Volume 03, Chapter 104

  Before The Duel [2]

  —Creak.

  I push the front door open and am immediately greeted by the familiar sea of lavender fields, swaying gently beneath the morning sun.

  I turn and call out, “Clark, let’s go!”

  “Wait for me!” Clark’s voice rings out from upstairs.

  A moment later, he comes racing down the staircase, Celine following behind him with a warm, amused smile.

  But it is not just his energy that catches my attention—it’s his outfit.

  Clark looks… sharp.

  He wears a dark, oversized wool overcoat, the kind that drapes just enough to give him an air of quiet elegance. The coat, paired with his small frame, gives off a dramatic, almost cinematic silhouette, as if he stepped out of an old film.

  Underneath, a rust-red knit sweater hugs his frame, layered over a crisp white dress shirt. The collar peeks out neatly, giving the ensemble a refined, polished touch. His trousers are high-waisted and pleated, a rich dark brown that complements the warm tones of his top. A slim leather belt pulls the look together.

  On his feet: chunky, black leather boots. They contrast beautifully with the rest of the outfit, grounding him, quite literally.

  In his hand, he carries a large, soft-structured leather tote bag. Dark, sleek, and elegant.

  Practical, yet stylish. It looks like something straight out of a fashion catalog.

  I blink, genuinely stunned. “Whoa. Clark… that outfit is amazing. Where’d you get all that?”

  He beams proudly, placing his hands on his waist. “Auntie Celine made it for me!”

  I laugh softly. “Seriously? That’s incredible. What do you think you are, some kind of model?”

  Clark tilts his chin up proudly. “Maybe!”

  I walk over and gently run my fingers along the fabric of his coat. The texture is soft, dense, refined. High-end craftsmanship.

  “High quality, isn’t it?” Celine says from behind him, her tone light but tinged with hope.

  “Yeah…” I nod, clearly impressed. Then I look at her. “Mom, you should open a clothing shop.”

  She chuckles softly, but her eyes drift downward.

  “I’ve thought about it,” she admits. “But… well, there are some circumstances that make that hard right now.”

  I know what she means. The debt. The financial chains left behind from the past. But I do not press. I pretend not to know, letting her keep her silence.

  Some things do not need to be said aloud.

  Instead, I just smile, watching Clark admire his reflection in the hallway mirror. His eyes sparkle with a kind of joy I never had in my younger self. In my previous life, I never wore anything even remotely close to this. I never had anyone make something with care, with love.

  Watching him now—happy, proud, confident—makes my chest ache in the best way.

  He is experiencing a childhood I never had.

  That alone makes everything worth it.

  “Alright, since you’re both heading out, let’s do a quick checklist before you leave.” Celine claps her hands together like a commander preparing her troops. “First, did you pack your guns?”

  I reach into my coat and pull out both Galahad’s Judgement, presenting them like twin trophies. “Right here.”

  She nods. “Good. And your… watch?”

  I unbutton the black vest and reveal the Chrono Pendant tucked neatly against my chest. “Got it.”

  “Mana control?”

  “I’m still managing it,” I reply, keeping my tone steady. “Even while we’re talking.”

  In truth, I’ve been maintaining my Mana control the entire time. Every breath, every step, every word—carefully aligned with the force surging within me. I use these moments to refine my control. Little by little.

  Celine raises an eyebrow, half-impressed. “Alright… and lastly, your dignity?”

  I sigh. “Mum…”

  She laughs. “Kidding, kidding.”

  Without warning, she steps forward and wraps her arms around me.

  “Now go,” she says softly. “Win that duel, Dominic.”

  I return the hug, feeling her warmth soak into me. “I will, Mum.”

  She releases me with a smile. “Great!” Then she turns to Clark and kneels to his level. “And you, mister, behave, okay? Stay close and don’t wander off.”

  Clark gives a confident nod. “Don’t worry, Auntie! I’ll stay right next to big brother the whole time!”

  “Good.” She ruffles his hair gently, then stands up with a satisfied huff.

  “Now, both of you,” she says, pointing toward the road, “start walking to Lyon territory. And Dominic…” She gives me a pointed look. “If you get lost even with the map I drew, don’t expect me to make you new clothes again.”

  I chuckle under my breath. I can’t tell if she’s joking or deadly serious.

  Either way, we have a duel to attend.

  I reach down and take Clark’s hand. “Let’s go.”

  Clark nods, tightening his grip on his tote bag as he matches my pace.

  We step out of the house and begin walking along the stone pathway that cuts through the lavender fields, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the horizon.

  But just as we pass the gate, something catches my eye.

  At the far end of the road, a sleek black limousine approaches—elegant, unmistakably familiar.

  I narrow my eyes.

  “Wait… is that Arthur’s limo?”

  Sure enough, the car rolls smoothly to a stop in front of our house, engine humming softly.

  The driver’s door opens, and Butler Max steps out, ever composed in his tailored uniform. His white gloves catch the sunlight as he adjusts them before giving a crisp bow.

  “Monsieur Dominic,” he says formally, “I have been sent to escort you to the Lyon estate, per Young Master Arthur’s request.”

  “Oh. Thank you,” I reply, surprised but grateful.

  Well, that saves us the long walk to Lyon territory. Still… I had planned to use the trip to observe the surroundings. I suppose I’ll have to do that from the window now.

  From behind us, Celine’s voice rings out, amused.

  “Oh, would you look at that,” she says with a knowing smile. “Seems like you two won’t have to go on foot after all.”

  I turn back to her. “Yeah… looks like it.”

  I give her a small wave. “Bye, Mum.”

  “Bye, Auntie!” Clark adds cheerfully.

  Celine waves, her smile gentle. “Take care, both of you. See you later.”

  Clark and I climb into the back of the limo. Once we’re settled inside, Butler Max closes the door with a soft click, then makes his way to the driver’s seat.

  The engine purrs to life once more.

  And just like that, the limo pulls away from the house, gliding down the path as the lavender fields slowly disappear from view.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  ════ ?★? ════

  I gaze out the window as the limo slows, approaching the heart of the E?eforte territory.

  No… this isn’t just a town. It’s a city. Even now, I still find it hard to believe that over a million people live here.

  We pass through crowded streets. Citizens bustle about—some chatting, others tending to shops, cafés, or market stalls. Everyday life flows around us as if nothing unusual is happening. Just another morning in the city.

  As I sit there in silence, I focus inward.

  My Mana pulses beneath my skin. I take a slow breath and begin refining my control.

  I open my palm and gather a swirl of dark energy at my fingertips.

  “Dark Orb…”

  The shadows twist together, forming a small, unstable sphere of darkness. It shimmers faintly, writhing like a living thing.

  I keep the shape steady, holding it as I fine-tune my control. The orb trembles at first, fluctuating slightly—but it holds.

  Little by little, the fluctuations fade. The orb pulses evenly now—stable, contained.

  “Big brother, that was so cool!” I hear Clark say beside me. “Why are you doing that?”

  I smile and turn toward him. “It’s how I train my Mana control. Helps me stay focused.”

  “Oooh…” Clark leans in, eyes wide with wonder.

  I’m doing better now. Much better than the last time—when Clark hugged me out of nowhere and nearly shattered my control. That time, I lost it. But now? I’m steady. Improving.

  But then… the limo stops at a red light.

  I glance outside casually—then freeze.

  There, sitting alone at a café across the street, is a man.

  He looks to be in his early twenties, maybe just slightly older than me. Dark brown hair. Ordinary face. Calm posture. He wears a black cloak with purple accents and sits like he has all the time in the world.

  But everything about him feels wrong.

  The orb of darkness vanishes from my hand instantly. My body tenses before I even understand why.

  I can’t take my eyes off him.

  His presence… it sets my instincts on edge.

  “Who… is he?” I mutter. “A Stargate raider? A soldier? A mercenary?”

  I reach out with my senses, brushing the edge of his aura.

  And there it is—thick, pulsing Mana. Familiar. It reminds me of Célestin’s… but there’s more. Not much more, but enough to matter.

  “[B] Rank Magician or Manaficial…” I murmur.

  But it isn’t just his Mana that unnerves me.

  It’s my instincts. They scream at me.

  I’ve never felt this before.

  This man makes my instincts cry out murder. A visceral urge bubbles up from somewhere deep—something primal.

  Kill him. Eliminate him. He must not be allowed to live.

  Is this what people call… bloodlust?

  —Fwoosh!

  My Mana surges out of control.

  I clench my teeth, forcing my eyes shut and breathing sharply through my nose. I reach inward, grasping the wild energy and yanking it back. I tighten my grip, reigning it in before it can spill out any further.

  “Big brother, are you okay?” Clark asks, noticing the tension on my face.

  I quickly turn to him with a smile. “Yeah… don’t worry. I’m just a little nervous about the duel.”

  “Oh, okie.”

  The light turns green, and the limo pulls away.

  But my eyes stay locked on the man outside—until the vehicle turns the corner and he disappears from view.

  I lean back into the seat, still shaken, staring up at the roof of the limo.

  Whoever that man is… he’s dangerous.

  I’ll remember that face.

  And one day…

  I’ll kill him.

  ════ ?★? ════

  Outside the window, the scenery remains breathtaking—fields of flowers in every color imaginable stretch endlessly into the horizon.

  But despite the beauty, my focus does not waver.

  I continue controlling my Mana, letting it flow throughout my body—from the soles of my feet, up through my core, all the way to the crown of my head.

  The duel is approaching, and every moment counts. I have to train my Mana control whenever I can.

  As the limo continues down the road, the view gradually shifts. Ruined infrastructure passes us by—half-collapsed factories, unfinished highways, and skeletal buildings long abandoned.

  These are likely the remnants of projects sabotaged by Guzman and his mafia—the same corruption that dragged the E?eforte territory into suffocating debt.

  “Big brother, look! There’s a beautiful wall!” Clark exclaims, pulling me from my thoughts and pointing toward the front of the car.

  I follow his gaze.

  A towering white marble wall looms ahead, easily ten feet tall. It is pristine, immaculate, and a silver lion is etched into the stone.

  “Wait… we’ve already reached the border of Lyon territory?” I mutter, blinking. “That was fast.”

  That cannot be right. The E?eforte territory is supposed to be the size of Europe. How did we reach the border so quickly?

  Then it hits me.

  The Commlink.

  Of course.

  I smack my forehead lightly. I have a Commlink. Why did I not check sooner? Gods, I am such an idiot.

  I fish it out of my pocket and tap the screen, quickly accessing the Aethernet. A map of the Golden Fields Region loads in seconds.

  Just like Celine’s doodle, the region is divided into three parts. I zoom in on E?eforte’s main city—The E?eforte City—and there it is, right near the Lyon border.

  “Ah… that explains the short travel time,” I mutter, shaking my head. “We were already close.”

  As we near the border wall, a guard steps out from a booth and approaches the vehicle.

  Butler Max rolls the window down smoothly.

  “Bonjour, what is your business?” the guard asks, firm but polite.

  “I’m the same driver who passed through earlier,” Max replies calmly, pulling out a small identification badge. “Personnel of the Lyon estate.”

  The guard examines it, then gives a short nod. “Ah, my apologies. I wasn’t on duty at that time.”

  He steps back and waves toward the gate, which creaks open with a soft hum.

  Max nods and continues driving.

  As we pass through the wall, the difference is immediate.

  Rolling wheat fields stretch across the landscape, golden and vast. Unlike the E?eforte territory, these fields are alive with movement—dozens of workers in harmony. Even Magi-tech equipment moves methodically across the fields, tilling, harvesting, and assisting the laborers.

  It is a living portrait of prosperity and order.

  Even the road beneath our wheels changes. Smooth, clean, well-maintained. A stark contrast to the pothole-ridden, uneven paths of E?eforte.

  The difference is staggering.

  The Lyon territory has superior infrastructure, thriving agriculture, and better governance.

  And this… this is where I will be fighting my duel.

  Even in the shifting atmosphere, I keep my Mana flowing, tracing its way from my feet to my chest, up to my fingertips.

  I glance out the window, still immersed in my training, until Clark suddenly leans forward with wide eyes and points ahead.

  “Big brother, look!”

  I follow his gaze.

  Beyond the glass stretches a city unlike any I have seen in the E?eforte territory. The buildings are taller, sharper in silhouette, rising confidently into the horizon.

  We have entered the city.

  At first, the streets twist and turn like strands of thread, leading us through rows of buildings that are old but elegant.

  Their stone walls look worn with time, softened by warm, earthy plaster. Balconies made of iron jut out from every floor, decorated with flower boxes full of violets, geraniums, and ivy. It feels like the city does not want to let go of spring.

  We enter a narrow, shaded alley where everything feels quieter. A child runs after pigeons near a chipped stone fountain, their laughter echoing through the walls. I watch them with a small smile. For a moment, the city feels truly alive—not just moving, but filled with memory.

  The limo then emerges into a wider avenue where everything changes. The buildings now stand taller, four or five stories high, lined up neatly like noble homes watching the street. Their walls are shaped with carved stone, their tall windows topped with elegant designs.

  “Those rooftops…” I murmur.

  They are steep and dignified, clad in blue-gray slate, broken only by the occasional dormer window or chimney.

  “Woah! This place is so beautiful!” Clark says, pressing his face against the window.

  Butler Max takes another turn, and we climb gently upward.

  The road grows steeper, and the city grows bolder.

  Buildings here rise with vertical ambition, hugging the hills with tall staircases, rows of shuttered windows, and walls painted with vibrant murals.

  At a street corner, we pass a café buzzing with quiet chaos. Artists debate over steaming cups of coffee, their sketchbooks spread across the table like tactical maps. One of them flails a charcoal pencil in the air as if dueling with a phantom critic.

  Soon, the skyline transforms again.

  Glass and steel rise high into the sky, glowing in the fading light. The towering buildings reflect the clouds, some shaped like crystals or folded glass.

  One tower glows from within, like a stream of energy running through its center.

  Terraced gardens grow along its sides, hanging greenery in the air. Smooth glass walkways connect the buildings like floating paths.

  Below, the streets are wide and open. Cyclists move easily, hovercarts float quietly, and people walk without hurry, as if they believe the city itself will keep time for them.

  “It’s like…” I hesitate, the words caught on my tongue. “Like the past and future made a truce.”

  Butler Max lets out a soft chuckle. “That’s the City of Lyon,” he says. “It doesn’t evolve. It layers.”

  Another turn.

  The street beneath us suddenly changes—cobblestone gives way to a smooth road of pale, golden-yellow stone that gleams faintly under our wheels. The buildings begin to thin out.

  Fewer shops. Fewer windows.

  Something is changing.

  And I have a feeling we are heading somewhere the city does not show just anyone.

  We continue down the golden-paved road, the smooth hum of the limo’s wheels contrasting with the pothole-ridden streets back home.

  Then, up ahead—I see it.

  A massive estate looms into view.

  No… not just a mansion.

  A chateau.

  It stands like a crown atop a gentle hill, framed by manicured hedges and fields of pale green. The structure itself is built from pale beige stone, its architecture a blend of noble elegance and modern design. Countless windows stretch across its grand fa?ade, framed with black iron balconies and adorned with climbing ivy that has been trimmed with surgical precision.

  But it is not the size of the building that makes me pause.

  It is the gate.

  A wide iron gate guards the main entrance, crafted in intricate patterns of sweeping arcs and spear-tipped designs. On each side of the gate stands massive white marble lion statues, positioned atop obsidian pedestals.

  Their poses are regal—heads raised, manes flowing as if caught in a phantom wind, and eyes carved with such precision they seem alive. The lions are not just decorative.

  They are a statement.

  Power. Pride. Authority.

  “Woah!” Clark gasps, his hands pressed against the window. “Arthur lives there?!”

  I do not answer immediately.

  As the limo rolls toward the gate and slows for inspection, I find myself lost in thought.

  With all this… why? Why would Arthur, heir to this kind of wealth, this kind of infrastructure, choose to attend middle school in E?eforte territory?

  It makes no sense.

  With everything, the Lyon territory has better roads, a stronger economy, Magi-tech facilities, literal wheat fields powered by Aether-tech—he could have received elite private education here. Surrounded by prestige and safety.

  So… why us?

  Why come to our struggling territory, with its ruined buildings and debt-choked city?

  Was it charity? Curiosity?

  Or was there something else?

  I stare up at the towering lion statues as the gates creak open.

  I will push my question aside for now.

  Because I have a duel.