"Insignificant, a fool, an outsider! That's what you are!" With every hit Kevin gave, he exerted all his strength without considering what might happen after that.
And that is what gave Arnold another chance.
When both of their swords hit, Arnold felt like the damage was more minimal than before. He looked at Kevin's hand, which wasn't gripping his sword tightly.
He created an opportunity himself by exerting too much force and suddenly losing it; he was too arrogant.
On the spot, Arnold created a plan for a consecutive hit combo that would surely end the fight.
And when Kevin's hand was barely holding on, Arnold struck his hand with his sword, and immediately the sword flew away, leaving Kevin weaponless. But that isn't the end.
He punched his stomach with a full-blown hit and kicked his thighs using his shin.
"One fatal blow is enough," he took back his fist, relaxed it, and aimed towards his chin. With that single punch, Kevin was knocked out.
The crowd was silent again, and only a faint clapping was heard, and it was from Kayla, the duke and his wife were silent.
"The winner is Arnold Paisley!"