The man gave a wrathful cry and was about to attack the two insolent kids but then-
"Halt! Cease and desist." A man came out from one of the doors leading upstairs.
He had short trimmed hair but gave off a image of power as he stood 193 centimeters tall and was lean but filled with explosive muscles. He had intense green eyes that radiated might and he was dressed in turquoise armor that shone resplendently. His one shout immediately immobilized the attacking man.
"How can you, Oleg, a level five disciple, aged 18, attack two defenseless kids who didn't even awaken in my business. How insolent!" The man was enraged and a golden aura burst out and overpowered the young man.
"They attacked first and embarrassed me!" The young man retaliated.
"Shameful. Sir Eliyos, allow me to step in and replace my brother and his friend."
A voice akin to a spring breeze came from behind and approached the commotion. Standing there was another boy, he had long black hair and bright hazel eyes, looking just like an older version of Simon.
"Vladimir!" Simon said excitedly.
Vladimir flashed a soft smile to Simon and then once again spoke to the owner,
"It is an act of transgression to assault the youngest son of Duke Hartwell, I challenge you, Oleg Riole, to a match in the coliseum. "You...!" Oleg was too enraged to think things through and followed him to the receptionist and signed a contract.
"You two kids, follow me to view the match." The man said and turned and walked up the stairs to a private room that was quite spacious and comfy. The pair followed the man who stepped in to save them to get a good view of the upcoming match, and Zephyr was already excited as this was his first time seeing a match in a coliseum!
"Wooow!" Zephyr looked on from the booth the wide view of the coliseum and the vast expanse of land. He soon had his attention caught by the fight currently going on.
The coliseum was normally a place where criminals would fight for their lives and bring out everything they knew, or where an accuser would fight a defendant if it was ever a matter of honor. Now however, it became a place where mercenaries and gladiators as well as students come to spar to have some fun and cash. They were lacking in life and death fights for a while and thus spars took over.
The two men were using a Harpoon and a Scimitar, their weapons looked equal as one stabbed while the other slashed and clanks were heard every so often. Soon the man with the scimitar yelled and energy exploded from him, revealing three identical versions of himself as he attacked at all sides.
The three blades all reached for the opponents neck and hung there until the referee announced a winner. It seems as if they too were there only to earn combat experience as nothing lethal occurred.
They walked out to the exit with one cheering while the other was disheartened. While people thought that was the end according to the pamphlet they received of the lists of fights, an announcer came in and held a ball of light which magnified their voice.
"Ladies and Gentleman, there has been another arrangement for a fight for honor, the Duke Hartwell's honor was breached while the man was personally insulted. Due to the status and age of our contestants, it will be a spar, but be sure that blood will be drawn, Might is right and justice goes to the winner. Here, we have the Duke Hartwell's son, Vladimir Hartwell. And his opponent is Oleg Riole!!" The announcer introduced the two people and watched as the two made their way to the center.
"A noble?"
"Match of honor?"
"I wonder what happened"
The originally leaving crowd found their way back to their seats and excitedly talked about this upcoming match.
"That's one of the aces of Three Streaks battle academy, he's part of the duo that made the academy a contender for the upcominh national competition in three months." A man roared and spread this piece of information.
Oleg was currently facing Vladimir with a sneer but was inwardly panicking. "Oh my god, I basically attacked the Duke's house, everything is going off track." He screamed in his mind while having no tears to shed.
All he wanted to do was vent some anger but now this conniving announcer made it sound like he had a personal vendetta against the Duke and his family.
Rather than surrendering though, Oleg stepped forward and rushed forth while summoning his Axe. He rushed Vladimir but then was pushed back by a ball of air?
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It felt like a hammer was smashed in his chest. He faltered a bit but steadied himself and once again readied himself for another charge.
Another ball formed from compression in front of both legs and imploded, causing the blast radius to injure his legs badly. He was forced to kneel in front of Vladimir pathetically looking up with no more strength in him. Vladimir raised his hand and his light blue energy was coalescing into his normal half a meter ball of air and it expanded quickly.
It soon overwhelmed the crowd as it took on a flowing beautiful blue color in the ball and he was ready to hurl it at the deflated Oleg. Fearing for his life, Oleg quickly surrendered.
"Stop! Stop the match! I give!" The referee stepped in and concluded the match. Vladimir dispersed his energy and it caused a blast of wind to shoot upwards, causing everyone to feel a light gale pushing their hair and clothes up.
Zephyr and Simon watched in awe the flawless way Vladimir won despite being only eleven years old. The man beside Zephyr and Simon spoke to them as he lead them down the lobby.
"Vladimir is a prized gladiator we have despite his young age. He can handle anyone within the disciple stage with ease and already has an undefeated record of 45-0.
There have also been reports that the other ace of three streaks started his gladiator matches two days ago and is already 6-0. Those two are by far the most talented I've ever seen.
Yet you two kids have courage, that's something every man should hold. I am interested to see what the future holds for you both."
They waited in the lobby for three minutes before Vladimir came walking towards their direction. Eliyos said only two words before he departed to Vladimir.
"Good job"
"Thank you" Vladimir politely responded.
"Who is that guy? Zephyr asked.
"He is quite mysterious but rumor has it he has close ties to the imperial family of Liandry, why else would he be in control of such a major asset vital to the country." Vladimir gave a quick detail about the man to the best of his abilities.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself to your friend. My name is Vladimir Hartwell, Simon's older brother. You are?" He gave a bow according to noble etiquette.
"My name is Zephyr Reinhardt" zephyr introduced himself.
"Do you know about a boy named Hardin by any chance? After all, you share the same last name." Vladimir questioned Zephyr.
"Yeah! He's my brother." Zephyr explained.
"I see" Vladimir nodded and turned to Simon.
"I'll see you later, I must run to do an errand." He made his leave after that.
Simon and Zephyr also had nothing better to do so they made their way back to their dorms.
***
In the country of Sopri
The battle for the throne was getting heated as many ministers were being assassinated day after day. The royal palace was empty, far different than it's usual bustling activities.
The throne inside where the king used to be sat a young man, he had a evil air around him and had fiery red hair with blazing red eyes. He wore a blazing red robe with a phoenix emblem on the right of his chest with a bloody crown on top of his head.
He had a stalwart bald, bearded man on his left and a shriveled, bald, small old man to his right.
"How goes the cleanup, have you found my dear younger brother and sister?" The man slowly inquired.
"Kekeke, patience my new king, the country of Sopri is now yours to rule after the death of your father and we have put your other siblings to death. All that's left is your two youngest siblings, Rory and Raine who have escaped the country under the general Treant."
"Our nations strongest right? How have your plans of taking them down go? I will not allow any chance of rebellion to occur." The prince raged and a smoldering aura burst from him.
"I have arranged for the 'Raiders' to take care of them, I heard they employed one of their leaders titled Obsidian to ensure they finish the job and assassinate them with his squadron.
"Aren't they costly? We can't afford their prices if I recall correctly they charge five thousand to enlist one of their eight riders? You could have just hired multiple mercenaries and hound them to death." The prince tightened his brow.
"They do have Treant with them and I heard a report they hired a squadron from Liandry to escort them safely into their borders." The old man once again explained the situation.
"I would have employed Wallace if it wasn't for me needing to calm the unsettling nation, no matter, with the nefarious Raiders undertaking the task, its surely a finished job."
While they were having a conversation, a band of horses surrounding a chariot were rushing madly south in a bid to escape the country.
They were clearly different squads as one was dressed in dark red armor while the others were in green armor. The reds were tightly surrounding the chariot while the green unit paved the way. Oddly enough, one soldier in green was side by side with the chariot making faces and cheering up the two kids inside.
They had tears and were disheartened but the soldier radiated a bright aura around him that just made people want to smile, this let them cheer up a bit and giggle a bit.
The two kids were around 8-9 and had red hair and eyes, a key characteristic of the Sopri royal family, they were the runaway royal kids, Rory and Raine.
"Quick, Sopri soldiers abound, up the pace, your highness, I pray you succeed in finding shelter, we will hold them back. Two knights guarding the chariot were ready to sacrifice their lives when a member of the mercenary corps slowed down and released his summoning. It was a massive green vine that started germinating and spreading vines all around, blocking their rear.
They were able to safely move forward as one with no casualties when three soldiers came rushing from the skies and were clearly targeting the chariot in the middle in an apparent suicide attack.