"What nonsense are you suddenly spouting?!"
"Mmm, it's not nonsense. I'm making a proposal in the name of both myself, Pigon, the Lord of Myunghwan Hall, and the House of Kaftalen."
"What are you…?"
"Daisy, do you think I came all the way here to pick you up because I had nothing better to do?"
At that moment, an incredibly sharp and overwhelming aura burst forth from Pigon's body.
Tap.
"Daisy."
At the same time, Kavel swiftly stepped in front of Daisy, shielding her with his own body from the fierce pressure that Pigon emitted.
"Hhup."
Even the swordsmen of the Linehardt family and the mages of Kaftalen caught their breath, their faces tensing under the oppressive energy pressing in on them.
And then—
[ …Not bad. ]
Even the Sword Spirit, who looked down on most strong warriors with contempt, muttered in a slightly approving tone at Pigon's display.
But Luin's gaze was fixed elsewhere.
'Palton Everon?'
His eyes were on the young mage Pigon had introduced as his adopted son.
[Hm?]
The Sword Spirit, noticing where Luin was looking, asked in a curious voice:
[What is it, boy? Why are you looking at that young fledgling instead of that formidable man?]
Of course, anyone else would have reacted the same way.
But Luin, who still carried the memories of Subject 1872, was different.
'I didn't expect to see that guy here…'
The information he had about Palton Everon was simple and straightforward.
'A promising mage who has touched the realm of a genius.'
At the mere age of seven, he had already been capable of using Third-Circle magic.
If not for that, he wouldn't have caught the eye of Pigon, the Lord of Myunghwan Hall, and been adopted as his son on the spot.
Ordinarily, a mage had to be at least capable of handling Second-Circle spells to be considered decent.
But Palton Everon, at just seven, was already wielding Third-Circle magic.
A true genius—someone blessed with extraordinary talent.
'He should be sixteen this year, right?'
If he had been that gifted a decade ago, what kind of power would he possess now?
Just then, Pigon's calm but heavy voice, one that instantly shifted and dominated the mood of the entire place, rang out.
"I wouldn't have come here if not for the Lord's command. In fact…"
He paused briefly, his eyes flicking between his nephew Luin and the Kaftalen mages behind him.
"I'm not pleased about this situation either. So please, give me a reason—something I can use."
"A reason?"
"Yes. A proper reason why I can't take you with me."
The once-overwhelming pressure Pigon had exuded gradually subsided as he spoke.
Soon, as if nothing had happened, the Lord of Myunghwan Hall let out a bitter smile and murmured:
"Daisy, can't you at least try to understand your brother's position?"
His expression, tinged with faint desperation, made Daisy shake her head as she started to speak.
"No, Pigon. But a duel? Luin is just a ten-year-old child—"
"Hey, Palton."
"Yes, Father?"
"When you were around ten, how skilled were you?"
"Uh… I think I had just reached the peak of the Third Circle."
Luin silently shook his head at the slightly hesitant answer.
'Liar. You'd already reached the Fourth Circle back then.'
But nobody else heard his thoughts.
Pigon's voice continued.
"Good. Then you'll face this little brother of yours using only the skills you had at ten. Understood?"
"Lord, that's…"
Palton glanced at Luin, then gave a helpless smile, but Pigon cut in with a firm tone.
"If you follow my instructions this time, I'll grant you that request you've been hoping for."
"…!"
Palton's eyes sharpened at that promise.
"A-are you serious?"
"Hah, when have I ever lied to you, you foolish boy?"
"…Understood."
Step.
Palton Everon strode forward with a solemn expression, as if steeling himself for something.
Seeing that, Pigon gave a satisfied smile and turned back to Daisy.
"Well, we're ready. How about you, Daisy?"
"…"
Daisy said nothing, staring at Pigon with eyes that had sunk deep with emotion.
The tension in the air thickened, as if something might erupt at any moment.
"Brother, wait—"
Just as Kavel, who had been watching silently, tried to interject urgently—
"Alright!"
The voice came from a completely unexpected direction.
"…?!"
"L-Luin!"
The one who had spoken up was none other than Luin, the boy chosen as Palton's opponent.
His sudden response left Kavel, Daisy, and even Preon, the elder of Seolam, stunned.
But Luin, unfazed by their reactions, declared in a clear, ringing voice:
"I want to duel Palton-hyung. Let's do it!"
His unexpected words lit a spark of keen interest in Pigon.
Clap clap clap!
"Hahaha! As expected of my nephew. The blood of Kaftalen flows true in you!"
Pigon laughed heartily, clapping his hands in delight.
"Luin, what are you saying? Why would you fight a duel? Stop this nonsense at once!"
"Apologize to your uncle right now, Luin!"
Both Daisy and Kavel cried out in alarm and disbelief.
But Luin answered calmly.
"Why not? I want to duel. With Palton-hyung."
At that, Pigon's grin widened as he raised his voice.
"Well, since the boy himself accepts, there's no reason to delay. In the name of Pigon Kaftalen, Lord of Myunghwan Hall, I hereby declare a duel between Palton Everon and Luin Linehardt!"
With that firm proclamation, the expressions of those present grew grim.
Meanwhile, the instigator of this entire situation—
Smirk.
Luin fought to keep the corners of his lips from curling upward.
[Boy, what on earth are you thinking?]
'Thinking? I just want to have a good fight.'
Luin's gaze shifted toward Palton Everon.
'Let's see—between a so-called prodigy and the Thousand-Weave (Cheonui Mubong), who's truly stronger?'
Whoooosh.
A wide clearing stretched out in front of a small cabin surrounded by grass.
Despite the large crowd gathered there, a profound silence blanketed the field.
At the center stood a youthful boy in a pale blue uniform—and opposite him, an ordinary countryside child who couldn't have looked more plain by comparison.
The two facing each other appeared as mismatched as David and Goliath.
Perhaps because of that, Palton Everon, whose expression had been sour since the start, spoke first.
"I don't know how things ended up like this. Haa… I'm sorry. This wasn't my intention."
"It's fine, Palton-hyung. I'm not weak."
"I'm only doing this because Father—… huh? What did you say?"
"I said I'm not weak. So don't hold back. I don't want you regretting it later."
Luin's faint smile and lightly provocative words shifted Palton's expression.
Until that moment, he had felt as though he were merely going along with the circumstances out of obligation.
But now…
"…Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Meeting Palton's sharp gaze, Luin nodded without hesitation.
"Phew…"
Palton let out a slow breath, then began loosening his arms and legs, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Alright. Since you call me hyung, I should respect your will as a younger brother."
He looked perfectly calm, having cast aside whatever discomfort or tension had weighed on him earlier.
Luin thought to himself:
'Good. Show me everything you can at your best…'
His eyes briefly turned toward Pigon, who stood at a distance with a faintly amused expression.
'…so that taking it from you later will be that much sweeter.'
As Luin thought this, Palton called out lightly.
"I'm ready."
"Me too!"
Raising his hand, Luin responded, and Pigon stepped forward, rubbing his palms together with an eager grin.
"Then let's begin the duel. The rules are simple—just keep two things in mind."
Glancing back and forth between the two, Pigon explained clearly so that everyone could hear.
"This duel isn't about taking each other's lives. It's a battle to assert your will. So, no deadly or excessively dangerous attacks."
Though he said this firmly, his gaze lingered on Palton.
To most spectators, it seemed impossible for young Luin to threaten Palton's life.
"And Palton, you are restricted to Third-Circle magic or lower."
"Yes, I understand."
Nodding at Palton's reply, Pigon concluded:
"Once again—no lethal attacks. No spells beyond the Third Circle. Break either rule, and you'll be disqualified."
"…I'll keep that in mind."
"Me too."
Satisfied with their responses, Pigon raised both arms and shouted:
"Good. Since you're both ready, let the duel begin!"
As his voice echoed—
"Luin, be careful!"
"Don't get hurt!"
Kavel and Daisy called out anxiously.
"Hey, Palton! You won't lose to a kid, will you?"
"Haha! Let's see that famous prodigy's skills for ourselves!"
Some Kaftalen mages, amused by the spectacle, shouted teasingly.
But both Palton and Luin focused solely on each other.
"I'll give you the first move."
"Oh, really? Then I'll gladly take it. But… are you sure about that?"
"…If you're trying to provoke me, you've still got a long way to go."
Palton smiled faintly, and Luin mirrored his smile.
'Provoke him?'
The so-called genius mage was still just an inexperienced youngster.
'He's got a lot to learn.'
If he were even a little more battle-hardened—if he were even half as seasoned as someone like Luin—he would have questioned this entire situation.
'If one of my subordinates acted like this, I'd have beaten them senseless.'
Why would the head of Myunghwan Hall bother arranging such an apparently one-sided duel?
'Was it really just for an obvious outcome?'
Luin's eyes met Pigon's across the field.
The man still wore his easy smile and even winked at him.
'He wants to see me.'
Luin chuckled softly and nodded.
"Alright, then. I'll go first, Palton-hyung."
"Come."
Palton took up the distinctive Kaftalen combat stance and crooked a finger at him.
In response, Luin drew the sword strapped to his back—Black Shadow.
Shing—
At that moment, the Sword Spirit's voice rang in his ear.
[Keh-heh-heh… your first real battle, is it? But your opponent's no pushover. Think you can win?]
'No.'
[What?]
'I don't plan to win.'
[Hah? What the—? Then why did you insist on fighting? Looking for an excuse in advance?]
The Sword Spirit scoffed, clearly baffled.
But Luin's eyes stayed steady as he answered calmly.
'You'll see soon enough.'
Then—
Step.
With a single, precise step forward…
…the outcome of the duel was decided.
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T/N:
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