Chapter 20: The Masked Knight's Challenge
As the first match continued, Reyn and the others were captivated by the intense battle in the arena. They watched, entranced, as powerful spells clashed and swords sparked under the morning sun. Yet, while they focused on the spectacle, another story unfolded behind the scenes.
Within the waiting area, a knight in regal armor bearing the symbol of the royal knights moved through the shadows. His face hidden beneath a visor, he went by the name Alaric Valen—a false identity carefully crafted to disguise his true lineage. This knight was, in fact, the empire's second prince, who had decided to enter the tournament incognito to test his skills against the empire's finest.
The prince's dark eyes roamed across the waiting competitors, assessing each one. Despite the array of warriors and mages, only a few stood out to him as true threats. Edger, with his steadfast aura and sturdy new sword, radiated an unmistakable strength. Then there was Darius, the adventurer from the recent match, whose resilience had already impressed the crowd. A striking female holy knight, Raya, held an air of command that intrigued him, while a powerful mage adventurer held his attention with the intensity of her arcane power.
As Alaric observed, his mind wandered, his thoughts relishing the challenges they might offer. He walked with casual confidence, his hands occasionally brushing against his weapon—a dwarven-made masterpiece that few in the empire had ever seen. This weapon, bought from the dwarves, was unlike ordinary steel; it could shift seamlessly between forms, taking on the shape of a sword, hammer, axe, spear, or shield. The dwarves' unparalleled craftsmanship had gifted the weapon a versatility Alaric intended to wield with pride.
Back in the stands, Reyn took mental notes on each contestant, intrigued by their abilities. Though he had no inkling of Alaric's true identity, he couldn't shake the feeling that this mysterious knight was someone worth watching.
Then, a call from the referee echoed through the waiting area, snapping Alaric from his thoughts. "Alaric Valen!" He grinned beneath his helmet, excited to finally test himself. He walked onto the field, where his opponent waited—an unassuming mage who seemed tense, perhaps aware of the rumors surrounding Alaric's skill.
From his seat, Garrett nudged Reyn. "That weapon must be the special one the royal knights bought from the dwarves," he murmured, his tone laced with admiration. Reyn's eyes widened slightly. A dwarven-made weapon? He hadn't realized yet that the dwarves were behind it, and the revelation stirred his curiosity. He knew he had to learn the techniques behind such craftsmanship.
first prince watched his younger brother, now disguised as the knight "Alaric Valen," step into the ring. His brow furrowed as he let out a quiet sigh, catching the attention of the queen beside him. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in her gaze.
"Is something wrong, my son?" she asked, her voice soft yet commanding.
The first prince straightened, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Not truly, Mother," he replied. "I simply find myself wishing I were elsewhere—say, in the strategy hall with the ministers, honing my skills with this new game of theirs... what was it called? Chess?" He chuckled softly, his thoughts drifting back to the strategic complexities of the game he'd only recently come to enjoy. The ministers had shown him various plays, but he had yet to master the moves.
The queen smiled, though her eyes remained fixed on the arena. "You'll find that there is strategy in battle as well,"
The queen, unaware of Alaric's identity as the knight in the arena, gave her eldest son an amused glance, missing the concealed mischief in his words. Her gaze turned back to the match, anticipating the display of skill about to unfold.
Down in the arena, the crowd was hushed with anticipation. "Alaric Valen" faced off against his opponent, who seemed equally determined to prove his mettle. The second prince's eyes gleamed beneath his helmet, sizing up his foe as the referee signaled the start of the match. Without hesitation, he launched forward, closing the distance with surprising speed.
His opponent, reacting swiftly, cast a spell in defense—a blast of fiery energy surging toward the prince. But with practiced ease, the prince brought his weapon up, and the dwarven-forged blade responded, shifting its form instantaneously into a sturdy shield. The flames collided with the shield, dissipating harmlessly, and the prince wasted no time, pressing his advantage.
Reyn watched from the stands, eyes wide with intrigue as he observed the weapon's fluid transformation. The dwarves' craftsmanship was unlike anything he'd seen, and the adaptability of the weapon fascinated him. He leaned closer, muttering to Liora, "That weapon... it's more than just enchanted. I have to find out who forged it someday."
Meanwhile, back in the arena, the prince's weapon shifted again, this time morphing into the form of a spear. With a swift jab, he forced his opponent onto the defensive, driving him back. The crowd gasped as the prince transitioned the weapon once more, its form shifting with ease to a hammer. With a fierce swing, he landed a powerful blow, knocking his opponent clear across the ring. The impact echoed through the arena, and the crowd erupted into applause.
Impressive," Reyn murmured, unable to look away. The potential for a weapon that could adapt in battle was beyond anything he'd imagined. Ideas swirled in his mind as he thought about how he might incorporate such versatility into his own forging.