The sun shone brightly over the Alaric family estate, casting long shadows over the training grounds. A growing crowd had gathered, their murmurs and whispers filling the air with excitement and curiosity. The news of a duel between Urd and Leon had spread like wildfire, drawing not only the family but also guards and servants eager to witness the clash. Lord Alaric and his wives arrived with measured grace, their imposing presence silencing the crowd as they took their seats to watch.
Leon stood at the center of the training grounds, his grip tight on the hilt of a practice sword. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of nerves and determination surging through him. Across from him, Urd exuded confidence, his stance firm, and his aura radiating the assurance of someone who had trained relentlessly. The two brothers locked eyes, and the tension in the air became almost tangible.
The match began with a sharp cry from Urd, who lunged forward with a flurry of strikes. His movements were precise, his blade cutting through the air with deadly speed and accuracy. Leon, untrained and inexperienced, should have been overwhelmed, but to everyone's astonishment, his body moved instinctively. He parried Urd's strikes with surprising fluidity, each block executed with an innate sense of timing.
"He's blocking…" one of the soldiers muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "How is he keeping up?"
Urd, unfazed by Leon's unexpected defense, increased the pace of his attacks. His strikes became more powerful, each blow aimed to break through Leon's guard. The clang of swords echoed across the training grounds, a relentless rhythm that kept the crowd on edge. Despite the growing intensity, Leon held his ground, though not without cost. Urd's strikes began to land, bruising Leon's arms and shoulders, but none of the hits were critical. Leon's adaptability was remarkable, and as the fight progressed, his movements became more refined.
Lord Alaric leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Leon. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and his excitement was hard to contain. As he watched Leon's body move with precision and instinct, he couldn't help but mutter, "Oh, oh, oh. He's not the same. He's not the same one."
Leon's mother furrowed her brows, her golden eyes narrowing as she studied her son. At first, she had dismissed Lord Alaric's excitement as mere theatrics, but the more she focused on Leon, the more she began to understand his reaction. Something was different. Something had changed.
The match continued, with Urd growing more frustrated. No matter how fast or powerful his strikes became, Leon matched him. The younger brother's frustration boiled over, and with a burst of energy, he infused his blade with aura. The weapon glowed faintly, the forbidden technique enhancing its power. Leon's body, now fully attuned to the rhythm of the fight, responded in kind. Without consciously realizing it, his blade also began to emit a faint aura, a crimson light that mirrored the glow of his eyes.
The ground beneath them cracked as their swords collided, the sheer force of their strikes leaving visible scars on the training grounds. Soldiers and family members alike watched in stunned silence, their eyes struggling to follow the movements of the two combatants. What had started as a duel between amateurs had escalated into a battle of prodigies.
Sweat dripped from Urd's brow as he pressed forward, his strikes becoming increasingly desperate. Leon, however, remained focused. His movements, while unpolished, were calculated, and his body seemed to operate on a level beyond conscious thought. Each clash of their blades sent shockwaves through the air, and the crowd could only watch in awe.
"They've surpassed their limits," one of the soldiers whispered, his voice trembling. "This isn't a normal training match anymore."
Lord Alaric's laughter rang out, startling those around him. "Look at them!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with exhilaration. "My sons… both of them… this is the true spirit of the Alaric bloodline!"
Leon's mother, though still concerned, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as she watched her son. The glow in his eyes, the determination in his movements—he was no longer the same boy who had stumbled into this world. He was becoming something more.
As the fight raged on, the boundary between training and reality blurred. The crowd held their breath, captivated by the intensity of the duel. Leon and Urd, oblivious to everything but the fight, pushed each other to their limits, their swords a blur of light and motion. In that moment, nothing else mattered.
And yet, despite the chaos, one thing was clear: Leon was no longer the same man he had been. He had begun to forge a new path, one strike at a time.