Paul and the knight faced off, their auras crackling with tension. The air was electric with anticipation as the two 1-Star Swordsmen circled each other, sizing each other up.
The knight, confident in his experience, sneered at Paul. "You're no match for me, boy. I'll end this quickly."
Paul, fueled by determination and anger, charged forward. His wooden sword flashed in the sunlight as he struck, his movements swift and precise.
The knight laughed, parrying Paul's attack with ease. "Pathetic. You're just a child playing at swords."
But Paul refused to back down. He launched himself at the knight again and again, each attack met with a swift counter. The knight's skill was undeniable, but Paul's raw talent and fierce determination kept him in the fight.
As the battle raged on, the knight began to realize that Paul was not as weak as he seemed. The boy's aura was strong, and his movements were surprisingly precise. The knight's smugness began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of unease.
The fight intensified, both combatants exchanging blows in a flurry of steel and wood. Paul's wooden sword shattered,
The knight laughed and said, "Now , what will you do , boy?
Paul's eyes blazed with determination. "I won't lose. I won't let you win."
Paul stood tall, his chest heaving. "I... I won't let you hurt anyone else."
As the knight charged towards him, Paul raised his hand and unleashed a blast of magical energy. The knight was caught off guard, stumbling backward as the magic struck him.
"What the...?! You can use magic?!" the knight exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
Paul smiled grimly. "I'm not just a swordsman, I'm a mage too."
The knight's eyes narrowed. "Impossible. You're a aura Swordsmen, you can't possibly have the mana to cast magic."
Paul chuckled. "You'd be surprised what I'm capable of. I have both aura and mana, and I'm not afraid to use them."
The knight's face paled as he realized the full extent of Paul's abilities. He had underestimated the young boy, thinking that his aura was his only weapon. But now, he faced a foe who could wield both aura and mana with deadly precision.
"You're a... a Monster," the knight stammered, his voice filled with fear.
Paul nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I don't care if that's what you call".
The knight, fueled by desperation and pride, charged towards Paul with a fierce battle cry. Paul, anticipating the attack, raised his hand and cast a 1-Circle spell. The air around him shimmered as he invoked the magic of water.
"Aquasphere - I !" Paul shouted, and the ground beneath the knight's feet turned to water. The knight's momentum faltered as he struggled to maintain his balance on the slippery surface.
But Paul didn't give him a chance to recover. With a swift gesture, he cast another spell.
"Petro Lance!" Paul shouted, and a sharp, jagged stone rocks erupted from the ground, hurtling towards the knight. The knight tried to dodge, but the stone spear was too fast, and it struck him with incredible force, sending him flying backward.
The knight crashed to the ground, dazed and disoriented, as Paul approached him, his eyes blazing with determination.
"It's over," Paul said, his voice firm and commanding. "You've lost."
The knight, struggling to rise, glared up at Paul with a mixture of anger and admiration. "You're... a formidable opponent," he grudgingly admitted. "I underestimated you."
Paul's anger and desire for revenge consumed him as he stood over the knight. He raised his hand, and his eyes blazed with a fierce, magical energy.
" Ignis Eximius!" Paul shouted, and a blast of intense, white-hot flame erupted from his hand, engulfing the knight. The knight's screams were short-lived as the flames consumed him, ending his life in an instant.
As the flames dissipated, Paul stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He felt a mix of emotions: satisfaction, guilt, and a hint of fear. He had never taken a life before, and the weight of his actions settled heavy on his shoulders.
Venna approached him from inside cautiously, her eyes wide with shock and concern. "Paul, what have you done?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Paul's expression was grim, his eyes still blazing with anger. "I avenged Roderick," he said, his voice cold and detached. "I made them pay."
Paul's eyes narrowed as he turned to the money lender, his voice cold and menacing. "Why did you kill Roderick?" he demanded.
The money lender cowered, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at Paul. He had just witnessed the boy kill a skilled knight with ease, and he knew he was no match for Paul's powers.
"P-please, spare me," the money lender begged. "I was just following orders. It was Duke Modrig who wanted Roderick dead."
Paul's grip on his sword tightened. "What does Duke Modrig have to do with Roderick?"
The money lender trembled. "Duke Modrig was searching for Roderick. One day, he showed me a picture of Roderick and asked if I knew him. I recognized him, and... and I told the Duke where to find him."
Paul's eyes blazed with anger. "You're just as guilty as the knight," he spat.
With a swift gesture, Paul cast a 1-Circle Flame spell, and a small, intense flame erupted from his hand, engulfing the money lender. The man's screams were short-lived as the flames consumed him, ending his life in an instant.
Paul stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He knew that he had to find Duke Modrig and make him pay for Roderick's death. The boy's desire for revenge burned brighter than ever, and he would stop at nothing to achieve it.
Lyrian's parents stood in front of the carriage urging their son to hurry. "Lyrian, it's time to leave. We can't keep the carriage waiting."
Lyrian, still looking around hopefully, reluctantly followed his parents. He had been waiting for Paul, but it seemed his friend was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Paul?" Lyrian asked, as he climbed into the carriage.
His mother smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure he's busy with his own affairs, dear. You'll see him soon."
Lyrian nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
As the carriage pulled away from the manor, Lyrian gazed out the window, wondering what Paul was up to. Little did he know, Paul was in a battle for his revenge.