Shin and Camilla faced each other in the arena.
It was a match that would decide the winner.
Everyone was curious who would win between the two.
The Rising Star or the Nocturn's Prodigy?Camilla was a known talent within the Nocturns, a prodigy.
Just like Shin, she won all her matches with relative ease.
Instead of Camilla being compared to Shin, it was Shin who was being compared to Camilla.
She was 10-years-old, two years older than Shin.
She'd already completed her sword training a few months ago.
She was well experienced in combat with real swords.
For the audience, it was clear who would win, the comparison between the two was like night
and day.
But…
Boom! Boom!
Their wooden swords kept clashing.
The two have been in a stalemate for a whole minute.
It didn't make sense.
Shin should have only picked up the sword two years ago.
Whereas Camilla, four years.
One step forward,Shin matched Camilla's movement and closed the gap little by little.
Camilla gritted her teeth.
She didn't expect Shin, a boy two years younger than her, to be her equal.
Before the selection process, she'd only see him as a little brother, not a rival.
She'd heard rumors about Shin being a rising star in the family, and she was happy for him.
Boom! Boom!
Shin hadn't used Rewarp, he didn't plan on using it against Camilla.
Not because he was underestimating her, but because…
He was having fun.
No, the two were having fun.
With smiles on their faces their swords continued to clash, no one falling behind.
Shin had another side as well.
He was a battle maniac.
He'd kept this trait during his military days as Artorius.The thrill of fighting mitigated his drive for revenge.
Boom! Boom!
Every time their swords met, sounds of explosion echoed.
"Woah!"
"Is this really a fight between two kids?"
Praises and awe could be heard from the officials of the Kingdom of Ardenia.
They all expected a great battle between the two in the finals.
But they didn't expect a fight between children to be this entertaining.
Shin was smiling as sweat continued to bead from his forehead.
He was giving it his all against Camilla.
This stalemate was all he could manage with his 8-year-old body.
In the first place, Shin was never talented in combat.
Despite the amount of praise he gets from Seiya and Souzen, Shin knew just what he was
capable of.
Even during his time as Artorius, Shin was considered one of the weaker ones compared to his
comrades.But what Shin had was perseverance.
T o catch up with his peers, he'd brutally train himself everyday from dusk till dawn.
'Hard work can beat talent, effort will never betray you.'
And it was being proven in this match with the prodigy, Camilla Nocturn.
'I've had my fun, it's time to end this.'
Shin hopped back to keep distance with Camilla.
Then…
Crackle!
The ground cracked as Shin bolted from his position, swinging his sword towards Camilla.
Camilla prepared to defend against Shin's attack.
"This was a good match, Elder Sister."
Preparing to swing his sword, Shin channeled his mana into the sword.
Fwoo!
Pretending to strike, Shin tossed the sword above Camilla.
But because Shin wasn't holding a sword, he was wide open.Thud!
Camilla was able to strike the defenseless Shin on the shoulder.
However…
T o her surprise, Shin grabbed her sword as it hit his shoulder.
Fuu!
Shin used Rewarp and instantly switched places with his sword, holding Camilla's sword in his
hand.
"Checkmate."
"Wha-"
Crack!
Shin struck Camilla on the neck, the same thing he did to Shogo, causing Camilla to fall
unconscious.
It was his victory.
Once again, silence fell on the audience.
Even the referee stood still, mouth wide open, before congratulating Shin.
In the imperial box…"Hey, Souzen, you saw that right?"
"Yeah, the instant he threw his sword, he changed places with it."
"He used that, didn't he?"
"Most likely."
The two couldn't specifically say it, but they both knew what they were trying to imply.
Noctis.
Jerome placed his hand on his face, his lips curled into a wide smile.\
"Crazy, I wonder if I could've beaten him at that age."
Souzen looked at him with a look of objection.
"Nah, stop dreaming. You couldn't even beat me at that age."
And Souzen wasn't even a contractor.
Jerome then turned flushed red in embarrassment.
"Shut up! The moment I reached the 4th Star, you were already sweating buckets."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say Jerome."
Souzen waved his hand, dismissing Jerome's claims.***
After Shin's victory, Souzen stood up to deliver a speech congratulating Shin and to formally
announce the end of the Selection Process.
The branch families packed their bags, and returned to their respective homes.
Shin was then given time to rest to recover.
Despite suffering no injuries, the moment he entered his room, he slumped down by the door.
"Haa…"
Shin panting, trying to grasp for air.
[This is why I advised you to not use Rewarp.]
"Shut up, I would have lost against Elder Sister otherwise."
Despite being able to keep up with Camilla, Shin was being pushed back little by little.
It was a battle for stamina.
If the fight was prolonged, Shin would've undoubtedly lost.
Camilla was after all, experienced in real combat, her stamina was more developed than Shin
who was just 8-years-old.
[You know I wasn't referring to that.]
"Haha, I just wanted to beat some sense into that pampered kid."
Shin didn't need to use Rewarp against Satoshi, he would've won regardless.
But as a former king, Shin was used to punishing disrespectful individuals.
And again, he was petty.
He'd kept up with Satoshi's mockery the whole time he stayed in the estate, but enough was
enough.
Any more, and it'd feel like he had no self respect.
[Sigh, but congratulations, you'll be able to get what you want from the treasury.]
"Thanks."
Knock, knock.
Shin was surprised by the sudden guest, he stood up and opened the door.
Creak.
"Shin… who were you talking to just now?"
It was Camilla.
Shin was taken aback, but quickly composed himself."Oh, Elder Sister, just mumbling to myself. But what are you doing here?"
"I see… I just came to check up on you,"
"I'm fine. But what about you? Should you be walking around right now?"
Camilla flexed her muscles with a smile on her face.
"As you can see, I'm doing great, thanks to you holding back on that last attack."
Shin was fond of Camilla as well, he didn't want to hurt her.
"Oh, by the way Father called for you. Once you've recovered, meet him in the throne room."
"Okay, thanks for letting me know."
"Have a good rest, Shin."
After Shin gave his thanks, Camilla left the room.
Shortly after…
Knock, knock.
Another guest.
As Shin opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of a little girl wearing a black dress with
raven-black hair, and azure eyes.
"Brother!"
"Hey, Aspen."
Shin patted his little sister's head.
Behind her, emerged Alice and Saul, their parents.
"Surprise!"
"Mother, Father, why are you guys here?"
Alice pouted at her son's response to their surprise.
"What do you mean why are we here? We're here to congratulate you on your victory."
When Shin won, he tumbled down shortly after Souzen's announcement.
Which is why his parents weren't able to congratulate him so soon.
"Thanks Mother, Father."
"Well we won't keep you too long, you have to rest after all. But later tonight, let's go out to eat,
it's Aspen's birthday after all."
"Got it."
Shin crouched down and gave his little sister a hug.
"Happy Birthday, Aspen. Brother's gonna get you something nice okay?""Okay!"
Shin broke away from the hug, and gave Aspen a kiss on the forehead.
"Let's go now, Aspen, you'll see your Brother later."
Aspen was reluctant at first, but she eventually nodded.
"Mmmm… fine.."
After they left, Shin went to bed and took a short nap.