Chapter 21

Vincent and James stood in a row facing the castles main gate. A cartridge with the crest of a yellow wolf soon came into sight. It was followed by a few other fancy looking cartridges as a group of nobles soon departed. From the Cartridge in the front came out a family of people who were all far better dressed than the people around them with two of them even wearing a crown. It was clear to all that they were the King and Queen of Gessia. From behind the King Vincent heard the King of Frent greeting the visitors from afar. The king stood at the top of the castles steps with his wife to his right and the concubine diagonally behind him to the left.

After the Greetings everyone walked to the royal garden where many tables were arranged for the invited guests. At the front was a especially glamorous table on a dais. The tablecloth was Embroidered with Yellow Wolves and Golden Eagles. The tables closet to the Dias were all also all elegant but.the further the tables got from the dais the less Elegant they were. Servants came to each of the guests and showed them to their assigned seats. James and Vincent were placed on a table near the Dias. As Vincent looked up at the Dias he could see many familiar faces from the royal family such as Victoria and the King. He could also see some unfamiliar faces such as the king and queen from Gessia he saw exiting the carriage moments ago. As more and more people arrived at their seats the atmosphere started to warm up. Countless servants poured into the garden each carrying fine foods. Sitting around the table next to Vincent were many of the kings aids and their eldest sons or daughters. He knew most of them by name and he could recognize the faces of those he didn't.

As the adults began to converse with one another so did the children and teens.

Vincent: "Denis long time no see."

Denis: "Same can be said to you Vincent."

Vincent: "So what are you doing these days?"

Denis: "I'm learning under my father to become the next generations minister of production."

Vincent: "Impressive, so your following your fathers footsteps?"

Denis: "Indeed, hows it going on your end? I've heard some interesting rumors."

Vincent: "I don't know what rumors you've heard but i am learning how to use magic and im upping my Swordsmanship."

Denis: "Sounds almost like your training like a royal."

Vincent: "Not at all, i can guarantee you that i have no interest in that. Even if i were to marry into the royal family the duties i would have to do on a daily basis would overwhelm me. I've seen what kind of work they do by watching dad and listing to the complaints of some of the royals. I would want to rule a piece of land of my own as a Barron or a lord not rule a country as a king."

Denis: "Listing to complaints from the royals ey, that wouldn't happen to entail a certain fifth princess?"

Vincent: "Well we've become good friends. I didn't only hear from her of the responsible the royals, I've also heard it from the fourth prince. Dad also told me about some of it even though he's far from being a royal."

Denis: "Lucky you. Wow look at the fish their bringing! It looks delicious!"

The servants brought a giant steamed fish to Vincent's table alongside a few trays of beef and bread. Vincent and Denis joyfully ate the food as did the rest of the guests.

The Feast was supposed to be a few hours long but after most people ate their fill they began to move from table to table as they chatted with their friends or tried to make new acquaintances. Vincent remained at his table to talk to Denis when he felt someone tap his shoulder. Vincent turned around to see a tall blonde teenager that seemed to be about three years older than him. Vincent recognized him as a member of the royal family of Gessia. The teenager smirked at him and began by saying.

Royal Gessian: "I sense that your a better fighter than most of the guys here. I Percy first prince of Gessia invite you to duel me!"

Vincent immediately remembered Victors remarks about the character of the prince a d thought that Victor hit the mark. He knew the prince wouldn't accept a rejection so he semi reluctantly agreed, as he did want to test his skills.

Percy: "We will use only melee practice weapons and non lethal magic."

Vincent: "And magic?"

Percy: "Yes AND MAGIC"

Vincent: "Fine."

It seemed the Frentian Royals already knew Percy would invite someone to a fight, as they had already prepared a place in the garden for a duel. The makeshift arena was surrounded by a rope fence that demarcated the area. The arena was surrounded by royal guards, who would make sure to step in to protect the contestants if necessary. Vincent heard from Victor that Percy specialized in bows & arrows as well as Arming swords. A type of one-handed sword often used by knights. Vincent, on the other hand, generally used Bastard swords and two-handed Longswords.

To no ones surprise when Percy entered the arena he requested a wooden Arming Sword. Meanwhile Vincent requested the standard two handed training sword. A small crowed of interested onlookers started to form around the arena, Vincent saw James, Victor and Victoria among the crowd. A servant stood between Vincent and Percy.

Servant: "I shall count down from five once i reach one both sides may attack."

The servant raised his hand and stepped back out to the edge of the arena. He raised five fingers and began counting down.

Servant: "5"

Vincent started to use Water Hook to pull water to one of his hands. At the same time a small gust of wind started to surround Percy.

Servant: "4"

Servant: "3"

Percy started to grin like a wolf seeing its prey. It was clear he could barely wait fir the duel to start.

Servant: "2"

Servant: "1"

At that very Instant Percy charged at Vincent at a speed matching that of a arrow shot from a longbow. It was as if the wind itself was pushing him forward. Vincent managed to block the attack but he was still pushed back multiple meters due to the momentum. Percy's next attack was relentless as Vincent hadn't had even a quarter of a second to recover before the next strike headed for his chest. Vincent Managed to block that attack by a fluke but Percy jumped high into the air with his feat over five meters of the ground. Than Percy used the momentum of his fall with a push from the wind to increase his speed even further. Vincent had a idea he wanted to test and knowing he couldn't block the next attack he focused all his control to spread the water from the palm of his hand to his sword. In the next moment Vincent's sword clashed with Percy's. To the crowds amazement Vincent somehow managed to block the attack. Even Percy was surprised.

Percy: "How did you do that‽"

Vincent's trick was actually rather simple. He used the water on his sword to make it more slippery thus causing redirecting most of the force of Percy's strike into another direction. Vincent managed to aim most of the force of Percy's attack to the floor so when the two swords stuck each other the collision caused Percy to slide away.

Vincent: "You'll have to do better to find out."

Percy: "Fine than i will. it seems i found a worthy opponent but lets hope your not a one trick pony. Because if you are YOU will lose."

Vincent launched an attack of his own at Percy and used the remaining water to make his sword skid off Percy's blade, almost hitting his shoulder. Percy counterattacked, with it being clear to Vincent by now that his opponent used some sort of elemental wind abilities or some sort of wind magic to help propel his sword at Vincent, who had dodged by a hair's breath, but Percy wasn't done attacking yet. Percy's next attack was blocked by Vincent, but it pushed him back a few steps. Even though Percy used only one hand, he still managed to overpower Vincent, and that was mostly due to his wind abilities. Percy attempted to once again slash at Vincent, but Vincent took out an old lesson he learned from Wolf and managed to successfully kick Percy's chest, yet Percy's shear momentum caused Vincent to lose balance and fall backwards. Vincent tried and failed to use the momentum of his fall to roll back up. He soon tried getting up the normal way. This cost Vincent precious time that he did not have as a powerful gust of wind pushed him back down, and as he got up, a second time a wooden sword hit his stomach, causing him to tumble backwards out of the arena.

Percy: "Seems you truly were a one trick pony, well at least i had fun facing you. Whats your name?"

Vincent had to hold up his gut from releasing all that he had feasted on during the day.

Percy: "Never mind ill get your name later."

Percy looked at the crowd of onlookers and shouted. "Victor How about you give your cousin a little duel."

Victor sighed as he unwillingly accepted the duel. Vincent was still on the floor and couldn't concentrate on the fight between the two princes, the few glimpses he saw were those of epic clashes at high speeds beyond what the abridge mind could comprehend in less than a minute the fourth prince of Frent lay collapsed on the floor. Victoria ran to her brother while James had already arrived by his sons side and took care of him .

Vincent:"Seems I've been defeated again ."

James: "But you fought well and you didn't let me down. Get stronger and maybe you'll win next time."

Vincent: "Yes."