Trial by Combat

"You give yourself too little credit. You did great my king, I used more force than Orslaine, yet you still adapted to those stronger than you." Light said then continued and chuckled. "Sorry that I am not as good at controlling my attributes as the others."

"Well thank you Light for the praise and lesson. It seems it is time for the last fight for now." Yueliang replied still feeling the healing process continuing.

"My King, I have something I wish to ask. Although it may seem like to much to you." The third Sky Orc up for the fight stated. This one, Yueliang had not yet met, then he continued. "I, Gawain, as to not break the contract, do hear by ask this duel to have an extra condition. If I win, I desire to lead our people, until said time when you are fit to be our leader. If I lose however, feel free to do with me what you will."

"Although I will not say I will be perfect right off the bat, I do strive to be the perfect leader. Thus, Let us change it slightly, if you win, the others may vote for a leader they deem worthy until said time when I am deemed fit to lead. Just remember if you are the leader you must take all responsibility upon yourself. Can you feed, lead, and protect your people properly? If you feel you can, I have no problem letting you take said position until that time. How is that?" Yueliang swiftly replied with a slight smirk.

"I accept" Gawain said respectfully.

Although these two did not mind this conversation, everyone else felt worry. They trusted King Yueliang, however, could one of their own really do a better job, even if it was just temporary? It was common knowledge among them that in the past such things occurred, however never turned out well thus the rule of Mage preferably Summoner being king.

After Gawain had accepted, they separated by 20 meters, then prepared to fight. Yueliang in this short time asked Yang to add 25 points to both strength, and agility. The two bowed, and before Gawain could move, Yue activated his sprint then dash. Holding back with all his might Yueliang walked forward trying to match his normal speed.

Gawain was kind of confused by this act but decided to match it instead of dashing towards him. Whilst walking forward, Yueliang saw that Gawain was doing the same, and once they were 5 meters across from each other Yueliang made his move. He dashed forward, over shooting his mark slightly, Yueliang utilizing his momentum, lifted his leg and aimed at his opponents kidney. Gawain was shocked, when he saw the speed that his king utilized, not because he could not match it but because he thought that the king was not holding back.

By the time Gawain came to himself once more, he noticed Yue's leg heading for him. So he leapt to the side quickly and turned around. Then shouted "Oh shoot!" Although Yue may have been weaker in all stats, even intelligence, it did not mean he could not utilize it differently. Where they were analyzing him, he was adapting to counter it.

Boom: A thundering sound resounded the hall.

[To rewind a few instances:

Yueliang as he threw the kick, knew that it likely would not land, thus used his hand behind his back to cast fireball. It took all his thinking capacity to speed up the cast. However the moment Yueliang saw him dodge the kick to his back side, he released it. Of course it was considerably suppressed as to not kill his subordinate.

Now back to where we were.]

Everyone covered their ears and watched with intense interest as they saw Gawain fall. Silence befell the hall for a few seconds, so much so that one could hear their heart beat like a drum. This silence was because if he could win against someone multiple times stronger than himself he could definitely protect them. Or at least so their thoughts were saying.

CHEER, CHEER. Cheers, then broke the silence and resounded the hall. They had truly underestimated their king so they thought. This had given them a deep respect and trust for him.

However Yueliang on the other hand just stood their smiling. Everyone thinking he looked super cool and handsome. Although what they did not know was due to the pressure he put on his body to achieve such a feat after so little actual training, he was in intense pain, and could barely think, let alone move. However whilst he was stuck there, and the cheers continued, he looked at his achievement notification.

[Notification hidden quest completed]

[Host Yueliang has defeated an opponent 3 times better than himself.

Rewards:

+ Title {Dark Horse} (Boosts stats by 10% against opponents stronger than host.)

+ 30 customizable stat points

+ 10 stat points in Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and Mana

+ Abilities: Quick Thinking, and Reaction time (The more these are used the fast they will be.)

+ 30,000 experience]

'What a wonderful ouch... reward.' He thought while trying to cope with the migraine.

While he was still just standing there and the cheering quickly died down, a few of the crowd came down to congratulate Yue. They were Rei, and Orslaine. When they arrived in front of him, they noticed his condition almost instantly. They glanced at each other momentarily. Then in order to not let the others opinion of him die down they had him sit on their shoulders and hoisted him out of the hall down to his room.

Once the three had arrived, they placed him him on his bed, then sad beside him. Orslaine had then poured a regen potion down his throat. A few moments later, Yueliang sat up and said thank you to both of them.

Orslaine then spoke first saying "You put your duty towards us above your own health, we are truly fortunate to have such a great and honorable leader. If only I could find...." She mumbled incomprehensible words towards the end, however from the look on her face and the few tears streaming down her face, Yueliang had a rough idea of what she was thinking. Rei just nodded and said "You did great out there my king, I look forward to our future together. By doing this, the people now see you as a leader now more than ever. However you should get some rest."

Although before Rei and Orslaine could stand up from the side of his bed, Yue hugged them both. Then released Rei and said "May I speak with Orslaine for a few moments alone?"

When Rei heard this, he smirked then nodded and left the room.

Orslaine just hugged Yue, and continued to cry at her loneliness. She had never had someone to care for her let alone date due to either being busy or others just not caring about her.

Yue hugged her back, and patted her gently trying to comfort her and show her that everything was alright. He wanted her to know that he was there for her. Then said "Do not worry, I will always be here for you. Also if you ever need to talk, or cry, or laugh, or even anything else, just come to me. I will always care for you and protect you."

She then lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. She asked while sniffling a little. "Really? You will forever? But am I even pretty?" She felt kind of down at this but also serious, while tears still rolling down her face.

"Of course I will, and as for your beauty. You are as radiant as the stars. However if I was to express myself properly, then In your smile I see something more beautiful than the stars, and although I love all the stars in the sky, they are nothing compared to the ones in your eyes." Yueliang stated with passion.

She then was over joyed, and smiled, wiping her tears away, then hugged him tighter than before. After that Orslaine kissed him on the lips quite passionately and happily. Yueliang surprised, figured that she was just thanking him in some Orcish custom or something so he gently separated from her. She was then confused.

"Why did you stop?" Orslaine asked very curiously wondering if she did something wrong.

"I just wanted to know why you kissed me so suddenly." Yueliang replied kind of curiously as well.

"Do people on earth not kiss when they are engaged?" Orslaine asked, wondering what sort of odd people would not do that.

"Well we do.." Yueliang stated then got cut off by her.

"Then what is wrong? I mean we are engaged now." Orslaine asked once again.

"When did we get engaged?" He asked trying to sound as kind as he could.

Hearing this, Orslaine broke into tears. It took a whole 5 minutes before an understandable word made it out of her mouth. "You even 'sniff' said all those things to me and completed the ceremony."

"So to get this straight, by telling an orc you will care for them, you are starting the ritual. Then To finish it, you complement their appearance?" Yueliang deducted and asked.

"Yes, or at least that is the romantic way." Orslaine said.

"I already have an amazing girlfriend and now I have a wonderful fiancé?" He said to himself out loud and then continued. "I wonder if this is a magical agreement."

"The answer to the first is yes, awe, you really think I am wonderful? Also to the second question, No it is not, although there are magical binding marriages out there. However those are more of contracts." Orslaine said trying to calm herself down.

"Hmmm, well let us talk more soon. Although for now, I must start crafting those bracelets for you you all, as I am a man of my word." Yueliang stated.

"Okay" She said, kind of sad and feeling insecure about what will happen. 'Will we stay together or break up' she worried as he left to a side room.