-- OH, "ISHTAR!" So, you're Gustav's son. Looks like your father didn't teach you manners. Don't worry, I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget! -- Dilo growled, his voice dripping with menace.
-- Hey, hey, Dilo, that's a kid! You don't want to beat up a child. Unless, of course, you want Sir Llyod to discipline you personally, huh? -- another soldier called out from outside the fence, trying to defuse the situation.
So his name is Dilo...
-- Relax, Captain, I'm not going to beat the kid. I'm just going to teach him some respect -- Dilo replied, a smug grin plastered on his face.
I walked over to Sting, picked up the wooden sword lying beside him, and quietly recast a thin barrier spell over Sting to protect him. I made sure no one noticed the faint glow of magic as I sent him outside the fence.
-- Magic, huh? So you've learned a few tricks from your mother. Fine, I'll allow you to use magic in this match, just to make it fair -- Dilo declared, his arrogance filling the air.
I don't need magic to beat you. - I replied.
He smirked, his confidence unwavering, and then charged at me.
It seems I'm starting to get under his skin.
I dodged each of his attacks with ease. Compared to the Goblin King, he was pathetically slow.
His face twisted with irritation as I evaded every swing of his sword.
Is that all you've got, baldy? - I taunted, a grin creeping onto my face.
The crowd gasped, and Dilo's expression darkened. He launched a heavy swing at me, aiming straight for my head. I raised my wooden sword to block it.
Even with all his strength, the force of his attack was nothing compared to the Goblin King.
Dilo's eyes widened in shock as I blocked his strike. But I felt a crack form in my wooden sword. Without hesitation, I cast a barrier spell on it, reinforcing its structure to keep it intact.
Call me a hypocrite, but I did use magic in this match.
The soldier who had been drinking earlier stood up, sensing the growing tension. The crowd grew silent, watching every move carefully.
Dilo's face turned grim with embarrassment. His smirk faded, replaced by a scowl, and he poured all his frustration into a barrage of heavy attacks.
The force of his strikes noticeably increased, but even then, it was still weaker than what I'd faced against the Goblin King.
I timed my swing perfectly, cutting through his attack. The impact shattered his wooden sword into two pieces.
Gasps echoed from the onlookers.
Dilo's teeth clenched, grinding together in anger. His face burned with humiliation as he stared at the broken remains of his weapon.
His fury boiled over. He lunged at me with his fists, throwing wild punches in the air. I easily dodged them, sidestepping his every move. He tried to grab me, but I slipped away effortlessly.
In this moment it was clear this a one sided match.
Dilo launched another attack, his movements sloppy but fueled by rage. I dodged with ease and struck his knee with the wooden sword, making him stumble and lose balance. Without hesitation, I pointed the tip of the sword at his neck, signaling his defeat.
Dilo's face burned with humiliation as he scrambled to his feet. His anger boiled over, and he grabbed a metal sword from the fence.
-- YOU RAT! I WILL KILL YOU! -- Dilo bellowed, his voice trembling with rage.
-- HEY, DILO, CALM THE HELL DOWN! -- the captain shouted, panic creeping into his tone.
-- SHUT UP! I'LL KILL THIS CHILD! -- Dilo roared back, his voice echoing across the crowd.
He swung his sword wildly, his aggression causing the onlookers to step back, fearful of getting caught in the fray.
-- HEY, STOP YOUR SOLDIER!! -- a militia member yelled at the captain, clearly alarmed by the escalating situation.
I had no choice. With a flick of my hand, I summoned the Goblin King's sword from my storage system. The crowd gasped as the gleaming blade appeared out of thin air. I quickly blocked Dilo's incoming attack, the clash of metal ringing sharply.
Using earth magic, I shifted the ground beneath his feet, causing him to lose his balance and fall to his knees. I didn't waste a moment. I swung my sword at his hand, disarming him, and pointed the sharp edge at his throat.
The crowd fell silent.
Suddenly, the clanking of armor and heavy footsteps echoed through the air along with the sound of clapping hands.
-- THAT'S ENOUGH! --
Everyone turned to see Sir Llyod stepping through the fence, his presence radiating authority.
-- Sir Anthony, -- ( Llyod said, addressing the captain ), -- You owe me an explanation for this mess. --
-- Understood, Sir Llyod. -- The captain bowed deeply, clearly ashamed.
Llyod leaped into the ring effortlessly. Grabbing Dilo by the head with one hand, he stared him down, his expression filled with disgust. Then he crouched slightly, his voice low but filled with venom.
-- DILO… YOU'RE A DISGRACE. --
Dilo flinched at the words as Llyod smirked, standing back up. Without hesitation, he turned his attention to me and approached.
-- You've done well, boy. To defeat one of my weakest soldiers like that… First, you blocked his sword, using the force of the collision to throw him off balance. Then you used earth magic to disrupt his footing. And to finish him off, you aimed your blade at his neck with precision. If this were a real match, Dilo would already be dead. Well done, child. What's your name? --
I blinked. He had analyzed my every move perfectly, even noticing my subtle use of earth magic. No one else had.
- My name is Leon Ishtar. -
-- Ah, that makes sense. You're the son of Sir Gustav Ishtar and the Great Mage Stella. It's no wonder you excel in both physical combat and magic. -- Llyod said, nodding approvingly.
Llyod drew his sword with a measured, intimidating motion.
-- I feel ashamed for letting you waste your skill and time fighting a weak opponent like him. Allow me to cover for my soldier's lack of skill. Care for another match? -- he said, his tone cold but challenging.
I shook my head, declining without hesitation.
No thanks. -
Without another word, I picked up the bag of silver, then cast my new levitation spell using Barrier to lift Sting from the ground. As I turned to leave, Llyod's expression twisted with irritation. He leaned in and whispered something to a nearby soldier, who hurriedly retrieved another bag.
This time, the soldier tossed the bag at my feet. It wasn't silver. It was gold.
-- Is this enough to pique your interest? -- Llyod asked, his voice sharp. -- That amount would be enough to buy your family a mansion. --
I opened the bag and saw twelve gleaming golden coins. The weight of the offer was clear, and I hesitated for a moment. Slowly, I lowered Sting to the ground.
- Fine. I'll fight. -
Llyod wasted no time. He attacked with precision, his movements calculated and deadly. Each swing of his sword was sharper and faster than anything I'd faced before. Blocking his attacks was a challenge in itself—his strength and speed rivaled that of the Goblin King.
I stepped back to catch my breath, realizing his swordsmanship was leagues above mine. My counters were easily parried, his technique flawless. I was outmatched if I relied on skill with the sword alone.
I resorted to earth magic, displacing the ground beneath him, but Llyod was quick to adapt. His footwork was impeccable, and he avoided every attempt to trip him.
As he closed the gap between us, he used his height to his advantage, launching heavy, punishing strikes. His attacks grew fiercer, and I could feel the strain with each block.
I changed tactics, casting a water spell to soften the ground, turning it to mud. Llyod's heavy armor worked against him, sinking into the muck and slowing his movements.
Now it was my turn. I enveloped myself in a thin barrier, floating just above the mud, and began circling him. I attacked from all angles, swinging my sword relentlessly. But even in this disadvantageous position, Llyod's defense was impeccable. He blocked every strike, his technique unshaken.
I needed a new plan.
Floating higher into the air, I used wind magic to propel myself downward, charging at him with all my might. Llyod stood firm, bracing for the impact, his sword raised to block. At the last second, I released my grip on my weapon, letting it fall, and immediately cast Psi Blade—a sword entirely made of pure mana.
Sliding under his defense, I swung the Psi Blade at his weapon, cutting it cleanly in two. Before he could react, I followed up with another strike, slicing open his chest plate.
Llyod stumbled, his shock evident, but I didn't stop. Channeling mana into the ground, I cast an earth spell to restrain him. The ground rose and wrapped around his legs, climbing to his torso and pinning him in place.
Hovering above the mud, I pointed the Psi Blade directly at his head, signaling his defeat.
The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices deafening. Llyod's face was frozen in disbelief, the rapid turn of events leaving him stunned.
But the tension wasn't over. Around us, soldiers began drawing their swords, their expressions a mix of anger and unease. The cheers quieted as the air grew heavy with uncertainty.
-- Enough. Put your swords away. I have been defeated fair and square, -- Llyod shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.
The soldiers hesitated but eventually sheathed their weapons, their eyes flickering between Llyod and me.
I decast the earth spell, and the restraints around Llyod crumbled to the ground. Freed, he stood tall, his composure calm, though I could still feel the intense, murderous aura radiating from him.
A few soldiers rushed to his side to help him, but he waved them off, his gaze locked on me.
I floated outside the fence, Before I could even catch my breath, Esie and Gerth sprinted toward me, their faces full of amazement.
-- How did you do that, Leon? You're so strong! Are you really the same age as us? -- Esie asked, her words tumbling out in awe.
Gerth's eyes sparkled with excitement, though his intense stare felt a little unsettling.
-- Can you teach me how to fight? -- Gerth asked eagerly, practically bouncing on the spot.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
- Sure, why not. - I replied
Gerth leapt into the air, shouting with enthusiasm.
I bent down, picked up both bags of silver and gold coins, Then i casted my new found levitation magic using barrier to sting once again to Carey him back home.
Together, Gerth, Esie, and I began walking away from the camp.
But as we moved, I could feel Llyod's piercing gaze on my back. It wasn't just a feeling; the system confirmed it.
/System: Warning: Intense murderous intent detected.