*Tingg
*Swoosh
The training ground of the Exelio estate was filled with the sound of clashing blades.
Cassian swung his sword with grace. His movements were refined and sharp for someone his age.
"You've improved, Lionel," Cassian muttered once in a while. The corner of his mouth rose upward, forming into a playful smile as he stepped back and adjusted his grip on his sword.
"I could say the same to you, cousin," Lionel replied evenly, before their swords met.
*Clang!
*Clang!
*Clang!
They exchanged a few movements before retreating a step back.
"The academy's been tough, but I guess it paid off. You'll see once you get there next year, Lionel. You'll eventually be as strong as me," Cassian's grin widened. "I hope you take your studies seriously, too. You should follow my steps."
"I'll remember that cousin."
The two circled each other again.
Cassian was the first to move, his blade coming fast from the side, but Lionel blocked it cleanly. Then, a few more strikes followed, each faster than before.
They were both pushing harder, testing each other's limits.
After a while, Cassian lowered his sword slightly, catching his breath. "By the way," he began casually, "have you already decided which knights you'll be bringing to the forest?"
"Yes, I have someone in mind. Don't worry." Lionel smiled sweetly at his cousin's question. He was sure as hell that it wasn't just a casual question.
"Oh, really?" Cassian tilted his head to the side. There was a glint of annoyance in his eyes as he heard the answer. It wasn't what he was expecting.
"Well, if you ever find them unreliable, you could always count on mine. I can lend you a few of my men since they're well-trained."
"That's generous of you, but there's no need. I trust the knights under our house." Lionel smiled faintly at that.
Something flickered in Cassian's expression because of that.
"I see," he said simply, but his voice was getting quiet. "That's… good, I guess."
Then without a warning Cassian lunged forward again. All of a sudden, his attacks became more forceful and heavier.
Lionel, who was already expecting something like this, brought his sword up in time. The force rattled through his arm, but his stance didn't break. Their blades met each other, as well as their eyes.
Cassian's grin had returned, but there was an edge to it now.
"You've gotten sturdier," he muttered with a slight confusion in his eyes. As far as he could remember, Lionel was not that good at swordsmanship.
"You too, cousin," Lionel replied coolly.
The duel continued for another few minute. They both moved with speed and precision. But despite Cassian's advantage in strength and experience, Lionel's technique was somehow surprisingly cleaner and better.
His footwork was more stable, and his swings were more controlled. It was the same with his timing, which was almost perfect for his age.
'What happened to Lionel? Why did he suddenly become better?' Cassian thought in irritation. In the past, it was always his joy to see his cousin being defeated.
It was because since childhood, Lionel had never been known as a good student. He skipped lessons whenever he could and he also skips his training lessons.
Everyone said he lacked discipline, especially when compared to Cassian, who was always diligent. That's why Cassian enjoyed being with Lionel. He gets to be in the spotlight.
But there was one thing no one could deny about Lionel. It was that he had innate talent in swordsmanship.
After all, his father was not just any noble. Duke Arden was one of the most renowned generals in the empire. He was a man who led armies to countless wars.
But even if he had this innate talent, in his past life, he wasted half of his years slacking. He believed his family and Cassian would always be there, so he did nothing.
It was only after his father's death that Lionel became more serious. And now, as his sword met Cassian's again, Lionel understood that he was really stupid that time.
"Ha…"
"Hah…"
The duel became longer than they expected. If it were any normal day, Lionel should be on the ground now, panting for air as he commended his cousin for being great.
But that's not what's happening right now.
All the time when Cassian was attacking from pride and irritation, Lionel just stayed composed. He knew that he was still not as strong, but he was obviously far more composed.
Every time Cassian tried to overpower him, Lionel would just step back to exhaust him.
Because of this, the knights and servants watching from the sides couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"They're incredible…"
"The young master's really holding his ground against His higness?"
"I heard his higness is already at the top of his class in the academy, but young master Lionel is actually keeping up?"
"Our young master is really growing!"
"He'll make the whole estate proud soon!"
Cassian gritted his teeth as he attacked Lionel more forcefully. For some reason, he could feel that the difference between their skill had suddenly lessened.
Is Lionel suddenly training? That's why his skills drastically improved?
That thought made him annoyed. He was obviously older. He was even trained by elite instructors for years, and yet why was Lionel, who hadn't even entered the academy, pushing him this far?
With a short breath, Cassian shifted his stance and lunged forward. Lionel blocked the first few blows, but the weight behind them was different now. His arms trembled slightly from the impact. His young body was struggling to keep up with the force.
Then—
Clang!
Cassian twisted his wrist and knocked Lionel's sword out of his hand. The blade flew a few feet away and landed on the ground with a loud sound.
Silence followed for a moment before the knights broke into applause for Cassian's victory.
Cassian stood straight while his sword was still pointed at Lionel. Now, he had a genuine smile on his face again.
Yes, just like this.
"Looks like I win again this time."
"Yeah," Lionel smiled. He didn't sound disappointed at all. If anything, he was even amused.
Because even though Cassian technically won, everyone could tell how close it had been.
"It's alright, young master! You're still amazing!"
"I know, right. To think he could stand toe-to-toe with Lord Cassian!"
"At this rate, I'm sure our young master here will become one of the Empire's greatest knights!"
"Our young master had really improved a lot within just a week!"
Cassian froze for a second at the comments. Why are the compliments going to Lionel when they should have been for me?
His fingers slowly tightened around his sword's hilt because of annoyance.
"Lionel, it was a good match," he said quickly, forcing a polite smile on his face. "But I should excuse myself now. I forgot there are matters I need to attend to."
Before anyone could respond, Cassian turned around and walked away. He was slightly stomping his feet on the ground.
Lionel stood still for a few seconds as he watched his cousin retreating back.
"Did he get annoyed at the soldier's words?" He couldn't help but chuckle softly under his breath.
The knights and servants nearby blinked in confusion. "Young master?" one of them asked.
Lionel just laughed again, shaking his head.
Then, as he looked up, his gaze caught two familiar figures standing with the soldiers on the training ground.
A slow smile tugged at his lips.
"Well, speaking of the devils…" he murmured under his breath.
= = =
A/N: I had surgery 2 days ago so I wasn't able to upload a chapter. But I'm back now, so updates will continue everyday!