Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Echoes of Resolve
"You said it wasn't for me to hear, so I didn't listen after that."
When Hugo said this, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
Even though his face didn't show it, his hand hiding his mouth hinted at a smile.
Camus also stared at him with wide eyes.
"Hoo... hoo hoo hoo hoo..."
Only Adolf had blood on his forehead.
He stood up straight and looked at Vikir.
"Sir, can I talk to this kid for a bit?"
It was strange for someone from House Morg, especially a high-ranking member, to show interest in an eight-year-old.
Hugo didn't have much to say to Adolf's overreaction.
"What are you doing with that kid? Is the Mad Star of the Empire bullying an eight-year-old boy?"
Hugo hadn't forgotten what he'd heard before, and he was giving back what he got.
But Adolf was stubborn.
"Hehe, isn't this a child who may one day marry my niece? I'm asking as an uncle, not as the head of Morg's delegation."
"Oh, uncle, it's not like that!"
"Sure, leave my nephew alone. I'll handle it. We all have to see this once in a while."
Adolf said sternly, hinting at Hugo to save face.
Hugo threw up his hands, thinking it had been a while since he dealt with the Morg.
Do as you please.
* * *
Vikir agreed to Adolf's request.
Morg Adolf was a powerful figure even before his regression. At forty, he was already leading his family at official events.
It was a good chance to see a bit of Adolf's power.
Hugo probably thought so too, which is why he let me attend.
After the annual ceremony, everyone left the ballroom.
Vikir and Adolf faced each other in a large field.
Hugo Les Baskerville and Morg Camus watched from a distance.
Adolf said, "Child of Baskerville, I'm going to test your skills. Show me what you've got."
Vikir thought, If I show him everything, he'll faint.
What if I fought him at his best before his regression?
Fifty percent in ambush and assassination, ten percent in hand-to-hand combat.
But I don't have all my pre-regression strength back, and I don't need to fight at my best.
I just need to meet Adolf's expectations.
"Let's see what happens."
Masters can tell each other's skills by shaking hands.
Vikir wanted to see how Adolf compared to other top players.
Then Adolf said, "I'll give you a handicap."
He made a jar out of mud and filled it with water using fire magic.
Then he lifted the jar and put it on his head.
Adolf looked at Vikir and said, "I'll fight with this jar full of water on my head. If you can make even one drop spill, you win."
In other words, go ahead.
Vikir held his sword and got ready.
Adolf crossed his arms and watched Vikir.
And then...
Vikir made the first move.
Seeing Vikir charging at him, Camus yelled, "Hey! You can't just run at my uncle like that!"
Adolf looked back at Camus and made a barrier in front of his eyes.
Vikir was knocked back by the barrier.
"Shields are good against swords. Even a strong sword will have trouble breaking them."
Adolf was right.
Adolf was good at shield magic, making shields of different sizes and shapes to fit the situation.
Earlier, he made a shield to cover Vikir's body to save energy.
But Vikir was also skilled.
He used the bounce to get closer to Adolf, then moved to the side.
At the same time, he kicked stones towards the water jar.
"Don't aim for the jar."
Adolf made a shield without looking and another for Vikir.
Vikir dodged and Adolf summoned fire spears.
Camus complained, "Uncle, that's not fair! You didn't use that magic against me!"
Adolf was disappointed.
But Vikir dodged the fire spears.
"I see."
Vikir knew Adolf's power well.
He was familiar with this level.
'I know how to deal with him.
The experience before the regression and the child-like face afterward could catch his opponent off guard.
'Or kill him.'
A scary thought, but... I didn't need to worry.
Hugo was watching, and I had to do this right.
"Eeeeee!"
Vikir moved as if chased by flames.
He drew his sword and swung at Adolf.
But...
"No way."
Adolf's shield blocked Vikir's sword.
Vikir swung again, but the shield stopped him.
Adolf grumbled.
"You're just hitting the shield over and over."
But Vikir didn't give up.
Boom.
Vikir's sword hit the shield.
Again and again, Vikir hit the same spot.
The shield started to weaken.
Adolf realized something was wrong.
"Hmm."
Vikir's sword hit the same spot many times.
The shield was getting weaker from all the hits.
The shield's magic was almost used up.
"Good job for hitting the same spot over and over, but my shield and your sword won't break."
He was right.
Vikir's sword hit the shield again.
...Pow!
Vikir's sword broke.
Vikir had to step back.
Hugo stayed silent, and Camus looked disappointed.
Adolf turned to Vikir.
"I like your stubbornness, but you have to watch your opponent. You're good, but you're not ready to marry my nephew..."
Adolf was about to finish when he felt water on his head.
"What's that?"
He looked up and saw water dripping from the jar.
"...Boom!
The broken shard of Vikir's sword had pierced the jar, making it leak.
Adolf was soaked, from his head to his chin.
Vikir walked up and said, "Your jar is leaking."
He meant the jar of water, of course.
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