2 Chapter 1

Sounds of metal clashing against metal could be heard resounding throughout the nearby corridors. This was the training grounds of the Royal Palace at the capital city of Einthore. Right, the Kingdom of Inthe was established some four hundred years ago.

It's first king was Den Inthe, who was slain in a successful assassination attempt around a hundred years after.

Why a hundred years? Simple. Strength increases one's lifespan and Den was fairly powerful by the standard of Kings. What ensued after was two decades of chaos and infighting until Roland Vann I took control and became king this was with the help of a certain unknown man who also happens to be First's sworn brother.

He had a son who was named directly after him, taught and trained in the arts of combat by the same man who had helped his father. He was married to one of the direct descendants of the first king Den and now ruled as king. He had two children, first, a daughter, who saved the kingdom and the surrounding nations along with a few friends. And second, a son, who happens to be the heir and was also named Roland.

We shall refer to them as First, Second (Or King) and Third (Or Prince) respective of their order. And thus, brings us to the present.

"Not bad Your Highness! You've improved without a doubt!" Said the man ash-gray plate armor. On his chest was the symbol of the kingdom, the Mist Serpent.

It was a snake, coiling and climbing a sword whose tip was facing downward. The armored man brought his zweihander and took his stance once more. "Shall we continue, Prince Roland? You seem quite tired." The prince had black hair, reminiscent of his mother and sky blue eyes, just like his father and grandfather.

Second readied his curved short sword and brought it to a low makeshift fencing stance with the tip pointed up, if it could even be called a fencing stance. "I haven't finished yet, Arta! My skills are far too insufficient! Even my elder sister could defeat me in less than twelve strikes! Twelve!"

The armored man took off his helmet. "It's getting fairly hot. Anyways, it isn't like many people can defeat Princess Erea, she is considered to be among the greatest warriors to have ever lived in the face of our land." Second shook his head saying: "Exactly! And if I am to rule, I should at least come close."

Arta shook his head and threw his helmet to the side, his black hair swaying with the wind as the tension in the air rose.

Second made the first move, switching his grip of his short sword to a reverse one and slashing at Arta's face with the tip facing downward.

Arta quickly parried it whilst stepping to his left, Second's right, who in turn retaliated by changing his slash's direction towards Arta's left leg, this time, the tip facing outward. Arta jumped back and swung down in a slash-like thrust using only his left arm while his right was used to balance his landing.

Second deflected the attack by using the side of his short sword and returned to his stance as he stared at Arta intensely, who in turn feigned shock and fear "Your Highness, please tell me you don't like 'that' kind of things, you're scaring me with your stare!" Second stumbled as he heard this and Arta capitalized this moment and thrust forward with his zweihander. Caught off guard, Second had almost no way to react. Almost.

Second brought his short sword up, deflecting the zweihander's tip with his short sword's tip. He then proceeded to use the advantage of his position to do a fencer's lunge, albeit with a short sword.

Arta twisted his sword and aimed it towards Second's head, who was forced to parry. He let go of his zweihander with his supporting hand, his left hand and cast a Fire Bullet.

Second, seeing the magic circle form in front of Arta's finger, kicked Arta's leg, forcing the latter to shoot at the ground and miss. Now it was Second's turn. He immediately cast a basic lightning spell, Lightning Bolt.

Arta channeled his Mana throughout his body and into his sword which he used to deflect the incoming attack. Second did the same and now? Now their clashes caused shockwaves as their physical abilities which normal people from Earth would call superhuman were further increased.

Their spar continued on like this, mostly a pure sword fight with a few spells getting brought in from time to time. They continued sparring until the sun began to set and both were profusely sweating and were exhausted.

................

Two figures stood on the palace roof quietly as the light began to dim. One of a man around seven feet and two inches tall, his scarf and cloak fluttering in the wind. The other was a tiny two feet tall dragon. They were both intently watching the intense sparring session happening beneath them. Draco was the first to speak. "The way he deflected that thrust... That was your trick, wasn't it Dominus?"

Dominus nodded as he continued to watch the two clean up. "Tell me Draco, what do you think of Third? He has the potential." Draco nodded at this. "He has the potential and he's incredibly hardworking but he lacks patience. He expects the results to come almost instantly, which is one of his biggest flaws." Dominus crossed his arms and sighed. "Well, he has my approval. For now, at least." Draco perched up on his shoulder. "I happen to be the same. Well, can he keep up? The Wheels of Fate have begun turning again after all." Dominus looked up into the sky with profound gaze after Draco said this. "That's true... Well, we'll just see what happens." They continued standing there for a few minutes until it became dark and patrolmen with torches lined the walls. He closed his eyes as he looked ahead, smiled in a satisfied manner and exploded into dust, vanishing from sight.

[Because the last line gets removed in the app sometimes.]