The stadium settled down in silence, everyone stared at the boy standing in the stadium, the host was shocked, so was the crowd, the silence stayed for a minute.
Then–
"UWWOOOHHHH!"
The crowd turned into chaos, cheers erupted, trumpets rang, nobles stared, commoner cheered, and Free standing in the center of the arena held the holy sword in his right hand.
"F–Free...."
Sylvia mumbled, looking at Free standing at the arena without even a hint of nervouness.
"Free..."
A smile formed, she was completely mesmerized by how beautiful Free looked.
So, you're my new master now...
Sei spoke in Free's mind, while he himself was a little stunned, not because he became the hero of Daelon but because the sword was light, too light for something it's size.
He glanced at the rings in his arm and all 9 we're glowing, each with different colours, while one of them remained the same, dull, brownish.
"BIG BROTHER!! YOU'RE SO COOL!!!"
Hinata screamed from the crowd,while Elina was trying her best to stop her from jumping down.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMENNNNNNNNNSSSSSS! TODAY! WE! GOT! A! NEW! HEROOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
The host declared, everyone cheered at Free who was standing still in the arena.
"This is absurd..."
Alfred growled, this wasn't supposed to happen, how could that boy do it.
He shouldn't even exist in the first place
Alfred thought, staring at Free, who stride back to his chambers, Alfred kept his eye on him, the physical pressure leaked from his body, and the warriors around him felt something dangerous creeping infront of them.
Back to Free–
So you are Excalibur, like 'that Excalibur'
Free asked with curiosity getting the better of him.
Yes my child, though, I am now Sei, and I will serve you in the future from now on
Sei replied, a chucklee came, Free chuckles too, never thought this sword could chuckle.
So I am the chosen one now. Right?
....
Right?
Yes you are.
Sei added, Free smiled and with a smile went back to the Royal observation room.
Afteer he reached back, everyone stared at him, Free stared back at tthem, Iris chuckled from her seat while Elize giggled and Fied and Albert the second prince, just gave a smile, Free sat back down and looked around,everyone were staring at him.
But as Free does what he was always good at– Ignore them.
"NOW, AFTER THAT SPLENDID SCENE, LET'S. GO. BACK. TOOOOO THEE PROGRAM!!!!"
the host announced, a wave of cheers echoed, everyone were awaiting for this time, for the sword battle, a battle held once every 4 year, and today it was the biggest event of the decade.
The crowd grew silent for a moment.
Then–
"OUR FIRST ROUND IS UP AGAINST KAIKO VERSUSSSSS... PRINCESSSSS SHROUZAAAAAAAA"
The host announced and a woman with a muscular build and tall frame walked in the arena, a confident smile on her face and a big sword nearly as tall as her rested on her shoulder.
On the other side, a man entered, with his left eye patched, his face screamed experience and long years of life or death experience.
"Hmph!"
Shrouza readies herself for the battle, one the other hand Kaiko took out two mini scythes strapped to his back the entire time, he smiled and waved both of them.
Slow at first, then faster, faster and faster until two tornado formed, Kaiko laughed in arrogance.
"I won't show mercy on you just because you're a woman!!"
He declared with confidence, Shrouza standed firm with her smile.
" GETTING SPIIICED UP AREN'T WE!!??"
The host yelled, the crowd cheered and everyone stared.
"NOW, LET'S START THE BATTLE IN...1!!"
The crowd held their breath.
"TWO...."
Free clutched his armrest tightly, even he could see the pressure of the two warriors.
"BATTLE!!!"
The host announced, the moment he announced, Kaiko vanished.
*Gasp* the crowd stared, Kaiko was gone from their sight in no time, the battle became quiet, Shrouza stands where she was.
From the ground
Free thought, and he was correct, a blace came out from the ground, about to land on Shrouza's abdomen.
*gasp*
Everyone gasped. again.
"Heheha"
Shrouza laughed, blocking the scythe with her blade, Kaiko was about to retrive his hand, but Shrouza grabbed it and threw him above.
"huh?.."
Kaiko mumbled in surprise, before getting grabbed by the foot and–
BANG!!!!
A crater formed from leaving Kaiko's body imprint on it.
Yet Shrouza giggled and–
BOOM!! BANG! GRACCCKKKK!!!
Shouza didn't gave mercy, she slammed Kaiko easily on the ground, them yeeted him up and uused her sword as a bat to launch him to the wall of the arena.
The crowd stared, at the brutal sight, yet they suddenly cheered
"YEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!"
It was just too much fun to see the battle.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Shrouza laughed menacingly, her hair swirled in a mess as she continued her beat up.
*grab* BOOM!
Another body slam to the concrete ground
*yeet* BAAANG!!
She procceded with a kick to the sky and finally she jumped down and held her sword with both hands.
"Be more cautious next time, old man..."
She muttered, and–
*hit* BOOOOMMMMMM!!!! CRACK! CRACK!
Kaiko's bone cracked, he laid on the ground, body twitching, Shrouza stared and grimned like a beast.
"That.....was not what I expected?!"
Free muttered, seeing Kaiko getting healed by priests, he glancee back at his family worrying about what would they react to the scene, only to see Elina and Hinata enjoying the show, Free stared at them in disbelief.
Are people always like this?
He thought.
Funny to say but yes.
Sei answered.
Back at the arena, Shrouza left the ground, and entered back to her room with a sastisfied smile.
"You should have beated him more"
Alfred said, he was standing behind her, leaning in a wall, shoulder firm, as thought danger could appear every second.
"He would've died"
She replied, while the king on his throne. Smiling to himself.
This match was fun, I cannot wait for Alfred's turn
Fied thought to himself with a smirk.
"NOW PEOPLE, AFTER THAT SPLEMDID BATTLE! LET'S CONTINUE FOR OUR NEXT ROUND IT IS!!!!...."
And so, the match continued, one by one, knight, warriors and even some shinobi's fell to the ground in defeat as the round progressed. From 64 contestants, the round progressed to 30 contestants, yet two more battle were still left.
"NOW, TIME FOR OUR SECOND LAST BATTLE!! THE ONE WE HAVE ANTICIPATED, WAITED, EXPECTED AND BETTED, EVERYONE WELCOMEEEEE!!! THE FIRST PRINCE. ALFRED DE DAELON!!!!!!"
The host yelled with excitement, the crowds cheered, nobles focused and some cheered in a low voice.
In the Arena, it was empty after the last battle, everyone stared at the gate, and after 2 minutes it slowly opened, everyone held their breath, A tall and muscular man stepped out of the door.
Silence.....
Everyone watchhed as Alfred finally stopped and stands to where he should be, everyone watched, while the guy who was the opponent sweat buckets.
So this is the sword devil
He thought, looking at Alfred straight in the eye, they were cold, deadly cold, no hint of mercy. The guy flinch, his legs trembled, Alfred was someone nobody could easily go against, this was the guy that joined a war at 7 and somehow bringed victory to the nation.
"Now Ladies And Gentleme, Get. Ready!!"
The host announced, everyone looked at the two, they legs moved, hands on their respective sword, staring into each other.
"AND...FIGHT!!!"
The moment the host finished–
*dash*
BANG!
*Grab*
SLAM!
*twitch*
BOOM! Bang!
*kick*
VRAAAM!!
The battle ended, just as soon as it finished, Alfred stood to where his opponent was supposed to stand, his opponent was to the arena's wall, sword broken, jaw bleeding and a deep cut to the stomach.
Everyone stared, then cheers erupted.
A new record, by Alfred.
"Yeah!!"
"Amazing!?"
"That was so fast!!"
The crowd cheered, screaming in admiration, while Free on the other hand–
Am I suppose to clap orbe worried for that guy?
Hhe thought, ever since this Tournament started, there were nothing but bones snapping, questionable attacks, killing attempts and many more.
Alfred stood to where he was, his physical pressure under extreme matery. He took a final look at the guy, then spat on the ground and left the arena whole cheers still could be heard from the crowd.
"NOW THAT WAS A VERY SPLENDID BATTLE!"
The host declared, and the king on his throne from the Royal observation room, nodded.
"Splendid indeed.."
"NOW, EVERYONE, TIME FOR THE LAST BATTLE OF TODAY"
Everyone quieted down.
Who will be next?
Someone powerful?
Someone clever?
Or a ordinary sword fighter?
"THIS IS OUR LAST SECOND REGISTERED CONTESTANT!!"
The host announced, staring at the list, a grin formed on his face.
"ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE HAVE OUR LLAST CONTESTANT LEO! THE ROYAL SORCERER!!".
Cheers erupted, Leo was a known sorcerer among people for his hugh mana pool and spell mastery.
" AND ON THE OTHER IS, WHAT YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT, WE HAVE!!!...BARON FREE HOOOOSHIIIIIII!!!!"
The host finished, Free stood up from his seat abruptly and stared with wide eyes, Sei in his hand gleamed with silver aura.
"F–FREEE?!"
Sylvia accidentally yelled out loud due to shock, why would he participate? without hesitation, she pushed through the crowd of nobles, trying to reach Free.
Meanwhile Free in the Royal observation room, was in shock himself, he turned to Alberto the one incharge of this tournament.
"Your highness, I did not register for the tournament yet my name is there, can you please correct the mistake"
He pleaded to apberto, but Alberto gave a smile, a reassuring smile.
"I can not fulfill that request, because the one that registered you in the tournament was me"
Alberto said, still having his smile, Free gasped and tried to remove himself from the tournament.
"Your highness, I may be chosen by Sei, but I do not like to fight"
Free replied, one knee bend while the other to his chest, Alberto just smiled and placed a hand on Free's shoulder.
"Please don't make me ashamed of my decision Baron Hoshi, I simply wanted to see you in action"
"I also reassure your safety from Leo"
He added, but Free still wasn't convinced, because he didn't despise fighting but he was afraid of losing control, whenever it invokve a serious fight he always turn berserk and lose Control over himself.
"B–but still?"
He questioned, but Alberto gave a sharp amused gaze on Free, but as the two were about to exchange some words, someone callled out.
"F–Free!"
Hearing the voice, he quickly looked back, Sylvia was walking toward him with heavy breathe.
"Sylvia..."
He muttered, Sylvia stopped just a step beside him snd took a deep breathe.
"Free, can we talk?"
She asked, Free glanced at Alberto and the second prince gave a slight nod, getting the permission, Free and Sylvia exited the Royal observation room, and went elsewhere somewhere private.
Alberto's gaze never left the 2, his eye gleames with amusement, his lips curled into a grin, Elize watched her brother give off a smile, and chuckled, while Leo waited, for the new wielder of the Hero's sword to arrive.
To be continued...