Sai was enjoying his breakfast in the Tulip Palace's dining hall, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed with the bland, bread-based meal. He missed the spicy flavors of his homeland and longed for something to add some kick to his meal.
As he took another bite of his bread, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw a tall, imposing figure in armor barging into the room.
It was a knight with blue hair and green eyes. He had messy hair and a claw mark on his face. His level was 10 and he was young enough to be in highschool.
With a pompous stride, the knight arrogantly advanced upon Sai, his resounding armor clanking ostentatiously with each haughty step. His voice reverberated ominously through the grand hall as he declared, "I have graced you with my presence to demand a duel, for I seek to test your feeble skills against my superior prowess."
Sai raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden interruption. "Who are you and why should I accept your duel?"
With a disdainful scowl etched upon his face, the knight sneered contemptuously. "I, Jonas Frostwood, bear the illustrious title of Count. It has come to my attention that you dare to entertain the audacious notion of marrying my woman. I detest the notion that a wretched commoner like you would dare lay claim to her hand. A duel shall serve as the unequivocal proof that you are utterly unworthy of her hand in matrimony."
Sai sighed. He wasn't particularly enthused about the arranged marriage. The last thing he wanted was to get involved in a needless duel. ‘It doesn’t look like this guy is going to accept no as an answer.’
"Very well," he said, unenthusiastically. "I accept your challenge."
Jonas grinned triumphantly. "We shall meet at sunset in the Royal Palace garden."
Sai watched as Jonas marched out of the room, feeling more annoyed than anything else. He had a lot to do that day, including improving his Magic Art and exploring the dungeon.
“Your going to lose the fight,” Slither commented lazily next to Sai. He was curled up underneath the table.
“Oh really? Why?”
“Jonas, his level is higher than yours. Worst of all, if I had to guess by his amount of mana he is emanating, he has a Major Blessing.”
“What does the Major Blessing have to do with anything?” Sai then took out a bottle of Mountain Frog Poison and took a sip, “Yup that washes down the bread.”
“You know the amount of points a person received has been divided into three grades, Minor, Major, and Great Blessing. Individuals with Minor Blessing have 1 to 4 points, while those with Major Blessing have 5 to 8 points, and those with Great Blessing receive either 9 or 10 points.”
“Good to know that I’m screwed.”
“As I was saying. Individuals with Great Blessing are nonexistent. Anyway, are you going to fight him?”
“We’re going to have to,” Sai said. “The best way to deal with arrogant assholes is to show them that there are consequences.”
----
Ray and Roy was walking with Sai to the Royal Palace. Sai was wearing leather armor that was lent by the guards. He carried a sword and shield on his back.
Ray begins by saying, “When it comes to meat, there's no doubt in my mind that beef is the superior choice. The rich flavor, the juiciness, it's hard to beat a perfectly cooked steak or a juicy burger.”
Roy looked offended. “I can't believe you're saying that, Ray! Chicken is where it's at. You can do so much with chicken, grilled, roasted, fried, you name it!”
“Chicken may have its versatility, but when it comes to indulgence and sheer satisfaction, beef takes the crown. The marbling in a good steak just melts in your mouth, and don't even get me started on a well-seasoned prime rib!”
“But think about the variety that chicken offers! You can have succulent chicken breasts, flavorful wings, or a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup. Plus, it's easier to cook and doesn't require as much attention as beef.”
“Ah, but the complexity of cooking beef is what makes it special. The searing, the basting, the perfect timing, it's an art form. And let's not forget about the delicious side dishes that pair so well with beef, like mashed potatoes or grilled asparagus.”
“The only reason your not in jail is because food crimes haven’t been outlawed!”
Ray smug smile. “Ignorance isn’t a crime. You never tasted well cooked steak have you? If you have, you will be on my side.”
Sai shook his head. “Guys can’t we just agree to disagree?”
Roy looked at Sai and asked. “What do you think is the best meat?”
Sai smiled, “I like the succulent shrimp.”
“This bastard!” “This bastard!” Roy and Ray say in tandem.
Ray, Roy and Sai's argument will continue until they reach the Royal Garden.
----
The Royal Garden was large. It was no surprise that there was a dueling area.
In the beautiful garden lies a dueling area, a white square stone platform. The platform stands slightly elevated, creating a focal point amidst the lush greenery that surrounds it.
Arranged around the perimeter of the dueling area are rows of stone benches, where knights, mage and other spectators gather to witness the skillful clashes of the dueling combatants. The level 20 knights wore regal armor and the mages wore leather armor. From what Sai could see most were level 20 or under.
The only people on the stone platform was the Knight Commander and Jonas.
Sai took out an Identify Orb and stared at Jonas. “Identify.”
Level 10 Title Novice Knight Agility 20 Durability 20 Mana 10 Mind 0 Strength 20
‘He has way better stats than me. Is this the difference between Minor Blessing and Major Blessing?’ Sai wondered.
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Sai then said. “Blessing.”
Level 8 Title Hero Agility 15 Durability 47 Mana 3 Mind 3 Strength 3 Remaining 0 Gift Sour Apples
‘I only have better Durability and Mind attributes then Jonas,’ Sai thought. ‘This is not going to be an easy fight.’
Sai walked onto the stage.
Jonas gave a mocking smile. “Finally showing up I see.”
“Can we begin the duel? I have better places to be,” Sai responded looking at Knight Commander. Sai pulled out his sword from its shelf.
The Knight Commander then said, “There is but one fundamental rule within this arena. No killing. Upon the count of three, the battle may begin.” The Knight Commander raised his hand. "One... Two... Three!"
Sai appears in front of Jonas. A surge of astonishment courses through Jonas as he hastily unsheathes his blade, swinging it towards Sai with a mix of surprise and aggression.
To his bewilderment, Jonas witnesses his sword passing through Sai's form as if he were a mere apparition, leaving no trace of impact.
However, just as Jonas reels from the failed strike, a sword swiftly manifests seemingly out of thin air, aiming for Jonas' wrist. The sword hit Jonas' wrist, however it was unable to cause any damage. The sword thrust, rendered futile against Jonas's resilient defense, fails to leave even a mark.
In the blink of an eye, the illusory Sai, who had been standing before Jonas, vanishes into thin air, dissipating like a mirage. The reality of the situation becomes apparent to Jonas. As Sai was moving backward from his failed attack.
Sai felt cheated. “Your tougher than I thought.”
Sai sheath his sword and pulled out a shield as he held infront of him.
Jonas was miffed that such an attack worked. “Your a deadman walking.”
Jonas, fueled by his determination, launches a series of attacks, his sword swinging in wide arcs, aiming to overwhelm Sai's defenses. However, Sai's proficiency with the shield appears to be lacking, as he struggles to adequately block Jonas' powerful strikes. Each blow lands with force against the shield, causing it to tremble under the onslaught.
The strain becomes evident as sword dents start to form on the surface of Sai's shield. The initial solidity and sturdiness begin to falter under the relentless assault. The weight of Jonas' strikes takes a toll on the shield, threatening to shatter its protective barrier.
Sai's movements become increasingly frantic, as he attempts to maintain his defense while searching for an opportunity to counterattack and regain control of the duel.
In a swift and decisive response to Jonas' relentless assault, Sai gathers his focus and retaliates with a powerful swing of his own sword. The clash of metal resounds through the battlefield as their blades meet, an embodiment of the clash between their unwavering determination.
However, to their astonishment, as Sai's sword meets Jonas' blade, a resounding crack fills the air. Sai's sword, like brittle glass, shatters upon impact, leaving him momentarily defenseless. The fragments of his broken weapon scatter across the ground, a testament to the force behind Jonas' strike and the vulnerability of Sai's weapon.
With unyielding determination, Jonas delivers a forceful swing of his sword, targeting Sai's shield with overwhelming power. The impact reverberates through the air as the full strength of Jonas' strike crashes against Sai's defense, causing the shield to break under the immense pressure.
The force behind Jonas' attack proves to be too much, overpowering Sai's defense and pushing him backward. The weight of the impact sends Sai sprawling onto his back, the ground meeting him with an abrupt jolt.
As Jonas readies himself to press his advantage, a sudden wave of intense heat courses through his body, causing him to stagger and kneel in discomfort. The sensation is overwhelming, causing beads of perspiration to form on his forehead and a fiery rage to flicker in his eyes. He glares at Sai, a mix of frustration and anger evident in his voice as he demands an explanation.
"What have you done?" Jonas growls, his voice laced with fury and accusation.
Sai gets up. “I laced my sword with poison.”
“You coward! Do you have no honor!?”
Sai shrugs. He pulled out a Mountain Toad Poison and took a long drink before putting it back in his pocket. “Honor is dead in the modern time. Being shameless has replaced it. I’m just doing anything I can to win. So how about it? Wanna forfeit, I will even accept a tie.”
As Jonas rises from his kneeling position, a primal roar escapes his lips, echoing through the battlefield. Fueled by a potent mix of fury and determination, he charges at Sai with unwavering resolve. Sai, recognizing the ineffectiveness of his shattered shield, quickly searches for an alternative means of defense.
In a moment of inspiration, Sai's eyes fall upon his mithril cuffs. Reacting swiftly, he skillfully maneuvers his cuffs to intercept Jonas' sword strikes. The mithril cuffs prove to be an effective defense against Jonas onslaught.
Sai adeptly blocks each of Jonas attacks. Some of the swords strike through his defense and leave him with bleeding cuts.
Sai starts seeing patterns in Jonas movements before they even occur. Sai starts getting better at blocking. Leaving Jonas increasingly frustrated and fatigued.
Unbeknownst to Jonas, the insidious poison begins to take its toll, sapping Jonas' strength and dulling his reflexes. His once-swift sword strikes gradually lose their sharpness, becoming slower and more predictable.
As the battle rages on, Sai's calculated defense and Jonas' waning physical condition tilt the balance in Sai's favor. With each passing moment, Jonas' movements become more sluggish and his strikes easier to counter. The effects of the poison amplify the disparity between their abilities, further diminishing Jonas' chances of victory.
Jonas, weakened by both the relentless duel and the effects of the poison coursing through his veins, slumps mid-swing. His body succumbs to exhaustion, unable to withstand the physical strain and the waning strength brought on by the toxic venom.
With a thud, Jonas collapses to the ground, his unconscious form sprawled on the battlefield. The air grows heavy with the realization that the battle has come to a decisive end. The clash of steel and the fervor of combat are replaced by an eerie stillness as the surrounding warriors and spectators take in the outcome.
Sai, his features a mix of exhaustion and relief, approaches the fallen Jonas. He casts a solemn gaze upon his vanquished opponent, acknowledging the effort and resilience Jonas had demonstrated throughout their arduous confrontation. Despite the intense rivalry, there is a sense of respect for the fallen warrior.
The Knight Commander raised his hand. “The Hero is the winner!”
Some of the audience clapped their hands. It was pretty lackluster.
Sai took out a Cleanse Orb and moved to place on Jonas’s fallen body. “Cleanse.” A light appeared and washed away all the poison.
Jonas started to get up and looked at Sai. “You...”
Sai gave a cheeky smile, “Better luck next time.”
Sai, having emerged victorious from their intense duel, starts to leave the dueling arena. His back turned from Jonas.
Jonas was consumed by a bitter mixture of pride, anger, and wounded ego. With a desperate and reckless resolve, Jonas seizes the opportunity to strike back, raising his sword to deliver a treacherous blow to Sai's back.
The Knight Commander delivers a powerful gut punch to Jonas, incapacitating him once more. “You prideful fool!”
Jonas lays unconscious on the ground.
The sound of the knights and mages mumbling and chatting through the stands.
When Sai was far enough away, Slither slowly came out of his pocket. “Your welcome.” Sai greeted the snake by patting on the head lightly.