The sword master - Part 2

"I wanted to face him, father," Laugs said, although this confrontation seemed destined to happen sooner than he expected.

"I won't allow you to break any laws just because you're my son," Algus leaped subtly toward the prince, and for a moment, his body even seemed to float before his feet touched the courtyard ground again. "But I'm not here to fight. I ask you to dispel this spell and surrender, Laugs. That way, you'll receive a fair trial."

For a moment, Laugs felt powerless as he saw his father approach in that manner. But the feeling of rebellion he felt against him seemed to be stronger than anything else after all. This gave him more determination to carry out his plan.

"Do you want me to surrender?" Laugs smiled, trying to maintain his confident appearance. "For what? To continue being ignored by you? To keep living as a useless prince? I won't surrender, father. Now that we're here, let's see this through to the end..."

After crossing so many boundaries, nothing good awaited him after a surrender, Laugs pondered. At the very least, he would be forced to live under the watch of guards at his father's command, and all his magic-related belongings would be seized. There was no way he wanted that to happen at a time when he was rapidly developing as a mage thanks to the scroll. Therefore, he was determined to move forward.

The prince knew that winning in a direct sword fight would be difficult, perhaps even impossible. His father was considered the world's best swordsman, and using the Relic Debt Sword, he was practically invincible. However, now Laugs could rely on his new power. Those flames were much more than the eyes of someone without knowledge of true magic could see.

An ominous aura surrounded the prince. Without him suspecting, his mind was already under the influence of someone. Someone he didn't even know existed...

But Algus knew. Seeing the green flames on the blade and his son's irrational behavior, he quickly deduced what was happening inside his mind. It was the beginning of Corruption. Then, before him, an energy almost imperceptible to human eyes but easily felt by anyone, even those without magical senses as sharp as mages, appeared. Then, a golden light followed, quickly transforming into a beautiful sword in his hands.

It was a sword that drew attention. Although not extravagantly beautiful, it was graceful in all its forms. It even seemed to have been forged by the hands of a divine blacksmith, with some unknown golden metal brighter than gold itself, and its blade shimmered with a soft glow. The aura this sword exuded was imposing and powerful, as if there was nothing it couldn't cut through.

Algus had rarely used this sword in his journey as the Relic Master, as it was one of the world's most powerful weapons, and its power couldn't be measured with a mere glance, nor should it be used casually. But he never expected to use it against his own son, and he didn't intend to do so; he just wanted to teach him a lesson. One that would teach him the meaning of the word "divine" in Relic.

The appearance of that sword didn't surprise Laugs that much. He even showed a bitter smile when he saw it, although it was a bitter taste. In his father's hands was the Relic Debt Sword, one of the five divine relics of this world. In fact, it would be more correct to say that they ruled the world, Laugs pondered. But he was determined to change this reality...

So, as if reacting to an explosion of emotions and memories within him, the green flames on his blade grew even larger and more powerful as Laugs lunged at his father.

"Show me your power, father!" Laugs exclaimed.

When their swords clashed, a loud sound resounded through the courtyard and beyond. At the same time, there was a wave of energy that spread in all directions.

Laugs realized that, at the first opportunity their blades met, his flames retreated from the relic like darkness fleeing from light.

"Now do you understand how foolish you're being, Laugs?"

After this attack, a shimmering aura radiated from the Divine Sword. Laugs forced himself to show another bitter smile when he saw this sight. Damn that sword, he cursed in his thoughts. However, he realized that his magic was still very weak. There seemed to be something missing in it, but he couldn't figure out what. Anyway, that could wait for later. At that moment, it was more important to survive this battle against his father. After all, if his Infernal Flames couldn't defeat the Relic, then there was nothing else he could do.

Laugs increased the power of his flames. Although he knew that doing so would also increase the chances of losing control of his spell, he was willing to take the risk. Then he took the initiative to attack.

Even with his last efforts, his father still had control of the fight. To make matters worse, the Infernal Flames he admired so much could barely touch the relic's blade. Would defeating his father be impossible? After all, would he only be left to suffer a humiliating defeat?

Although his mind began to torment him with many negative thoughts, Laugs still didn't give up. And, if necessary, he would even use other spells from the scroll, even if it meant having an ending where his body succumbed to darkness.

However, would his fate be to become a demon? For any mage, that was humiliation. So, after much contemplation, Laugs chose to die by the blade of his father's relic rather than surrender or be consumed by his spell.

"None of this needs to happen. I'll give you more power."

Suddenly, a strange voice manifested in his thoughts. Laugs remembered it almost immediately because it was the same voice that told him to kill the boy. Could he trust it?

"Let me use you, and I'll give you all the power you desire," the voice continued.

"I accept your offer," Laugs replied promptly. If this was his last chance to change his fate, he would accept any price. "I want power. All the power you can give me..."