First Encounter

Edric's father then contacts Herold who's the famous info broker to send invitations to combat elites that don't oppose Solaire's family. Herold finding it amusing how the head of the Solaire family wants to hold a mask competition to celebrate's the "Prince of Combat" coming of age agrees to the request.

"So why a mask competition Luke?" Herold asks the head of the Solaire family.

"It was a request of Edric, and it's his coming of age after all."

"Pfft. I see you're still spoiling that son of yours." Herold chuckles freely. The head of Solaire and Herold seems to be close from the casual way they talk to each other.

Luke, the head of the Solaire Family could only weakly smile and answer "I don't really spoil him. To be honest he doesn't let me spoil him. *Sigh* After the kidnapping incident he matured so fast that I'm afraid he didn't even enjoy his childhood."

"Well, what's done is done. Now I see why he's such a soft spot for you. Heh."

"I really can't deny that."

"Anyway leave it to me I'll only send an invitation to those who aren't heavily influenced by factions." Herold pats Luke's shoulder reassuring him.

"I'll leave it you then Herold."

"No problem!"

"Thanks."

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Herold being nosy specially sent Lyra's master an invitation explicitly telling Lyra's master to bring 'all her disciples' to the event. The thought of seeing Lyra fight made Herold smile mischievously.

"It's been so long since I saw Lyra might as well use this chance to see how that little one looks now~" Herold mutters happily to himself as he sent out the invitations. Solaire family the most prestigious family known in the country. Hardly anyone who was invited declines to go since an event hosted by the Solaire means a gathering of the best in the field of combat and the most influential arm-dealing companies. The event in which all the top brass are involved would be difficult to turn down.

Melika receives an invitation from Solaire's mask competition and decides to bring her two disciples. Knowing the event would be filled with combat elites and influential people, Melika thinks it would be perfect to showcase her disciples' prowess in the art of combat. Melika strictly tells Lyra not to humiliate her and her senior disciple.

"These past years you've done remarkably Lyra, I believe just a few more years of hard training and you might just be as capable as your senior," Melika says as she hands the invitation to Lyra to read. "This event will be a good way to showcase your talent so don't do anything humiliating, do you understand?" Lyra nods and reads the invitation.

For five years Lyra went through various missions and training assigned to her by Melika always missions her senior disciple rejected. Melika might not be close to Lyra but treated her fair enough but compared to her treatment for her other disciple the difference is clear as heaven and earth.

Melika always prioritize her first disciple's needs and if there was even a slight tension between Lyra and her senior disciple, Melika would always side with the latter. Lyra got used to Melika's way so it doesn't bother her that much these days.

After a couple of weeks, the celebration for the Prince of combat coming of age is finally here. Melika brings her disciples to the event. They arrive in the Solaire private arena where there's an area to socialize and mingle first before the main event. As expected famous and well-known individuals fill the place. Most of them take this opportunity to appraise one other.

Soon after formal greetings and socializing, the head of the Solaire gave a welcoming speech and announces the mask competition between the fresh blood. He lets the guests know that bets are open and there's even a grand prize to the first constant to be able to have 10 consecutive wins. The host emphasizes that the competition is only open for those disciples of the elite masters and ones that haven't pledge themselves yet. He claims that the event is an opportunity to mold and showcase the various talents of the future combat elites. And then, for a moment various killing intent was released but faded quickly as soon as the rewards were mention.

The rewards were,

First place: 50% Discount in all Solaire family businesses and one free training session from one of Solaire's hidden combat masters.

Second Place: Discounts and an honorary member of Solaire's elite squad

Third Place: Honorary member of Solaire's elite squad

Most of the combat masters encourage their disciples to enter the competition and some of them even enthusiastically brags about their disciple being amazing that it would be a piece of cake to win the first prize. Melika hearing some of her fellow master's remarks sneers internally and looks at her disciples and smiles. Everyone who was present looks forward to watching a good fight in the competition. For those who are participating in the competition, they have to wear exquisite masks which makes the event more interesting.

Lyra wears a raven mask that covers only the top part of her face. She is wearing a normal-looking black suit for the event and intends to fight in this outfit. Her senior on the other hand is wearing a floral mask covering her whole face and she wears a beautiful navy blue Bohemian maxi dress. Also, Edric has an eastern fox theme mask that covers his entire face and he wears a sleek and cool-looking white suit. Since there were a lot of participants exquisite masks are everywhere.

But soon the number of contestants steadily decreases since there are no rules that prohibit them from using weapons and there is no limitation on how much damage they can do to their opponents. And so many contestants got eliminated due to heavy injuries or because their masters pull them out for their disappointing show of skill in the fight. Nevertheless, overall the competition was full of great fights. The most notable fights were that of Lyra, her senior, and Edric. But no one really knows that the 'Prince of Combat' is personally participating in the competition, well except his dad and his hidden guards.

Eventually, as the competition goes on, Lyra won 9 consecutive fights and her senior won 9 consecutive fights too. Melika is secretly pleased about her disciples. Lyra didn't really want to fight her senior so in order for her to avoid her senior, she fought with the other remaining contestant who also won 9 consecutive wins, Edric.

As soon as both Lyra and Edric enter the stage they were both alert and focus. Tension already arises between them. Lyra makes the first move and rushes towards Edric. She quickly closes in and delivers a powerful elbow strike towards Edric's head. Edric smoothly evades Lyra's strike and counters with a light jab aiming for Lyra's side. Lyra annoyed that her opponent seems to take her lightly, instantly changes her center of gravity grabs Edric's arm and Lyra then does a one-arm shoulder throw. Edric wasn't able to evade this time but he was able to shift his body and do a leg sweep. Lyra quickly side-steps and quick enough to be able to try to stump Edric's leg.

Edric is surprised and a bit happy to meet such a vicious but striking opponent. He finally realizes he has to fight seriously or else the consequences would be really painful. He then immediately shifts his leg to kick Lyra's leg that was about to stump him.

Lyra notice's that he wanted to out-balance her, she smirks and does a one-leg backflip that puts a distance between them. She then glares at Edric and plans to end the fight as soon as possible. She feels a bit 'uneasy' towards this opponent which is a first for her.

Edric really amazed with his opponent's flexibility and vows to win and recruit her to be part of his team. This time he takes the initiative to attack first, he closes in and feints a straight punch, Lyra evades but only to fall for Edric's trick. Edric then was able to go behind her and locks her. Lyra was really feeling uncomfortable so she once again shifts her center of gravity to throws down her opponent. She was successful in throwing him down but before he hits the ground he manages to push himself up. She frowns.

And so they fought fiercely, but to the spectators, their fight was like an elegant passionate, and intimate dance. The close contact between them as they fight really creates this illusion of intimacy between them. And as they fought on, Edric admires Lyra more and more while Lyra gets more frustrated. Even with weapons got involve only made the fight more exciting and beautiful.

Both of them are almost at their limit, Edric having a bit more stamina than Lyra uses all his skills to go behind Lyra and once again lock her in his arms. He tightens his hold. Lyra with her Karambit in her hand maneuvers, so she could at least push the tip of the knife towards her opponent's neck. Feeling the tip of the knife in his throat, Edric momentarily loosens his hold on Lyra. She then slips away from Edric's embrace and accidentally she cuts the string of his mask and also cuts his cheek.

The moment Edric's mask falls down the crowd collectively gasped. Lyra quickly faced her opponent with her guard up only to notice that she unmasked her opponent. Lyra froze in place as she recognizes the popular 'Prince of Combat'. Her opponent turned out to be the 'Prince of Combat' as well as the most anticipated character of the event. She almost cursed out loud. She quickly tries to get off the stage but Edric grabs Lyra's wrist and looks at her intensely while he tightens his grip. Edric wasn't even aware of what he did. He was just thinking of not letting her go at that moment especially after looking into her beautiful hazelnut eyes. He wasn't thinking why he didn't want to let her go. He just doesn't want to let her go.

Lyra quickly frees her hand only to be caught again so she throws her knife towards Edric.

Caught off guard his grips loosen and he was barely able to catch the knife. The moment Edric loosens his grip Lyra stealthily swiftly slips away from the stage. When Edric finally catches the knife he quickly looks back at Lyra only to notice she is nowhere to be found. He immediately exited the stage and starts to search for her only to be stopped by his hidden guard concerned about their young master's minor cut. The hidden guard can't help but get worried since they know that no matter how thorough their protection is there are still danger lurking in unexpected places.

Lyra uses all her skill to slip away unnoticed. Because of the commotion about the Prince of Combat being present, it was no wonder Lyra was able to slip away unnoticed. Lyra knowing she might have just offended the host of the event quickly flees the place and heads towards Madam Cherry's house. She needs a safe haven for the night. For all she could think about is how mad her master will be. She sighs. She can't help to think that tonight is such an ill-fated one.

She then mutters under her breath as she successfully gets away, "Such bad luck."