Final day

<Aethan POV>

Finally it has come down to 4 people. Me, Ser Harrion, Ser Borlan Baratheon and the mystery knight, whom I am sure is Ser Cristen cole.

I moved towards the mystery knight while ser Harrion went to Ser Borlan. I have been mostly only showing the strength a bit stronger than a full grown man and the skills of silver level. Mostly because I don't want to gather attention more than I am already getting.

The bout went for few minutes and he threw me a feint, which I already knew. But still took it. He changed the angle and went for my leg. I simply twisted my wrist and hit his helmet with my sword. The helmet flew and his face exposed to the crowd now. I increased the frequency of my attacks slowly and he was only left to defend. I saw that the match of Ser Harrion was settled with his win and decided to conclude mine as well.

I struck Cristen's sword with much force which threw him on the ground and then I put the sword on his neck and yelled "Yield!"

Cristen looked at me in shock and nodded dazely.

"So, what say you Ser Harrion? Do you want to continue?" I asked my Knight

"I sinply don't want to go back without a fight, my lord." He stated.

'What is this? Mihawk vs Zoro fight?' I thought internally and nodded at him.

I gave him a chance to fully display his skill and gave pointers subtly. When I felt that it was enough to please everyones eyes, I slightly dodged his sword took hold of his arm and did a judo flip and he fell on the ground.

"Do you Yield Ser Harrion." I asked him. I didn't put a sword on his neck as I usually did to others a show of respect.

He was disoriented for few seconds due to the flip and said"Aye, My lord. I yield. You have surpassed us gratefully my lord. Looking forward to what you will achieve in the future."

"Thank you Ser Harrion. Now get some rest for the joust in an hour." I said while pulling him off the ground.

"Lords and Ladies of the realm, we have the final winner. I present you Aethan Valaryon, the strongest swordsman of the realm."

The crowd cheered and yelled there were some flowers thrown at me. After basking in the attention I was given for sometime I turned to where the king was. As a winner of the final round King will personally present the prize money.

I walked forward to the podium that was built to climb up the gallery as I reached there I sttod and bowed to him

"Your grace."

The king stood up and came forward to me. "Get my sword" he said. I was confused for a bit and looked at my parents. Both had smiles on their faces. So, it is not something bad.

After the king got his valyrian sword Blackfyre he said "Kneel"

Then it all clicked.

I took a step forward and knelt on one leg in front of him. The king then pulled out his sword from the sheath and placed it on my shoulder. Everyone in the gallery stood up for the ceremony.

"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent. Are you willing to keep the oath Aethan Valaryon?"

"I do , your Grace." I answered

" Then, Arise, Ser Aethan Valaryon, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms and heir to the Hightides."

The crowd once again erupted in cheer.

At the same time Viserys said those words a notification popped up.

[Congratulations on becoming a Knight My Lord.]

I stood up and bowed to the king and thanked the crowd for their support by waving my hand slightly while keeping eye on the message

[You are rewarded with a perk: Dual Weilder]

[Dual weilder: you left hand is now on the same level as your right hand when using a bladed weapon.]

'This is simply great. Now I can hack my way like kirito from SAO. Aurther Dayne got nothing on me.' I thought with a smirk.

After the ceremony the Joust will begin shortly so I went back to my tent by bidding farewell to everyone and winking at Rhaenyra. To which she smiled with a blush and looked away.

After resting for a bit in my tent I waited for my turn as I got ready with the help of my men.

I watched the progress of the match and observed Baratheon has won a joust. Soon it was cristen's turn with no surprise he won. My turn soon came as I unhorsed the Reach knight in my first turn and in my second turn I was pitted against a Riverlands knight. I won easily.

The Baratheon knight also my mother's cousin has asked for her favour which she granted. But was soon defeated by Cristen cole.

Soon it was me and Otto's son Gwayne hightower. I pushed him sideways and he fell as the horse continue to run.

I am now the finalist. The final winner will be announced after Price Daemon Targaryen will chose whom to play the joust with among the 5 finalists.

Soon after we stood in a line on our horses the Master of revels shouted "Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent!"

Daemon looked at everyone with a smug smile and finally chose –

"Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, eldest son of the Hand of the King."