After spending so more ti regaling each other with tales and tribulations wed undergone, Cerion and I got to discussing current events.
So whats this I hear about your dad, my uncle and Cerithal all being in the city at the mont?
Cerion sighed, briefly looking away. Thats the thing, man. Theyre not telling a thing! Ive heard them arguing and bickering when I pass by their chambers, but I dont know about what. After hearing you describe what happened in Alterian, however, I can only imagine that it involves this continental et that the papers have been raving about.
The et? How would that involve your dad and Cerithal, though? I an, I thought that was supposed to be a playground for the tier 7s of the continent.
At this, Cerion scoffed and shook his head. Its never that simple, you know. Could be theyre trying to co to an agreent or sothing, but its difficult to say for sure
At that mont, soone suddenly knocked on the door.
Thatll be Eri I said, moving to get up but interrupted by the door opening. Cerions father stepped inside, followed by uncle Robard. I hurriedly sat back down, caught off guard by their unannounced arrival.
Both n greeted , uncle Roberts being the more enthusiastic of the two, though it still felt a little underwhelming compared to Cerions. They didnt bother sitting down, instead telling us to follow them.
Father, whats this about? Why barge in here all of a sudden? Does this involve the business youve been discussing the past couple of days?
You are about to find out, son. Follow. Hearing his fathers cold tone, Cerion grimaced.
Even uncle Robard and I didnt dare refuse, following the two after uncle gave a shallow nod.
The trip turned out to take a lot longer than anticipated, as we were led outside the inn and guided to a carriage that was being pulled by two horse-like creatures with scales.
The carriage was more than large enough to carry the four of us, I noticed. That was also when I rembered that I had forgotten to notify Eri of our departure. At this point, it was too late. She would simply have to continue exploring the gardens well into the night.
After a few minutes, I realised that the carriage was taking us outside of the city gates.
Where are we going and why? I eventually asked, tired of being led by the nose.
We are heading to a nearby lake. With night surely having fallen by the ti of our arrival, both of you will be in your respective elents. It is our intent to see the two of you face off, to see each others growth.
I nodded, growing excited at the prospect. Cerion was less enthused, however. I have to fight my friend? Why?!
Robard grimaced, before shooting a quick glance at Duke Rass, who gave a stoic nod.
Well, I suppose its ti to tell you two. The various countries on the continent, big and small, have agreed to temporarily set aside their differences to organise the continental et. As the barrier has fallen, certain conflicts need to be ended and agreents need to be reached.
Unfortunately, the duke continued, This wont stop most nations from trying to posture themselves as more powerful than the others. To that end, the continental et will host several events where people of different ages, classes and tiers will face off, not dissimilar to the Royal tournant from a few months ago.
Were getting another tournant?! Cerion asked excitedly, unable to contain himself.
Not quite Expect the events at the et to be more self-contained and specific. No qualifiers or rounds, nations decided for themselves whom to enter in each event. Controversially, battles and competitions are going to be quite dangerous. Outsiders wont be allowed to intervene if things beco deadly. A small concession to the empire, you see. Wouldnt participate at all, otherwise
But doesnt that go against the spirit of cooperation? I pointed out.
Just so. Rass replied. Which is what brings us here. Nations are scrambling to find people to fill in the slots. They must either be powerful enough not to face danger or expendable. You two are being considered for several different events, so long as you agree.
Of course we do! Cerion proclaid proudly, before looking at in question. Right?
Naturally. Facing off against other warriors fills with excitent.
All well and good, my uncle intervened, But we arent letting either of you participate until we know exactly how far youve co. Which brings us to why were here. He pointed out, as the carriage stopped exactly at that mont.
We stepped out gingerly, taking a good look at our surroundings. We were indeed standing at the banks of a lake, albeit a small one. The moon had risen and the sun had disappeared on the horizon, filling the lake with an ethereal glow.
There was enough light for Cerion to see clearly, which made this a fairer battle than anticipated.
There was little foliage surrounding the lake, leaving us with plenty of space to fight. It seed that Cerion approved of the location as well, because he took a position across from in the distance.
Before Uncle Robard and Duke Rass could even set so rules, Cerion and I had drawn our swords.
What happened to your great sword? Broke it by accident? Cerion taunted.
By necessity. I shot back. Considering your hard-headedness, I feel that Im about to repeat my actions.
Sound like you lack skill.
I grinned.
Now, boys, before you- my uncle began, but he was too late, as I was already dashing through the sky to get to my opponent.
Cerion hadnt expected my noiseless approach, being used to my explosive [Aura step], but still reacted quickly enough to block my initial blow. While he reacted too late to parry, his strength still surprised . Cerion had a dex build, so his firm stance didnt make any sense, unless
Youre tier 4.
Noticed, have you? Guilty! he teased back, before turning into a shimring image of himself made of water.
The image glided as it zigzagged towards , creating another water image each ti it zigged or zagged. By the ti it got to , two dozen water-Cerions had surrounded and were attacking from different directions.
In response to his new trick, I turned a big glob of overloaded mana into chains, which I sent whirling around and above . Most of the figures paused as they were shredded by the quickly spinning chains, before dispelling and unceremoniously dropping to the ground as a puddle.
One of the images, however, was only montarily held back as it struggled against the chains. It looked like it, too, was about to fall apart, but the water itself surged forward and through my makeshift defences. Then, the water reford into a full-sized Cerion, which regained its original colour and form and struck at .
I brought my bastard sword forward just in ti to block the strike, but had trouble as Cerion continued his assault.
Cerion was the better swordsman. I knew that. I had known that.
So why did it still sting to be so far behind, even after all this ti? If anything, he had widened the gap even further
I was quickly put on the back foot, forced to make small sacrifices and watch as cuts appeared on my flesh, before quickly being sealed.
I had several options here. Unfortunately, breaking swipe was the best one. Issue was, using it would leave a guaranteed cure mark on Cerion. One that neither of us could heal anymore. As a result, I simply couldnt bring myself to use the skill.
That left plan B.
Plan B involved using my essence to blind Cerion whenever he got too close to . Unfortunately, for Cerion, that is, this plan turned out to be ridiculously effective
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