They left their room and headed towards the dining room, where they found Scarlett eating breakfast, oblivious to the sudden change in plans.
Yuto couldn't help but smile at the sight of Scarlett enjoying her meal (although it was a blood pack), blissfully unaware of the upcoming challenge that awaited him. He approached her and ruffled her hair as he spoke.
"Hey, Scarlett. Got something to tell you"
Scarlett looked up at her father, her curious eyes peeking from beneath her messy locks, her mouth still full of... blood.
"Hmm?" she managed to say, her voice somewhat muffled by the red liquid clinging to her lips.
Yuto chuckled at her messy appearance, "Swallow first, little one. Can't understand you when you're talking with your mouth full of blood"
Scarlett obliges, gulping down the blood and giving Yuto a grin. "Okay, I'm listening now," she said, tilting her head curiously.
Yuto sat beside her and spoke gently, "So, there's been a slight change in plans. We're heading out today"
Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise. "So soon? But, I thought we had more time," she protested, her excitement mixed with a hint of disappointment. She had grown accustomed to staying at his uncle's mansion, of course, who would blame her when her room was the size of his family cabin?
Yuto nodded. "I know, I know. But my uncle changed things up a bit. If I want to leave, I have to land a hit on him. Can you understand that?"
Scarlett's expression turned serious, considering the new challenge. "Of course, I understand," she replied, her voice steady. "You need to land a hit on your uncle to leave. I won't interfere in your fight, I promise"
Yuto smiled, relieved that Scarlett was taking it well. "Good girl," he said, ruffling her hair once more. "This is just part of my training, nothing to worry about"
Scarlett nodded, then a mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes. "Does that mean you'll fight him right now? I wanna see you kick his butt!"
["Me kick his ass? Not in a million years will I reach his level"]
Yuto chuckled at her eagerness, clearly enjoying the support. "That's the plan, little one. We'll head to the training ground and settle this right now"
"Yeah! Go get him, Father!" Scarlett said, her voice filled with excitement and encouragement
"I'll be watching from here!"
Yuto let out a chuckle and so did Mizuki, with such a supportive onlooker, they could not afford to lose and proceed to the training grounds.
"She has a lot of hope in us," Mizuki chuckled.
"Well, we will do our best to live up to such expectations"
-Training Grounds-
The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the training grounds as Clovis stood poised, muscles taut and ready, instead of the usual small sword he used to train against Yuto, he decided to use his greatsword specifically crafted for him to wield
A beauty like no other, its size was comparable to Clovis's height, a monster of a blade that has followed him through the hell that was war, along with his aura, reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
[ DRAGONBORN SWORD X WHITE AURA ]
A complete powerhouse of a man who had held the Demon King's army by the throat for decades, a respectable figure who was the only swordsman who could challenge Ryoko in his prime
On the other side, Yuto braced himself, gripping his sword tightly. His heart raced, pounding like crazy. Clovis was not just his uncle; he was a legend. The tales of his unmatched skill reverberated through the entire kingdom.
Sweat beaded on Yuto's brow as he prepared to engage in what felt like an impossible challenge.
"Are you ready, Yuto?" Clovis asked, his voice steady yet gentle, masking the flames of intensity that lay behind it. He stepped forward, embodying both patience and anticipation.
"This is not a game. Each movement counts, and each decision can lead to victory or defeat"
"Or will you let the past repeat?"
Yuto bit his lip and nodded, a mix of determination and fear flooding him. He had trained hard for moments like these, he promised Clovis that no matter the challenge he would never give up.
"I have also decided to let you use whatever trick you might have, rely on your skill and partner to win this fight"
"Mizuki!" he shouted as he opened his hand for Mizuki to turn into her sword form.
"I'm here Yuto”
Using the ring of Ernaline he created his dark suit of armor that wrapped around him, his long red scarf showed his determination as it glowed bright.
Yuto looked back at his Uncle, who was unfazed by his transformation and only released even more of his aura, showing the clear difference in power.
“Status Window”
Yuto Akimitsu
Title: Youngest Demon Prince
One-Sided Slaughter Victim
First Blood
Fallen Knight
Disciple of the Sword Saint
Class: Prince of Darkness
Level: 75
Stats: Strength 300 (1000) / Speed 155 / Agility 155 / Defense 200 (1000) / Health 1500 / Mana 250 (1000) / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000
Passive: Grace Healing
Blacksmiths Blessing
Cold-Hearted
Acting Genius
Warriors Pride
Skills: Shield Bash / Click to see more
Martial Art Collection: Click to see more
Even with all the power he accumulated over the past two years, it was nothing compared to the man known as the Sword Saint, "Shit, just his aura alone makes my knees go weak from fear"
"Just stay calm. His aura is intimidating, but you've trained for this. You're stronger than you think. You can do this"
["Not sure about that but I'll see this through to the end"]
[ Skill: Dash ]
With a swift motion, Yuto lunged forward, sword raised. But Clovis's reaction was instantaneous, he sidestepped gracefully, effortlessly avoiding the strike, before countering with a powerful blow of his own
The clash sent shockwaves through Yuto, the impact rattling his bones.
Yuto staggered but quickly regained his footing. He tried to remember his training; he had watched his uncle countless times, studying his techniques, and his movements.
In his mind, Yuto searched for the right strategy, a way to outmaneuver a master whose prowess was almost otherworldly.
Another attack surged from Yuto, this time faking to the left before swinging to the right.
Clovis anticipated it easily, parrying the blow and countering with a series of rapid strikes that Yuto struggled to keep up with
Yuto found himself on the defensive, a whirlwind of blows crashing against his guard. He maneuvered his blade frantically, but each attempt was met with a resounding clang as Clovis pushed him further back, forcing him into a corner with relentless aggression and precision.
"Focus, Yuto!" Clovis called out, his tone shifting to a deeper command
"It's not just about speed; it's about control. Harness your emotions!" The words reverberated in Yuto's mind, a call to regain composure amidst the onslaught
"Trust in your partner, ask her for help!"
Blood pounded in Yuto's ears, and he could feel the fatigue beginning to creep into his limbs.
Clovis's attacks were brutal, each swing carrying just a bit of his white aura, had Clovis not held back, Yuto's arms would have been gone, heck just the ground they were standing on would have been gone.
Yuto struggled to find an opening, but Clovis was an impenetrable wall, a master of defense showcasing his supremacy at every turn.
"Mizuki, please buff me!"
Without a second thought, she provided him with buffs needed to regain his stamina and strength.
+50 Attack
+50 Defense
+50 Speed
+50 Agility
Yuto took a sullen breath to steady himself, but it was as if the ground beneath him had turned to quicksand.
What started as excitement transformed into a mix of anger and despair. There was grit in his spirit, but the embodiment of raw talent stood before him, rendering his efforts futile.
Clovis capitalized on Yuto's hesitation, striking hard again, this time scoring a glancing blow to Yuto's side.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
A sharp gasp escaped Yuto as he stumbled, the pain mingling with the fervor to continue. He would not yield; he steeled himself, refusing to let this be the end of his attempt at proving himself.
The sun had begun to dip beneath the horizon, shadows elongating as if mirroring the struggle within Yuto.
He found a spark of defiance kindling in his heart, an ember that ignited a newfound determination.
"I-I swore to protect them when they return, I need to be a pillar for my mother and sister, so don't look down on me!"
He gritted his teeth and raised his sword once more, ready to charge despite the growing sense of dread.
With renewed vigor, he launched another assault, swinging fiercely. Clovis, however, watched with a calculating gaze, redirecting Yuto's momentum effortlessly.
The combination of experience and skill created a disparity that felt overwhelming, each blow Yuto threw met with practiced ease.
"A child can be fired up with anger as well, don't make me laugh, Yuto!"
Mizuki, who had been guiding Yuto's movements to some extent, could not keep quiet anymore.
‘Stay calm, don't let him get to you’
‘Your emotions are valuable tools, but if used recklessly, they can be your downfall’
"It's fine, Mizuki. Please guide me again," Yuto's smile widened, Mizuki would always have his back, the lesson he learned from the beginning.
Mizuki smiles as she appears in her spiritual form.
‘I'm here. Focus on the subtle openings. He's strong, but even he must have some blind spots. Use his overconfidence to your advantage, though I'm sure you might end up with a broken arm'
Although he began to see a pattern, it was clear that Clovis was holding back tremendously as he danced around Yuto like a leaf caught in the wind, dodging, parrying, and retaliating in a brutal display of pure muscle.
Each contact was a reminder of his uncle's relentless superiority, even dodging unexpected swings of the fist.
[ Fireball: Tier 4 ]
A giant fireball shot out of Yuto's hand, it was bigger than the small one he made two years ago, but Clovis did not care about the heat and merely deflected it with his fist.
He then rushed Yuto, punching him in the gut causing Yuto to stumble back under the weight of a powerful strike. The pain coursed through him, but he drew from that pain, transforming it into adrenaline.
Breathing heavily, he felt the burning embers of spirit remind him of why he fought—to learn, to grow, and to honor the bond they shared
Yuto cleared his mind, and with the help of Mizuki saw an opportunity. He feigned a low strike to draw Clovis into an expected counter before pivoting swiftly to deliver a sudden uppercut.
Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to that singular moment as he swung his sword with everything he had
The blade connected—against Clovis's forearm—grazing through the armor of mastery he wore
An echoing clink reverberated through the clearing, and Clovis truly sensed the burgeoning potential within his nephew for the first time in the duel. A hint of surprise flickered across his face.
"That's it!" Clovis exclaimed, admiration drifting into his tone. "You've learned!" A glimmer of respect flickered in his eyes. It was a subtle acknowledgment, yet monumental in the grand scheme of their battle.
But as quickly as it came, Clovis returned to his stance, the cascading waves of experience surrounding him once more. "Now, let's see if you can sustain that intensity!" he shouted, rallying himself for another onslaught.
Yuto breathed heavily, feeling the rush of exhilaration coursing through him: not just from landing a strike, but from the sheer thrill of fighting. The adrenaline coursed, fueling him to continue.
Clovis, observing his nephew's growth, felt pride swell within him. The duel was serving its purpose; he was molding Yuto into the man his Father wanted him to be
Exhaustion began to set in, but the joy of guiding Yuto through this brutal fight outweighed everything else. The beautiful chaos of sweat, blood, and laughter merged into one.
'Ryoko, your son is just like you, maybe he can do what we couldn't, I could only teach him so much'
Clovis's concentration wavered just for a moment, and Yuto charged, swinging his sword with all the fury of the passions untamed within him. His blade finally made contact, grazing Clovis's forearm.
Clovis looked at the small mark left by Yuto's blow, both surprised and impressed. "Good, Yuto," he exclaimed, a rare grin forming on his lips.
Yuto's eyes widened as a wave of shock washed over him. He had done it. He had landed a hit on his Uncle!
The realization sent an exhilarating rush through his veins, filling him with a renewed sense of determination.
"You have passed, I am, proud of you"
Yuto's surprise turned into a mix of relief and pride. He could hardly believe he had earned his uncle's approval. It felt like a monumental achievement, something he had worked for, and trained for, and now, he had accomplished it.
"Thank you," he managed to say, his voice a bit shaky from the adrenaline still coursing through his body.
<- System ->
[ Cancel the Rings Effects? ]
[ Yes or No ]
[ The host has clicked Yes ]
The armor disappeared and Yuto still had a stupid smile on his face, "And you lass," he pointed at Mizuki as she returned to her physical form, "Please do your best to support my nephew"
Mizuki smiled as she materialized in front of Yuto, her spirit as radiant as ever. "Of course, Sir Clovis," she replied with a nod. She looked up at Yuto, her gaze filled with unwavering determination.
"Don't you worry, I'll always be there to support him"
Passive: Grace Healing
All of Yuto's wounds healed, and Clovis wasn't even faced as back in the early days of Yuto's training Yuto would be full of wounds and bruises.
They could feel angry eyes looking at them. It was Scarlett, she was squeezing a blood pack while looking very angry at Clovis.
Yuto chuckled faintly as he noticed the intense look in Scarlett's eyes. He could see her frustration. She was upset, but he couldn't help but find her endearing.
He walked over to her, a smile playing on his lips. "You didn't like what you saw, huh?" he teased gently.
Scarlett pouted and crossed her arms, her gaze still fixed on Clovis. "Of course, I didn't like it! He was being too rough with you," she huffed. "It looked painful"
"Well, he wasn't going to go easy on me, he had to know I was strong enough to protect what's dear to me"
Scarlett's pout deepened. "I know, but still... You got hurt," she mumbled, clearly not liking the idea of him getting hurt.
Yuto placed a comforting hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly. "I'm fine, really," he reassured her, his voice soft. "It's all part of the training. I need to get stronger, and this was how it had to be"
"And guess what, we can finally explore the world now"
Scarlett's attention instantly shifted from her anger towards Clovis to Yuto's words. Her eyes widened in excitement, and her pout vanished as a smile spread across her face.
"Really?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation. "We're finally leaving?"
Yuto nodded, unable to suppress his excitement. "Yes, we are. It's time to venture out and see the world beyond this forest," he said, a hint of adventure lacing his voice.
Scarlett's grin grew wider, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable anticipation. She jumped up and down, her earlier frustration completely forgotten.
"This is amazing! I can't wait to explore and see new places!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure childish glee.
Yuto chuckled at her excitement, her infectious enthusiasm mirroring his eagerness to embark on this journey. "I know, right? There's so much to see and discover out there," he affirmed, his smile growing in response to her infectious energy.
"But we need to be careful, too," he added, his tone becoming slightly more serious. "The world out there can be dangerous, and we need to be prepared"
Scarlett nodded, her excitement now tinged with a touch of caution. "I know," she replied, her voice slightly quieter but still filled with anticipation. "But we'll be together, right? We'll look out for each other"
Yuto smiled as he ruffled her hair, "Now please go pack our things, I have many things I need to speak about with my uncle"
Scarlett nodded eagerly. "Alright, I'll go pack our stuff!" she replied, her previous frustration with Clovis seemingly forgotten in her excitement for the upcoming adventure. She quickly scampered off toward her room to start packing.
As Scarlett left Yuto turned his attention back to Clovis, a more serious expression on his face now that Scarlett was gone.
"There's something I need to ask you," Yuto said, his tone serious. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
Clovis turned his gaze towards Yuto, a look of curiosity in his eyes. "What is it?" he inquired, his voice steady and attentive.
"It's about my father," Yuto started, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of sadness.
"I was wondering if you could tell me more about him. His dreams, his ambitions, and the things that were important to him"
Clovis's expression softened as Yuto asked about his father. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and respect.
"Your father," he began, "was a remarkable person. He had a vision, a dream for the future of this kingdom. He was ambitious, strong-willed, and fiercely determined to protect what he held dear"
Clovis paused for a moment, memories of his brother flooding his mind.
"He was a dedicated swordsman, always seeking to improve and become stronger. But above all, he was devoted to his family, to"
"To us," Yuto finished quietly, his eyes reflecting the weight of those words. He could sense the profound love and respect that his uncle had for his father, making his absence even more palpable.
"But, if you want to know more, you have to ask your mother, I think she said she was visiting your guy's family cabin. It is almost time for your father's birthday"
Yuto's eyes widened at the mention of his mother. "My mother... is visiting the family cabin?" he repeated, a mixture of surprise and longing in his voice. Memories of the cabin and his family flooded his mind.
"I want to see her," Yuto said, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination.
The thought of being able to visit his mother and the cabin, a place that held so many memories, was both comforting and bittersweet.
"When can we leave?"
"Well, right now, I guess, that speed of your daughter's packing is terrifying. She already packed everything"
Yuto blinked, a surprised expression on his face. "Seriously?" he asked, somewhat incredulously.
"She packed everything already?"
Clovis nodded a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, she did. That girl can move faster than a speeding train when she's excited"
Yuto chuckled, a mix of admiration and disbelief coloring his voice. "That's insane," he remarked. "She really can be quite efficient when she wants to be"
Mizuki smiled as she pushed Yuto forward, Yuto stumbled forward, caught off guard by Mizuki's sudden push.
He regained his balance and shot her a playful glare. "Hey, what was that for?" he teased, a smile dancing on his lips.
Mizuki chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just helping you get moving, that's all," she replied innocently.
Clovis snickered, clearly amused by their banter. "You two are something," he commented, shaking his head slightly.
Yuto rolled his eyes, feigning irritation, but he couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Yeah, yeah, alright," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "Let's just get going, before Scarlett packs up the entire kingdom alongside our things"
They made their way to the stables, where their horses were saddled and ready to go. Scarlett was already waiting there, eagerly bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"I'm ready! Let's go, let's go!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.
Yuto chuckled at her enthusiasm, patting her head gently. "Slow down, Scarlett. We're going, we're going," he said amusedly.
Scarlett pouted slightly at his words, clearly impatient to be on their way. "But I've been waiting so long. Can't we hurry up?" she asked, looking up at Yuto with pleading eyes.
Yuto chuckled again, still amused by her eagerness. "We'll go as fast as we can, but it's a bit of a journey to the cabin, so you'll have to be patient," he replied, mounting his horse.
Scarlett crossed her arms, still pouty but resigned that they would have to take their time. "Fine," she huffed, "I'll try to be patient, but no promises"
Mizuki chuckled at Scarlett's protest, finding her impatience endearing. "Don't worry, little one," she said, her voice filled with playful reassurance. "We'll get there before you know it"
Scarlett huffed again, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You better," she replied stubbornly, hopping onto her horse.
Yuto laughed, shaking his head at Scarlett's stubbornness. "Don't worry, we're not going to leave you behind," he reassured her, patting her horse gently.
Clovis chuckled, a small smile appeared, "So this is it, after two years you're finally leaving"
Yuto turned his attention back to Clovis, a bit of solemnity returning to his expression.
"Yeah," he said, his voice carrying a hint of bittersweetness. "It's been a long time coming, and it feels a bit surreal to finally be on our way"
Clovis nodded, his expression softening as he looked at Yuto. "Just know this, my boy," he said, his voice firm yet affectionate.
"I may not be your father, but you have become like a son to me. I have always been proud of you, and I always will be"
Yuto's eyes widened slightly at his uncle's words, a mixture of surprise and gratitude filling him.
He wasn't expecting such an emotional confession from his uncle. A lump formed in his throat, and he had to swallow before he could speak
"Thank you, Uncle Clovis," he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. "That means more to me than you know"
"You're welcome," Clovis replied, his expression warm.
"Now go on, before Scarlett explodes with impatience"
Yuto laughed, the moment of emotion passing and the lightheartedness returning.
"Right, we better get going before she turns into a whirlwind," he said, glancing at Scarlett, who was indeed getting restless and impatient.
"Finally," Scarlett exclaimed, her impatience reaching its limit. "Let's go, let's go!"
Mizuki chuckled at Scarlette's eagerness, shaking her head slightly. "Alright, alright, we're going," she said, reining her horse forward.
Yuto laughed again, amused by Scarlette's restlessness. "Just relax, Scarlette. We're on our way now"
He guided his horse forward, and the group began their journey towards the family cabin.
They rode for hours, stopping only briefly to rest and eat. Scarlette, despite her earlier impatience, eventually wore herself out and fell asleep in her saddle.
Mizuki chuckled at the sight of Scarlette snoozing peacefully, "Looks like someone finally tuckered herself out"
Yuto, with tired eyes, couldn't agree more, "How much energy does she have?"
Mizuki chuckled again, a mix of admiration and weariness in her voice. "I don't know, but it's endless"
Yuto chuckled weakly, shifting in his saddle. "Tell me about it. I've never seen someone so energetic."
He glanced at Scarlett, who was snoozing peacefully, her small form moving gently with the rhythm of the horse. A small pang of fondness tugged at his heart.
"She's a handful, that's for sure," Mizuki said, her voice softening as she looked at Scarlette too.
"But she's also a bundle of energy, excitement, and innocence. It's endearing, in a way"
Yuto nodded, a small smile forming on his tired face. "Yeah, it is. She's like a ray of sunshine, always bright and infectious."
He looked at Scarlette for a moment, remembering how excited she had been to leave.
"But I have to admit, it's going to be a challenge keeping up with her energy on this journey"
"Oh and how long until we reach the cabin?" Mizuki asked
Yuto glanced at the sky, trying to gauge the time. "It should be a few more hours, at least," he replied, stretching a bit in the saddle.
"I guess we'll reach the cabin by nightfall if we keep a steady pace"
Mizuki nodded, a sigh escaping her as she also began to feel the soreness in her body. "Good, I could use a comfortable bed right now," she remarked, rubbing her neck.
"My body is starting to protest this constant riding"
Yuto chuckled wearily, his body echoing her words. "You and I both. My backside is already beginning to protest too," he said, shifting in the saddle again to try and find a more comfortable position.
The group continued their journey, the hours stretching and the sun slowly beginning to dip below the horizon.
Scarlett eventually woke up from her nap, rubbing her eyes and looking around clearly.
"Are we there yet?" she asked groggily, her voice still laced with sleep.
Yuto chuckled at her sleepy question, a hint of sympathy in his tone. "Not yet, little one. We still have a few more hours to go."
He glanced at the sky, the light from the setting sun casting a warm glow on the surroundings.
Scarlette pouted a bit, her sleepy eyes still slightly dazed. "But I'm tired and hungry," she protested, a hint of a whine in her voice.
Yuto chuckled again, shaking his head gently. "I know, but we need to keep going. We'll rest and eat once we reach the cabin, I promise"
After a few more hours
-Yuto's family Cabin-
As they finally reached the family cabin, the sky was now a canvas of deep blues and purples.
The cabin, a small wooden structure, sat nestled amongst tall trees and a field of wildflowers. There was a sense of comfort and familiarity that emanated from the place.
Scarlette perked up as soon as the cabin came into view. "We're here!" she exclaimed eagerly, bouncing in her saddle.
Yuto smiled tiredly, the sight of the cabin bringing a mix of nostalgia and exhaustion. "Yep, we're here," he confirmed, his voice tinged with tiredness.
He dismounted his horse, wincing as his legs protested after the long ride.
Yuto saw Cynthia, and his smile widened, "Mizuki, can you take Scarlett elsewhere for a bit?"
Mizuki nodded, sensing Yuto's intention. "Of course," she replied, gently guiding Scarlett down from her horse. "Come on, little one. Let's give Yuto some space for a moment"