Proving his Mettle

"1st Duel. Winner, Seeded Ares Student Tomoe Yoshinaka."

"2nd Duel. Winner, Seeded Thanatos Student Marc Alpheus."

"3rd Duel."

Siegfried looked at the arena.

"A seeded commoner against an unseeded noble."

If his memory served him right, the commoner was from Noveil.

'Hmm.'

The stands were in action as the next two competitors made their entrance.

"50 gold coins on Gawain Rolfe."

"100 on Harvey Price."

"200 hundred on Price."

"10 on Gawain."

"68 on Price."

"60 on Price."

"80 on Gawain."

The wagers continued, and the two competitors came face to face.

"Let's enjoy this batt-"

Price offered him a handshake.

"Gawain!"

A strong eagerness to follow the familiar tone made him ignore the handshake and turn his body towards the stands.

'It couldn't be.'

At a seat that was far from the front row, two familiar faces greeted him.

"Don't you dare lose!"

His mother simply waved her hand, while Godfrey showed his bicep and slapped it hard, implying a punishment that would be ruthless.

This was the most radiant smile he could come up with. It seemed like his eyes were sparkling with joy.

"Don'-"

He wanted to say something in response, but the officiator was here. He turned back to his opponent to listen carefully to the rules.

"He looks different."

Godwin had taken a leave from his academy to attend the trials. This was all possible because of stringent persuasion from his mother, who had been persuaded by Joan.

"He has been working hard."

Regina could tell.

"Humph! Illiterate imbeciles."

One of the nobles by their side mocked them with harsh words. Regina ignored it, while Godwin just said,

"Watch your language, old shi-"

Regina looked at him in anger.

"But mother-"

"Shut your mouth."

Helpless against her words, he folded his arms and looked at the arena.

The officiator was done explaining the rules. Gawain felt like he owed Harvey a handshake, and he extended his hand this time.

"Sorry for-"

Harvey turned a blind eye to his apology and took his position.

Gawain shrugged his shoulders at this and went back to his position.

The officiator looked at the competitors.

A circular, medium-sized wooden shield with an arming sword, against a broadsword.

Gawain was slightly taller than Price. Both of them were lean, and both of them looked strong. This could turn out to be an equal fight.

"Begin!"

He raised his hand.

"HA!"

With a loud shout, Harvey charged toward him.

Gawain took a step back.

'Breathe in.'

He filled up his stomach with air. The muscles in his legs enlarged slightly.

'Swing!'

A cut with one arm. It was fast, and it was accurate.

'Against a competitor with a shield, I don't have to hold back until the very last moment.'

Gawain strengthened his right arm. His grip on the arming sword tightened.

'Clang!'

He pushed his shield at the strike, negating the effects of the move and adding pressure to his opponent's wrist.

'What?'

The shield was still, while his hand was shivering in pain. The impact of the strike sent vibrations to his forearm.

'Whoosh.'

The sword reached the base of his neck, sending a somber whistle through the air.

"5 points!"

Round one, victory.

Siegfried almost spat out his wine in shock.

'How in the heavens did he do that?'

That strike was not weak. Anyone that knows anything about swords can tell you that. From the impact, he was expecting Gawain to take a forced step backward.

Contrary to his expectations, the boy didn't even budge.

Everyone else shared the same sentiments. Even the old man who dared to curse Godwin and Regina was dazed by this.

"It feels unfair."

Godwin couldn't get his head around the fact that his brother was using two objects in the fight.

Regina slowly whispered,

"Everyone else is shocked. This means that your brother just pulled off something amazing."

Gawain prepared himself for the next round, while Harvey gritted his teeth as he took his position.

'I'll increase my speed and crush him in one go.'

The officiator arrived in front of them. He extended his hand and said,

"Round 2."

Harvey was going to move first. He looked at the officiator's mouth.

"Begin."

He sprang into action. Being a student of Henry, he wasn't going to be humiliated like this.

'Overhead slash!'

He was more agitated than before. His strike was stronger, and his speed had slightly increased.

Gawain didn't raise his shield. He slightly moved back, adjusting his feet to prepare for his move.

Godwin was surprised.

"What is he doing?"

"MY WIN!"

He raised his voice and shouted it out loud for everyone to hear.

"Foolish."

At the very last moment, he moved sideways to dodge the attack. Unable to hit anything, Harvey's momentum created an imbalance in his stance. He stumbled to his knees.

A strong downward swing and the sword was at the back of his skull.

Without using his shield, he had humiliated his opponent.

"5 points!"

Harvey was on his knees. The officiator came to him and asked,

"Do you want to forfeit?"

He did not answer.

"You have 10 seconds to answer. 1...2...3...4...5... "

He wasn't moving.

"...6... 7... 8... 9..."

Gawain looked at him and said,

"I think he has passed out."

"10."

The officiator looked at the crowd and said,

"The opponent has forfeited."

"Winner, Gawain!"

Harvey burst into tears. He had been humbled to this extent.

Gawain walked towards the stands and waved towards his family.

"I won!"

Regina wiped a tear from her eye while Godwin puffed his chest in pride.

"That's my brother!"

He displayed a thumbs up in recognition.

Many of the nobles were openly clapping at this performance. The commoner had proved his mettle in combat.