Water blades sliced through the air between the two duelists, reaching Admiron. His sword gleamed as he adjusted his grip.
With the blades hurtling toward his face, he shifted his stance, aimed his sword at the oncoming attack, and deftly deflected them in quick succession.
The deflected water blades crashed onto the pavement nearby, sending dust swirling into the air.
As the dust began to form, the concentration of water vapor increased, clinging to the dust particles and pulling them back down.
Before the dust-infused vapor could make the ground more slippery, Admiron dashed forward.
He knew that any changes to the battleground could cost him his advantage. With water at her disposal, Selina could effortlessly use water steps to maintain her mobility, while Admiron would be hindered.
Before he could close the distance, Selina's figure grew hazy and dissolved into a thin mist.
A whisper echoed, "Mist Style: White Haze."
Tiny needles shot through the mist, aiming to pin the swordmaster down. With a swift stance change, Admiron managed to deflect them for the moment.
He quickly retreated, realizing it was too late. There was no way to attack the mist or harm the swordmaster hidden within.
Unless...
A shadow enveloped his figure as dark hands reached out, trying to bind him and drag him into their shadowy world.
He closed his eyes and stood still. The mist needles continued their relentless approach but eventually slowed and fell before reaching him.
Then, with a sudden shift in stance, he opened his eyes.
"Shadow Art: Darkness Shift"
A shadowy hand clings to his legs, wrapping them in darkness and covering them completely.
Admiron used shadow steps to get closure, his sword cleaving the vapor infested air, with swift.
Selina changed back to her unique water style.
The water aggregated trying to stop the Admiron flow, but none can stop this mighty knight.
They were deflected by the darkness beside him.
Selina, her Water Style already formed, raised her sword. Her unique and swift movements confused even this mighty swordsman.
Yet, her attack was stopped as it clashed with Admiron's magic sword. The impact sent her flying back, converting her momentum into a backward force. She landed hard and tried to get up, but before she could, Admiron was already standing over her, his sword pointed at her.
Shadows warped around his frame, he had used his aura.
"You win," he whispered, lowering his sword.
The crowd stood in stunned silence.
Suddenly, a voice broke through, "Sir Admiron!"
Following that, the entire crowd chanted his name.
While the crowd seemed engrossed, Selina slowly gathered herself and left the stadium, her friend chasing after her.
Rivered stepped away from the crowd as he made his way back.
He slowly headed toward the western section. The path was lined with royal carpets, and majestic knights stood beside them, ready for the walking ceremony.
With the ceremony about to begin, he quickened his pace and entered. The guards, having seen him earlier with the Captain, didn't stop him.
He searched the inner hall, where nobles, knights, merchants, and members of royal families were already mingling and making social connections.
In the corner, Sugo was chatting with some noblewomen, most of them widowed. Meanwhile, Vigrath stood apart, his moustache setting him apart from the rest, as he lingered among the knights.
Rivered turned and searched for Avatar, and soon he found him. Avatar was with Captain William.
They were both conversing with knights who are set to be awarded knighthood today.
Regarding knighthood, a knight could only receive this title if they managed to attain aura.
Without achieving aura, knights are not permitted to graduate.
Rivered sighed inwardly as he spotted them, realizing the problem, he wasn't properly dressed for the event. His friend wasn't either, and together they looked completely out of place, though it didn't bother him.
To him, there was no value in winning over these people.
He stepped forward toward the Captain and the soon-to-be-knighted student.
"Excuse my interruption, Captain William, and Knights," he said with a polite smile, as he interjected in their conversation.
Suddenly, one of the students exclaimed, "Rivered Callahan! We were just talking about you!"
"We admire your courage and bravery. For sir, you are a knight at heart, regardless of appearance."
The rest of the students, their faces filled with eagerness, looked toward him.
Rivered was a little flustered as he faced them. "I am no knight. I am a mercenary."
"And a very old one at that," the Captain added.
Avatar chuckled in response.
"Who's old? I'm as young as I ever was."
"A young 40-year-old," Avatar finished with a grin.
The captain and the knight laughed in response.
The first student, trying to be respectful and defend his hero, added, "But he is strong, that's what matters."
Rivered signed inwardly, 'This is why I hated social events.'
But on the surface, he gave a faint smile, "That's true for sure, strength do matter the most."
The captain and the knight nodded at his response. With the small talk over, the captain introduced him to the students, and they continued chatting until the time for the ceremony arrived.
The ceremony began with the Prince of Avarath delivering a brief speech, expressing gratitude to the knights and the soon-to-be knight for their service. He also mentioned the mercenary group Yorwkisa, thanking them for their continued dedication to serving the kingdom.
Everyone applauded the Prince and expressed their gratitude to the knights.
With the Prince now assuming the King's duties, he knighted each squire as their name was called.
The celebration resumed soon after. The newly knighted squires joined the festivities in their gleaming armor, proudly bearing the ancestral swords of their families.
There was no longer any reason for the Rivered to stay. While he could make social calls with the newly appointed knights, befriending one wasn't necessary for him.
So, he sneaked out.
As he tried to slip away unnoticed, he ran into his teammates, who were just as exhausted from the event. They exchanged glances and laughed quietly as they sneaked out of the Knight Solace Grounds together.
"That was hectic, man," Sugo exclaimed, his hands resting behind his neck.
"Yes, I agree," Vigrath replied.
"When is the date for the dungeon?"
"Three more days from now," Rivered replied, his voice hoarse and grim.
"Yeah... We'll be fine. We have knights this time. And this time, people will remember us. We'll be heroes."
Rivered looked up at the sky, the memory of that day still vivid in his mind. He closed his eyes once again, letting the past replay itself.