A Household
It had been eight years since Badurad had become a knight. In that time he had gone on countless adventures. He had cleared dungeons of the undead, he had defeated hordes of scorpions and even fought a cyclops. He had spent his time in Dedenford learning magic from Shlok and learning more about this world. And now he stood in front of the gates of Dedenford holding the head of bandit lord. It had been eight years since he had fought Graham the lord of lambs. He was now a rank seven knight and was about to turn in a plea that would allow him to progress to rank eight. This meant that he could now form a house. A house is a group of knights that form an alliance allowing them to accept pleas that are a much higher rating than they could accept on their own. It also allows their families to become high status as well.
Badurad was sitting in a tavern on the second floor from the top. Around him was: Hiro, Remy and Koto who had become a knight after completing the prodigy program. Badurad explained that he could now form a house and invited them to join him. They all agreed and spent the next few hours drinking. After about two hours a man approached Badurad. "Eh eh it's you you're the brat that I trained. Ka hahahaha to think you'd become an eighth rank it makes me sick. I bet you think that you're hot shit but you're not. I know exactly what you are. I bet you've got everyone else fooled but I know you're just a filthy commoner and I bet you don't even deserve the title of eighth ranked. I bet I could still beat you like I did when you were six." Shouted the man who used to be the overseer and trainer of the prodigy program. Badurad calmly placed his drink on the table and stood up pushing his stool back with a screech he then turned to face the man with irritated eyes. "Was that an official challenge because if not I will accept your apology and I can finish drinking. I think it best that you sit back down before you do something you will regret." The man's face turned red with rage. Why you little I will teach you a lesson, meet me in the arena on the sixty first floor!" Shouted the man as he stormed out of the bar. Badurad picked up his sword which had been resting on his leg and followed the man. The rest of the bar with peaked interests hurried after them with Hiro Koto and Remy leading them.
They arrived at the arena after about fifteen minutes. The arena was a huge circular building with seats surrounding a floor covered in sand and gravel. The two walked into the middle of the ground and faced each other. They were about five meters from each other. The man was about one hundred and seventy centimeters tall and had a big build. He held a hammer with a long grip. Badurad had a much slimmer body and wasn't wearing armour; he was still wielding a sword but it only had one edge since he could use his flames to purge curses. It was a long sword that reached the ground when lowered. Badurad held his sword behind him and raised his left hand as a guard. Then someone in the audience shouted start and the two flew at each other. The man drew his hammer above his head and slammed it to the ground; however Badurad dodged out of the way. Badurad moved behind the man and readied an attack. However before he could swing his sword the man spun his hammer round to where Badurad was.Badurad jumped up and landed on the hammer and forced it down. He then drew his hands up to his neck and raised the point of his sword to meet one of the man's eyes. Badurad only said one word. "Yield!" The man fell to the floor and grasped his face with both his hands. "How can this be? How could a simple commoner beat me who is one hundred and sixteenth from the throne. This cannot be I am part of the Erismund household this cannot be I can't be lost to some filthy commoner? This is just some joke or a nightmare surely!" The man continued to sob and plead that he had not lost. Seeing this Badurad walked away from the broken man. "My my you really have done a number here. I'm surprised I mean I have heard the tales of the solo knight, the blue eyed butcherer but I never thought it was true such tremendous skill and from a commoner no less I am surprised." Behind Badurad stood a small boy, maybe about thirteen he was wearing a loose fitting tunic and a pair of old trousers. All of his visible body was covered in scars and burns. He had light blond hair that fell down to his bright green eyes. He had a grin that resembled a child who had received a new toy. Badurad turned around to face the boy as he stared at Badurad with intensity and curiosity. "Who are you you seem to young to be an opponent and besides that I don't like to attack children so you'd better leave me alone"
The boy's face lit up like he had just received good news. "My name is John Erismund, one of the five holy knights and the head of the house that that pitiful excuse for a man belongs to. And I would like you to join my house but someone told me you already made your own which saddens me so I'll make you a deal. I beat you in a duel then you will join my house but if you beat me then you will have a holy knight in your house pretty sweet deal huh so do you accept? Well it's not really a choice since I will kill your entire house if you don't accept." Badurad looked at the boy with hatred and surprise; he then smiled and nodded. The man was dragged from the field and the two faced each other with weapons at the ready.