Hearing this everyone turns to look at a Seren slightly incredulously. ‘Ahaha, Doesn’t sound like a bad plan to me city lord Averis, so what do you say? After all, Seren here along with your own children will eventually become the new generation of warriors that shape the world and its culture. If he can take down your strongest warrior under age 12 will you let your children leave with us?’ Braz takes Serens statement and uses it seriously against the city lord.

Averis steps down from his terrace and using sand to carry him down he appears in front of Seren and asks, ‘Child what is your strength?’

Staring defiantly he tells him, ‘I’m peak 3rd hand Psychic, mid 2nd hand Aura and 2nd hand entry Vitality.’

‘You wish to fight the strongest child we have under 12? Our strongest child of that age I believe is my very own nephew, Barracks son Vastin. An entry 5th hand Mana user who has been personally trained in glass magic by the strongest man in our city. Do you still think you should be so confident.’ Averis questions clearly implying Seren has no chance.

Stomp! Seren releases his Aura and shocks most of the towns folk and even raises the eyebrow of the city lord as he senses the bloodlust and killing intent held inside it. ‘Of course, after all I had to fight a 5th hand warrior when I was weaker than this to make it this far.” He answers as he grins wickedly while giving off the kind of Aura you would expect from veteran killers.

‘Hmmm very well. Not only will I allow the two of them to leave should you win. I will also admit to my failings as city lord and father, I will admit that I have walked astray from our peoples path and will step down from the city lord position and pass it on to the next in line should you win this battle.’ Averis declares as he turns to look directly at Barrack.

‘Brother, wait.’ Barrack speaks but he’s stopped by Averis, ‘You know full well that no matter the results of this battle that I won’t be able to continue as lord in any effective manner after this. This is the best option little brother. In truth I hope the boy wins, after all I certainly never thought I would become the same kind of monster our mother was.’ Averis walks away while ordering city guards, ‘Prepare the dueling stadium for combat, we will begin in an hour.’

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‘Big brother Seren do you really think you can beat cousin Vastin?’ Evan asks wide eyed looking at Seren. ‘Yea, I’m pretty sure but I’m still gonna treat it like a pit fight so I hope you guys can forgive me if I hurt your cousin a little.’ Seren states sheepishly once he realizes he’d be fighting their family.

‘Its okay, Uncle Barrack taught cousin to never go easy on anyone so you’re gonna wanna do the same thing.’ Ceris says as she sniffles and wipes her nose.

‘Aww little Seren is gonna save the day by beating up a puny Mana user, come give sister Cela a hug.’ Cels shouts excitedly as she's already picking up Seren as the rest of the caravan gather around the group.

‘Alright Barrack has gone to get his son ready for the fight so now the pressures all on you Seren. With your strengthened Aura and Vitality plus your incredible telekinesis you should be equivalent to a 5th hand warrior pretty easily but still don’t take him easy. You winning this fight will solve all our problems at once and it will also spread to other academies that just because our energies are older and more specialized doesn’t mean our youth can’t compete with everyone on the same scale. This could actually be the spark the academy has needed to get their reputation back to what it once was.’ Braz declares grinning broadly at Seren. ‘Alright Cela let him down, he’s gotta get ready for this fight.’

The caravan has slowly made their way to the battlegrounds and before they leave to the stands Evan and Ceris come up to Seren. ‘Thank you for helping us big brother Seren.’ Evan says shyly. ‘We know you’ve had your own hard times so thank you for fighting for us Seren.’ Ceris says in gratitude.

‘No big deal guys. Besides the last people to call me big brother were the other put-whelps and they would always cheer me on so if you guys can do that for me too while you’re in the stands then I’m not worried about it at all.’ he declares proudly as he stands strong in the entryway to the stadium. Directly across from him on the other side of the stadium he can see a figure, ‘Well I think your cousin is ready to go so I’ll talk to you guys after, ok?’ Seren says as he releases his tonfas from his wrist bands.

Seeing this Evan and Ceris say, ‘Good luck big brother!’ before they go and join the caravan.