Joust

Already during Drevor's intervention in Vanein to settle the rebels, rumors of a promising provincial boy had come to King Colton's ears. He would never have thought of finding the same boy at the head of a small mercenary company capable of bringing victory to Olmaria against his historical enemy.

Once he reached the army just after the battle of the black demon, Colton was very disappointed that he could not talk to Simon. The boy was devastated in body and soul. It took him days to recover.

Once awakened by his torpor, the young commander did not disappoint the King's expectations. It was decades ago that in the remote regions of the main continent no one could see anyone with similar abilities. His 'Emperor' skill is something never seen before. Even by questioning the Court Examiner, King Colton was able to understand his power.

General Drevor, after seeing the skill in action, has guaranteed that the boy is destined to continuous growth. The young person takes strength and skill from his subordinates and returns them in increments in the main characteristics.

A simple soldier of the Force of Fate company is able to stand up to two trained soldiers. Simon, on the other hand, is not only much stronger than a normal person but is able to use more skills at the same time.

During the various meetings, the King and the General found themselves more likely to discuss Simon's future. Obviously leaving it alone would be a waste and a danger to the kingdom. The only solution is to drive him and tie him to Olmaria.

Simon has the strength and the skills but being a country boy lacks experience and training.

That's why Colton, in agreement with Drevor, decided to name him noble and therefore to train him.

Becoming a baron guarantees Simon a lot of privileges but above all duties towards the King and the kingdom. In this way the boy has one more reason to remain faithful to Olmaria. At the suggestion of Drevor and Jason, the boy was given the surname Forb. A surname, linked to the history of the kingdom, able to inspire respect in the nobles opposed to the nomination. Having the Forb family behind him guarantees a certain immunity for Simon and his men.

For training it was a bit more difficult. The two did not know who to entrust Simon. The most suitable was General Drevor himself but being busy with Luberistan he would not have had time. The second solution was to have him trained by the mentors of the royal family. Thanks to sword lessons, tactics, etiquette, history, mathematics, geography, Simon will be able to make the most of his raw qualities.

During these months of training the mentors noticed a certain predisposition of Simon to learning. The boy understood the luck of being able to be trained and educated by go all out in every lesson.

The effect was positive also for the sons of the King, above all for the firstborn. The healthy competition with the newcomer pushed him to commit himself body and soul in the activities.

The two guys are the ones who spend more time together thanks to sword training. The cold and detached behavior has left space with time a deep friendship between Simon and Colton V. The king is very satisfied with this, the thing reminds him of the times when he trained with the Drevor Forb.

The other children have also become accustomed to the presence of Simon and his shadow Desmond. The twins love to make jokes and play with him. The smallest dots for the new arrival. As far as the King could understand, Judith, the future priestess of Fate, is convinced that Simon is a blessed by the Goddess of Fate. Obviously if the thing were true, for Olmaria, it would be a real deal.

Only the great kingdoms have people blessed by the gods. Like the heroine or the new lord of the monsters who in these years are fighting along the border to the south, many kilometers from here.

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Today King Colton, his wife and children are out in the courtyard from the castle to attend a new event. The eldest son Colton V is tired of always dueling with Simon so he asked his father to organize a joust.

All the nobles and knights of the kingdom who are not involved in Luberistan can participate in the tournament.

The king's son, Simon and his friend Desmond are also lined up among the participants. All three intend to participate and demonstrate their value.

The rules are the usual: blunt swords, participants must stop at the first blood or the request for surrender, do not exceed the external line of the field worth considering a surrender.

Obviously, the use of the skills by the king himself was forbidden to Simon.

The matches follow one another throughout the morning until eight winners are left. During the lunch break the discussion focuses on the favorites. Apparently, the superiority of Colton V, Simon and Desmond is clear to everyone.

The first beat the opponents showing a refined fencing. His skill, inherited directly from his father, is 'Individuation'. A useful skill in various fields, the owner is able to notice details or discrepancies in something at a glance. It can be used to quickly check a document or to perceive a defect in the opponent's movements.

Thanks to the training and use of his 'major warrior' skill, Simon demonstrated his strength to the crowd, ending all the fights in a matter of seconds.

The scariest is Desmond, armed with a two-handed sword, he has imposed his supremacy with terror. The abilities of the boy are more rough and less defined than the other two boys but his immense strength has helped him to bring down every opponent like an unstoppable fury.

In the afternoon, the joust resumed seeing, as expected, the three boys without difficulty to the semifinals.

Desmond vs. Simon and Colton V against a knight of the rhododendron order.

The king is anxious to see the clash while at the corner of his eye he also sees his daughter Vivien strangely interested in squeezing the armrests of the chair.

The duel begins with a sudden charge of Desmond. Simon dodges to the right and taps the sword on the sword to make the opponent nervous. Desmond, thanks to his Herculean strength, bends his shoulders turning the lunge into a side cut. Simon taken aback attempts to block the attack using the sword.

The force of the blow has clearly numbed the arm of Simon who changes his hand and begins to fight with his left. The childhood friend mocks him "Is it a boiled vegetable or your arm hanging from your shoulder?"

Simon remains still while Desmond starts waving his huge weapon. When the sword is about to hit the shoulder of the young man, he slides forward and twirling with his torso, crouching between the opponent's legs, finding himself exactly with the sword pointed under his friend's neck.

The referee declares the duel concluded. Victory for Simon Forb.

On the royal stage, the sovereign carefully observes his daughter's reaction, discovering her now more relaxed. Even without the use of his skill the king sensed a certain feeling in the air.

King Colton mentally mentions talking to his daughter after the tournament. Even if it would be convenient for him this situation is not sure that Simon has overcome the shock of losing his girlfriend. In this period, no one has ever seen him with a girl, and from what the servants have reported, he still suffers nightmares.

The second semi-final match is between Colton V and Sir Peter Grund.

The knight is a man in his forties with a lot of experience behind him but despite this, the man struggles to find a crack in the defense of the prince. Colton is very good at keeping his distance waiting for his opponent to fail.

The public, unable to grasp the difficulty of confronting an opponent like the prince, begins to complain about the monotony of the challenge. The knight advances by attempting a shot and then close again in defense after noticing the opponent's countermove.

The duel is prolonged for another ten minutes until Peter weakened by tension discovers his side during a lunge. The prince immediately seizes the opportunity by sliding on the side with a step and pressing the blade on the knight's neck.

The meeting ends with a victory for Colton V.

The crowd cheers loudly calling the two challengers for the final.

During a short break, the young princess congratulates her brother and Simon for the victory and after wishing good luck both of them start to sit down.

The smiling brother whispers "You don't have to pretend to cheer for both of us, take out a bit of courage and cheer for your baronet!"

She's all red in the face answers "Stop stupid! Our father could hear you! "

He amused, pointing at the king, continues "It's since the tournament started that keeps an eye on you, I assure you that he has already understood and is happy. The only hard head that will not understand he is Simon. See to cheer for him!" Then he turns and walks towards his friend already ready in the middle of the courtyard.