"I think it is time we get serious," Colt said.
Still smiling, Astre nodded. "I was waiting for you to say that." He also didn't dwell on the previous conversation.
And the next moment, the floor under Astre shattered as a purple energy covered his sword.
The audience gasped with shock as they listened to the crackling sound coming from the sword. This was the sword energy. The first step one needed to achieve before being accepted as a swordsman.
None who spectated the duel had ever seen Astre's sword energy since he hadn't needed to use it against them before. Only his two oldest brothers knew about it.
But their eyes opened wider as they looked at the other side.
Colt's sword also started shining, but it was shining golden like his eyes. Unlike Astre's now purple sword, Colt's sword hummed.
The color of one's sword energy told much about their personality, and it only changed if one went through a trauma or when their character changed greatly.
And none of them knew what this gold color meant.
Even for nobles, awakening sword energy before adulthood was unheard of. Seeing two children using it was insanity.
To Colt's surprise, though, the color of his father's sword energy was the same as before.
Purple. It was for those who pursued strength.
Astre didn't comment on Colt's sword energy. He simply accepted it as it was.
So, the fight continued. This time, at a greater magnitude.
Every time their swords clashed, a part of the walls cracked.
Every time they jumped, the floor gave in.
It seemed they were equal from the outside, but Colt's hands were getting cramps, and his stamina was getting lower.
There was no way he could win in a battle of attrition. His stamina was obviously lacking.
He needed a way to end it fast, but nothing came to mind.
He didn't know if Astre would actually kill him or not, so he couldn't risk it. At the same time, he looked at the exit door to locate it.
But his thoughts were interrupted by another miss because of his changed body size.
The shortened reach ruined his timing—his blade sailed past empty air, leaving his guard wide open.
Thankfully, his reflexes, once again, took over, and he raised his left hand.
"What?"
Everyone, including Astre, was shocked by what happened next. As if the two kids' fight wasn't absurd enough, now one more thing was added.
Colt felt like his clogged veins were forcefully cleaned as yellow particles started forming on his left hand and formed the shape of a small barrier.
It wasn't even a complete one. A one-sided half sphere that blocked the attack that was approaching on his shoulder and dissipated.
This wasn't its only effect, though. Colt felt the phantom pain in his wrist dim for a moment. Not gone, but dulled as if the barrier had numbed it rather than fixed it.
While shocked by this, though, Astre let his guard down for a second. And this was what Colt needed.
Leaving that matter aside, he swung his sword from bottom to top, just like Astre did, and this time, he did it.
His sword, covered with golden sword energy, whispered past him, etching a red line along the face near his eye.
It was deep enough to leave a scar.
"Aaaaagh!" came Astre's scream.
He could see the anger in his eyes as he put his left hand on the wound. His palm came away slick with blood.
This was the first time Colt had ever injured Astre.
A cold spike of regret hit him the moment he saw Astre's eyes.
He had done something he shouldn't have. No, he should have either killed Astre or done nothing at all. Maybe that way, he would be let go.
But now, Astre's sharp eyes and flared nostrils, together with the sound of fast breathing, rang the danger bells in his mind.
He lowered his sword until its tip scraped the floor—half surrendering—while raising his free hand defensively.
If Astre attacked, he would dodge. If Astre hesitated, Colt would talk. Either way, he was buying seconds to survive.
He gambled that move might save him.
"I am sincerely sorry. Even though this was supposed to be a friendly spar, I overdid it. You can give me the same scar. I won't resist."
If Astre accepted it, he was ready to receive a scar and to be done with this. If taking a scar meant staying alive to be able to come back for his revenge, it was a cheap price.
It was a big gamble since, otherwise, he wasn't sure of winning.
But...
"What? Who told you that this was a friendly spar? This is and has always been a duel to the death!"
Unfortunately for him, Astre's answer gave no leeway.
The next second, he started running toward Colt like a madman with a weapon. He didn't even blink his eyes, even though Colt was unarmed.
Colt prepared himself for the worst and raised both his hands. He wouldn't close his eyes in a fight; he was way past that point.
So, he saw it.
Something blurred past Colt's peripheral vision.
Thud
With that sound, Astre's body fell on the ground.