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Eldurva I: The Frozen Sword
Chapter 8: hidden gem

Chapter 8: hidden gem

Morning light crept through the curtains, casting a gentle, golden glow on the room as Eleonor stirred awake from her slumber. As she lay in bed for a few moments, gathering her thoughts, her mind drifted to the image of Leo. Vivid recollections of their conversations, his dedication to training, and the glimpse of vulnerability he had revealed during their talk the previous day filled her mind.

Her genuine curiosity about him had deepened, and she found herself eager to know more. His upcoming duel was a test of his strength, and she couldn’t help but worry for his well-being. Her admiration for his determination and resilience had grown, and she was determined to support him in any way she could.

After rising from her cozy bed, Eleonor dressed herself and made her way downstairs to the dining area. As she settled into her chair at the grand dining table, her thoughts inevitably circled back to Leo’s duel. She knew he had chosen seclusion to prepare, and she wondered how he was faring in his training room, where he was likely training until he was on the brink of collapse.

Finishing her breakfast, Eleonor resolved to gather information about Leo’s opponent for the duel. Knowing more about the challenger might provide Leo with an advantage, allowing him to prepare for the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Her first destination was the heart of the city, where the local news board stood. People from all walks of life passed by, pausing to read or exchange the latest information. Eleonor scanned the board for any information about upcoming duels and challengers but found no mention of Leo or his opponent.

Determined not to be discouraged, she continued her quest by visiting the training facility and speaking with some of the other trainees from various platoons. Their insights on duels and the reputation of the fighters might provide valuable information. However, none of them seemed to be aware of Leo’s upcoming challenge, and they couldn’t offer any clues about his mysterious opponent.

Undeterred, Eleonor decided to visit the city’s archives. She hoped to find historical records that could shed light on the nature of duels in this region. As Eleonor and her brother Max lived their entire lives in their father’s mansion. They didn’t know a lot about the capital. The archives were a quiet place, filled with dusty old books and scrolls, an atmosphere of history and wisdom enveloping the room. Eleonor approached the librarian, an elderly woman with kind eyes, and inquired about the availability of records pertaining to duels and fighters in the city.

The librarian was more than willing to assist and directed Eleonor to a section of the archives where documents on dueling and martial competition were stored. Hours slipped away as Eleonor meticulously examined the old records, some of which dated back several generations. She discovered information on legendary duelists and their victories, but nothing about Leo or his upcoming match.

Eleonor’s determination remained unshaken. She spent the rest of the day talking to locals, inquiring at the training facility, and exploring different avenues in her quest to uncover information about Leo’s opponent. Yet, despite her efforts, the challenger remained an enigma.

As evening descended and the city’s lanterns began to cast their warm glow, Eleonor found herself in a small, quaint tavern. She hoped that a change of scenery and a chat with the locals might lead her to the answers she sought. When she walked into the tavern all the clients looked at her probably wondering what a kid was doing in a bar. She ordered some soup, took a sip, and observed the lively interactions around her.

A group of individuals huddled at a corner table, speaking in hushed tones. Their furtive glances and secretive demeanor piqued Eleonor’s curiosity. She decided to approach them, her charismatic charm masking her true intentions.

As she neared their table, one of the men noticed her presence and nodded in acknowledgment. She offered a friendly smile and engaged in casual conversation, gradually steering it towards the topic of dueling and fighters in the city.

One of the men, who introduced himself as Gareth, finally leaned in and whispered, “You seem interested in dueling. There’s a duel scheduled in a couple of months, but it’s quite vague. It’s whispered to be a special challenge, and the fighter behind it remains concealed.”

Eleonor’s heart quickened. This was exactly the information she had been searching for. With a note of genuine curiosity, she inquired, “What can you tell me about this special challenge? Any clues or rumors?”

Gareth’s voice lowered further, and he glanced around to ensure they weren’t overheard. “The rumors suggest that the one who proposed the duel is a prodigious fighter, a hidden gem with exceptional skills. No one knows who they are, but there’s an air of anticipation surrounding this duel. It’s also one of the only duels that allows spectators so there’s a lot of commotion about it.”

The revelation sent a chill down Eleonor’s spine. Could this mysterious opponent be the one challenging Leo? She couldn’t be certain, but the timing and secrecy aligned with the situation. However, she knew she couldn’t jump to conclusions.

She continued her conversation with Gareth, probing for more information about the upcoming duel. He divulged details about the city’s underground dueling scene, a world concealed from the prying eyes of the nobility. This was the arena where fighters honed their skills and tested their mettle.

As the evening progressed, Eleonor realized that she had stumbled upon a promising lead. She thanked Gareth and his associates for their insights and returned to the mansion, her mind buzzing with newfound information. The details about the mysterious duel and its undisclosed challenger weighed heavily on her thoughts.

Upon returning to her room, Eleonor couldn’t help but think of Leo again, who was deep in seclusion, battling his own inner and outer challenges. She wondered how he was faring, what thoughts were running through his mind, and whether he, too, felt the weight of the unknown. The image of him, alone in his training room, remained etched in her thoughts, shrouded in an air of mystery that she longed to uncover.

The moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting a gentle silver glow across the mansion’s garden. Eleonor, who had been tossing and turning in her bed, finally decided to surrender to her restless thoughts and venture outside. She had more questions than answers, and the mystery surrounding Leo’s upcoming duel continued to weigh on her mind.

Dressed in a simple robe, Eleonor stepped into the serene night. The air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers and freshly trimmed hedges. The night was still and quiet, broken only by the distant songs of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves in the garden.

As she wandered amidst the well-tended greenery, her thoughts inevitably turned to the duel. She couldn’t help but wonder what Leo was doing at this very moment. The image of his dedication filled her thoughts, and she found herself admiring his tenacity. “I shouldn’t slack off either,” she said to herself. Eleonor started to run laps on the training grounds.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

With each step she took, the memories of their conversation replayed in her mind. The tales he had shared about his past, the challenges he had overcome, and his aspirations. There was a fire in his spirit, a relentless pursuit of self-improvement that she found both inspiring and intriguing.

But there was another layer to Leo that had piqued her interest. His vulnerability, which he had briefly revealed during their conversation, was a side she longed to understand better. What had made him this way? What were the secrets he harbored, not only from others but also from himself? Eleonor couldn’t deny that a part of her was drawn to uncovering the mysteries that surrounded him.

As she continued her run through the training grounds, the moonlight began to dance on the surface of a small pond. Eleonor found herself drawn to the tranquil waters, the gentle ripples reflecting the night sky like a canvas painted with stars. She knelt by the pond, her fingers lightly grazing the surface as her thoughts spiraled deeper into contemplation.

The whispers of the night seemed to echo the unanswered questions that filled her mind. What was the nature of the mysterious duel? Who was the concealed challenger that had cast a shroud of secrecy over the event? And how would it impact Leo’s journey and their growing connection?

A sense of purpose began to form within Eleonor. She realized that she couldn’t sit idly by, waiting for answers to come to her. If she wanted to understand Leo and the enigmatic challenges that lay ahead, she would have to venture deeper into the shadows. With a determined resolve, she knew that her quest for knowledge and her growing connection with Leo had now become intertwined.

With the moon as her guiding light, Eleonor left the garden and returned to her room. Eleonor’s nights were often consumed by the dance of fire and magic. As someone hailed as a prodigy, she understood the gravity of her title. Just because she possessed innate talent didn’t mean she could afford to slack off. With determination, she dedicated herself to honing her fire magic.

The training room was her sanctuary, a place where the essence of fire met her own spirit, and together they created a symphony of power. Eleonor’s connection with her elemental magic ran deep, like a river of molten flame coursing through her veins.

In the stillness of the night, she ignited the flames in her palms. They danced and swirled with grace, a reflection of her inner focus and control. Fire magic wasn’t about brute force; it was about finesse and precision. Each flicker of the flames obeyed her every command, bending to her will.

Her practice included a repertoire of spells and incantations. Fireballs soared through the air, leaving a trail of scorching light in their wake. Fiery barriers materialized, offering protection against imagined foes. It was a delicate balance between wielding destructive power and harnessing it with grace.

The room, bathed in warm, flickering light, bore witness to her training. Magic was more than an art; it was an extension of oneself. Eleonor knew that her journey toward mastery was ongoing, an infinite path of self-discovery.

As the night waned and the first hints of dawn painted the horizon, she felt the exhaustion that came from pushing her magical limits. The flames in her hands gradually diminished, their vibrant dance slowing to a gentle flicker.

Eleonor had succeeded in further deepening her connection with fire magic. She still had much to learn and explore, and every night she trained was a step toward that goal.

With a sense of accomplishment, she left the training room and began her journey back to her private chambers. Yet, before she could fully rest, there was one more task she had to attend to.

In her room, concealed behind a masterfully designed mural, lay her small vault. It was a marvel of magical engineering, protected by eighth-tier magic, a level of power that was virtually impenetrable. This vault was her secret repository, holding not only valuable artifacts but also information she had gathered over the years.

As Eleonor approached the vault, she could feel the thrum of magic that emanated from it. This was her sanctuary within a sanctuary, a place where her most cherished possessions and secrets were kept safe from prying eyes.

With practiced precision, she invoked the enchantments and seals that secured the vault, unlocking its contents. The concealed mechanisms yielded, and the vault opened, revealing the treasures within. Scrolls of ancient fire magic techniques, enchanted relics, and invaluable knowledge were neatly organized on shelves.

One item held particular importance—the fire-infused amulet that had been passed down through her family for generations. Its enchantments allowed her to harness her elemental magic with unparalleled precision, making it an essential tool in her quest for mastery.

But it wasn’t the most important item inside. There was a mask, the thing was the only link she had to him, her savior. Four years ago there was an accident at an event. Murderers from a dark alliance had come to her mansion and they had tried to kill her.

In the middle of the night when a knife was about to cut her throat open, a garcon of experts stormed inside her house while the assassins were busy. They all had a black lion on their uniforms. But the leader of them wore a mask. When he killed the assassins he left it behind.

In the quiet solitude of her room, she spent some time reviewing her notes and the information she had collected. The secrets and insights she had gathered were a testament to her ceaseless curiosity and dedication to the study of fire magic. The flames of knowledge flickered in her mind, illuminating the path she had chosen.

She retired to her bed, the dance of fire magic still vivid in her memory. Eleonor was determined to continue her journey, her past was only part of her reasons to become the best.

The following day brought with it a renewed sense of determination. Eleonor knew that she needed to gather more information and find a way to uncover the secrets of the concealed challenger. As she dressed and prepared for the day, she felt a growing sense of purpose.

Descending the grand staircase, she made her way to the dining area. The mansion’s staff was already bustling about, preparing breakfast. Grace was absent from her usual seat at the table, likely busy with her own training. Eleonor settled into her chair, her thoughts consumed by the mission she had set for herself.

As she nibbled on her morning meal, she couldn’t help but wonder about her brother Max. The fact that he was called the generation’s star was quite concerning. She hoped that he was making progress and finding the answers he sought within the mountains he left for.

With breakfast concluded, Eleonor knew that it was time to resume her quest. She had heard whispers about an underground dueling scene in the city, a world concealed from the nobility’s gaze. This was where fighters tested their mettle and honed their skills, and she believed it might hold the key to uncovering the concealed challenger’s identity.

She made her way through the city streets, her determination guiding her steps. The bustling marketplace offered a stark contrast to the tranquility of the mansion. People from various walks of life hurried about, their conversations filled with the latest news and rumors.

Eleonor approached a local vendor selling an array of goods and struck up a conversation. As she browsed the items, she inquired about the underground dueling scene. The vendor, a middle-aged woman with a keen interest in city happenings, leaned in and shared what she knew.

“Ah, the underground dueling scene,” she began in a hushed tone. “It’s a world hidden away from the nobility’s eyes, a place where fighters hone their skills and test their mettle. There are whispers of a special challenge, a duel shrouded in secrecy.”

Eleonor’s heart quickened at the mention of the special challenge. This was precisely the information she needed. With a hint of intrigue, she asked, “What can you tell me about this special challenge? Are there any clues or rumors about the concealed challenger?”

The vendor hesitated, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. She leaned in closer and continued, “The people say the challenger was already asked to come to Servan next year, a hidden boy with exceptional skills. No one knows his true identity. But the duel will be awesome.”

The words sent a thrill through Eleonor. Was Leo’s opponent truly that powerful?

The afternoon sun began its descent. Eleonor had decided that she would pay a visit to the underground dueling scene. She hoped that by conversing with people who are only interested in duels would know more about the upcoming ones.