At the top floor of the inn, inside a luxurious training arena, Prince Kenrito stood confidently on the dueling platform, eyeing Alan, who approached slowly from the opposite side.
There was a glint of excitement on his face.
Alan was only at tier-iron, while Kenrito had already reached mid-tier-bronze.
However, Alan had fought Duke Alice to a draw, and Kenrito had never had the chance to spar with her. Perhaps through Alan, he could get a glimpse of her strength.
"If you're ready, I'll begin!" Kenrito shouted. Like a charging beast, he dashed towards Alan, creating a fierce gust of wind.
Seeing Kenrito make the first move, Alan's expression turned serious as he stepped forward and launched a punch to meet Kenrito's incoming fist.
An explosive sound filled the air as chaotic mana waves rippled outward.
To the royal guards watching from both sides of the arena, it was a shock to see that Alan remained completely unmoved, while Kenrito staggered back several steps before regaining his balance.
In this exchange, His Highness the Prince had actually been forced back!
Kenrito flexed his aching fist, gazing in awe at Alan's bronzed skin, beneath which lay muscles brimming with explosive strength.
"What a powerful physique. No wonder Duke Alice couldn't take you down."
Alan replied in a low voice, "If Your Highness doesn't give it his all, you have no chance of winning."
Alan agreed to this duel partly because of the prince's generous gifts but also because he sensed the prince's deep and unfathomable strength, making him a worthy opponent.
Kenrito may have been holding back, only using tier-iron level mana, which wasn't enough to pose a challenge to Alan at his current level.
With that, Alan pressed forward, turning defense into offense as he charged at Kenrito.
As soon as Kenrito steadied himself, Alan closed in again, his skin radiating with magical runes, making him appear like a compact, muscular giant. His speed and power surged severalfold.
Seeing this, Kenrito stopped restraining himself.
A wave of tier-bronze mana exploded from him, golden light flowing around his body as if he were transformed into a golden figure.
Metal element!
A unique element known for its offense and defense.
With another punch, Kenrito's fist gleamed brightly, dazzling like a peerless spear. This punch was nearly ten times stronger than his initial strike!
"The prince may be humble, but he trained diligently from a young age. He's incredibly strong. I wonder how many moves Alan can withstand?"
The royal guards exchanged curious glances.
"Considering he fought Duke Alice to a draw, I think he can last twenty moves before the prince wins!"
"I remember that Duke Alice only used tier-iron power, while Alan used everything he had. Now, His Highness is using tier-bronze power, so Alan won't last more than ten moves!"
Despite Alan's display of combat prowess comparable to early tier-bronze, the prince was no ordinary opponent.
"Hmph! My brother is the best; he's never lost!" Isabella, who overheard the guards' conversation, couldn't help but chime in, her large eyes brimming with seriousness.
The guards only smiled. In battle, it's strength that counts, not past victories.
Besides, to them, Alan's undefeated record in the Northern District was unimpressive, considering the region's lack of reputation.
But as they shared amused looks, they suddenly noticed that Alan had easily blocked the prince's punch!
Kenrito was taken aback. How could Alan be this strong? Wasn't his greatest skill as a magus?
He assumed Alan would use magus techniques but was surprised to see him blocking with tier-iron mana instead.
Unwilling to back down, Kenrito accelerated his attacks.
He had hoped to see Alan's magus skills, as magi were exceedingly rare, but it seemed he hadn't pressured Alan enough yet.
A series of sharp, rushing sounds filled the air as Kenrito's attacks became more relentless, his golden fists forming countless overlapping shadows, closing in on Alan.
Speed and power blended perfectly, enough to overwhelm even a mid-tier-bronze mage.
Yet, Alan handled it with ease, parrying and countering, steadily pressing Kenrito back.
Alan knew well the magus's strength and its vulnerabilities—especially if a magus were caught up close by a relentless melee fighter, they could quickly be overpowered.
So, while he hadn't abandoned his swordsmanship entirely, he chose to use his fists this time, delivering strikes that were fierce and sharp, especially with his keen senses guiding him.
To him, Kenrito's swift attacks were trivial.
Kenrito grew increasingly alarmed as the fight continued. It had been a long time since he felt such pressure. Alan was a whole tier below him!
He was a prince, blessed with exceptional talent and the best education since childhood!
Frustrated, Kenrito released his full power.
Mid-tier-bronze!
With each level in the mage hierarchy, strength multiplied several times over.
Now, unrestricted, Kenrito's speed soared as each punch flashed like a golden whip, his fists blurred, accompanied by faint sonic booms.
Steel Fist!
An enhanced tier-bronze spell for warriors! Combining his unique element and mastery of this technique, he could even fight against a late-tier-bronze mage!
This time, Alan was bound to lose!
As Kenrito's fist, empowered by heightened speed and strength, hurtled toward him, Alan's lips curved into a faint smile.
To Kenrito's astonishment, Alan snapped his fingers and said, "Your Highness, be careful!"
Kenrito paused, his fist mere inches from Alan's face.
But at that moment, he felt a surge beneath him. Spikes shot up from the ground of the training arena, forming a dense cage around him, blocking him from advancing.
His fist had nearly touched Alan's face, while the earthen spikes were already pressing against him.
Curious, Kenrito refrained from striking. "When did you use magus techniques? I was constantly pressuring you and didn't sense any mind power…"
He trailed off, realizing something. "You set a trap while we were clashing, withdrawing and advancing?"
Alan nodded. Kenrito had figured it out quickly. Had this not been their first encounter, he would not have succeeded so easily.
Seeing the prince in danger, the royal guards rushed over, surrounding Alan.
With a flick of his mind, Alan dispelled the spikes, which dissipated into particles of light.
"Impressive! You've mastered magus techniques so quickly after becoming one," Kenrito remarked, retracting his fists and looking at Alan with increasing interest.
"This duel has been insightful. Thank you, Alan, for the lesson!"
With a sincere smile, he handed Alan a storage ring.
"It's inconvenient to be without one while traveling. I hope this ring will be useful to you."
"Also, in the ring, you'll find my token. It may come in handy if you visit the capital."
After a moment's thought, Alan accepted it.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Storage rings were priceless, worth over a thousand gold coins, and not everyone had the privilege to own one.
"If fate allows, we'll meet again in the capital!" Kenrito laughed heartily, turning to leave with the royal guards.
"Brother, are you alright?" Isabella walked over with concern in her eyes.
Alan shook his head, glancing briefly at a shadowed corner of the arena before leaving with Isabella.