As Valerius flipped through the pages, his eyes landed on a pill that suited his needs: the Arcane Grade Mana Surge Pill. The pill was designed to enhance mana circulation and accelerate recovery. Upon consumption, it stimulates the body's mana pathways, increasing absorption and refinement. This results in a surge of magical energy, allowing for faster recovery from mana depletion and a temporary boost in the efficiency of spells and abilities.
Satisfied with his choice, Valerius closed the book and stepped toward the receptionist to inquire about the price. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a voice cut him off.
A young man in lavish robes approached him, casting a glance at the book with a smirk.
" Well, well, if it is not the disgraced Fifth Prince," he sneered, his eyes gleaming with disdain. "Looking for a miracle pill to fix your broken body?"
Seraphina stiffened beside him, but Valerius remained calm. He glanced up at the young man and said, "Mind your own business.
The young man chuckled, folding his arms.
"Mind my own business? In my family's pavilion? Don't forget your place, Prince."
Valerius studied him carefully. The insignia on the young man's robe, a falcon ascending toward dusk, marked him as a member of the Duskwren Clan, a noble family of the Luminous Abyss Dragon Kingdom.
His name then resurfaced in Valerius's memory. Ardric Duskwren. The son of Duke Duskwren. A talented young cultivator from a prestigious bloodline, known for its wind-lightning magic... and its arrogance.
Seraphina stepped forward, her fists clenched at her sides. "The Young Master is here for business, not for petty insults."
Ardric scoffed, turning his gaze to her. "A maid speaking out of turn? Know your place."
Valerius's patience thinned. Ignoring Ardric, he turned back to the receptionist without a word.
"How much for the Mana Surge Pills?"
Before the receptionist could respond, Ardric smirked.
"You don't need to bother. I'll take every last Mana Surge Pill in the pavilion."
He tossed a small bag of low-grade Mana Crystals onto the counter.
The receptionist hesitated. "Young Master Ardric, they were already requested by—"
"I don't care," Ardric sneered, eyes gleaming with amusement. "If he wants them, accept my challenge and you can have them. A simple duel. I swear I will not use my cultivation or any spells. Surely, the son of an emperor can handle that much?"
A hush fell over the pavilion as nearby customers turned to watch, sensing the rising tension.
Valerius met Ardric's gaze, his expression unreadable. Though still recovering, he knew backing down would mean further humiliation.
Valerius took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the eyes on him. The pavilion grew quieter, the air thick with expectation. He could feel Seraphina's anxious gaze, but his mind was already made up. He had no choice but to accept.
"I accept your duel," Valerius said, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside.
Ardric's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Good. I will see you in the pavilion's training grounds on the roof in an hour. Do not be late." He turned to leave, his robes swirling as he strode out the door, his entourage following close behind.
The receptionist glanced at Valerius, concern clear in her eyes. "Young Master, are you sure about this? He is not someone to be taken lightly."
Seraphina stepped forward, her worry obvious. "That is right, Young Master. You have never fought someone before. What if you get hurt again?"
Valerius's expression stayed neutral, though his gaze sharpened. He knew his body was not yet at full strength, but he had no choice. "I'll manage."
He turned to Seraphina, offering a faint but reassuring smile. "I need the pills, Seraphina. This is my only option."
Seraphina hesitated, her gaze lingering on him, but finally nodded. "I'll get something to help."
Valerius then said, "Get me a sword, Seraphina. That is all I need."
Seraphina nodded quickly. "I'll get it here as soon as possible, Young Master." With that, she left the pavilion.
Valerius then turned back to the receptionist. "Please bring me the pills I requested. I will pay whatever is necessary for them."
As the receptionist nodded and went to retrieve the Mana Surge Pills, Valerius felt a familiar weight of responsibility settling back on him.
An hour passed quickly. On the roof of the pavilion, Ardric stood waiting, his hands folded behind his back as he surveyed the surroundings. A small crowd had gathered, curious to see the duel.
When Valerius arrived, he walked toward the training grounds with a simple silver sword in his hand. He ignored the murmurs and whispers around him, his focus entirely on the challenge ahead. He knew he was physically weak, but this was not just about strength. It was about pride, too.
Ardric stepped forward, his eyes scanning Valerius from head to toe. "You brought a sword? You think that is what is going to help you?" He taunted.
Valerius tightened his grip on the sword, heart racing. He could feel the weight of his body, still recovering, but he would not lose this fight. "I don't plan on losing."
Ardric gestured to the center of the training ground, where a large circle was marked on the ground. "Let us keep it simple. First to admit defeat loses."
The crowd fell silent, the tension in the air almost palpable.
Valerius stepped into the circle, feeling the ground beneath his feet.
Ardric grinned and took his stance. Out of nowhere, he pulled a shiny silver sword and planted his feet firmly, crouching slightly, ready to strike.
Valerius mirrored him, adjusting his posture.
The crowd held its breath as the two young men squared off in the training circle. The air was thick with tension, and the sounds of the bustling city below seemed miles away. All that mattered now was the duel about to unfold.
Ardric's smirk remained as he shifted his weight, eyes gleaming with confidence. "Let's make this quick," he said, his voice filled with mockery. "I don't have time for this."
Valerius's gaze never left him, his expression calm and unreadable. His grip on the sword tightened. He knew he was not in peak condition, but he was not going to lose this fight.
Without warning, Ardric lunged forward, his sword swinging in a wide arc. A subtle gust of wind followed the blade's motion, amplifying the speed and fluidity of the strike. Valerius's heart skipped a beat, his body momentarily stiffening. The movement was faster than he expected, a blur of silver as Ardric's blade aimed straight for his chest.
Valerius sidestepped just in time, the blade missing him by a hair. The wind from the strike whipped past his face, and the force of the attack jolted through his already exhausted body. But he did not falter.
'He had lied. He had promised not to use his cultivation...' If that's how Ardric wants to play.'
Valerius then gripped his sword tighter.
His instincts kicked in, and he quickly countered, swinging his sword in a horizontal arc. A faint ripple appeared in the air, and a slight greenish hue surrounded the blade.
Ardric, caught off guard by the attack, quickly raised his sword to block it. The force of the strike pushed him back, to the edge of the circle. His eyes widened. "You...!"