It's Over For Abercio?

"Your attitude is cool too, but you also have to know that if you lose here, it will worsen your already bad situation," warned Abercio.

"I heard you're starting to learn how to control your mana," Vino said disdainfully.

"Ah, did you hear that from Altezza?" replied Abercio casually.

Vino frowned, "You don't seem surprised I know that."

"If you have a brain, it's not hard to find the answer. Of course, I also expected that Altezza would spread information that would harm me. Who else would be happier to see me lose if not Altezza?" chuckles Abercio sarcastically.

"Do you feel confident just because you have learned a bit of mana control?" Vino replied.

"No, I know what my abilities are. But I believe I can beat you today." Abercio spoke in a relaxed tone.

Vino's face was slightly smiling, but there was not a hint of friendliness in his expression. His smile was more of a mockery.

"If you think like that, then I have to wake you up so you know your abilities aren't much, right?" sneered Vino.

Abercio didn't look the least bit scared, "Sure, I was waiting for your way to wake me up. You should try hard to beat me because our duel this time concerns your honor." Then Abercio pointed in a direction with his thumb.

With the arena so huge and the audience scattered everywhere, it wasn't hard for Vino to see what Abercio was pointing at. John, who had been beaten by Abercio, stood near the wall that separated the audience seats and the arena. The servant's stiff expression revealed her state of mind: if Vino lost this duel, John's life would be over. Vino will be humiliated and receive punishment, but John's head will be cut off from his body.

"Don't worry. There's no way I'll lose." Vino said very confidently.

That was why Vino wanted to restore his tarnished reputation and wanted Abercio to taste the fruits of his deeds for having dared to underestimate Vino.

"The duel will begin now!"

A Knight, standing next to the Marquess in the upper seat, moved forward so that everyone could see it more clearly. As if he had put some Mana into his voice, the man's voice resounded throughout the arena. All the audience can hear it.

"They went all out on this," Abercio muttered.

The man who had just spoken was not just any man. Among the Marquess army, he is called the knight of the Royal shield, the one at the forefront of all battles and the strongest, and the best knight in the Bronka army: Zola Morla.

Now that he had reached old age, half of Morla's hair and beard had white streaks. Still, with his tough muscles and burly body, it seemed that time had not carried away. He was still stout, standing with an upright posture.

'Apparently, the Knight Captain, sir Morla, was the referee—what a duel,' thought Abercio.

Of course, Abercio couldn't be happy.

"This is a duel between Abercio Bronka, the eldest son of the great Marquess Bronka, and Lore Vino, the youngest knight of the Sword Group. The fight will continue until one loses consciousness or admits defeat! Murder is not permitted, those who violate will be severely punished!"

The audience mumbled. It wasn't that they were surprised by the no-kill rule. Even if everyone in the Bronka region ostracized Abercio, there was no way they would approve of the murder of the Marquess' eldest son. What surprised the audience was the first condition.

"The duel will continue until one of them loses consciousness or admits defeat? Didn't they say that they would not intervene even if the fight turned bloody?"

"That means the fight will continue even if one of them is seriously injured. Is this okay?"

With the exception of a fight for life and death, this rule is one of the most dangerous and intense rules for dueling.

Vino thought the same way.

"Are you okay with that condition?" Vino asked in a doubtful tone.

"Why? Does that scare you?" Abercio replied.

"The repercussions of your needless courage are high."

Abercio smirked, "it's fine if I just break the back of your head like last time, right?"

Contrary to people's worries and thoughts, Abercio looked as calm as ever, but after being reminded of his humiliating defeat, Vino's emotions bounced back. Even now, Abercio still acts arrogantly.

Vino hardened his heart, and Vino thought he shouldn't have killed Abercio. Instead, he would deal a stronger blow to the young noble than he had planned.

"Even though they raised swords due to differences in views, I pray that their intentions are pure! Let them prove their pure intentions with their swords!" said some of the audience there.

"Yes, it must be pure. Pure enough to try to cover up their mistakes and accept the duel so that the lies go unnoticed." Abercio's sarcasm pierced Vino's heart, and he gritted his teeth.

"Take off your sword!

SWITCH…

Both Abercio and Vino pulled out their swords. The previously grumbling crowd fell silent, and tension began to engulf the arena.

"Begin!"

The two swords move simultaneously.

CLANG...

The sound of swords clashing echoed throughout the arena. The swords bounced off the impact, then Abercio and Vino slowly stopped their swords. The distance between them is formed.

Bam!

Vino ran first. He had no intention of dragging out this duel; he wanted to end it as soon as possible and wanted a big win to cover up his past, a shameful defeat.

'It doesn't matter if he's seriously injured, because the Marquess doesn't even care about him! I shouldn't even think about controlling my power now!'

Vino had also prepared some potions just in case. His muscles twitched as mana flowed through his body, and strength surrounded his body.

Whoooooosh!

Mana which strengthened his muscles seeped into his sword, and the sword began to ring. His cries sounded like the screams of a murderous maniac crying for blood again and again.

'It's over,' thought Morla while watching the duel from afar. The Abercio he knew didn't have the skills to stop Vino's next attack.