HBWnovel Chapter 48: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (3)
Chapter 48: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (3)
Chapter 48: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (3)
Amon and Leon stood ten metres apart, the standard distance for duels between Knights of their calibre. The duel hadn't begun yet, and both parties were preparing themselves in various ways. Adelia handed blunt training swords to both of them as they warmed up, and the rest waited patiently at the corner, eagerly anticipating the epic duel.
Gale was the first to break the silence as he glanced at Arya and asked: "Did you edge Sir Amon to engage in a duel with Leon?"
"Hoh? What makes you think that?"
"I didn't expect the legendary Amon Solaris to partake in a duel with someone his age. After all, he wasn't interested in fame or glory in the past."
Gale entered the Knight's Academy at the same time as Amon. And while Amon skipped grades and graduated early, there were few instances where Gale interacted with the super talent. Most of the time, he observed Amon from afar, and the consensus was that the young prodigy was an aloof character.
Never once participating in social events, Amon behaved like a lone wolf. He had no friends, hardly ever helped others and largely remained alone. Yet, no one chastised or ostracised him. Why?
Amon's talent alone was enough to intimidate everyone of his peers.
"You're right; my brother hardly cares about worldly affairs. He wouldn't even take offence if someone spat in his direction. So, it's surprising for me, too."
"Surprising? What is?"
Arya's eyes narrowed as she watched the two young Knights ready themselves for the upcoming duel. Amon may have hidden it well, but Arya has lived with him for sixteen years. She was more or less aware of Amon's unique disposition and his usual disinterest in any and most things. Yet, as he stared down Leon face-to-face in the arena, Arya could sense a bubbling emotion bursting forth.
"I'm surprised he's paying so much attention to Leon."
"I guess... Talent attracts talent."
Gale folded his arms and turned his attention to the two duelists. Just as he was mesmerised by Amon's talent in the past, he was just as enchanted by Leon's prodigal talents. He'd never anticipated to see generational geniuses in his lifetime, let alone have them pit head-to-head.
And now, all he wanted to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
"Yeah... My brother has always been unparalleled, and no one in his generation could challenge him. I'm sure that he's feeling lonely at the top. So, I'm hoping Leon could be a good rival to him."
Arya was genuine. Save Yue, she knew her brother better than anyone else in the world. Leon's appearance would serve as a great stimulus for the constantly bored and disinterested Amon.
"Oh? I didn't know you cared about your brother so much!"
"H-Hmph, who cares about him?!"
Gale laughed at his friend's honest reaction. All this while, Amon and Leon had completed their warmups and were rearing to begin the duel. Adelia gingerly paced herself back to the spectator stands as Rufus stood at centre stage, acting as the referee for this friendly duel.
Caught up in the atmosphere, the young teen obsessed with honour volunteered to oversee the bout. Neither Amon nor Leon had an issue with Rufus being the referee. If anything, they were glad to have someone sturdy like Rufus, who was almost twice the size of Arya and Adelia, as the acting witness.
Not that he was strong enough to stop them, but at the very least, he'd be able to withstand whatever collateral damage came his way.
"May the two duel participants honour the code of..."
"Rufus, there's no need for long introductions. This is not a formal duel."
"... okay."
Leon hurriedly stopped his good friend from spewing a thousand words to fulfil his fantasy of championing an honourable duel between Knights. At best, Amon and Leon had a friendly spar, not a duel with their honour on the line. After he silenced Rufus, the young Apprentice Knight turned his clear blue eyes to his opponent.
Standing at ease with the practice sword in his dominant hand, Amon felt no pressure or tension when facing off against Leon. His peaceful expression only hid a more sinister power that made Leon shiver to his very core.
Amon was, without a doubt, the most powerful Knight he'd duelled since entering the Knight's Academy.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The sounds of metal shrieking grew louder with each strike. Amon, who hadn't moved a step since Leon's onslaught began, displayed total mastery of his swordplay. The practice sword, which was blunt and couldn't pierce through armour, looked like a deadly weapon, where any rogue slash would be enough to sever a body in two.
Before, the sparring session looked like an apprentice trying to overwhelm their master with pure power and speed. However, now that Amon had begun his assault, the duel was now a dance with swords.
And it wasn't even a contest about who was the better dancer.
The moment Amon used his feet, Leon had lost. They were using the same moves, they were trained to fight in the same manner, and their swordplay was eerily similar. But alas, the difference was stellar.
Amon's footwork was superior, more fluid and free. He moved around with the grace of a figure skater, each movement was connected to the next. His swordplay was equally elegant. Moving through the air like it didn't exist, Amon's sword work was crisp, clean and sharp. Each strike served its purpose, and it connected beautifully with his dance.
There was no comparison.
Amon was better.
And Leon felt it. Sweat trickled down his face as it took everything he could to focus on defending. His swordplay and footwork were overwhelmed, and the ringing in his arms and legs was enough to tell the tale. In due time, his entire body would ache as it took everything he had to defend against Amon's brutally crafted attacks.
"Wow... This is the first time I've seen Leon completely outclassed..."
"I agree..."
Gale and Adelia's faces hardened, their eyes hardly comprehending what they were watching. There was no question about it: Leon was the best cadet in the entire Knight's Academy. He was poised to graduate with flying colours and would likely be on the fast track in whichever Knight Order he chose.
Leon defeated every Apprentice Knight he faced, and there were times when he could contest with Junior Knights with years of experience under their belt. Yet, here he was... outclassed and outmatched.
"My brother, he... improved yet again."
Even Arya, who knew the abilities of both men, could only gape in awe as she watched her brother systematically dismantle the current greatest prodigy in the Knight's Academy.
While his comrades were amazed and spoke about Amon's capabilities, Leon didn't have such a luxury. All of his body was aching just by exchanging blows with Amon, and it was a wonder that his low-quality practice sword hadn't shattered yet.
Knowing this couldn't continue, Leon decided to evade and regroup. Crossing swords with Amon again, Leon used the momentum to fly backwards and gain some distance. Even if it meant rolling on the ground once more, it was worth it as it gave Leon precious time to regain his wits and move on to the next phase of the sparring.
And Amon sensed it.
Dropping his guard, the young Knight waited patiently for Leon to complete his preparations. Mana erupted from Leon's vessel and congregated itself into a rich golden Aura. Coated by it like an intangible barrier, Leon's mana burst forth like a volcano.
Just forming Aura was the hallmark of a powerful Knight, and any cadet who could do so would graduate from the Academy with a perfect score. But Leon's Aura was not just any regular Knight's Aura. It was more dense and abundant, so much so that it was shocking that the youth only condensed Two Suns.
Fluctuating wildly, Leon's golden Aura was enough to make dozens of seasoned Knights breathless. If anyone saw the Aura that shot up like a pillar from Leon, they would assume that the Knight was someone with Three for Four Suns condensed.
And they would be right to think that way.
It didn't take long for Leon's Two Suns to show themselves. Orbiting the young Apprentice Knight like planets to the Sun, Leon's illusory power created a pressure that cracked the ground and sent gravel levitating.
But that's not all.
Each one of the Two Suns had one other flaming ball orbiting them. The smaller 'Suns' acted as satellites, supplementing the main body with even more mana and power.
It was a phenomenon that the Nine Suns Heart Mantra couldn't accomplish. No, it was a phenomenon never recorded in history. And it was why the Solaris Lord so cherished Leon and, if raised correctly, considered to be the greatest asset the Solaris House ever had.
'The Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra... It's about time I saw it in person.'