— It's time to test these knights' skills!
Reinhard spoke these words with a slight smirk, tightening his grip on the sword hilt.
For a moment, the hall was engulfed in deafening silence.
All the knights froze, unable to believe their ears. Some exchanged doubtful glances, others scoffed, and a few barely held back laughter. The heir of House Deira, a mage, had suddenly decided to test their skills?
A rough, mocking voice rang out:
— The young master wants to test our skills? — a man standing among the knights crossed his arms over his chest, smirking. — Don't make me laugh! How can a mage test a knight?!
Reinhard slowly turned his head, locking eyes with the one who had dared to challenge his words.
A tall, sturdy man, around twenty-eight years old. Golden hair, piercing gaze, sharp facial features. A silver insignia gleamed on his uniform, marking him as one of the deputy commanders of House Deira's knights.
It was clear that this man possessed not only strength but also influence.
Reinhard calmly looked at him, then took a step forward, never breaking eye contact.
— Then I challenge you to a knight's duel.
At that moment, the silence became almost tangible.
He untied his glove, removed it, and threw it directly at his opponent's feet.
The dull thud of the glove hitting the floor echoed through the hall, like the first thunderclap before a storm.
All the knights silently observed the moment.
Calib Foncesco.
The name immediately surfaced in Reinhard's memory. Heir to the County of Froncesco, a sixth-rank knight, deputy commander of House Deira's knights.
The man slowly bent down, picked up the glove, clenched it in his fist, and looked at Reinhard.
His face remained calm, but a spark of anger flashed in his eyes.
— Young master, you do realize there's no turning back? — his voice was firm, but there was a hint of irritation in it. — A knight's duel forbids the use of mana.
Reinhard calmly nodded, understanding that he wouldn't be able to use magic.
— Yes. Take your sword.
Calib chuckled, his lips curling into a smug smile.
— Haha… Then I won't hold back!
The knights around them began to move, stepping aside, forming a circle in the center of the hall.
Wooden dummies, weapon racks, and training platforms – all disappeared beyond the boundaries of the improvised arena.
Reinhard slowly removed his shirt, revealing his well-trained physique.
For a brief moment, silence filled the hall once more.
Not everyone expected a mage to be this physically developed.
Defined muscles, no excess fat, broad shoulders, a steel-like abdomen – all of it indicated that Reinhard was far from weak and frail, as some knights might have assumed.
He took his sword in hand, tightening his grip on the hilt, and coldly declared:
— I, Reinhard Deira, heir of House Deira, swear to abide by the rules and challenge you to a duel.
Calib studied him for a moment, then brought his sword to his chest, bowed slightly, and replied:
— I, Calib Foncesco, heir to the County of Froncesco and deputy commander of House Deira's knights, a sixth-rank knight, swear to abide by the rules and accept your challenge.
He raised his sword slightly and added with a smirk:
— And since I am both a knight and your elder, I shall grant you three free strikes.
Reinhard narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Granting me free strikes as an elder and a knight…"
"Considering this is a duel, it means he doesn't see me as an equal."
"A clear insult."
"Showing disrespect to the heir? In that case, I should put him in his place."
He looked at Calib once more, an almost imperceptible smile touching his lips.
The duel had only just begun.