Valerian, The Legendary

Zeenat looked at Morgana and the girl said, “I arranged for a tag for him to get through the city easily, if he was delayed, it would be a shame.”

The people nodded, arranging a tag was not a big deal and with her influence, it was easy to do. The bird kept circling, and Morgana said in a loud voice, “My champion, the fourth prince of Lumen. Grade seven warrior, and an Archmage, Valerian Verus.”

The next thing people saw was a figure falling down from the sky. They were all shocked and thought it was suicide, but as the figure closed the distance with the ground, his speed suddenly dropped and the figure landed gently.

The people were surprised, and Zeenat said, “Gust spell to break his descent. Very well controlled.”

Morgana nodded and Noor snorted, “Flaunting does not win battles.”

The rest of the people did not answer, they were still looking at the silver-haired youth in the center of the arena. The aura radiating from his body was simply too captivating as if a hero descended from the heavens. His eyes were sharp, and his back was stoic.

It was as if a spear stabbed into the ground. The people looked at him with great curiosity, after all, he was the prince from another country. Lu, the champion invited by Noor said, “Are you the silver death?”

Valerian shrugged his shoulders and said, “I am just Valerian.”

.....

The official could sense the tension in the atmosphere, and said, “The rules of the duel prohibit the people from using hidden weapons, you both must understand that it will only end with your lives. So, please take a moment before we begin.”

Valerian stretched his body and said, “I am ready.”

Then he cast a gaze at Morgana and waved at her with a sunny smile. Lu was enraged as he was being overlooked by this guy. He snorted and swung his sword. The official nodded and said, “The duel begins.”

As soon as the words stopped, Valerian dashed out. Lu was a grandmaster, and his speed was equally fast too. To some extent, the people were surprised to see this display. Many of the citizens were gifted, but they were not this strong, even in their imaginations this was not a level they could achieve.

In the gallery, the councilmen were surprised, and before they could say anything, they heard swords colliding in the arena with clanging sounds. They all saw sparks flying as the blade rubbed against each other.

Zeenat complimented, “Good.”

The rest of the people nodded as Valerian started fighting Lu at close range. The swords were swung without holding back and the impact of the blades was terrifying. The sparks scared the audience, however, the contenders were starting to fight with even more intensity. The attacks were getting more lethal.

Suddenly, Noor said, “Did you not say your guy is a battlemage? Why is he not using magic?”

Morgana replied, “To give your champion a handicap. Do not worry, you will not win.”

Noor snorted and said, “Don’t speak too soon.”

Morgana shrugged and came to the side, leaning against the railing to watch the fight with leisure.

...

Valerian ducked as Lu swung the sword at his neck. However, this swing was wide and allowed Valerian to get close to the person, and then his sword glowed with the light magic and it cut through the battle aura armor and left a shallow wound.

The silver-haired boy got away from the man. However, Lu was a grandmaster this shallow wound was akin to a scratch and he charged at the boy. The volley of attacks began, and soon Valerian found another opportunity to leave a mark on Lu’s body.

However, he actually aimed for the first spot. The battle aura armor was weakened and not allowed to grow back again as the mana was still left on the spot. The wound deepened and this time Lu changed his face.

After ten minutes, Valerian had slowed down but Lu was still going strong, it was because of his physical fitness as a grandmaster. However, suddenly, Valerian smirked and pointed his finger at Lu. The next second the grandmaster retreated, just as he avoided the wind blade, he cried.

The people were surprised, when a man said, “Look, his feet.”

Valerian had cunningly cast an earth spear spell right after the wind blades. The timing was so good that Lu was left without any options. This match was decided. Valerian walked over and said, “You asked if I was the silver death before the battle. Well, no, death has no color, it is void.”

Lu was still groaning trying to move his legs but the spikers were so cruelly stabbed and hooked on the feet that it was impossible to get away. The next thing Valerian did was to cast a series of wind blades and Lu was reduced to shreds.

This sight gave the people a scare and while the faint of heart lost consciousness, the rest of the people held the urge to puke their innards out. The official in the arena was shocked to see this cruelty. Lu could have been killed in some other human way.

Valerian looked at the silent and scared crowd and said, “Do you think I am a monster? Well, you are correct, I am a monster to these people of Valkyria. You all probably do not know what they do, but I can assure you, once they get hold of you, death seems a better option than life. This was an easy way out for him.”

The people gulped when they heard these words, however, the officials and the councilmen in the gallery nodded, they were aware of what Valerian was talking about. Zeenat stood up and said, “Princess Morgana wins this duel, and she will be coronated as the Empress on the full moon.”

The crowd woke up and they cheered hard. The prime minister was hailed, and Noor was ignored despite his complexion being pale. He was enraged and scared, and a lot of things were going on in his mind. It was as if something cracked and unknowingly his hand gripped the hilt of his sword and he dashed toward Morgana while drawing the blade.

The people were shocked. Zeenat was the closest to him, but she would not be able to stop Noor with a spell as it would be too late. Without thinking of anything, she moved forward and embraced Noor from behind and yelled, “Noor.”

The boy woke up from his rage, but he realized that his chances were over. Everything was finished at this point. The councilmen shook their heads. Morgana looked at him and said, “Madam Prime Minister, this is what you asked me to do. This was his last chance, I will not spare him again. Someone invite Prince Valerian to the guest hall.”

The guard nodded and rushed to the arena. Morgana left the gallery and slowly a few councilmen also followed her. Zeenat held Noor in her arms and said, “You have the blood of my brother coursing through your veins. I asked for your life to be spared, and now I ask you to do something to redeem yourself.

You do not have a chance to regain your royal rights or position. Go to the academy, learn and become a warrior that can hold the sky if it fell. Can you do it, Noor? I cannot have anyone else die in the family.”

The mother of the prince was an estranged prince from Stella nation who was mentally not sound. She would stay in her castle all day long, and even when Ameer died, she did not react and said, “Fine, you can leave.” to the guard who informed her.

Now that Zeenat was asking him to do something nice with his life, in such a motherly tone, Noor broke again, he let go of his sword, turned his head, and wailed as he held Zeenat in his arms. He was only eleven years old and never knew any problems or hardships. The pampered prince of the empire, now reduced to a commoner.

Zeenat consoled him for a bit before a guard told her that Valerian had been invited to the guest hall and as the highest official she was to greet him. She looked at Noor and said, “You have been a naughty child since you were born, but now is the time to be sincere. Go to the academy, and if you need anything, you can mail me. You have just lost a title, not your family. Please, Noor, promise me that you will be a character that people could admire.”

Noor looked into her eyes and nodded. He did not want to talk too much. After greeting Zeenat in silence, a guard took the boy outside. He will be given a few thousand gold coins to survive outside. After all, he was a royal once.

...

Zeenat came to the guest hall and saw Valerian sitting on a chair with his legs crossed and his chin resting against the back of his palm, while he held a book in his right hand.