Chapter 55
The academy had a huge arena, where they annually conducted the knight exhibition match. Today the whole of the arena was filled with demons, all waiting to watch the commoner who dared to challenge the Sword God’s descendant.
The arena’s best seats had three grand thrones on which sat the Sword God, Reginald, and Hart’s father — the current Demonic Sword Star, Robert Starborn. Behind Reginald sat Marie. All ready to fight, Hart stood with them.
Robert spoke,
“Old man, don’t you think this is too much — having my son, your grandson, fight a commoner trash?”
The Sword God replied,
“Wait and watch, my impatient son. Nothing is set in stone.”
Robert whispered,
“Old man, you forced my hand.”
Hart came near his father. Robert spoke,
“Make me proud, son,”
as he clapped.
A servant came out with three goblets filled with wine. He spoke,
“Father, let us fulfill the ancient ritual of having the blood wine before the battle.”
He handed a goblet to his son and his father and took one himself, and spoke,
“May you bring honor to the house, my son.”
His grandfather continued,
“Make me proud, Hart.”
Hart took out the goblet, offering both a toast, and he drank it.
“I will not let you down, Father, Grandpa.”
Then the two also followed and drank the drink.
The half-step sword master now moved and entered the arena. The crowd cheered.
The referee was the vice principal.
“In five minutes the duel will begin,”
he announced.
Time went by. No one came.
The crowd started to whisper —
“He must have run.”
“It’s only natural.”
“Befitting of a commoner,”
spoke the students.
At the highest peak of the arena, Robert spoke,
“Really, Father? You said this brat will make a miracle. Indeed, he can never lose if he never shows up.”
He laughed hysterically.
At that moment the referee announced,
“Since the duelist is not here, I hereby declare—”
“Stop,” said a female voice.
“Father, look,” said Marie.
On the stage climbed up Maria.
“I shall fight for my own freedom,”
she said.
“Stop this foolishness, child,” said Reginald as he stood up from the seat.
Hart spoke to him,
“Father-in-law, wait. Let her do it. Maybe she will finally see I am her only match.”
Robert added,
“Good idea, son. Let him go, Reginald. Don’t interfere. Let the young talk it out.”
Reginald sat quietly, sighing.
The referee continued after the Sword God nodded,
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“Without further delay, the two participants assemble in your place,”
said the vice principal.
The two stood in place.
Hart asked,
“Did your commoner trash of a lover run away?”
“Enough talk. Raise your sword,”
she replied.
“Get ready and begin,”
announced the referee.
The two charged at each other.
Earlier that day In the infirmary, on the bed lay Leo, his whole body tied up in bandages. Next to him on the left sat Grandma Hilda, Lily worried, and on his side on the bed sat Maria.
She spoke,
“Forgive me, Grandma Hilda. Leo is like this because of me.”
“Child, worry not. His condition is but a consequence of his actions. It is his responsibility,”
she said.
Lily added,
“Don’t worry, sister. My brother survived worse conditions than this. He will wake up.”
Maria smiled.
“Maria, take him and run away,”
said Hilda.
Maria smiled.
“Granny, no matter where we go, they will not stop chasing us. There is only one way out,”
said Maria as she stood up and left the infirmary with her sword.
Lily asked,
“Where are you going, sister?”
Maria at the infirmary entrance turned her head and replied,
“He fought for his love. Now it’s my turn to fight for mine.”
As she continued forward, Hilda smiled.
At this moment Leo finally opened his eyes to see the fading figure of Maria. He moved his body, tried to get up. His weak voice spoke,
“Maria…”
Lily saw this and helped him up.
Hilda stared at him and spoke,
“Leo, run away. Leave that girl. Save your life.”
Leo replied,
“Grandma, this long I lived without having any special reason. I just existed. But these past two days when I was with her, I truly wanted to live with her — live for her. I promised her I would stay by her side no matter what.”
Hearing this, Hilda sighed.
“So you are going to hold a sword in your hands and fight?”
Leo replied,
“Yes, Grandma, I am.”
Hilda continued,
“Even if the very sword you hold asks for your life?”
“Then I shall gladly die fighting,”
he said.
She then bent down and took out the box she brought and said,
“If you are going to fight, then take these with you.”
She handed him the box. He opened it. Inside was a broken grey blade, dull and worn out, and a small magic bag inside that bag.
“What is this, Granny?”
asked Leo.
“You will need it. Take it and go. That child is fighting for you,”
she said.
Leo took the sword in his hand. As if the sword had been made to be held by him, it sat perfectly in his hands. He stood up as if his injuries before had been but a dream.
“Wish me luck, Grandma,”
he asked.
Granny smiled and said,
“May you win the world, my child.”
He went towards the door. Lily saw Hilda yearning.
“Go,”
she said.
Lily tagged along with Leo.
Granny took out Leo’s medallion and stared at it as these words escaped her mouth,
“Like mother, like son. Both stubborn, both hopelessly in love.”
She laughed, which ended in a smile.
Back in the arena
After some time had passed, Maria lay on her knees. Hart flashed as he started to speak,
“Give up, Maria. You are no match for a half-step sword master.”
“Never,”
she replied as she struggled and stood up.
The audience cheered again after the brief silence.
A voice thundered in the arena,
“Stop. I am here.”
The whole arena looked at the entrance at the back. Maria, hearing the voice, started tearing up, turned around and said,
“You fool,”
as she let out a laugh.
“You are late, brat,”
said the Sword God.
“Finally, I can kill you with my own hands,”
said Hart.
Leo walked up. The announcer announced,
“The original challenger is here. Hence this match is withdrawn. Get ready for the next match.”
Leo slowly headed next to Maria on the ground.
She asked,
“Why are you here? Go away. I don’t want you. I hate you. Get lost.”
Leo slowly stood next to her. He bent down and his hands carried the injured girl gently.
Maria’s face started to blush.
“What are you doing?”
she asked.
Leo took her to the medics on standby and finally opened his mouth,
“Wait for me, my dear princess.”
He bent to her forehead and kissed her.
The whole arena saw this and cheered.
Hart screamed in fury.
“A daring boy,”
said the Sword God.
Maria herself blushed, her words struck.
Leo turned around. She held his hands and said,
“Don’t you dare die.”
Leo smiled and replied,
“I will come back for you. I promise.”
He ascended the stage and drew out his half-broken grey sword. The crowd was confused.
Hart said,
“Let me get you another blade .”
Leo replied " don't worry about me"
Hart replied
Reginald glanced at the blade and said,
“That blade seems familiar.”
The Sword God’s eyes widened seeing that blade. He left the stand and went out. He whispered,
“Hilda, just what have you done this time…”
The referee announced,
“Let the match begin.”
And hence, the fated duel started.
