It was time for the duel.
A small arena had been built at the back of the Montclair mansion. It was supposed to be a place where they would perform morning exercises and all their necessary training.
But since there was no production in the barony, it was later abandoned.
Now... It was turned into a dueling stage for the knights.
Standing at the left hand side, was the commander, his men sitting on the arranged wooden chairs, chanting his name.
At the very front, Rashin and the rest of the Montclair family sat down to watch the battle unfold.
Alaric was amongst.
Sitting down on the chair beside his father. His arms were folded, silently observing Ava.
'I expected her to panic a bit after I told her about the duel. I guess she wants this too, I don't blame her, she might have been looked down upon by then since she was only a bronze rank knight. Being the personal knight of a royal family probably gained her some jealousy too.'
Alaric shifted his gaze to the other soldiers,-
'I feel bad that I'm using her like this, but it's necessary.'
He knew that if suddenly, he came out and used his card upgrade skill to increase the ranks of all the soldiers, he would gain to lose, not only his Cps, but also the rumours that will be spreading.
If care is not taken, the rumours will surely spread to the royal capital.
Hearing that there was someone with the ability to increase the rank of other people will pique the interest of the king. And he will want to make Alaric work for him.
Being the lazy man that he was, Alaric didn't want to work for no king.
And thus he came up with the idea to use Ava, if he makes her train them, and slightly increases their ranks, they will have all faith in her, knowing that she is indeed capable.
Unlike he that is a noble, no one will really care, to them, she is just a strong knight who understands them better than the commander.
'All that is left, is for Ava to put this man in his place. There's only one problem...'
The question that lingered in everyone's mind, was how the two knights will battle one another.
"I hope you are ready, miss Ava." The commander said with confidence, pulling out his sword and taking an offensive stance.
The battle was more than over for him, he knew he was stronger than a simple bronze rank warrior.
Ava slightly bowed her head in response.
Her hands wrapped around the hilt of her blade, a saber, sharp and long, just the way she liked her weapon.
"I'm ready."
Rashin raised his hand to the sky, informing them that he was about to give the go ahead to the duel.
"Knights ready! Fight!"
"I won't hold back just because you're a girl!!!"
Yelled the commander as he launched himself forward, wrapping his entire body in his Aura.
Aura is a type of mana that can be seen around combat style classes. It usually awakens after getting to silver rank.
Once aura has been awakened, the individual strength, perception, speed and so on is greatly increased.
It was known as the ultimate awakening for warriors.
Clank!
Ava was quick to react, blocking the attack with her saber.
"Oh wow, what is this? You want to go head on with someone who can use Aura? Do you wish to die?"
The commander gtinned, adding more strength so he could push Ava back.
But to his surprise, she wasn't budging.
"This is aura? I haven't seen one up close, it really is as impressive as they say it is." Ava responded calmly.
This shocked the commander. Was she truly standing toe to toe with him?
"Tsk! I guess I don't have to hold back then!!!"
He boosted his aura even more.
This time, he was able to send Ava flying when a single push.
Ava's feet slid on the ground, her grip still tight around her saber.
The commander didn't waste any time, he sped forward again, planning to take in another hit. His aim was to finish the battle quickly.
"I think I get how it works now." Ava uttered, more to herself than her opponent.
It happened so suddenly.
Ava's aura roared and at the same time, it was calm and still, like the wind around her.
Everyone was shocked to see this.
This wasn't a normal aura.
It was more refined.
Most people who awakened their aura in silver rank can only use it to boost their abilities. Above silver rank lets you use it for another type of things, like energy manipulation and so on.
Ava, the diamond rank knight, awakened the rarest aura.
The white aura. This aura not only nullifies other types of energy, but it also increases the users abilities the more they fight.
Proof that she was indeed a diamond rank.
Baam!
Ava moved so fast, that no one in the area could keep up.
All they knew was at one point, the commander was racing towards Ava, and the next, he was on his knees, wrapping his hand around his guts, while Ava stood in front of him, the hilt of her blade stretched forward.
Silence from disbelief took over... For a while.
"H...how...."
The commander was able to raised his head a bit, his eyes only going as far as Ava's leather pants.
"H.. how were you...able to move like that?"
Ava titled her head to the side, "Lord Alaric already mentioned it didn't he? I'm a diamond rank, and you're only a silver rank. There was no way you'd win. Wait..."
She covered her mouth, acting as if she was shocked, "Did you think you would?"
The commander grunted a bit, the pain he was feeling didn't allow him to retaliate.
Suddenly...
_Clap clap clap!_
Alaric made sure his victory was known.
"With the battle coming to an end... I want to believe we all know who the winner is..."
He stood up, an evil smile on his face, "That's right, Ava Isenberg, she is now the lead knight of the Montclair family, anyone who objects can challenge her to a duel."
The soldiers shook their heads in fear.
"It was nice doing business with you."
_Ding ding!_
[You have a new magic card for purchase.]
[Card name: The Barony's troops.]
[Would you like to purchase it?]
His once evil smile, turned demonic, 'If this is a gambling addiction, then I don't ever want it to stop.'
.....
[A\N: Please vote and comment. More power stones for 2 chapters daily]