The Second Day (2)

The lunch was peaceful and quick. To Fionella's surprise, her mother had nothing to say or warn her about. There were short discussions, but none involved her, which she was grateful for.

After lunch, Fionella changed into her combat clothes, similar to her disciple uniform but more regal and elegant. The blue attire was new for her, as she wasn't particularly fond of the color. The fabric shimmered slightly in the sunlight, accentuating the intricate silver embroidery that adorned the edges and sleeves.

Once dressed, she hurried to her carriage. This time, she would be riding with her siblings since both Thea and she were not wearing gowns. The siblings sat comfortably on plush seats, the interior of the carriage lined with velvet and adorned with family crests.

The flight to the colosseum was longer due to its distance, a few kilometers away from the castle grounds. As they traveled, Fionella gazed out the window, her mind filled with visions of herself in the arena, dueling with a formidable opponent. The thought thrilled her, bringing a smile to her lips.

Both her siblings noticed. "You must be excited. What has you smiling?" Thea asked, her voice gentle.

Fionella chuckled, "I can't help but imagine myself as one of the duel contenders."

Her siblings exchanged glances, their smiles mirroring Fionella's enthusiasm and infectious energy.

"Now that we're talking about the duel, may I ask why you didn't join, brother?" Fionella asked, her curiosity piqued.

Rozel's smile faded, and he gripped his thigh tightly, his knuckles whitening. Thea also went silent, her gaze dropping to her hands. Noticing their discomfort, Fionella quickly added, "You don't need to answer, brother," chuckling awkwardly.

Rozel took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slowly. "I got a serious injury on a mission two years ago."

Fionella's face changed, her eyes widening in surprise and concern. "The injury was severe to my elbows and thighs, paralyzing me for a whole year. I recently started holding a sword again and am currently in rehabilitation."

"Did healing not work?" Fionella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rozel shook his head. "It wasn't a simple injury, Fion. It was a curse from a dark mage, something no one knows how to fully heal."

The carriage grew eerily silent, the air thick with tension. Rozel, noticing the mood, forced a laugh. "You don't have to worry. I'm slowly recovering. Though the curse isn't completely lifted, I'm almost as good as new."

Fionella couldn't help but worry. She had been away for a long time, with no news from her family. Although she had endured intense training, she was heavily protected by her master and Cassandra, while her siblings had to fulfill their duties and work on missions for the fortress and the empire.

The somber mood lifted when the carriage landed at their destination. The loud cheers from the colosseum indicated the event had already started. The structure loomed ahead, its massive stone walls towering over them. It was almost as large as the castle, able to accommodate thousands of spectators.

They were escorted by other disciples to their seats, located in the upper part of the colosseum. Despite the distance, magical screens provided a clear view of the action at the center.The sword fights were intense, showcasing the soldiers' skills. The clang of steel against steel, the shouts of exertion, and the gasps from the audience filled the air.

"Oh! That must hurt!" someone exclaimed as a fighter got slashed. Blood spilled, but the soldier fought on until the tip of a sword pointed at his head, prompting his forfeit.

"Woah! Go, young master! Fight!"

"Fight! Fight!"

The chants grew louder as the next contenders took the stage. Fionella was engrossed, her eyes following every move, observing the techniques and attacks, eager to apply them in her next training.

She clenched her fists, longing to hold a sword and practice endlessly, disregarding the Grand Festival events.

"It's finally their turn," Rozel said, snapping Fionella out of her thoughts. The cheers intensified as Crown Prince Levi, in his regal combat attire, and Kairon, in his usual combat uniform, stepped into the arena. Levi's attire shimmered with gold accents, while Kairon's uniform was practical, yet bearing the insignia of his rank.

Fionella's anticipation grew for the most awaited duel of the day. As the sun set, casting an orange glow over the colosseum, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. Two great warriors were about to clash, and the outcome was uncertain.

"This is their first official match," Thealaine commented, drawing Fionella's attention. She noticed her older sister's eyes fixed on the crown prince. "In previous festivals, it was always Rozel and his highness."

"Well, since the crown prince organized the event, he's entitled to participate," Rozel added."Who do you think will win?" Fionella asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Both siblings shook their heads. "It's hard to tell. Although the crown prince has more experience, Kairon has undergone rigorous training as the heir of Haris Fortress. Their levels are almost equal," Rozel replied.

Fionella's gaze returned to the center, where Kairon stared at her for a brief moment before focusing on his opponent.

--*--

Kairon and Crown Prince Levi readied themselves, waiting for the referee's signal. As soon as they heard the cue, Kairon launched forward, not slashing but turning to find Levi's blind spot. Levi quickly covered his back with his sword and leapt into the air, his movements graceful and fluid.

Levi launched an offensive attack, his sword a blur of motion, but Kairon blocked it and counterattacked with precision. Their skills were evenly matched, each move a blend of attack and defense, the crowd's gasps and cheers creating a symphony of excitement.

"You've leveled up," Levi commented, his voice steady as he pushed his sword against Kairon's.Kairon smirked, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Being head of security for the Festival helps," he said, flipping over Levi to launch an attack. But Levi quickly countered, their swords clashing midair with a resounding clang.

"I thought you'd be bored," Levi said, his tone light.

"This year is special."

Levi smirked. "Why? Are you trying to impress someone?"

Kairon's eyes widened momentarily, but he quickly composed himself and launched a special technique, his movements a blur. This time, his attack hindered Levi from blocking in both directions, the crowd holding its breath in anticipation.

The audience gasped, thinking Levi would be slashed, but they underestimated the crown prince's ability. Levi twisted his body, attacking reversely with a swift motion, catching Kairon off guard. The duel continued with a series of rapid exchanges, each fighter pushing their limits, neither willing to back down.

"They seem to be close," Fionella commented, her eyes never leaving the duel.

Rozel nodded. "They are of the same age and trained under the same master, but they've never had an official match until now."

"Why?" Fionella asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"They made a promise to each other," Thea added. "They needed to build trust, especially since Kairon will be the next head of the Haris Fortress and the crown prince the future emperor."

"That explains their synchronized movements with the sword," Fionella observed, admiring their skill.

The duel's time limit ended with neither side gaining the upper hand. The result was a tie, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd. While some spectators felt disappointed by the lack of a definitive winner, the tie demonstrated that both heirs were equally skilled and that the Empire would be in capable hands under their leadership.

Fionella, however, noticed the expressions of Kairon and Levi. They both grimaced, a flicker of disappointment crossing their faces. 'They must have practiced very hard for today, yet they remained evenly matched,' she thought, sensing the underlying frustration of the two warriors.

As the crowd continued to cheer, Fionella's mind wandered, thinking about the dedication and effort both Kairon and the crown prince must have put into their training. She admired their perseverance and felt inspired to push herself further in her own training, determined to improve her skills and face any challenge that came her way.

To be continued