Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Chapter 9 Cyan trial! Is He worthy or not!
"Hey, Master."
Keyram layer on the unyielding rock with a sleepish posture, repeatedly indulging in yawns.
Fixing her gaze on me, she asked, "What brings you seeking my powers?"
"To wield your power," I responded in a tone devoid of enthusiasm.
"Do you perceive the legend of Demonic Sword as commonplace, akin to a kitchen knife on a chopping board? Is this an act of disregarding a relic?"
she pointed out.
"I've told you. Right now, using your powers would be risky, Displaying a demonic relic like you recklessly would be asking to get killed,"
I countered.
Far away, Eulken, who watched my moves 24/7 vigilantly.Though only I could perceive Keyram's presence, caution was essential against impulsive actions.
"You do know that a blade which is unsheathed for a long time loses its edges? The same applies to your unique power," she argued.
"You're speaking too seriously towards a ten year old kid."
"What kid!!!.You a kid!
[Look at my body! I've reawakened after countless years and crave the taste of blood once more! When do you plan to use me?" ]
she complained like a child tantrum.
In a swift shift, she transformed into mist, disappearing into the dagger in my pocket.
Despite her arguing, half of her day was spent sleeping . It was understandable; maintaining a tangible form needlessly drained her strength. Despite feeling a little bad, the current circumstances left me no choice.
At least until I entered Remaya Valley, her usefulness remains hidden. I resumed my swordsmanship practice, the month's deadline set by my father looming merely three days away.
Continuous physical training and sword drills occupied my time, readying myself for the impending trial's nature. To confront demons on the battlefield, honing genuine combat instincts was important .
My attempt to talk with Cranz proved futile as he avoided me like plague , even after recovering from injuries.
Perhaps i shouldn't had beaten him to a pulp, I layed on the ground, after stretching,while thinking about my spar with sister Ellis. Thinking if a suitable sparring partner lurked nearby, a realization struck.
"Hey, Eulken! Are you around?"
I threw my head back, peering into the depths of the forest. Eulken emerged seconds later, swiftly approaching me.
"What is it, young master?"
Surprise flickered across his face at my pinpointed location.
"Nothing big. Can you do me a favor?"
"Speak, please."
"Can you with me spar!"
"What?"
Beads of sweat formed on Eulken's face, the request unexpected and peculiar. Yet, sincerity underpinned my proposal.
"A sparring match with Young Master, RIGHT NOW?"
"Yes! The day father is going to test me is coming near , and swinging my sword into thin air doesn't seem right. I want to sharpen my combat senses. Will you help?"
"I'm sorry, but aren't other knights are present for sparring. My duty is to escort you, not to train you,"
he explained.
"That's exactly why I'm asking. This is a personal request, different from my father's orders. You don't have to spar with me, just fend against my attacks. Won't be too hard, right?"
The strange request received Eulken's reluctant agreement. What harm could arise from him parrying without counterstrikes?
"If that's your wish, I shall comply. Using my sword's scabbard, I'll defend as you desire."
Bowing politely, Eulken drew his sword, a Knight's Order elite piece, the scabbard matching renowned swords in strength. "Thanks. One more thing before we start…" "Speak, please."
"For this spar, don't report anything to my father."
"What?"
Eulken's expression changed from usual stoic expression he had. His duty was to protect and monitor my every move. The bold son who declared his wish to join the front lines – my father would be extremely curious about the nature of my training. There was no reason he should fail to report today's sparring to the Duke.
"It's not a request but an order. As a son of the Vert family, I command you not to disclose anything about this to anyone. Do you understand?"
A fresh bead of sweat traced Eulken's cheek. Contemplating my authority to issue such a command, he, among the most honorable knights, displayed a conflicted expression. His loyalty to the Duke was unwavering, evident in his readiness to wade through the vilest sludge if commanded. Had I proceeded with the spar without saying anything, he surely would have reported the event to the Duke. Hence the need for this command. Eulken's primary mission was to protect the Duke, and my delegated authority, as someone directly charged by the Duke, warranted such a command. Some might scoff, but for this knight, it held weight.
"I understand, young master. I swear upon the honor as a knight that I will not divulge any information regarding this sparring."
With a knight's oath, Eulken pledged, assuring me of his silence.
"Thanks, Eulken. Shall we begin?"
As I raised my sword, Eulken defensively positioned the scabbard. Armed with a definitive promise, a semblance of fun might be indulged.
These past days left me yearning for action, with Cranz absent and unexpected fight with sister Ellis.
With a decisive leap, I charged. – Clang! The first strike unleashed, my body twisted, executing desired blows freely. Eulken flawlessly caught every swing, deflecting none.
A thrilling synergy of vibrating blades and an exhilarating rush surged within me. The dormant aspirations of a swordsman reawakened. As minutes passed, my lips curled upward while Eulken's expression grew somber.
Though defense posed no challenge, it was hard to believe these were the sword skills of a mere ten-year-old. About ten minutes into the assault, a refreshing sense of fulfillment washed over me, as though completing a set exercise routine.
Concluding with a downward slash aimed at his head, I halted my attack.
"Good work, Eulken! Thanks for the help!"
"Y-you worked hard, young master…"
My cheerful smile met Eulken's awkward bow. Inspecting his scabbard, I noticed minor damage despite its superior hardness
. "It seems I've unintentionally damaged it. Should I compensate?"
"No, young master! I can handle the repairs myself. Please don't worry about it!"
Though brimming with questions, Eulken refrained from asking, ensuring no one else learned of the sparring session. A truly faithful knight.
"What do you think Eulken?"
"About what, young master?"
"The trial my father is preparing. Do you know anything about it?"
"I regret to inform you that I'm uninformed, as I've been accompanying you recently."
Even if he knew, he wouldn't divulge…
"What could he be preparing? Perhaps a sparring match with several high-ranking knights like you? Or maybe father himself will face me?"
As the day of their trial drew nearer, curiosity burgeoned. What qualifications did the Duke speak of, and what had he prepared for the trial? Curiosity tinged with odd anticipation surfaced within me.
"...It won't be that,"
surprisingly, quiet Eulken spoke up.
"Though it's only my conjecture, I don't believe the Duke would prepare something like a duel with people. The Duke sees far beyond what we can imagine, so he must have arranged a trial fitting his vision."
Indeed, he has a different perspective. Having served my father much longer than I have, he'd know him better.
"But as for you, young master…"
"…?"
"I suppose… no matter the trial, you would overcome it without issue."
For the first time, the stoic knight revealed a gentle smile. Receiving acknowledgment from an elite knight was a dance-worthy joy.
It was a strange but not unpleasant feeling.
* * *
Time swiftly passed, and the day of the promise arrived. Knights from the frontline had been waiting in the courtyard since dawn to take me with them.
With nothing to prepare, I followed them after breakfast. From the windows of the mansion, hundreds of eyes watched me leave.
Nobody was permitted to accompany me, and among the dozens of knights, I was the only one under protection.
After a thirty-minute carriage ride through uninhabited wilderness, we arrived.
As I stepped out, I immediately faced the Duke.
" The youngest son of the Verts greets Patriarch."
"Come, Cyan. Are you ready?"
Without any small talk, he directly asked if I was ready to undertake the trial.
"Of course. I am prepared to start at any moment."
"Once more I ask: if you reconsider now, I will let you go without a word. Do you truly want to go to the frontier?"
"My sentiments have not wavered since I first expressed them. My heart is still set on the frontlines."
Seeing my unwavering resolve, the Duke nodded.
"Responsibility accompanies every action, and one must be qualified to bear that responsibility. If you wish to uphold the beliefs of the Vert family, you must earn that right. Now, let's see just how strong your resolve is."
Having spoken, the Duke commanded the knights.
"Release it."
Following his command, the knights brought forth something massive. It looked like a huge cage designed to imprison someone. As they unwrapped the giant covering, the truth of the Duke's prepared trial came to light.
"Rrrrr…"
Within the cage, eyes filled with madness glared at me, those of a creature not native to this land.
To think the Duke would prepare such a trial. Despite trying to maintain composure, my lips twitched uncontrollably. The Hellhound of demons. The cruel predator from the demon realm licked its jowls greedily, as if wanted to devour and tear me shreds.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Flowerhead_Evan
Flowerhead_Evan Like it ? Add to library!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone