'Ah, I'm glad it's over.' The old man thought, witnessing the aura blade severing a couple of tree branches before continuing on its way toward the clouds above.
He stared at Taurus' axe and shook his head, noticing the density of the aura remaining the same.
His eyes were keen and he could tell something was wrong with that aura, but he decided to ignore it and move on.
The aura blade marked the end of his grandson's training, and he was more content with Taurus' progress and what he taught him.
He believed Taurus needed more combat training and techniques, but he chose to leave it to his first grandfather.
With the night approaching, Taurus was offered to stay until the next day and so he agreed happily.
He spent the early night playing with his cousins and spending some good time with the old man.
He eventually fell asleep along with the other kids and soon enough, the dawn of the next day arrived.
He snuck out of the room before making it to the open, and then he began doing his usual exercise until the rest were awoken.
After having his breakfast, Taurus rode back to the carriage alongside his uncle, making their way back to the Pendragon Land in the Tyran's capital.
Fortunately, the road was clear and it only took them less than an hour to arrive.
Chris accompanied Taurus to his mother, told her his tales over their dukedom, and embarrassed him by doing so.
Surprisingly, Alexandra took it easy since his grandfather took all the blame for the obsidian pillar's destruction given he was the one who pushed Taurus to use all of his strength.
Mastering Aura perfectly in a single day came as a shocking surprise to the entire family, making Theodore Pendragon nervous about their 'battle'.
He knew the combat training was much easier than aura, and if his grandson was this bright in aura then he stood no chance most likely.
The old man spent the next few days teaching Taurus everything he knew, from bare-handed combat to axe techniques.
He also taught Taurus some exercises and advised him to repeat them on a daily basis, unknowingly helping him boost his attributes.
With that in mind, Taurus no longer needed to exercise in secret and his parents didn't mind regardless of how harsh it was.
A week later, Taurus was almost done with his training. Meanwhile, he anticipated his incoming battle knowing it was crucial to his plans.
Not only would he get the Golden Mane if he won, but also his parents would avoid hiring an escort knight for such a case.
He felt thankful hearing them bring up the matter and as such he took the battle seriously given his grandfather wasn't going to hold back.
"Forget it, old man. You can't use aura when the spirit is rejecting!" Finally, the awaited day arrived with both of Taurus' parents present with him and the old man.
"Don't do you dare tell me what to do!" Theodore Pendragon responded angrily, repeatedly trying to condense his mana on the axe only for it to shatter and scatter.
"Just fight without aura at all and be thankful you can use the axe," Mammot suggested, making the old man grin knowing it was to his advantage given his grandson's aura was beyond the normal realm.
"Hmmm, why not? What do you think, Taru?! A fight with no skills or aura, only physical strength!" The old man raised his axe before suggesting excitedly, confident he could win under such conditions.
"Yes, granpa! But what is the winning rule?!" Taurus nodded his head before asking curiously as the old man took a few moments to think about something suitable.
However, the outcome was different from what he imagined as his father took the initiative.
"How about a duel, father? The one who manages to force the other to drop their weapon wins." Edmund spoke and the old man liked the idea, but a single time was too risky.
"Do you like the idea, Taru?! The first one to drop their weapon twice loses!" Taurus nodded silently, granting the old his approval before summoning his axe.
"Are you showing off, you brat?! Hahahahaha!" The old burst out laughing as Taurus spun the axe in his hand with an incredible speed.
"No, granpa. I'm just warming up!" Taurus spoke before swiftly and skillfully moving the axe from his left hand to the right, impressing both of his parents.
'Bullshit, you are clearly showing off because your parents are present!' The old man thought with a smile painting his face before shaking his head proud he was the one who thought him such a thing.
"Let us—" "I will count to three, then you can begin," Mammot spoke, cutting the old man off.
He began counting right away, forcing the old man to prepare him, without giving him any chance to complain about what happened.
"One! Two… Three!" Mammot's counting ended and Taurus shot himself forward immediately, striking the Golden Mane with his own axe.
"Ohohoho, so impatient!" The old man sang excitedly after getting pushed a couple of steps back.
His large frame allowed him some advantage but Taurus' attributes and axe were no worse than his own.
"Don't you dare underestimate your granpa!" The old man shouted before charging at Taurus, the sparks flying around them as both axes clashed continuously.
"Careful, granpa!" Taurus muttered before disengaging, striking his axe's head into the ground before using it as a pole to support his weight.
He pulled himself up, kicking his grandfather with both of his feet, causing him to stagger a couple of steps back.
He doubled down on it by taking the chance and unearthing the axe, sending a heavy overhead toward the Golden Mane's handle.
"Not so soon, you brat!" The old man roared, his free hand accelerating toward the Golden Mane's head, holding it in place as Taurus' axe struck it.
The old man was sent flying back, eventually crashing on his back before releasing a sigh of relief.
"You are just lucky, granpa!" Taurus shouted before adjusting himself as the old man stood up.
"Meh, this one doesn't count!" The old man responded before wiping his sweat, his tone revealing his irritation no matter how he tried to hide it.
"I know the rules! Can we continue now?!" Taurus responded with a grumble, knowing his offense was a failure since the Golden Mane didn't fall.
"Now!" The old man shouted, taking the initiative to attack.
He accelerated forward, the Golden Mane raised on his shoulder before striking Taurus' blue axe.