First Duel

A little stretching and a few test swings of my blade is really all I need before the sparring match can begin.

Rich waves at me after leaving his friends to rest. "Your Highness."

"Thomas. Please." I eye him.

He offers me a full bow. "Sorry, sorry."

I cross my arms with my sword away. "I don't want you to look at me as the crown prince. I am here to learn and advance. Everyone wants to place me on a pedestal. I need to be seen as a human."

"But, Thomas..." Rich sighs. He stands opposite me. "Alright. You may have gotten a specialty blade before me, but it doesn't change the fact I've been sparring more than you."

"Exactly." I stand opposite him. I glance around the room. A lot of people are here to watch. Cheer me on mostly. Or cheer against me. Rich is probably going to be more known after this battle. "Ready?"

Rich nods. He offers me another bow before pulling his sword out. He's ready.

I copy standing opposite as I should.

The knight who'll act as referee calls for us to start.

I hold my sword ready, but only take a side step. Rich copies me. Should I try something? I take a step in the right direction, but before I can get a swing toward Rich, he is arcing his blade toward me. I shift my weight to block his sword from hitting me. The feeling of ringing carries through my body. I wasn't expecting the contact. That momentum he had had to go somewhere. Now it's vibrating my body.

I need to reset myself. As I get myself back into position, he's swinging at me again. A downstrike that would hurt if I take it. I'd glow for sure. I push his blade to the side while dodging opposite. My position allows for me to make a good strike. He's wide open.

As I get my sword into the right position to strike, he's back to block it.

I back off. It's required. My hands hurt from the vibrating I wasn't expecting. I need to get used to being hit like this. Before I can even organize an attack, he comes swinging for me again.

I try to get my sword in position to block it. But miss. I miss the strike. His sword ends up embedding itself into my gut. I reach down to find the blood and ripped gear. The red glow appears around me as if my tracer went off. But this is the arena's healing magic. I look at the blood on my fingers. I was seriously injured.

The cheers around the room is normal for a duel. Rich won. The moment I needed that level of healing, the duel had to be called.

It's a weird feeling. To lose.

It doesn't matter that it was my first duel. It doesn't matter that I was expecting it. I wasn't ready to handle it. I went into the fight without enough information and skills. Rich was excited I was qualified to battle.

Did I not have confidence? Did that mess with me?

I nod to the crowd. "Thanks for the duel, Rich."

"You'll get used to it. Took me a while to handle the vibration sensations, too." Rich slaps my back. "Soon you'll wipe the floor with me. For your first duel was that impressive."

"You're saying that." I chuckle. It's nice to get complimented.

"I've been here a lot longer than you." Rich motions to the crowd. "Most would think you are a prodigy for pulling off what you did."

I laugh. "Thanks for the lie."

Rich shakes his head. "You blocked my swings. You should see other first duels. We can work on getting used to the vibrations, increasing speed, etc etc." Rich faces the crowd. "Who was next? I heard someone wanted to duel next."

I move to Ryan's side as Jessica and Daniel step into the center. Another trainee versus trainee battle. I watch as Jessica proves she has skills most trainees wouldn't have. I guess that's how many saw my battle. I was able to block someone who has trained further. I wasn't able to get in a strike like Jessica did, but it looks like Rich may win against Daniel. So even if Daniel is defeating Jessica here, it won't be long if things continue this way before Daniel loses.

"You two really make everyone else look like fools." Ryan is relaxed. "You're the only two who are allowed to duel in our exam group."

"Yeah." I touch my sword. I have a fancy sword. Jessica's is coming. Her parents are bringing it. It's just another issue to handle. Will they stay? Will they impact Mom's visits? "Ryan?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you teach me how to use a flyer?"

Ryan eyes me as Daniel is asked by Rich to a duel. Winner vs winner. Everyone is screaming over the idea. Can't say who'd win. "Why?"

I fidget. I need to learn everything. "I... I want to..."

"Have another escape method. They watch all escape options remember." Ryan eyes me. I sigh. "But I can help you. I don't think I'm truly good enough to train another, but I can offer what I do know."

"Thanks. They have training flyers I can practice with." I watch as Rich handles Daniel. Callie beats Rich without too much fanfare. But it looks like Rich is better than Daniel.

Jessica plops next to me during the fight. "I wish I could battle you, Thomas. It would be more even."

"That's a bad move." Ryan says. "You're gonna get princess before too long."

"How do we stop the gossip?" Jessica huffs.

"There's a reason Hydrangea and Lucas fight. Friendliness leads to acceptance of contracts."

I grunt. Hate my friend just because my parents are being difficult. "I need to do something about it." Mom should be here soon.

Jessica eyes me. "Hard to hate him. But I do have priorities. Let me know if we need to play enemies."

"Indifference more than enemies." Ryan tells her. "And really there's little you can do given the circumstances."

"Might as well be friends." Jessica stands up. "I'm going to practice the bow. Should calm me. Always did before." She offers us a wave while leaving. Before she manages to leave the room the duel ends.

Daniel is on the ground with a sword pointed at him. I lost through needing healing. Daniel lost his weapon. It took longer though. Which would I prefer to have happen? Would I have kept going if I wasn't disqualified? I did not drop my weapon. I held on to it. I touch my sword again.

"And that's why your abilities are called impressive." Ryan taps my arm. "No one is trying to push you beyond your abilities, you know."

"Feels like it."

"Just accept their help. If they want you pulling something off, seriously try. Maybe your parents will give space if both of you fully accept knighthood. Strive to beat the king's record."

"Maybe." I stand up. "Flyer practice?"

"Sure, sure." Ryan grins while walking with me out of the arena. Others will duel soon. But I don't think watching their duels will help me right now. I just need to practice everything to get better. I need to be used to everything. I need to move faster. Become more agile.

It would suit my desires more than dealing with my parents. I should manage that well enough.

I hope.