The Spar

Samuel left the dining room without looking back. He didn't care about their opinions, their sudden change in attitude, or their fake concern. He needed air.

Stepping outside, he inhaled deeply. The morning air was cool, a little cool, but refreshing. He walked to the back of the house, away from everyone.

That's when he saw him.

Sir Aldric.

One of his uncles.

Sir Aldric was training, his body surrounded by bright streaks of electricity. The raw power of his Thunder Element. lighting up the training ground in flashes of yellow and white. The way it moved, the way it struck, it was powerful. It was beautiful.

Samuel wanted it.

Sir Aldric noticed him standing there and turned.

"Hey, you."

Samuel stayed silent.

"You're Samuel, right?"

Samuel narrowed his eyes.

So you don't even know my name, bitch.

But he kept those words in his head and simply said, "Yes."

Sir Aldric smirked.

And said come closer.

So Samuel walked up to him.

"I saw the flames you used yesterday. Impressive. A normal noble with a Soul Core of 3 can't do that."

Before Samuel could respond, he heard voices approaching.

He sighed.

Two girls were walking toward them, his cousins, Amelia and Sera.

Behind them, his father, mother, and Victor followed.

Samuel glanced at Victor. He was still glaring, still pissed.

Annoying.

Then Sir Aldric said to him, "let's spar."

Samuel turned back to Sir Aldric. "Sure, no problem."

He wasn't going to reveal that he could use multiple elements. Not yet. For now, he'd stick with Fire.

Everyone sat down, forming a small audience.

Sir Aldric cracked his knuckles and grinned.

"Alright, kid. Hit me with everything you got."

Samuel laughed.

Not a happy laugh. A mocking one.

This guy had no idea what he was asking for.

The fight begin's,

Sir Aldric barely had time to react.

One second, Samuel was standing still.

The next, he was behind him.

Sir Aldric twisted his body, barely dodging the strike aimed at his ribs. He responded with a surge of Thunder, sending a wave of electricity toward Samuel.

Samuel walked through it.

The electricity did nothing.

Sir Aldric's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't hesitate. He charged, aiming a punch at Samuel's side, but Samuel blocked it easily.

They exchanged blows, fast, precise, but it didn't take long for Samuel to realize something.

Sir Aldric was weak.

Or maybe, Samuel was just too strong now.

He had faced real monsters in the dungeon. He had fought creatures that could tear men apart like paper. This wasn't a challenge.

Sir Aldric must have noticed because he narrowed his eyes.

"Don't hold back."

Samuel raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

Sir Aldric said, "Yes. We have a healer."

Sera, sitting on the sidelines, nodded. "I can heal injuries with my earth element. It's fine."

Samuel sighed. "Alright."

Surprised, Because it was the first time he had about it.

Then, He raised his hand, and a fire sword formed in his grip. He wasn't going to reveal the Minotaur's Axe yet. That was too much.

Sir Aldric took a stance.

Samuel didn't waste time.

He moved.

Fast.

Too fast for Sir Aldric to keep up.

Samuel slashed at his ankle, the same method he had used against the Minotaur.

Sir Aldric stumbled.

Before he could recover, Samuel turned off the fire sword and drove his fist into Sir Aldric's gut.

Sir Aldric choked out a gasp.

Samuel was about to follow up with another strike, but.

"Enough!"

Selena's voice rang out.

Samuel stopped.

Sir Aldric dropped to one knee, clutching his stomach.

The whole area was silent.

Sera quickly rushed forward and placed her hands on Sir Aldric, using Earth Magic to heal him.

Samuel turned and looked at everyone.

His father had a strange look on his face.

Victor looked like he wanted to kill him.

His mother, was just watching, her expression unreadable.

Sir Aldric coughed and stood up, shaking his head.

"Damn" He looked at Samuel. "You're a monster."

Samuel rolled his shoulders. "You said not to hold back."

Sir Aldric laughed. "Yeah, yeah. That was good. You're strong, kid."

Samuel didn't respond.

He didn't care about compliments.

He just wanted to leave.

But before he could turn away, his father spoke.

"Samuel."

Samuel looked at him. "What?"

His father paused for a moment, then said, "You should train under Sir Aldric."

Samuel blinked.

Then, he laughed.

Sir Aldric raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

Samuel shook his head. "Train under him? Why would I do that?"

His father frowned. "He's experienced. He can help you improve."

Samuel scoffed.

"Improve? You just saw what happened."

Sir Aldric crossed his arms. "I have knowledge you don't. Experience you don't."

Samuel tilted his head.

"You think I need you to get stronger?"

Aldric didn't respond.

Samuel turned away.

"I'll train myself."

Samuel had already turned away, ready to leave, but then he stopped.

Wait.

Something crossed his mind.

He needed Thunder Element.

And the only way to get it, was to kill Sir Aldric.

He slowly turned back around.

"Okay."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"I'll do it."

His father blinked. Then, suddenly, he laughed. A deep, hearty laugh filled with excitement. "That's my boy!"

Samuel ignored him. He turned to Sir Aldric. "When do we start?"

Sir Aldric smirked. "Good. But you're not just training. In one week, you're starting at a different academy."

Samuel frowned. "What?"

Sir Aldric nodded. "You're going to the same academy as your older brother Victor."

Samuel turned his head slightly, his cold eyes locking onto Victor. His older brother tensed. He still hadn't gotten over what happened.

Samuel didn't care.

Sir Aldric continued, "It's a different level than your old school, even though you got kicked out of the last one. It's good, If you really want to improve, this is where you need to be."

Samuel stared at him for a long moment.

"Fine."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked off.