11 Aureus Astrea 3 (1/2)
The next day at noon, Edward headed to the blacksmith shop and collected his blade. As there were no issues with the blade, he paid and returned to the castle.
Edward summoned a glove and inserted both the monster cores into his blade and glove.
Slotting the three aether gems into the blade sphere's sub sockets, he practiced with the blade.
After that, he took a rapier from the weapons rack and started going through a series of moves.
He alternated his practice between his heavy blade and the rapier for the next day and half.
—
A breeze whistled through the empty stands as five figures could be seen in the training grounds arena.
”Tarin, any ideas why his highness would want to duel Edward?” Johan was lounging at the training ground stands after ensuring the premise is clear of spectators.
”Nothing beats getting the measure of a man quicker than by crossing blades with him,” Tarin replied.
”Tarin, how do you judge the duel?”
”It is obvious that while Edward is trained in the blade from where he is from, there is a significant gap in skill between his highness and him. After all, his highness is a three leaves graded swordsman.”
”His highness will have no information on his opponent but his opponent would have already studied the empire swordsmanship to a certain degree. Moreover, his highness has reduced this duel to basic combat mode. He is looking to narrow the gap by putting himself at a disadvantage.” Tarin further mused on the conditions of the duel.
”From your observations, what grade of swordsman would you put Edward on?” Johan asked further.
”One leaf graded swordsman.”
”What is your assessment, Johan? Possible for a one leaf swordsman to beat a three leaves swordsman under the current conditions?” Tarin asked Johan.
”Definitely, only his highness is no mere three leaves swordsman. Had he not been on the battlefield for the past decade, I believe his highness would possess the qualifications to rank amongst the divine blades now.” Johan was enthusiastic as he replied.
”I am looking forward to this duel. If my expectations are correct, Edward has prepared a stratagem to turn the tables on his highness. I would like to see just exactly what kind of machinations he has prepared that can overturn an absolute difference in strength. I believe his highness is expecting something similar.” Tarin then looked at the two combatants readying themselves on the grounds.
”So, his highness will win?” Johan asked
”Without a doubt. Being a potential divine blade is nothing short of amazing. Without that special spark of something, one will never even touch the boundary of that realm in their entire lifetime,” Tarin replied without even thinking. ”The pertinent question would be how hard he can force his highness.”
”Agreed,” Johan then went on, ”I believe he can at least force his highness to show half his abilities.”
”You are looking down on Edward too much. I saw him practicing and while I cannot figure out his entire trick yet, I believe he can force his highness to around 70-80%.” Tarin was smiling as he analyzed the odds.
”Ho? That much? Must be some kind of elaborate ploy then.” Johan's manner grew animated as he replied.
”It is the opposite. If what I suspect is true, the nature of the trick will be simple.”
”Look it is beginning.”
—
”That is a heavy-looking sword,” Aureus noted as they were facing each other.
”Nice scabbard,” Edward replied and looking at the three leaves insignia.
”The strongest swordsman I know of does not have an insignia adorning their scabbard though.”
”It will be a best of three bouts. The mage will cast a magic-body barrier before the start of every round. As long as one can break the barrier, it will be considered being one's win.”
Aureus and Edward bowed to each other and took up their respective positions.
Light shimmered and a glove appeared on each combatant.
The mage at the arena's edge then gave a short blast of green light.
Edward powered up his cores and led with a charge straight to Aureus and slashed towards Aureus's neck before turning it suddenly and slicing towards Aureus's arm.
Aureus parried the blow. ”This power!! Full strength augmentation then. Aureus thought after parrying.”
Edward stepped in and started launching overhead attacks onto Aureus like a butcher cutting a prime cut of meat.
Aureus's arms tingled with a numb sensation as he received Edward's blows.
Meanwhile Aureus's senses were firing. ”His main objective seems to be neutralizing my attack power before going for the kill. Is it truly so simple though? Yet, he is forcing me to make a move, there is no way I can keep taking these heavy blows of his without losing the round. Worse scenario, I will aim for a counter-kill.”
Aureus side-stepped and swung his sword in a metallic arc towards Edward.
Edward's gems in his blade glowed.
”Mass? A super heavy blow? Bloodline ability, divine strength? Is that possible?”
Aureus twisted his blade to fend off an overhead.