Corallia(4)

"Lucian Whiteclark, I, Lev Corallia challenge you to a duel" Lev declared, his eyes flaring with anger, his mana leaking out of his body.

His words echoed in the study chamber and a heavy silence descended upon the room once again. Vivianne looked at her brother holding her ex-fiancee by the collar, the former had his patience shattered since Lucian had disrespected their father.

Lev was not such an impulsive young man as he is now, he is a kind and caring brother. He acknowledged the relationship between Lucian and her. He even cared for Lucian like his own brother as they used to play with each other during their childhood.

He is also chosen to be the heir of Corallia as their only son. And now that heir, her brother had challenged her former fiancee to a duel. A duel amongst the nobility, a duel of defending one's honor. She was not particularly scared that Lucian might die but the thing is that.

'He never practiced combat arts'

Lucian never held a sword in his whole life, he was always busy with his books about magic engineering and theories, he was a boy who wanted to be a scholar. Vivianne knew of his interests because he used to share them with her with a wide grin, it bored her but still, she listened until the end to not hurt the boy and his dreams.

Well, the other reason was that she liked the boy as they spent their time together, his way of doing things, and his comedic but kind nature always used to bring out a chuckle from her. His cute and clumsy way of doing things, breaking the items around the house, and getting scolded by Aunt Liana. All those memories were still fresh and vivid for her.

Her late Mother, Duchess Viessa Ignar Corallia, noticed her behavior toward Lucian and often teased her but in the end, she was the one who proposed the engagement between her and Lucian.

But something changed six months prior. He became cold and distant, a contrast to his previous nature. He did not talk much, ignored her letters, and also ignored her. Locked himself up in the library, spouting some non-sensical stuff according to her.

And at the birthday banquet of the heir of Blackstone Duchy, Hemet Blackstone, he threatened her to break the engagement off. It was a shocking display for her, she cried about it to her brother, her father. They wanted to apprehend him but she did not want that and let him be.

Now, Lucian was here again but changed. He lost his memories and might not even remember their connection together. So, it made sense to her that he would try to break the engagement off. But due to poor choices of words he now has to face her brother in a duel.

"Broth-"

Before Vivianne could stop her brother her father raised his hand to stop her. She looked at him with a doubtful expression.

"Let them be," He said, "Let's see how he handles it"

Vivianne worried, looked at Duke Arin, Lucian's father, who was also sitting quietly not even acknowledging the scene occurring beside him. But his lips it was curved upwards in a faint smile, one she could not understand.

"Fine, I accept," the young man said, his voice steady but laced with tension. "What are your conditions?"

Lev's eyes narrowed, his resolve clear. "If I win, you stay away from Vivianne forever. And you'll apologize to my father."

Lucian let out a small sigh, a trace of amusement in his expression. "You didn't need to challenge me for that. I was already planning on leaving her alone and apologizing to the Duke"

"Now, can I lay down my demands?" He asked.

"Go ahead"

"If I win," he began, his voice calm and collected, "Then the engagement talks and any further talks of relationship between the Whiteclark family and Corallia family will cease, and one more thing, please give me a contractor seal for a familiar" 

His demands were concise and clear. And both the Dukes..... agreed?

"Fine," Lev accepted the demand, "then let's head to the training grounds" 

***

[Current Time....]

'Stop narrating'

[Ugh, fine]

I am now standing in the training ground of Corallia estate. In front of me was standing the heir of Corallia Duchy, Lev Corallia. He had a wooden spear in his hands and protective gear around his body.

I on the other hand have nothing. Well, it was my choice because if I use a sword now, it will only hold me back. I have only trained with the sword for one day, Yes one day, so I ditched the idea of wielding one in this duel. And the second reason is, I am at a higher magical stage than him.

Lev Corallia is currently in the Advanced Initiate Stage and I am currently in the Low Adept stage but that does not mean that I should take him lightly, he might have a few water spells here and there but his main style is using the spear.

[Aiden,] Elara called out to me, [Why did you place such demands although I can understand the contractor seal, why did you ask for the cessation of the relationship between the families?]

'Let me ask you that, why do you think I did that?'

[To avoid your responsibilities toward Vivianne?]

'Partly but this whole thing feels kind of forced, I mean like why should there be a duel between me and Lev? They could've just thrown me out or made me apologize. But,'

[But what?]

'I think, that I am being tested but it is a speculation though'

[Why do you think so?]

'I literally insulted Duke Edgar unintentionally because of you, but the Duke was calm and did not really pay my outburst any heed. He was truly only angry when I decided to cancel the engagement.'

[So you mean...]

'They never really wanted to cancel my engagement with Vivianne and this duel happened because I think Duke Edgar noticed my breakthrough to the Adept stage.'

[And if it is opposite?]

'Then it's far better but it will surely leave a bad taste in my mouth so I hope my speculation is correct'

"Hey, let's begin" Lev's voice cut through my conversation with Elara but I ignored him. This guy is actually angry with me.

[But what about Lev? He definitely acted in anger] Elara pointed out the obvious.

'Yeah, he acted out of his emotions and pride' I snorted.

[What is your plan now? How will you win?] Elara asked.

"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Lev shouted but he got ignored again.

'I have no way of winning in a single move. All I can do is maintain the distance and hope that my spell hits him'

[Not a good plan] she remarked.

'I know' I scoffed at her obvious remarks.

'Wait!' I remember now, that spell, let's use that one but it will take some time to prepare. 

"Hey!" Lev called out putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Uh yeah, let's begin" I replied with a confident smirk on my lips.

***

"Who do you think will win?" Duke Edgar asked Duke Arin who was standing alongside him watching the two young men getting ready for their duel. His expression neutral with no hint of any change.

"It's hard to say, Edgar," Duke Arin began his voice calm and composed, "Both seem to be matched, Lucian is at a higher stage and Lev seems to be proficient with the spear. But I think your son has a higher chance of winning."

"I see," Duke Edgar nodded, "But I think your son has something up his sleeve, or else why would he accept such a challenge."

"I don't understand this son of mine anymore, he.... he changed completely," Arin remarked looking at his son who was lost in thought, "He seems like a different person, he now feels even more distant."

"Well he lost his memories, you can't blame him," Duke Edgar said, tone softening lightly. He knew his friend had suffered a lot during the war and during the successions. And now, his son had lost his memories.

Arin Whiteclark, The Windblade Duke, was after all a father and a husband like himself. Arin cared about his family, just like he did. His eyes looked at Vivianne who was with Pearl, they were quite a bit far away from them, her concerned eyes looking toward the training ground. He knew from her line of sight that she was looking at Lucian.

'You still love him, my daughter?'

His late wife, Duchess Viessa, wanted their daughter to be happy, she knew her time was limited. So before she passed away she arranged the engagement between their daughter and Lucian. He was fine with Lucian, he was a Duke's son and he was a smart boy although he lacked in physical prowess.

He sighed and then looked at the two duelists before them. Lev was boiling with anger which he somehow masked but on the other hand, Lucian was thinking and smiling about something.

'He looks confident' The thought ran through his mind as he looked at the boy.

Both Lucian and Lev were standing almost 10 meters apart from each other. The Judge, a knight from the Corallia Duchy stood in between them.

"Are both the participants of the Duel ready?" The judge asked looking toward both sides, giving both Lucian and Lev a glance.

"Yes," Lev responded.

"Yes," Lucian replied.

The judge took a few steps backward away from the middle and then raised his hands, "Then let the Duel Commence"