The Kings Challenge

Around two days had passed since Aisrin had been invited to the palace. In that time, he spent it all, training. The Training area that James had led him too, had enchantments that improved and enhanced mana concentration. Aisrin could feel the explosive results already.

"You know, one would think, that being in a palace with extensive history, that you would want to explore?" James seemed very concerned for Aisrin's lack of emotion or desire to do anything.

"I just want to train. Training improves skills. Improvement of skills means increased likelihood of survival." Aisrin stated simply.

"Hah? What kind of sixteen year old are you?" James sighed defeatedly.

"Apparently the 'Hero' kind." Aisrin replied.

"Hah, are you at least going to train in anything other than mana?" James asked Aisrin, attempting to get him to interact.

"I would, but your soldiers took my weapons." Aisrin responded.

"I can always lend you one." James pushed.

"Alright." Aisrin consented.

"Yes! I'll be right back!" James exclaimed and took off.

"I bet Blackhawk is in their liquor storage, annihilating their stock right now." Aisrin shook his head. He hadn't seen him since they arrived, but he already knew what kind of person he was, so it wasn't hard to figure him out. James came barreling back with two short swords and tossed on to Aisrin. Aisrin caught it and unsheathed it, tossing the sheathe to the side and taking his stance.

"Wow, you waste no time!" James commented and proceeded to do the same. Neither moved, both studying the others stance, predicting what moved the other would make.

Aisrin began pouring mana throughout his body, and chose to incorporate the Earth element. Hardening his body and sword. James noticed a slight change and feeling to Aisrin, but couldnt quite place it.

"Here I go!" James shouted as he burst forth and made a wide swing. Aisrin blocked it and pushed it to the side in the same motion. Causing James to stumble as his weight shifted. Lucky for him, he was quick witted and chose to roll and spin back around, Ready to face Aisrins attack.

Ausrin was impressed but pushed on. He brought his sword up in a faint upward slash but quickly changed its course the left to throw a right cut. James barely caught the motion, but blocked it all the same.

"Askarah, these blows are jarring!" Jame grunted.

"That's because I'm using earth magic to reinforce my body. It hits harder like this." Aisrin responded.

"Ah, I get it now! Your a Magic Swirdsman! That's a rarity!" James used enhancement magic to boost his strength and sight, the only two enhancement magics he could use.

"Now we're taking it serious!" James laughed as he began a furious onslaught that Aisrin capably fended off.

"Serious? Alright then." Aisrin smiled as he began returning attacks. James Barry held on, but he was a capable opponent. The mock battle ensued for a solid hour of nonstop clashing. The sounds of iron hitting iron had attracted quite the attention. Noblemen and Women who had arrived early for the banquet, and had accommodations in the palace themselves, had been watching the entertainment provided. Some even placed bets. By the time the king and the princess arrived, the battle was about to reach its conclusion.

Both boys were huffing and puffing as their stamina had finally been depleted.

"I'll put my all into this last attack!" James announced as he lunged forward with all his might, a plume of dust erupted from behind him. He threw a upper slash with all his strength. Aisrin knew that there was no stopping that, so he abandoned his enchantment on all except his arms and sword, and focused his remaining mana there. The swords rang out with a concussive clang. James sword shattered upon impact, leaving Aisrin a default victory.

Both boys collapsed to the ground, breathing hard from the vigorous training. The gathered crowd politely clapped and gave words of praise.

"That was an amazing duel Aisrin. We should do that again sometime." James smiled and held his hand out.

"Yeah, it was a good learning experience." Aisrin agreed with a faint smile.

"It has been quite sometime since I've seen James genuinely battle it out with someone other than me! What say you Aisrun? How about we give it a go tomorrow afternoon?" The king approached the two.

"Father." James bowed his head. Aisrin kneeled and lowered his head.

"It would be an honor your highness." Aisrin replied.

"So eager! I like that!" The king laughed loudly.

"Then tomorrow afternoon, we shall test our mettle here! Get good rest Aisrin! Hahaha!" The king laughed some more and made his exit.

"Well, good luck." James patted Aisrin on the back and left.

'Back to training then.'

*The following day*

Aisrin stood before the king, he had dropped his cloak, opting for just the enchanted shirt pants and boots. The king wore just simple leather armor and light clothes. A long sword adorned his waist.

"I saw fit to have the soldiers return your affects. I hope you don't mind. I'd like to see you go all out." The king motioned for two soldiers to come forth with Aisrins weapons. Aisrin happily took them and buckled them on, adding to the enchantments. His strength, speed, mana and sense were equally increased by five each, of course he only recently found that out when checking his stats when wearing the shirt, boots and pants.

With the belt, shortsword and dagger, he was uncertain what was increased. But he felt some difference.

Aisrin bowed to the king, his hand rest on the hilt. James taught him some extra customary manners when dueling royalty.

"Oh, seems like you are quite knowledgeable. You may rise. The duel begins at the noon bell." The king announced. More nobles had arrived over night, and they added to the already large crowd. Whispering wove through the audience. Aisrin caught glimpse of Blackhawk watching from the back in the shadows, an intense look on his face. He wore all black from head to toe.

A few seconds later, the moon bell rang out and Aisrin applied his agility enhancement as well as lightning to his body to further speed himself up. Judging from the kings stance, he surmised that he was a power type like his son. And speed trumps strength in maneuverability and prowess on the battlefield.

Aisrin drew his blade and launched himself at the king with such force that the ground exploded dust all over the Nobles watching from behind him. Aisrin went for an overhead strike, but the king simply turned his body to the left and watched Aisrins blade slam into the ground. The blade sank into the ground and cracked it at the same time. The dust was thick.

Aisrin attempted to pull the blade, but warning lights lot up all over Aisrins body and he shot backwards, abandoning his short sword, just as the king slammed his long sword where Aisrin once was. The air pressure alone blew the dust away, as well as knocking Aisrin off balance and instead of landing o his feet, he tumbled over and over until his hit the wall, expelling the air from his lungs.

"Oh good! You dodged it. Very good reflexes! I forgot to mention, I wont hold back, u fully intend to harm you. This is an official duel after all!" The king reminded Aisrin as he launched towards Aisrin like a bullet. Aisrin dodged again, the kind cleaved through the wall.

'Holy fuck I'll actually die! Time to get serious. Its kill, or be killed!'

Aisrin pulled his dagger and spun it around, holding it the way he was taught when he was in the military. Blackhawks eyes narrowed upon the sight of the stance Aisrin took. Aisrins aura changed entirely. It went from somewhat wavering to entirely calm and collected. Bloodlust began to dominate from him.

"Oh? That's interesting. It seems like you've steeled yourself. Then here I come!" The king launched himself again, but this time Aisrin went on the attack, jumping to the inside and aiming straight for the kings throat. The king leaned back at the last moment and used his momentum to slam his knee into Aisrins abdomen, launching Aisrin, making him feel like he just took a shotgun slug at point blank.

Blood spewed from Aisrins moth, a sire sign that a rib just punctured a lung. Pain erupted from the point of impact. The king appeared before him as he was falling, his sword falling towards him.

'Ah, my second life... wasted again.'

[This won't do Aisrin. I have plans for you.]

Time slowed drastically, power surged through him suddenly. In a swift movement, Aisrin spun his body, grounding himself, and then threw a punch with all his might, connecting with the kings face. Time returned to normal and the king quite literally flew like a jet into a wall at insane speed. The very air rocked with the impact.

Aisrin had long since lost consciousness, and stood with his feet apart and his arms hung limply at his sides. His eyes open and devoid of life. Blood slowly trickled from the corners of his mouth as well as the place were the king had caused his rib to completely break, puncturing his left lung and piercing through his flesh as well.

The king stood up slightly dazed and his nose broken. But otherwise, he was unfazed. He looked over at Aisrin, and knew it was over. But before he announced his victory, a chill ran down his spine and he immediately turned back to Aisrin. Shadowy mist had enveloped his body. A pitch black horn had protruded from his head right above his right brow. Aisrin let out a loud bloodlust filled roar and launched at the king at speeds four times what Aisrin had before.

"Ah, that's right. Demons have the innate berserker mode. Hold on Aisrin, I will apologize for pushing you too far later." The king grabbed Aisrin as he was speeding towards him and swiftly hit him in the back of the head, finally ending the match. It was overwhelmingly the Kings victory.