Two months had passed since Ryusei Kuriyami first arrived in the capital of Valtheria. In that time, his dedication to both the Adventurer's Guild and his secret duties as a Makai Knight had earned him recognition and respect. Now a C-Rank adventurer, he was steadily making his mark in the city.
Rising Through the Ranks
His journey through the adventurer ranks had been arduous but rewarding. He had undertaken increasingly challenging missions:
Subjugating a large goblin horde that had plagued trade routes.
Investigating an ancient ruin believed to house magical artifacts.
Hunting a wyvern that had terrorized a farming village.
Each mission not only honed his skills but also increased his earnings and reputation. However, it also drew the attention of nobility, some intrigued by his rapid rise and others offended by it. Many nobles saw adventurers as mere mercenaries, tools to be used for their own interests. Ryusei, however, operated with independence, answering only to the Makai Order and his own sense of justice.
Tensions in the Capital
Ryusei's growing status meant he frequently crossed paths with nobility, often in guild dealings or when fulfilling escort contracts for wealthy merchants. The nobles, proud and status-driven, viewed Ryusei as an anomaly—an upstart commoner who had no place among them. While some admired his abilities, others sought to undermine him.
One noble in particular, Lord Cedric Valmont, had grown increasingly hostile toward Ryusei. Cedric was the third son of Duke Valmont, a high-ranking noble known for his wealth and political influence. Though Cedric lacked the intellect of his elder siblings, he compensated with an oversized ego and an overinflated sense of his own martial prowess. A known adventurer himself, Cedric had been stuck at C-Rank for years and saw Ryusei's rapid rise as an insult to his own prestige.
The tension between them had been brewing for weeks. Cedric had attempted to dismiss Ryusei's achievements in public gatherings, spreading rumors that he had cheated or bribed officials to reach his rank. Ryusei, unbothered by such petty provocations, ignored him. But the noble's resentment only festered further.
The Noble's Challenge
One evening, while Ryusei rested at the Silver Crest Tavern, a popular adventurer gathering spot, a commotion arose. A noble named Lord Cedric Valmont entered, flanked by several retainers.
Cedric approached Ryusei's table with a smug expression, "So you're the upstart everyone's been talking about. A mere commoner climbing the ranks as if you belong in our world."
Ryusei glanced up from his meal, unimpressed. "I don't need validation from someone who buys his way through life."
The tavern grew silent. Cedric's expression darkened, and murmurs filled the air. "You dare insult my honor? I challenge you to a duel!"
The Duel Begins
With no choice but to accept, Ryusei and Cedric took to the training grounds behind the Adventurer's Guild, where duels were held under regulated rules to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Cedric wielded an ornate longsword, enchanted with ice magic, while Ryusei remained with his wakizashi, his crimson handle glinting under the torchlight.
The match began.
Cedric lunged first, his blade coated in frost, attempting to overwhelm Ryusei with brute force. Ryusei sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a swift cut across Cedric's exposed side. The noble barely managed to parry, gritting his teeth as Ryusei's speed became evident.
"Damn commoner! Stop running and fight!" Cedric roared, unleashing a flurry of wild slashes.
Ryusei narrowed his eyes, effortlessly weaving between each strike, his reflexes honed by years of combat. Then, without warning, he unleashed his green fire magic, a small burst igniting just inches from Cedric's face, forcing him to recoil.
The moment of hesitation was all Ryusei needed. He dashed forward, his red lightning crackling around his blade, and in a fluid motion, he disarmed Cedric, sending his sword flying across the arena.
The noble fell to his knees, humiliated. Ryusei stood over him, blade at the noble's throat.
"Honor is earned, not demanded," Ryusei stated coldly before withdrawing his blade.
Aftermath and Consequences
The duel had ended, and with it, Cedric's pride was shattered. The crowd erupted in cheers, and whispers of Ryusei's victory spread throughout the city. Though he had made a powerful enemy, he had also gained new allies—adventurers and commoners alike who respected his strength and conviction.
However, Ryusei knew this victory came with consequences. Cedric's family held significant influence in the kingdom, and humiliating one of its sons in public could have repercussions. The duke might seek retaliation, either politically or through more covert means.
Despite this, Ryusei refused to cower. He continued his adventurer work, accepting higher-ranked missions and preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead. He had bested Cedric in fair combat, and if the noble sought revenge through underhanded tactics, Ryusei would be ready.
His battles were far from over.