Newbie Gacha (5)
A knight's pride was something extraordinary. If insulted, they'd challenge anyone to a duel—be it a Sword Sovereign or even the Sword God Grandpa himself—by throwing down the gauntlet. This stemmed partly from their strong sense of pride, but also because dueling the strong was the fastest way to improve one's skills.
Thanks to that, duels happened as often as meals, and losing wasn't particularly dishonorable. In fact, avoiding a duel had become the real mark of shame.
How strong must someone be to earn a medal like that? I'm kinda curious.
Of course, Sisilia had no intention of losing. The reason he'd openly picked a fight with her was curiosity about the rumored Sword Princess's strength, but fundamentally, it was because he was confident in his victory. After all, he was a knight on the cusp of becoming a Sword Emperor.
"No answer? Don't tell me... you're scared?"
He smirked. Dick flinched at her beaming smile, even after taking the bait.
Why's she reacting like that?
Sisilia had decided to play the classic "newbie hazing" game. But it wasn't easy. Knights were fiercely loyal by nature, and openly trash-talking another order went against knightly etiquette.
Sisilia wasn't one to pass up such a golden opportunity.
"Two hours from now. Colosseum."
"...The Colosseum? Why drag it to an official arena for a duel? Hey!"
And with that, Sisilia spread the word far and wide.
People of the neighborhood! The kingdom's top cutie Sisilia is dueling!
"A duel? With Sisilia?"
"Where? Gotta see that!"
The rumor spread like wildfire. Citizens strolling the streets, even knights from other orders visiting the capital on business—they all heard.
"The rumored Sword Princess is dueling?"
"Perfect timing being in the capital."
In no time, the Colosseum was packed.
Meanwhile, at Windsor Knights HQ—Vice-Captain's office.
"Vice-Captain! Big trouble!"
"...What is it?"
Edward was investigating the new recruit's background. Verification was a mandatory, painstaking process. He was swamped.
"Sorry, I'm buried in work. If it's not urgent, report later..."
"Sisilia's dueling! Against the Royal Knights!"
"!"
Edward glanced at the mountain of reports. No time to watch a duel, but...
"Can't miss this."
He bolted for the Colosseum.
* * *
Colosseum. Windsor Knights and Royal Knights stood in clusters nearby, glaring at each other with growls.
The two orders didn't get along. Both based in the capital, their prideful knights clashed constantly. The Royal Knights, who guarded the queen, refused to openly admit—though they knew—the Windsors were the best.
"We represent the Liannen Kingdom, obviously!"
"Right!"
"The name says it all!"
"You think the Royals are shit?!"
The Windsors just snorted at the Royal Knights' outbursts.
"Then why bet everything on Sisilia?"
"Idiots."
"You know what demons taste like?"
Still, plenty bet on Dick. Sisilia had only been Sword Princess for a year. Dick was the Royal Knights' second-best.
"Captain, who do you think wins?"
Adjutant Michael asked. Chiron twitched an eyebrow, glaring like he wanted to smack him.
"Sisilia, obviously."
Daughter-con...
Michael sighed bitterly, looking worriedly at Sisilia.
"But she's only been Sword Princess a year."
"You think a Windsor Sword Demon is on the same level as one from another order?"
Chiron crossed his arms, face saying it was absurd.
"The title of strongest isn't handed out lightly."
"But the Royals recruited talents aggressively this time. That Dick guy's famous in the south."
The Royals were traditionally conservative. Guarding the queen, they valued background over raw skill. Even minor flaws meant rejection.
But with Draven as captain, things changed. To boost their strength, entry tests were overhauled. Now they had knights who could easily join the Windsors.
"If she loses, it'll hurt newbie recruitment badly..."
"The captain's adjutant's talking shit!"
"What does a paper-pusher know?!"
"Captain! Can I smack him?!"
Michael sweated at the protests from behind. He glanced at Chiron for mediation—Chiron nodded slightly.
"No! Even you guys need to keep some sense!"
"No need to worry that much, Michael."
Edward descended the stairs leisurely.
"No one surpasses Sisilia in a 1v1."
"But that's only because of Wind Shear..."
"Extreme Arts are manifestations of the heart. Each carries personal traits."
Wind Shear's hallmark: ineffective against armies, devastating against singles. Mastering it meant absolute confidence in victory without interference.
So Edward believed.
"Focus on how she wins, not if."
Just then, referee Draven announced the rules.
- Use of Extreme Arts is prohibited.
- Killing blows of any form are likewise forbidden.
"We'll start when I return to my seat."
Draven walked back. Sisilia and Dick slowly angled their swords forward.
Shing!
The instant Draven reached the stands, Sisilia charged. Dick raised his sword at an angle, as if expecting it.
Bam!
He smoothly deflected her strike but bounced back. In that moment, Sisilia's eyes gleamed, reading his Aura.
"Dick's Aura is definitely..."
"Elasticity Blessing. The more it repels, the faster and stronger it rebounds."
Just as described. Bounced off the wall, Dick rocketed back at Sisilia even faster.
It converted foe's force into his own—like a rubber ball hurled at a wall rebounding harder.
"To counter that, either smash it with overwhelming force..."
"Or evade and wait for an opening. I'd go for the smash, but what about Sisilia?"
Edward watched with interest.
Sisilia smacked Dick's sword away. He returned soon after; she smacked again. Repeat.
"...Isn't that the worst move?"
"Hah, here we go again."
Chiron rubbed his face. Sisilia had likely figured out the Aura by now. Yet she was playing right into his hands.
Simple reason.
This is like tennis!
Fun!
Dick rebounded faster each time. Pure entertainment for Sisilia.
But... can't play forever.
Dick was blurring now. She'd barely deflect before his sword flew from another angle in under a second.
What if the ball pops?
Sisilia flicked her eyes right. Dick, meeting her gaze, paled in shock.
Reacting at this speed...?
A Sword Demon could block this—on instinct, barely. No one reacted visually like this.
Whatever, crank the speed higher; she can't keep up.
Dick thrust confidently. But Sisilia's sword was already there.
Parry...!
Dick spun, barely nudging the trajectory. Precision parries demand perfect angle and timing; this minor shift didn't fully trigger, but the forced redirection sent him tumbling to the ground.
Boom!
Elasticity launched him airborne. Then Sisilia moved.
"It's over."
Edward smirked as wind-wrapped blade sliced Dick. But he wasn't done.
"Ooh!"
"He repelled that?!"
Dick converted the strike to elasticity. Blocking mid-air, unstable—no support—was impressive. He launched skyward, his blade rippling with Sisilia's converted sword aura.
"Hahaha! Payout! What's the odds?!"
Royals cheered. Victory seemed sealed. Stronger strikes meant stronger rebounds. Sisilia's aura was monstrous—even they saw it. Converting that? Win.
But—
"What an idiot."
"Creating distance against Sisilia?"
No Windsor thought Dick had won.
"Except the adjutant."
"Th-that's seriously dangerous!"
Only Michael panicked. Chiron shook his head.
"Giving Sisilia distance is folly."
"But—impossible to disrupt sword aura that strong. Even charging now, no time."
"Distance means nothing to her."
Chiron smiled faintly.
"Wind is everywhere."
As he spoke, Sisilia—gazing skyward—vanished.
"!"
She reappeared behind airborne, charging Dick.
Oh shit!
Sisilia mercilessly kicked his back.
KABOOM!
Deafening crash; sandstorm cleared to reveal frog-like Dick sprawled.
Sisilia squatted before him, poking his cheek worriedly.
"..."
Windsors stifled laughs; Royals gawked slack-jawed.
"Woooah!"
The crowd roared. Once more, the strongest order etched in minds: Windsor.