34 Duel Me!

When entering the dining hall, a few people were waiting.

„Well then. Meet my wife, Ella.", the duke said and pointed towards a grown woman.

„You have met our son James, and lastly this is our daughter Tania.", the duke pointed towards a young woman.

„Hello there, Tristan.", Ella said.

„Hello.", he replied.

„Can we eat already? I'm starving!", Tania said.

„Yes, yes. We'll start.", the duke said and everyone sat down and started eating a delicious meal, that the maids and butlers brought in.

After the meal Tristan wanted to excuse himself, but it seemed like James still had a problem with him.

„Hey! You're training with me now, right? I want to make sure you're worth it.", he said.

„What do you have in mind?", Tristan simply replied.

„I, James of Durakles, challenge you to a duel!", he said in an overdramatised motion.

„Sure. When do you-

„But not just any duel!", James continued without caring about Tristan.

„I propose a Karzal!", he said, ending his dramatic short speech.

Tristan was confused.

„The hell is a Karzal?", he asked.

„Do you acce- what?! You don't know what a Karzal is? Have you been raised in a cave?!", James was unreasonably upset.

„It's a special duel, tradition fits it. Two people are placed on a long plank. There isn't much space on the plank, it's only wide enough for about one foot. But it's about 15 Meters Long.", Cameron explained.

„Then stuff like flying is forbidden?", Tristan asked.

„Ye-

„You can fly?!", before Cameron could answer James interrupted him.

Tristan only gave a chuckle as an answer.

„Let's do it.", he said.

The news spread fast, apparently James was a prodigy with the sword and there were only few people his age who could beat him, so everyone was curious when they heard that there was a fight against a nobody.

The same day, the city arena was filled to the brim with people.

A special place was reserved for the duke, next to him was Cameron and a butler.

The arena was a round building with a round middle. The ground was filled with water and a meter over it was the plank.

On each of the sides of the plank was an entrance to a little chamber, in wich the contestants were preparing.

In one of them, Tristan was going over everything that Cameron told him beforehand.

The rules were simple, anything was allowed as long as you stay on the plank, jumping not included, it was of course allowed.

Suddenly, he heard an uproar in the arena. An announcer began to speak.

„Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Today we are going to witness another duel, or should I rather say one sided beat up?", the crowd laughed, „between our young lord James of Durakles and a stranger to our city!", it seemed like the city was either very confident in James or just very discriminating against strangers.

Maybe both.

„Introducing to the stage, the challenger: James of Durakles!", the announcer said.

„The Challenger?"

„I thought the other one challenged him!"

„How long was it, since James challenged anyone?"

Whispers were heard all around the arena.

„Now, introducing the challenged, Tristan!", when his name was called, he stepped out of the room onto the plank. It didn't shake when he stepped on it, wich was a good sign.

James was waiting at the other end of the plank.

A sword in his hand, he stood there like the arrogant brat he was.

Tristan looked up to where Cameron was standing, who smiled back and nodded.

„How old is this guy?!"

„That kid is the fighter?"

„Hey, what's that sword on his back?"

A wave of whispers could be heard again.

„Draw your swords, contestants!", the announcer said, obviously meaning Tristan, since James already heard his sword in his hands.

Tristan slowly unsheathed his sword.

The long blade reflected the sun light.

„Is that...?"

„Hey! I have seen that sword!"

„What? What's so special, why is everyone freaking out?"

Tristan tried ignoring the audience and focused only on James.

„...Fight!", as soon as these words were spoken, Cameron dashed forwards and swung his sword right at Tristan.

Tristan had only a short time to react, he made a bowing motion, evading the attack, then he rammed his fist against James' leg.

James jumped back and dodged the attack.

Both entered their fighting stances again.

After a few long seconds, Tristan dashed towards James with his [Acceleration] skill.

James couldn't even understand what was going on, before something hit him right in the chest.

—

„Kristian, you can't let him fight."

„Why not?"

„He will lose!"

„Why? How long did you train him?"

„A Little Bit more than a week."

„Then how can he be better than my son?"

„Trust me! Do you want him to lose a battle against a nobody? Do you know what the People will think of him?"

„He is my son and I decide what's good for him! End of discussion."

—

‚So that's what Cameron meant.", Kristian thought when watching the match and thinking back to the talk he had earlier.

Splash!

The duel was decided.

Tristan still couldn't figure out how this was supposed to be long entertainment, he couldn't imagine people fighting on such a plank for more than two minutes.

„The winner is... TRISTAN!", the crowd cheered and booed.

Some celebrated the fact that James has been beaten, some thought about the reputation of Durakles.

Then, the sky turned black.

Or did it?