While
"So, you are the current hero? You do have the presence of a hero. But sothing about you feels off. Don’t you think so as well, kid?"
Ken spoke to Leon, trying to get a rise out of him, but Leon did not react.
Most kids would have shown so emotion after hearing all that, and Ken waited for Leon to show uncertainty and hesitation.
But he got nothing.
’Oops, did I push the kid too far? Or has he heard these things so often that he’s not even bothered by them? If so, then I better apologize before it’s too late. I don’t want the hero to hold a grudge against .’
Ken quickly continued the conversation.
"Well, then again, everyone is a little weird in their own ways. So what if you feel a little off? As long as you perform your duty, nothing else matters."
The kid did not reply again, but his eyes narrowed impatiently.
"Are you done speaking? Then, can we start?"
Leon asked, and he made the first move without hesitation.
Ken was surprised by how fast Leon was.
The Sword Master had not expected an attack in the first place, so he was caught off guard by Leon’s assault, but that was not all.
Leon had so actual force behind his attacks, and he was making good use of his small body to knock Ken off balance.
Unfortunately, he did not have enough muscle to pull off what he was trying to do.
’Still, this is an advanced technique that many of our seasoned knights find difficult to use. To think that a beginner like this kid is using it...is he a genius? No wonder sothing felt off about him. He has the potential to beco a Sword Master.’
Ken parried Leon’s sword with his own but had to use so real skill to maintain the upper hand.
However, just because Leon was doing well did not an he had a chance to win. Ken’s body was much stronger, and he knew how to use it well.
He made a feint and then attacked Leon in his blind spot. The kid caught it in ti, but he was not able to dodge out of the way.
A normal person might think that Leon got hit because he was not fast enough to react, but Ken felt differently.
’That kid knew where I was attacking. He saw through my bluff. But his body was not able to keep up with his mind. Usually, such instincts co with experience, but I have never heard of him before.’
The more Ken fought Leon, the more shocked he beca by Leon’s growth.
It was not even fair to call Leon a beginner. In fact, Ken was willing to bet that Leon was already as good as Sir Ivory. There was not even a question of whether he was good enough to go monster hunting.
’Unfortunately, as good as this kid is, it’s ti to crush him. I will show him the overwhelming difference between our levels.’
Ken suddenly raised his aura, expecting Leon to pause and get scared.
But Leon did the opposite. He attacked Ken head-on, and their clash caused Leon to be thrown back by the impact.
"Shit! This was not what I wanted to do. Hey, kid, are you alright?"
Ken dropped his aura and hurried toward Leon. He wanted to check on the kid, but the smoke was obstructing his vision.
He ca close enough only to sense that he was in danger. A sword was heading toward him, which made him react instinctively.
Ken used his aura to punch Leon before he realized what had happened. He instantly pulled back, but the damage had been done.
’Shit! Did I kill the kid...?’
But Leon was still standing.
The kid was clutching his stomach, but it did not have a hole in it.
Ken could also feel mana circulating around Leon’s midsection, which solved the mystery of how he had managed to protect himself.
’No way! Is the hero using mana already? It does not seem to be a conscious decision, but still-!’
It went beyond being a genius. It bordered on being impossible. Mana was not sothing that could be wielded just because one wanted to wield it. It required years of dedicated practice and training...
’I need to see more! I need to confirm it for myself. No, I will confirm it for myself.’
Ken was so lost in his thoughts that he did not even realize what he was doing. His mana was surging more and more, and Leon took an unconscious step back before assuming a defensive stance.
It seed like he was ready to take Ken on.
"Well, defend against this, kid."
Ken jumped and concentrated his mana into his sword. He could feel the weapon shaking, unable to keep up with the strain of his mana.
If his weapon could not take it, there was no way an untrained body like Leon’s could endure it.
But Ken did not care at that mont. He needed to see Leon’s limits and abilities so that he could make an assessnt...
But his sword did not hit another sword. It hit a staff before a barrier blocked his way.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"No, what do you think you are doing? How could you use your full aura against soone who only started training not too long ago? Do you want to kill the hero?"
Kael asked in a calm voice as the smoke started to clear. His words forced Ken to suddenly co to his senses, and he realized what was happening.
He looked mortified to realize he had almost killed a kid for nothing.
"I...did not even realize what I was doing. That kid was just too good, and I lost my composure. I will consider this my defeat this ti."
Ken admitted before he put his sword away. It was a sign of surrender, and Kael finally dropped the barrier.
It was clear to everyone that Ken had surrendered just when he had been about to win. So how could the council keep quiet about this? They had to interfere and let everyone know that this was their win.
"Ehm, it seems like Sir Ken was about to win when Grand Master Kael decided to interfere. We shall conclude that Sir Ken won and call it a day. Grand Master Kael, we do hope you will keep your promise to us."
The council only saw what they wanted to see. But unfortunately for them, Ken was here to call them out.
"Why would you conclude that I won? I was the one who surrendered first, so this is my loss."
Ken concluded, but the council had already made up their minds. There was no point in changing them now.
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