Ryn's voice echoed across the training grounds as he shouted his challenge. For a moment, the entire area went silent, stunned by the audacity of his words. Then, laughter broke the silence—loud, mocking laughter from Caine.
"You're out of your mind, aren't you?" Caine sneered, his eyes filled with cruel amusement. "A weakling like you challenging me? That's the best joke I've heard in years!"
The other soldiers and knights exchanged glances, some whispering amongst themselves, barely able to contain their amusement. "What is he thinking?" one of them murmured. "A weakling like him challenging Master Caine? He's going to get destroyed," said another. The quiet snickers and sneers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Caine strolled up to Ryn, still laughing. "Thanks for the laugh, brother. I'll forgive you for this little outburst." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "But don't worry, you'll get what's coming to you later."
Despite the humiliation, Ryn remained calm, his expression unreadable. He had anticipated this reaction, but he knew what he needed to do. "You seem scared, brother," he said evenly. "What's wrong? Are you afraid to fight someone you claim is so weak?"
Caine's smirk vanished, replaced by a deep scowl. His fists clenched at his sides as his anger flared. "You must really have lost your mind, Ryn," he growled. "It seems you want to end your life today."
Ryn stepped forward, looking Caine directly in the eye. "If you can, that is," he replied, his voice steady, provoking him further.
That was all it took to send Caine over the edge. Enraged, he shouted, "Fine! You want to humiliate yourself so badly, I'll grant your wish. I accept your challenge!"
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Caine to accept. He was known for toying with Ryn, but actually agreeing to fight him was another matter. However, Ryn wasn't done yet.
"As it is a challenge, there must be terms," Ryn said calmly.
Caine's face twisted into a snarl. "You dare to challenge me and then talk about terms? Fine, speak your terms, you fool."
Ryn's gaze didn't waver. "The duel will take place in two days. The patriarch and the entire family shall be present as witnesses. And the winner will be able to order anything of the loser, no matter what it is, and the loser must obey."
Caine scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, you want two days to prepare your mind for public humiliation? Fine, I agree to your terms. But remember this, Ryn—when I win, you will suffer more than you ever have before."
Ryn said nothing in return. He simply turned and walked away, casting a glance toward his father, James, as he did. But as always, his father's face betrayed no emotion. Not a single flicker of recognition passed between them.
---
As soon as Ryn returned to his training grounds, Rosalia rushed to him, her face filled with worry. She grabbed his arm, her voice frantic. "What are you doing, Master Ryn? Have you gone insane? You can't fight him—he'll kill you!"
Ryn gently removed her hand from his arm, his expression calm. "Rosalia, trust me," he said softly. "I know what I'm doing. Don't worry."
"But—"
"Trust me," Ryn repeated firmly. He gave her a reassuring nod before heading back to his secluded training area. The weight of the upcoming duel hung heavy over him, but his mind was sharp, focused. This was his chance to face everything that had tormented him for years. His body and mind had changed since the inheritance, and now, he would put that strength to the test.
---
Over the next two days, the rumors spread like wildfire throughout the Redmond estate. Everyone was talking about Ryn's challenge, and none of it was favorable. Servants and knights alike whispered that he had finally lost his mind, that his years of suffering had driven him mad. "Ryn's always been pathetic," they would say, "but challenging Caine? He's gone insane."
Even Caine's confidence seemed to grow by the day, boasting to anyone who would listen about how easily he would crush Ryn in the duel. He laughed, calling Ryn's actions a desperate attempt for attention.
But Ryn paid no mind to the rumors or the sneers. He trained harder than ever, his body and mind working in perfect harmony. His new sword style, the sharper, more refined version of the Redmond family's techniques, was slowly coming together. Every swing of his blade, every movement of his body felt more precise, more natural. He was no longer the boy who struggled and failed. He had become something different.
---
Finally, the day of the duel arrived.
Ryn stood at the entrance to the family's training grounds, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for. As he entered the grounds, he saw the large crowd that had gathered. Knights, soldiers, and servants were all there, along with his family.
Caine stood in the center of the grounds, his sword already drawn, a smirk on his face. His confidence was palpable. On the sidelines, Alex watched silently, his face unreadable, while Veronica and the other nobles whispered amongst themselves, eager to see the spectacle.
James stood at the far end, overseeing the event as the patriarch, his expression as cold and indifferent as always.
Ryn took a deep breath. This was more than just a duel for him. This was his chance to put an end to the torment, to face the trauma of his past head-on, and to prove that he was not the weakling everyone thought him to be.
He stepped forward into the training grounds, his eyes locking onto Caine's.
"Let's finish this," Ryn said quietly, his voice steady as steel.