O'serpent heart, hid with flowering face

"Sir Denethor, I think we can help the young Lord. There's a rumour that goes around that when one is pushed to a situation where he's desperate to save himself, his core is forcibly ripened and he awakens ether." One of the Knights said as they all walked closer together.

"Ah, that's right. I've heard of that too." Another said, with the others giggling. They must find it funny.

"I think we should try it, Sir Denethor"

He stood and was reluctant in all of his acts, from his posture to his gaze. The Knight that talked placed his hands over his shoulder and smirked.

"Come on, think about it. Won't the Duke even reward you for it?"

I dropped the swords in my hands and folded my arms as I watched what I considered a stage drama that was going on.

"Young lord, It's a great idea... I'll make sure it doesn't hurt." It was quite shocking how his expression was able to swiftly change from that unsure state to that of an utter bully.

"Ah, shit... this has to be the height of it." Those words were mine, I said what I said. That moment I was done, I was done acting like a kid, the reason why I've been putting up with it was because of the Duke. My initial plan was to wait till I get out of the duchy and do things my way but these guys just had to go and press the red button, oh and the red button always stands for danger.

I interlocked my fingers and stretched my arm outward, upward, bent leftwards and rightwards.

"Alright, I'm done. We can start now."

They all chuckled.

The Knight that talked dropped his knife and tapped Knight Denethor's shoulder.

"You can use it."

"What?"

"I said, you can use your sword. I'm not using a sword because I don't like using swords, but since that's how you trained from the beginning I think you should use it."

He was shocked, looking at me with suspicious eyes. Perhaps it was because of the sudden change in my tone.

"Don't worry about it young Lord, we are not trying to kill you. We are only trying to push your potential out."

"Alright then, let's see who is pushing whose potential"

I placed my right hand backwards and spread my feet heads width apart, with my eyes fixated on his every posture.

Martial art generally is a game of calculation, the calm before the storm moment is meant for you to calculate the outcome of all your possible attacks while overestimating your opponent but when an expert is calculating, he can tell when his opponent will not last a second hit from me.

'This bastard is filled with openings.'

As he ran towards me... even his running was so slow. Anyway by the time he came he spread his arms. That's a grapple he was going for, so shameless, grappling a kid.

I swiftly lifted my right knee to my waist (not even a second late) and swung out my foot which lunged a linear kick to his jaw and sent him flying.

~Thud~

He landed far behind.

Even I was surprised as they were. I knew the power output was going to be different but not send someone flying with just a single front snap kick.

But somehow, maybe it was because it has been a while... it felt good. I grinned at them as I thought of throwing a few kicks and punches, trying out how this body works.

... ... ...

>Heelterd Duchy<

"Duke Maxnor rumours however say you have no son. I think you should sit this one out."

"You have no right whatsoever to think I should sit it out when it is a rumour that says I have no son and not I." Duke Maxnor, my father, confidently declared.

"Then do you have a son?" A plump man asked, the front part of his air was gone but his moustache was full.

"I do." Duke Maxnor replied.

"That's a lie?! Come on. Several balls and meetings, I have never seen your son!" Duke Rautelet, the plump man said

"I take it that you have seen my daughter too."

"Aha, you have a daughter?" Duke Rautelet responded shamefully.

"It has been the tradition of our dukedom to keep our lives private, not for this moment... that is just how I was raised." Duke Maxnor said.

"Indeed Duke Maxnor, indeed and I am delighted that it is you that will be going this time. As we have always had it before our time and will continue to even after our time. We are the order that stops the imperial family from commanding too much authority to prevent the reign of a tyrant." Duke Heelterd said and raised the glass of wine in his hands, other cheered to it a drank.

"However Duke Heelterd, I heard something strange." Duke Rautelet said, everyone, sighed and looked at him.

"Go ahead, my dear friend." Duke Heelterd said with a smile.

"The day the young Prince Evan was born, the dog star was seen in the sky."

Everyone went silent, including Duke Heelterd who smiled after a few seconds of stern gaze.

"I didn't know you've become interested in astronomy." He said.

"...no not that, you don't seem to get it. The dog star is the brightest and is a star that appears when s true monarch is born."

~Creak~

Duke Maxnor stood up, "I have to leave now." He said and walked out.

"That rude brat..." Duke Rautelet said as Duke Maxnor walked out.

"So Duke Heelterd I was saying–

"Shut up." From the tone to the demeanour, everything about him completely switched the moment Duke Maxnor left.

"Continue to run your mouth again like that and you'll end up a traitor to the empire. Earl Bralfai."

"Yes your grace." A tall man stood up.

"Investigate Duke Maxnor's family. This meeting is dispersed." He said and walked out angrily.