Chapter 16 - Hard work vs. born talent

Razel sat down at his resting place.

It was Cid's turn.

Cid's horse was one specially made just for him. For he was the fourth prince.

It was blue, had two horns; one under the other and was named Mordred.

He watched Lambert bowing to Regulux.

He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could imagine they were talking.

"Your Highness, I apologize greatly for those incompetents. I will win, you can rest assured."

"Thank you Lam, try not to hurt Cidfert too much."

"Understood."

Lambert's steed was a beautiful gray one, it was special like Cid's as it was also built exclusively for its owner.

On the side could be seen his name, Lancelot.

Razel touched Cid's shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking."

"About what?"

Cid's mind remembered things from his childhood, related to Lambert.

◇◇◇

Cid knew Lambert a little after he joined the imperial family.

He was terrified, he didn't know anyone and adults scared him. He could hear their voices not at all disguised about their political interests.

"I hear that boy is the fourth prince."

"Him? Looks like the imperial family is in need of relatives, hahaha."

"Don't tease. A child like him may have a lot to offer."

Cid covered his ears so as not to hear the ministers and other important men.

In one corner, there were two children.

As it was a welcome party for him. He thought he could make friends his own age.

As he approached, he was stopped by a maid.

The maid said to him.

"I'm sorry, but you are forbidden to approach the third prince."

Cid did not understand until one the maid said a name he does not cook.

"It's an order from the surrogate empress. She said she didn't want the son of a mistress to come near her son, sorry."

From that day on, Cid understood that it didn't matter if it was his own house. No one was going to watch over him.

For that reason, he kept quiet, felt alone and did what he was told.

At one point in his life, a dark feeling was born.

(Why only him? Why does everyone pamper Regulux?)

That dark feeling was envy.

Just like the game, that feeling grew, but one day.

It disappeared forever.

It was by meeting Razel.

That day, Cid understood that tragedy affects everyone and not just him.

Razel was poor, but he lived happily.

Then, he met his friends. Poor upstart barons.

Cid wasn't foolish to think that poverty was only for him.

But he never knew that nobles could be poor. That day, Cid understood how childish that way of thinking was.

Then he learned of Elize's case, he could do nothing since he had never met her in person, only in name.

Cid, seeing what his half-brother was doing to his fiancé, was very upset.

That's why he wanted to help her.

Because he could not bear to see a girl cry at the hands of someone from the imperial family once again.

And, because the sword protecting the prince was a very sharp one.

Cid climbed onto his steed ready to fight.

Once he was next to Lambert, the referee asked them if they were ready.

"Yes."

Cid replied, but Lambert said nothing, just nodded as if he were mute.

The referee took that as a yes, and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"The penultimate round is about to begin! Cidfert von Bryes vs Lambert von Attley! Begin!"

Lambert sped up, but Cid did not.

Lambert flew around until he was better enough.

Then, he noticed that Cid wouldn't leave his spot.

No one understood what was going on; Cid just looked at Lambert.

◇◇◇

In the stands, the audience didn't understand what was going on with Cid.

"What's wrong with him? The duel has already started."

"Will his stomach hurt?"

"I say he's just scared. The Attley's son at such a young age was knighted."

"Is that true? I mean, for a child to be knighted is very rare."

"Yes. You see, I was present that day. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen."

Hearing the voices from the audience, another memory about Lambert came to Cid's mind.

This was the day where he met him.

◇◇◇

"Well, children, you are all welcome to the Lyonnet Style academy."

"For the next five years you will be students here."

Cid turned 10.

As was customary, the sons of nobles sent their children to learn the official style of the empire's academy for swordsmen.

Cid had closed his heart to others long ago.

His elementary school education was not yet finished.

But it was an obligation to learn swordsmanship at this age.

The instructor gathered the children in one place.

Then, he asked them to find a partner to start with.

Cid didn't know anyone, so he didn't know who to match with.

Since it was an even number, there should be someone without a partner.

One boy approached Cid, that boy was....

"Hey, you don't have a partner, practice with me."

Lambert.

His gaze was cold as his tone.

Cid agreed, he felt he had seen this kid before.

Thus, time passed.

Months were counted on one hand.

But...

"How weak."

Lambert pushed Cid against the canvas on the floor.

Cid hit very hard, despite the fact that the floor was covered with cotton.

"Attley-kun, what are you doing!"

The instructor was coming straight at Lambert.

Lambert with his wooden sword, pointed at the instructor.

"Instructor-dono, I'm sorry. But these past few months I have felt that I am superior to everyone here."

"E- Excuse me?"

"Are you deaf? I told you that I have long ago completed the basics. In my house clearly, that's why, I feel I don't need this anymore. I came only because my father said I must be certified. Please don't waste my time already and give me my degree."

The adults and other children did not understand what this child was pulling at.

"Hey, don't be too cocky!"

"He's just a kid, but he talks like he's an adult."

"You can be the son of a margrave and be related to the imperial family by friendship, but that doesn't make you untouchable."

"... Should I show you?"

The instructor was speechless.

Then he thought.

(I have to teach this conceited child a lesson. He needs to know the reality.)

The instructor called the three best students who were about to graduate.

They were all future knights because of their talent, they were known to all.

"Poor kid, but he deserves it."

"Someone must bring him down from that cloud."

"Teach him some humility, we entrusted you young men!"

The adults were happy because a spoiled child would be punished.

Many knew the current head of Attley Household.

So, deep down perhaps it was a way of secretly teasing him.

Three students with good musclemen and wooden swords came to confront Lambert.

All three looked at him in a mocking manner.

Lambert instead went to change weapons.

He exchanged his wooden sword for a pencil.

Not just any pencil, a colored one that a little boy used.

The child cried as many watched Lambert walk to the center.

Before the duel began, Lambert said.

"Attack me the three of you together if you wish. No, I beg you. That would be better for me to get my graduate certificate."

The students as adults showed veins on their foreheads because of how angry they were, a savage comment was heard by all.

"Show no mercy just because he's a brat!"

None of the adults said anything, but they appreciated nodding silently.

Everyone was ready, at that moment, the duel began.

One young man swung his sword straight at Lambert's head, another aimed at his body and the last of them aimed at his feet.

"Eat this brat!"

"It's time to learn some manners!"

"Apologize at the hospital!"

But, in a split second, it was all over.

No one saw what happened.

Not even the best master swordsmen present.

The three young men were knocked out in one move.

Lambert said.

"It's over. Can I have my certificate now?"

One man shouted.

"I won't allow it!"

He was a tall, burly adult.

He was a retired master swordsman.

Someone who once fought side by side with a retired sword saint.

His nephew was training, that's why he was here.

"This boy doesn't know not only manners. He thinks the sword, training and hard work is useless."

The man walked straight up to the instructor.

"Please let me fight him. I will show him that there will always be someone stronger than you in the world."

Everyone made a big oh of surprise.

The instructor was hesitant, handing him a wooden sword since this boy was messing up his dojo.

Lambert looked at him without caring who he was.

Cid looked at Lambert.

For a moment, Cid thought.

(If I'm not mistaken, I think I saw something.)

The big man was waving his wooden sword.

Everyone was open-mouthed waiting for this encounter.

They wanted from the bottom of their hearts, for that boy to get a beating.

The instructor told them both if they were ready.

Lambert said nothing, but the man did.

"Kid, I'll show you a little humility. Remember this, there will always be someone stronger than you in the world. And if there isn't, the world will take care of teaching you that lesson."

The fight was about to begin.

The man was releasing an aura of intense magical power.

Lambert did not move.

At that moment, the combat began.

"Let me show you the attack against the al- hit!"

But, at the same time it ended.

Everyone present only saw the big man with the broken neck and blank eyes as he fell backwards.

Cid opened his mouth as he thought.

(I saw him. I think I saw it, that guy... he used simple and easy footwork. He jumped towards his opponent and hit him in the neck.)

(But that's not all. That boy... was smiling. A wicked grin he made as he beat his opponents, almost, as if he was enjoying their pain at the thought of the way they lost.)

When Lambert fell to the ground, he turned to look at the man.

He said the words that brought the other children to tears.

"Pathetic. Is this all the Lyonnet Style masters can offer?"

Cid watched as the corners of that child's mouth showed a hideous smile.

A child had come screaming for his uncle who was foaming at the mouth.

The next day, Lambert was called with his father to the palace.

Cid thought he was going to be lectured.

But instead, the emperor himself named him at the age of 10 as a prodigy of the sword, for which he was granted a knighthood and a nickname.

The gray knight.

On that day, Lambert was the last person to belong to the 12 candidates to be the next saint of the sword.

At the same time, he is part of the three swords. Those who have the best chance of becoming one.

Cid understood, no matter how hard he worked, no matter how hard he tried.

Lambert was an unreachable wall.

He even sent requests for duels against the current sword saints.

The palace rejected him for fear that he would be able to defeat them.

To Cid, Lambert was a monster who was born with the innate talent of swordsmanship. He did not know if he was the strongest in the world with a sword.

What he did know was that Lambert was the most dangerous person he knew.

For that reason, Cid made a decision.

To confront Lambert.

He developed his own style, as the capital's style was very annoying to him.

He didn't want Razel to face him because he knew he couldn't beat him.

But he could.

Cid, showed his determination to beat Lambert in the most logical way possible.

He sped up as fast as he could, and his steed was flying straight towards Lambert.

He was ready to attack, he drew his sword waiting for Cid to make a move.

But...

"Huh?"

Lambert's head stopped thinking for a split second.

While in Cid's there was only one thought.

(There's only one way to beat this guy. And that's...)

"In an ambush so stupid, even he can't believe it!!"

Cid's steed had two horns for that reason.

At full speed the horns impacted Lambert's steed.

Because Lambert is a person who uses logic over reason. Something like this is unimaginable to him.

As Cid's steed crashed into Lambert's steed, both were destroyed.

Cid hugged Lambert, so that Lambert would not try to escape.

Lambert only just reacted after the madness he observed.

"What the hell are you doing!"

"Showing you what they all wished they could do! May you look up as they see you!"

Lambert was trying to break away from Cid to jump onto a floating stone, but he couldn't.

Cid was determined on this, therefore. They were both going to lose.

"Let go of me!"

"Never! Together lose us!"

"Nooooooooooooooooo!"

Lambert stretched out his arm as he and Cid fell towards the ground at high speed.

"Your Highneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!"

They were both caught just in time.

No one could believe what was happening, the referee shouted.

"Both contestants fell! It's a draw!"

"The next and final round will begin shortly after an emotional break for me."

No one could contradict the referee as everyone was confused.

Three people were staring at Cid and Lambert being brought in on a floating bed.

Lambert was angry, biting his lips. While Cid was just laughing while touching his stomach.

Elize looked at Cid who eliminated with a crazy strategy the most dangerous of the opponents.

Razel watched as Cid, granted him the direct passage to a smooth victory.

While Regulux was...

"...That idiot Cidfert."

Cursing his brother while showing a terrifying face for someone very attractive.

The next duel, will be the decisive one.

The one that will mark the fate of the villain and the victory of one of the two sides.

Razel against the future white knight.