Arx: "Oh? I didn't expect I'd meet you here... Aleria."

...

Aleria: "Brother, what brings you here?"

Arx: "Nothing in particular."

He took a seat beside Aleria.

Arx: "It's been a while since we've talked like this, face-to-face. You've changed, Aleria. There's no longer any sign of your cheerfulness. The little sister who always used to chase after me whenever I trained is no longer present. Everything about you has changed since you left the household. You are no longer the Aleria that I know."

Aleria: "I wanted to become stronger, brother, stronger than anyone in this academy. I wanted to be recognized... by you, by mother, and by father."

Arx: "You killed an offspring of Sythragos. That's more than enough to consider yourself formidable, Aleria."

Aleria responded with silence.

Arx: "Say, Aleria, have you ever thought of inheriting Zelyuero?"

These words that came out of Arx's mouth surprised Aleria.

Aleria: "N-no... though I made my sword technique to replicate Zelyuero, I never had the idea of inheriting it. (Why is it so sudden..?)"

Arx: "Then, prove yourself, Aleria. Not as a student of Yribdeinos, but as a part of our bloodline."

Arx stood up from the table.

Arx: "I'll be waiting, Aleria. Tell me whenever you are ready."

Aleria: "Then, in that case..."

As Arx walked away, Aleria threw a glove at him.

Aleria: "In the Blade Selection, I, Aleria Von Azarkey, challenge Arx Von Azarkey to a duel."

Arx: "I will be looking forward to that."

Arx kept the glove as he exited the library. Though short, their conversation meant something...

...

Later that night, Arx was on the training grounds, honing Zelyuero and preparing for the upcoming friendly tournament when he sensed something.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Arx: "Just come out. You're terrible at concealing your aura."

???: "Come on now, you didn't have to point that out."

Arx: "So? What brings you here... Denxel?"

Denxel: "Greetings, Arx. You came here at Yribdeinos sooner than I imagined. As a welcome greeting, would you like to have a spar with me?"

Arx: "A spar, huh? It's been a while since we've done that."

Denxel: "Indeed. I've been looking forward to testing my skills against you again."

Arx: "Alright, let's see if you've improved since the last time."

Arx and Denxel stood across from each other on the training grounds, the moon casting long shadows over their forms. They locked eyes, both determined to test their limits.

Arx: "I am ready when you are."

Denxel: "Is that so? Then..."

Denxel moved first, summoning a pillar of earth from the ground to launch himself into the air. With a swift motion, he conjured a blade of light in his hand and descended upon Arx with a powerful strike. Arx parried, the clash of their weapons echoing through the training halls.

Denxel: "You're not holding back, are you?"

Arx: "I never do."

Arx countered with a swift series of strikes, his blade moving like a blur. Denxel matched his speed, blocking each attack with precision. They moved in a deadly dance, neither gaining the upper hand.

Denxel: "Prepare yourself, Arx."

Denxel stomped the ground, causing the earth to tremble. Spires of rock erupted around Arx, forcing him to dodge and weave through the sudden obstacles. Denxel followed up with a barrage of light arrows, each one aimed with deadly accuracy.

Arx: "Two at once, huh?"

Arx focused his energy, his blade glowing with a fierce mana imbued to it. He sliced through the earth spires with ease and deflected the light arrows with a series of swift, precise movements. Closing the distance between them, Arx launched a flurry of attacks, pushing Denxel back.

Denxel: "You'll never find an opening."

Denxel summoned a barrier of light, blocking Arx's onslaught. With a powerful thrust, he shattered the barrier, sending shards of light flying towards Arx. Arx dodged and countered with a powerful strike, aiming for Denxel's midsection.

Arx: "I'll find a way through."

Their blades clashed again, sparks flying as they pushed each other to their limits. Denxel summoned a massive boulder and hurled it at Arx. Arx leapt over it, using the momentum to deliver a downward strike. Denxel blocked with his light blade, the force of the impact causing the ground to crack beneath them.

Denxel: "Relentless as always."

Arx: "Adapt or fall."

Denxel's eyes narrowed, and he summoned his full power. The ground around him glowed with an ethereal light as he channelled his Earth and Light affinities into a single, devastating attack.

---

Denxel Vellheim, the second born of the Noble Family Vellheim, stood before Arx. One of Arx's close acquaintances from childhood, along with Axzeroth and Siesta, Denxel used to spar countless times with Arx. However, those spars eventually came to an end after Arx secluded himself to become stronger. As a prodigy of the Vellheims, Denxel possesses a calm personality, which benefits him on the battlefield. His proficiency in Earth and Light magic makes him a versatile combatant. With Earth magic, he commands the ground beneath his feet, creating barriers and launching boulders with ease. His Light magic grants him powerful offensive capabilities and healing properties, allowing him to summon blades of light and fire beams of pure energy. This combination makes Denxel a formidable force, ascending the ranks, winning the Blade Selection, and eventually becoming the third blade of Yribdeinos.

On the other hand, Arx's magic affinity is the element that best represents their family: darkness. At a young age, Arx once visited his mother's family residence, the Vonenwals, where he learned how to extract and manipulate mana, coinciding with his discovery of his affinity for dark magic. Arx's control over darkness allows him to create a clone of his own, extending his combination of attacks. He can envelop himself in shadows, making his movements unpredictable and granting him a tactical advantage. Additionally, he can summon a whirlpool of darkness to ensnare and immobilize his opponents, drawing them into a vortex of shadow. These abilities are only a few of what he has in his repertoire.

---

Arx braced himself, focusing all his energy into his blade.

Denxel: "Let's end this."

Arx: "Then, I'll get a little serious."

Denxel unleashed a massive beam of light, the ground splitting open as the energy surged towards Arx. Arx met the attack head-on, his blade slicing through the beam with sheer force of will. The resulting explosion sent both of them flying back, landing hard on the ground.

Breathing heavily, they slowly got to their feet. Both were battered and bruised, but mutual respect was evident. They charged at each other again, their swords clashing with renewed intensity. Dark shadows and brilliant light intertwined, creating a dazzling display of power. The fight lasted longer, each attack more ferocious than the last.

Finally, they both swung their swords for a decisive strike. The impact of their blades created a shockwave, and as the dust settled, both their weapons lay cut in half. The battle ended in a stalemate.

...

Denxel: "Hah... to think it'd be a draw... well, I guess this is good enough. You've become stronger than before, Arx."

Arx: "It's the same for you. To think you'd use a multi-casting strategy, you gave me a hard time."

Denxel: "I did, huh? Well, it's time for me to go. We should have a duel some other time."

Arx nodded in response as Denxel walked out the training halls. Arx took a look around him, he sighed in place.

Arx: "Now then... how should I clean this mess..."

...