On the training field, two opponents faced each other: Silone, the knight of the group, and Alex. Standing face to face, waiting for the signal, Silone thought:
(Sigh… Arthur, that sneaky bastard. I didn't want this duel, but he forced my hand, even got Iris cheering for me. I can see Alex has improved, but there's no way this kid beats me. I wonder what Arthur is thinking.)
Silone drew his sword and took a guard stance. Across from him, Alex studied him, thinking:
(Silone… a knight from Arthur's team. He's tall and lean, short black hair, always in armor, brown eyes. Looks like he's wielding a long two-handed sword. Just looking at him, I can see there are no gaps in his defense. I don't stand a chance… but I still want to try. I'll attack first, and I'm using a one-handed sword.)
From a short distance, Arthur, Iris, and Ella watched. Iris asked Arthur:
Iris: "What are you trying to do?"
Arthur: "Nothing in particular. I just want to see how Alex handles an opponent like Silone."
Ella: "I understand, but if Silone uses magic… Alex won't stand a chance."
Arthur: "I know."
Arthur then shouted:
"Hey! Silone, just so you know—you're not allowed to use magic!"
Hearing this, Alex thought:
(That's right. In this world, experienced fighters can use magic to enhance themselves. Me? I don't. I have no affinity for it.)
Silone: "Don't worry, Arthur! I won't need it anyway."
Iris: "Oh… did you see that, Arthur? Silone seems really confident."
Arthur: "Of course. When it comes to sword mastery, Silone surpasses me. The only thing I have over him is raw physical ability, but even in speed, I can't match him. That's why I usually just hit hard and add magic."
Iris: "You… are probably a psycho."
Arthur: "Don't say that. You know I always try to be polite."
Iris: "Thanks again."
Arthur smiled and shouted:
"Maybe it's time to start!"
The opponents locked eyes for a moment as the spectators watched.
Ella: (I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling.)
Then it began. In an instant, Alex dashed toward Silone, ducking low to strike straight—but Silone blocked with a sharp counter. Their eyes met before Alex stepped back and attacked again, ducking quickly while launching sideways strikes from below.
As expected, Silone blocked everything, thinking:
(Duck and launch… an effective move for speed and low attacks, hitting blind spots. Did Arthur teach him that? No way, Arthur doesn't have that flexibility. So he must've come up with it himself. Doesn't matter—doesn't work on me.)
Silone ducked fast too and attacked horizontally. Alex was surprised but managed to step back and recover. No time to breathe, and Silone followed with a relentless flurry.
Alex blocked the strikes but had no chance to counter.
Alex: (Damn… I can't turn this around. It's not just speed. His mastery, his reflexes… incredible. Every attack, he reacts almost instinctively. This is someone with real battle experience, someone who's seen countless fights.)
In a split second, Alex's guard opened, but he leapt out of range to catch his breath.
Silone repositioned, eyes fixed on Alex. Breathing hard, yet expressionless. Alex thought:
(This… feels like cheating.)
Across the field, Arthur smiled:
"See what I meant?"
Iris was shocked:
"I didn't realize Silone was this strong! And you, Ella, what do you think?"
Ella, also in shock, felt something else:
"Wait… is he enjoying this?"
Arthur asked:
"What do you mean? If you mean Alex, his face hasn't changed. He even looks like he's struggling."
Ella: "Yeah… I see that, but something's off. He's not like usual. He looks… confident he'll win."
At that moment, Alex charged Silone, using the same technique, striking horizontally.
Silone: (The same move again? This won't work.)
Silone raised his sword to block, but noticed Alex sliding his hand behind his belt.
Instinctively, the knight assumed a weapon was coming. His body reacted, magic activating to speed him up. He stepped back, preparing a strike aimed at Alex's neck.
Arthur shouted:
"What are you doing, Silone?"
He realized Alex had no weapon at all. In that brief moment of distraction, Alex planted his sword into the ground. A slight smile flashed across his lips for a moment. With a kick, he disarmed Silone.
The sword flew, and Alex caught it, pointing it at Silone:
"Sorry… but I win."
No one expected it. Even Silone raised his hands:
"You're reckless… but I admit it. You got me."
Arthur and Iris approached to congratulate Alex, but Ella stayed frozen, thinking:
(Unbelievable… I'm not dreaming, right? Did I really see him smile for the first time?)
After Silone retrieved his sword:
"Nice duel. I guess I should get ready for tonight."
Alex: "Tonight? What's happening?"
Iris: "You didn't know? There's a big banquet tonight for Princess Tanya's 17th birthday."
Alex: "Really? You're invited?"
Iris: "Yes… and you, and all the team members."
Alex: "And this is the first time I hear about it?"
Iris: "I thought Ella would tell you, since she's friends with Tanya. Speaking of which… Ella, come over."
Ella, who had stayed behind after the duel, approached:
"What is it?"
Iris: "Hey, why didn't you tell Alex about the banquet? You could have at least done that."
Ella looked away:
"I was going to."
Ella: (Honestly… I was even thinking of not going. I've been avoiding Tanya for three weeks. She'd probably strangle me.)
Arthur said:
"Anyway… we should all go prepare. See you tonight."
Everyone left, but Alex and Ella remained.
Ella: "Are you really going to go?"
Alex: "I don't know. You?"
Ella: "I have to."
Alex: "Then… we'll see."
That evening, at the banquet, Ella stood near the entrance, wearing a sleeveless purple silk dress with elegant shoes, hair done up, makeup perfect. She thought:
(I feel so awkward in all this… but when he arrives… I'll really be embarrassed.)
She stared at the door, and when she saw him, she froze, whispering:
"Alex…"
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Banquet (2)