At the sa ti as she walked over, Duke l sighed inwardly. He had not wanted to co so far for this event, but his daughter had refused to talk to him until she was brought.
Considering they were now fiances, it was not bad that she was attached to him, but he couldn't help but feel he was losing his daughter.
However, rembering what he had heard about Skynder after entering the Imperial Capital, he felt that perhaps it wasn't so bad. At the very least, his daughter would marry soone who had saved a future Duchess. In fact, perhaps it was an opportunity.
lly was ecstatic to see Skynder and instantly gave him a hug. Val, standing to the side, frowned.
Skynder half heartedly gave her a side hug back before she got off. Looking around, she felt embarrassed. She also noticed Val to the side, whose expression was back to a normal one.
Skynder spoke first. "lly, this is Val, the future Duchess of Vass."
lly was surprised and gave a slight bow.
"My na is lly, daughter of Duke l."
Val gave a slight bow herself.
"My na is Val, Skynder introduced already. Are you the fiancee that I've heard about?"
lly nodded.
Skynder looked off to the side, feeling awkward. After all, lly was his fiance, but it was no secret that Val had so feelings for him. He could ignore them, but it didn't make this situation any less awkward.
lly and Val began to speak. lly was innocently chatting, finding Val pleasing, while Val was secretly upset and inwardly disliked lly, not because of her personality or actions, but simply because she was Skynder's fiance.
After a mont, they both turned to Skynder, who spoke.
"Let's continue. Your mother had so people to introduce to?"
Val nodded. "Yes. Let's go."
Skynder and Val walked forward, with lly now coming along.
They quickly reached Duchess Vass, who looked at lly in surprise. "Well hello there."
lly bowed and introduced herself, though Duchess Vass already knew who she was.
"Skynder, co say hello to Marquess Gutren."
Skynder looked behind her and saw a kind looking middle aged man. Skynder bowed and introduced himself.
"I've heard a lot about you from Duchess Vass. She has a very good impression of you, though that's only natural considering the fact that you saved her daughter."
Skynder smiled and spoke. "I've also heard about you, sir."
Skynder spoke of so of the Marquess's known achievents, information gathered from history books, causing the Marquess to smile.
"I'm glad to be known by at least so of the youth nowadays. If you ever need sothing, you can always co talk to ."
His words were only said out of politeness, but Skynder thanked him for them nonetheless.
After that, Skynder was introduced to so of the other nobles around.
From Dukes to Marquess's to Earl's to Count's and even to a Baron or two.
Skynder exchanged polite words with each of them, and they as well to him.
lly and Val seed to beco background figures as Skynder montarily beca the center of attention.
He had planned to excuse himself soon after, but all of them appeared to be interested in him, so he stayed for a while. Before he realized it, the first event was soon to start. Skynder was offered to join all of them at a table, but he politely declined and returned to his aunt's side. Neither lly nor Val ca with him, returning to their family's sides.
The Emperor stood up.
As he did, the remaining chatter fell to absolute silence. He snapped his hand, and hundreds of servants entered the room.
In front of all of the nobles, an arena began to be constructed. Obviously, many parts had been made in advance to speed up its creation, but in the middle of the room, which was still extrely large, an arena slowly appeared. After around 20 minutes, the servants exited the room, leaving behind a well constructed arena.
The Emperor spoke. "Although the most talented among you have already been marked as potential Sword Masters, the talent of those below them, in many categories, may not necessarily be inferior. To showcase these talents to the world, three events will be held today. The first, a competition of technique. The second, a competition of physical strength. The third, a competition of intelligence. Let the first comnce."
As the Emperor spoke, Sword Master Deyr stepped onto the arena.
He spoke to the entire room. "Although there are many ways to test technique, in most of the world, swordsmanship is seen as the pinnacle. Therefore, I invite any youth under the age of 18 to spar among each other. Potential Sword Masters not included."
Every year, the first two competitions were the sa. A sparring between youths, as well as a lifting competition afterwards.
Usually, people hesitated to get on the arena, but this ti, an usually eager participant stepped on the stage.
Skynder's face did not change when he saw him, but he inwardly sighed
Grabbing one of the wooden swords, the young man spoke out. "Skynder of the Sky Barony. I challenge you."
This young man was none other than the person that Skynder had kicked in the stomach.
In the Imperial Capital, besides him saving the daughter of the Duchess, this was the most well known event regarding him.
It was due to this that nobody forgot the arrogance he held inside.
Skynder stood up. There was no chance of him losing. Despite being younger and not having truly practiced the sword, his sister, as always, was a potential Sword Master.
It was hard for others to comprehend the benefits of training with such a person. However, not only had he sparred against a potential Sword Master many tis, he had also seen one grow.
Seeing the changes in Skybelle's technique after each sparring session instinctually caused Skynder's Swordsmanship to grow.
Although he was nowhere near the talent of his sister, he was above average, without a doubt.
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