Everyone inside the Grand Hall had eyes for just two people: the Queen that had just spoken and the princess that was revealed. Of course, not all were content with her majesty's decision.
“But mom,” Hector called from his corner. “I’m first in line, I’ve…”
“Done nothing but fail ever since you’ve become an adventurer.”
“At least I’ve left my room!” cried Hector.
“Enough!” Helena massaged the bridge of her nose. “Sir. Seth, I have a quest for you.”
The pixie was all ears.
“When my daughter was five, I took her to receive the Sun God’s blessing in the elves’ sacred land. Unfortunately, due to the shitty, I mean terrible genes she has inherited from… a certain someone, the blessing soon became a curse which stunted her growth. Her level is stuck at 1, and no matter what we’ve tried, nothing seems to increase it. Will you help us, Sir Seth?”
There was no response from the pixie.
“Sir. Seth?”
“Wake up, Seth,” Alastar whispered. A gentle nudge from his rotting magic finally did the trick.
“Huh? Yes,” said the warrior before yawning. “I will accept your quest… whatever it is.”
“Excellent,” the queen nodded. “Since the Sun God is also known as the Dragon of Light, we believe only the blessing of the Darkness Dragon can cure her. Brave knight, if you can protect my daughter during this journey and cure her condition, I will owe you an eternal debt.”
“Meaning?” Seth raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, I will marry you.”
“What?” the king shouted immediately.
“Mother, I can take Chloe to the dragon.”
“Yes,” confirmed the king. “We don’t need this…”
“What?” asked Seth with a cutthroat expression.
“I... think our daughter will be much safer with her brother than with this… brave stranger.” The king averted his eyes.
“Chloe, what do you think?” asked Helena. “It’s your life on the line. You should have a say.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“I think…” The blanket squirmed. “That they should fight.”
“Briliant suggestion!” Seth cheered.
“Naked,” added the princess.
“Huh?”
“I mean, hand to hand,” she corrected after Helena gave her a look. “Without magic, weapons, or amours… or shirts,” she giggled.
It was a bit of an odd request, but if it allowed Seth to show the Queen his abs, then he was all for it.
“So be it,” Helena sighed. “Do both parties accept?”
“Ha, you want me to fight a pixie in hand to hand combat? Even I wouldn’t be that low… I mean, as the Hero of this generation, it wouldn’t be fair to bully the weak, useless, and incompetent, dear mother.”
“Excuse me?” hissed Seth.
“We should at least give him a morphing potion,” said Hector.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“But, I insist. Mother, please. Give him this courtesy.”
“So be it,” Helena agreed. If it ended up backfiring, then her stepson could only blame himself.
A few minutes later, the potion had finally arrived. Seth spent this time punching holes into the floor while imagining it was Hector’s skull. When presented with the morphing potion, he drank it immediately.
Suddenly, his body began to change.
“Alastar, what did I just drink?” asked the warrior once his wings started shrinking.
“Worry not,” said the mage. “The effect is just temporary. I think it will turn you into a…”
The pixie grew at an unfathomable rate. Soon, a 6 feet tall chiseled human with red hair and sharp features appeared in front of everyone. His abs could stop a cannonball. His fists could break through mountains.
“Uau…” Alastar lost track of his mind. “I mean, I’m not gay, but dude. Holy hell…”
“Yes!” A muffled shout was heard from the princess’ blanket. Steam was coming out of it along with the sound of rough breathing.
“Somebody, get him some pants,” ordered the Queen while slightly blushing. Seth’s clothes had not survived his transformation.
After a small interlude, the duel could finally begin. It was warrior vs. warrior, hero vs. hero. No weapons, no magic. Just skill.
“Are you ready?” asked Helena while raising her hand.
Hector took his stance. For some reason, Seth was not moving.
“Begin!”
One would’ve assumed the former pixie would just bash the hero’s head in as soon as the battle began. Instead, he merely watched him with a deadpan expression.
‘Stance too long, guard too low,’ he subconsciously thought.
“What’s the matter?” asked Hector. “Give up?”
‘Subject is nervous,’ Seth’s mind concluded. It was like the warrior was in a trance.
Hector was slowly approaching, yet all he did was place his right foot back. Seth did nothing else to not alarm the enemy, and the backwards movement was just to boost the blondy’s confidence.
“Are you alive there, Seth?” asked Alastar with a raised eyebrow.
‘It’s already working,’ Momo giggled.
“Hmph.” Hector threw a one-two combo punch. Seth took one more step back, blocked the one, and grabbed the two. He then pulled the blondy’s arm, forced it straight, stepped forward, and with his free hand smashed Hector’s elbow.
“Argh!” the boy let out tears.
Seth continued his movement, getting behind Hector’s back, tripping him, pulling him backwards, and finally, with his bare hands snapping the hero’s neck.
“My boy!” shouted the king.
“Damn it,” Momo grumbled.
Fortunately, Hector’s core quickly sent mana throughout his body pulling his bones back into place before it was too late.
“Round two?” asked Seth with hollow eyes and an empty smile. If not for the passive spell that automatically removed impurities from his body, Hector would've instantly pissed himself.