Chapter 8

  Drakkel was now 17. On the way back from the village near Densai Forest, over a year ago, he had heard of a dispute between two villages nearby and helped to solve it while still weak and tired.

  When he returned, he was told that Clan Leader Katar Kazilik, after hearing about his favorite disciple's death, came to confront Rodius Fowl thinking that Drakkel was somehow involved even though the disciples who were there as witnesses said otherwise.

  He challenged Rodius Fowl to a duel and said that if he won, Drakkel would have to travel to Daimon Ortos's grave which was located a hundred miles away near a village where his family lived and sit there for three days and nights without eating or drinking to apologize to him and that if Rodius Fowl didn't accept these terms, he was basically admitting that Drakkel was in the wrong.

  Obviously, Rodius Fowl found this outrageous and quickly accepted the duel. What happened, everyone expected. Katar Kazilik lost in only a few moves and reminded others that even between Sword Masters, there were several levels of distance in skill. For a year and a half after that, Katar Kazilik went into seclusion and since then Drakkel had earned other achievements.

  He had stopped demons from stealing ancient artifacts, assisted some nobles in guarding their items from bandits, won a sword summit with his clanmates, and made other achievements.

  Now, as he sat in a lotus position in his room, cultivating, Kio burst inside, an excited look on his face.

  Upon his sword hung a piece of the white jade that Drakkel had received from the nobles he helped.

  Drakkel opened his eyes as Kio began to speak.

  “Senior Drakkel! Did you hear? When you made it to Sword Master and beat those demons last time, I've been hearing stories about you in the streets! They say that besides our master, you're unmatched in skill and are likely to be the first person in many years to advance past Sword Master! You’ve even earned the moniker, “The Sword’s Wind”! This time around, even if we don't host a Sword Summit, our popularity will be as high as if we had!

  Some kids today even said they were planning on joining our clan when try outs open in six months! Isn't it exciting?!”

  Drakkel smiled at him. “It is. But I'm not sure if I'm as capable as they say…”

  Kio frowned as Drakkel continued. “I appreciate that you think of me that way and I hope I do get there someday, but I need you to calm down. Master said I should be cultivating now. Don't let him discover you here. We can talk later.”

  Kio nodded and made his way to leave. But someone was already standing at the doorway, blocking his path.

  “Kio,” Rodius Fowl said.

  Kio smiled and cupped his hands. “Master. It's nice to see you. I was just checking on Senior Drakkel…”

  Rodius Fowl looked at Kio for a moment.

  With his sword sense, he must have known the truth, but he still let it go.

  With his face relaxing he answered, “That's nice of you. But run along now. Your Senior Brother and I have something to discuss.”

  Kio nodded and hurried out of the room, not even thinking twice.

  Once he left, Rodius Fowl sniffed the air. “I see Aurien’s candle making skills have been perfected. I suppose the time he spent visiting the Powdered Vessel Swords Clan during their last medical skills workshop wasn’t a waste.”

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

  Drakkel nodded. “Yes, the candles help me focus.”

  Rodius Fowl stared at Drakkel for a bit and Drakkel raised an eyebrow.

  Then, he suddenly said, “Would you like to spar? Our levels should be close now.”

  Drakkel was always up for sparring with his master, so of course he nodded but he wasn't sure if what he said was true. His master was still much stronger than him.

  The two stood in the sparring courtyard and drew their swords.

  Dragon’s Wrath shined with an ethereal glow. The blade was sharp and beautiful and had a green tint that reflected with the light of the sun.

  Drakkel gazed at it in awe, surprised that his master thought he would need it this time.

  “Start when you’re ready,” Rodius Fowl said.

  With this, Drakkel's attention was quickly taken off the blade and focused on his master. A moment passed and after taking a breath, he dashed forward.

  The sounds of their swords colliding with each other rang crisp through the cool morning air, attracting the attention of the disciples inside.

  Hearing this, they gathered at the courtyard entrance to watch the fight.

  Drakkel's initial attack didn't work so he glided backward and readied some of his clan's sword moves.

  He used Gusting Winds to bring forth a large gust of wind from his blade, then fierce tiger to attack with consecutive strikes, attempting to weaken his master. But none of these seemed to faze him.

  So, he used Immortal ring to summon forth several small rings of sword energy from his blade, but his master effortlessly blocked this with his sword.

  Drakkel appeared to be struggling, but actually, he was looking for his Master's weak spots. When he finally found one, he used Jade Dragon to surround himself with sword energy and glide across the field, using Glistening waves to aid in his speed.

  He appeared like several cuts in the air, his body disappearing and attacking his master from all angles.

  His master blocked most of his attacks, but Drakkel found an opening with one.

  He used all his might to slash forward, but his Master’s figure disappeared from view, reappearing several feet away.

  Yet, just as his master was about to fire back with an attack of his own, Drakkel appeared from behind him with a sword to his throat.

  Rodius Fowl sighed. “I admit defeat.”

  Drakkel slid his sword back in its sheath, backed up, and cupped his hands.

  “Thank you for the lesson master, but next time, please don't go easy on me.”

  Rodius Fowl turned around. “But, I didn't.”

  He said so sincerely but Drakkel felt as if he was lying. His strong and mighty master would never be defeated so easily.

  Before they could continue talking, all the watching disciples ran up to them.

  “That was amazing, Senior Drakkel!”

  “You really have progressed a lot!”

  “Yes, I hope we can all catch up some day!”

  Many of them nodded.

  But the one who most seemed in awe of Drakkel was Kio, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.

  Aurien Wavel stepped forward to greet the two. “Master, the food and pastries are ready. Would you like to eat now?”

  Aurien Wavel's cooking was something else.

  Drakkel nearly drooled at the thought as he awaited his master's response.

  “Of course! Since you're all here, let's go eat!”

  The group cheered as they headed to the dining hall to eat.

  The sound of inpatient footsteps filled the air as they came upon the dining hall.

  Once they got there, they saw that Aurien Wavel had made quite the arrangement. Several foods, especially some of Drakkel's favorites, sat on the table.

  When he raised an eyebrow at him, Aurien Wavel winked.

  Because of this, he didn't question it anymore.

  Sitting shoulder by shoulder around the large table, the group happily ate the food, chattering and talking through the morning.

  Later, while Drakkel was cultivating in his room, Rodius Fowl entered and gave him a letter.

  Looking down at it curiously, Drakkel asked, "What is it, Master?”

  Rodius Fowl smiled. “Someone wishes to duel you.”

  Drakkel almost broke into a smile. No one had issued a duel to him after the events near Densai Forest and especially after he won the Sword Summit. This would be his first one.

  “Who is requesting it?” He asked.

  Rodius Fowl answered, “A man called Rillian Adore from the Golden Peak Swords Clan.”

  Drakkel remembered. That was the clan he went to fight at in the mock battle and where he met Clan Leader Adore.

  “Actually, Rillian Adore is the Clan Leader's head disciple and adopted son. He made his debut a week ago by assisting a city merchant in guarding their cargo. I hear his level isn't that high.

  I know it won't be a real spar, which is why I'm asking you how you feel about it.”

  Drakkel thought about it for a moment. Then he answered honestly. “I would like to go.”

  Rodius Fowl nodded.

  After Drakkel took the letter, Rodius Fowl left.

  Then he read the letter and it confirmed what his master said. It really was a formal request for a duel.

  Although it wouldn't be a real one, Drakkel could finally duel someone. He decided that since the person was from the clan he admired, he would do his best to help him out.