THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David stepped out of his room and onto the arena pit, his boots sinking slightly into the dusty ground. His eyes immediately locked onto Ashley as she emerged from the opposite side, her mage robes fluttering softly in the wind. This would be an interesting match. Since arriving in this world, David had yet to face a mage, and he wondered how Ashley's spells would fare against his own abilities.

The arena was buzzing with anticipation. Commoners filled the stands, their attention fixed on the pit below. Many had already decided the outcome, whispering amongst themselves that Ashley would win with ease. After all, David had a reputation—a stain on the De Gor family name, known as the "trash" of the bloodline. But there were a few skeptics in the crowd, their curiosity piqued. How had David, the so-called disgrace, made it this far into the trials? How had he survived, much less thrived, to be standing here today?

Elder Tyron, a stern figure with a sharp gaze, positioned himself between the two contestants. His voice boomed across the arena, silencing the murmurs. "Begin!" he declared, stepping back to give them space.

David immediately shifted his stance, his muscles tensing as he prepared to attack from a distance. His strategy was simple: test Ashley's magical prowess before getting too close. But before he could make a move, her voice rang out, calm and unshaken, cutting through the tension like a knife.

"I give up."

The crowd gasped in shock, their cheers and jeers falling silent in an instant. It was as if time had momentarily frozen. David, caught off guard, blinked in surprise. Ashley's words echoed in his ears, and the disbelief rippled through the stands. Whispers of confusion filled the air as commoners tried to comprehend what had just happened. Why would she give up so easily?

Elder Tyron, however, seemed unsurprised by the turn of events. His face remained stoic, his eyes betraying a glimmer of understanding. Ashley had witnessed David's monstrous power firsthand during the first trial. She knew what David was capable of, and despite her own remarkable skills, she had made a tactical decision. No amount of magic could match what she had seen in him during that brutal encounter.

In the nobles' booth, there was a mixture of reactions. Some nodded knowingly, aware of the rumors surrounding David's unexpected achievements. Others were disappointed, having hoped to see him unleash the full extent of his power once again. They had wanted a spectacle—a display of skill and might—but Ashley's surrender had robbed them of that. Still, they couldn't fault her decision. It was a smart move, though it left them wondering: What was David truly capable of?

David, for his part, felt a pang of disappointment. He had been eager for this battle, to finally test himself against a mage of Ashley's calibre. But as his sapphire eyes flickered toward Elder Tyron, he knew there was nothing to be done. The match was over.

"Winner, David De Gor by default," Elder Tyron announced, his voice steady, signaling the end of the fight.

Ashley, already turning to leave, offered David a brief smile as she headed back toward her room. It wasn't a smile of defeat but one of acknowledgement. She knew something that the rest of the crowd didn't—she had seen the power that lurked beneath David's quiet exterior. And rather than face it, she had chosen to walk away.

David stood in the centre of the arena, shaking his head, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He couldn't help but admire her decision. Smart, very smart. Yet, a part of him still longed for the thrill of the fight. He had come so far since being labelled the weakest, and he wanted—no, needed—to prove himself.

Elder Tyron wasted no time as he prepared for the final match. His voice boomed across the arena, drawing the crowd's attention back to the pit. "Noelle Valtherin will face David De Gor," he announced, and the audience erupted in wild cheers. This was the match they had been waiting for.

Noelle stepped forward, her gaze unwavering, eyes filled with determination. Elder Tyron studied her for a moment, noticing the fiery resolve burning within her. "Will you also throw the match?" he asked, his tone almost casual, as though he expected her to follow Ashley's lead and forfeit. But Noelle shook her head firmly. Experience more tales on m v|l e'm,p| y- r

David, watching her from across the pit, couldn't help but grin. He knew Noelle was a capable swordswoman—more than capable, in fact. If the novel's events had played out as they should, she would have died, if not she would have been a hero destined to face the calamities of their world. But things had changed. He had altered her fate, steering her onto a new path. And now, he was eager to see just how much stronger she had become.

Elder Tyron nodded, a flicker of respect crossing his face before he raised his hand to signal the start of the fight. "Begin!" he commanded, his voice echoing across the arena.

Noelle was cautious at first, her body tense and ready to move. Her eyes darted toward David, assessing him, calculating. If only she had a weapon. Without her great sword, which had melted in her previous battle, she felt at a disadvantage. David, on the other hand, could read her easily, as though every thought was written plainly across her face.

He smirked, stretching out his hand. A swirl of dark energy gathered at his fingertips, slowly morphing into the shape of a sleek, shadowy great sword. The crowd gasped in awe at the display, the blade forming from nothing before their very eyes.

"[You have used Wraithblade]," the system notification flashed in front of David.

Elder Tyron rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his sharp eyes locked on David. "Interesting," he muttered under his breath. Mage Ray, seated nearby, was equally surprised. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. The weapon seemed otherworldly, yet it gave off no energy signature. "It can't be," he whispered, his mind racing. "Is he using a new principle of energy?"

Without hesitation, David tossed the weapon toward Noelle. She caught it effortlessly, her fingers wrapping around the hilt as if it had been made for her. The blade felt cold and foreign, yet she could sense a faint dark power pulsing within it. She glanced at David with a smirk, admiration and excitement twinkling in her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, testing the weight of the sword.

David's confidence was palpable as he rested his hands on his hips. "I expect you to take this seriously," he taunted, his voice laced with anticipation.

Noelle's expression shifted, her playful demeanor giving way to fierce focus. Her eyes sharpened, and she threw the dark great sword behind her with one arm, crouching low in preparation for her attack. Suddenly, to everyone's astonishment, the sword erupted into flames—blue flames that danced around the blade, casting an eerie glow across the pit.

Gasps echoed through the crowd, and even the nobles in their high booth leaned forward in shock. The Earl, however, laughed aloud, his voice booming over the stunned silence. "An awakened using Aura Blade!" he roared with delight. "Incredible!"

The blue flames were not just for show. They were the mark of an advanced swordsman, a technique only those who had stepped into the realm of King-ranked swordsmen could master. Aura Blade, a skill reserved for the elite, allowed a sword to burn with the user's inner strength, amplifying their power beyond normal limits.

David's grin widened as he watched Noelle. She was not just any fighter. She was proving to be an anomaly, just like him—a rising star ready to shatter the limits of her potential. The ground beneath her seemed to tremble as she charged forward, the flames of her sword blazing with intensity.

Noelle wasn't just here to fight. She was here to break through, to prove her worth not only to the crowd but to herself. The barrier that stood between her and greatness was David, and she had no intention of holding back.

With her sword engulfed in blue flames, she surged toward him, her movements fluid and precise. The energy crackled in the air around them, and the audience held their breath in anticipation. Two prodigies, both anomalies in their own right, were about to clash, and the world seemed to stand still in that brief moment before their destinies collided.

David braced himself, his sapphire eyes gleaming with excitement. This was what he had been waiting for. The real battle had begun.

Seated just behind Elder Maison, his son lounged with an air of casual elegance, his chin propped on the palm of his hand as it rested lazily against the plush, luxurious armrest. His sharp eyes, however, betrayed his relaxed posture, honing in on the arena below with a keen intensity.

A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he silently mused to himself, "Let's see what you're truly capable of... David." His gaze never wavered, locked on the unfolding match, eager to witness the power that lay hidden within his family's so-called weakest link.