Chapter 408: Wild

Reginald gritted his teeth as heard Arthur's question. Even though he showed him the difference between their statuses and their mana, Arthur still asked the same question. This child was looking down on him too much.

'Hmph, as expected he's nothing more than an ignorant commoner's child. Usually, there's no use talking to someone as dumb as this. Still, as the perfect noble, I need to explain to him what's about to happen. Yes, it is the duty of the higher class to teach those below them.'

"Brat, I will give you one chance. You should be surrendering to me. If you leave the false king's side and join me, I promise you a bright future. I will save you from being a commoner and take you in as my son. If you become this great Duke's son you will become a noble, not only that but you will be trained by none other than me. Once I'm done training you, then nothing will be able to stop you, and you will become the strongest person in existence."

Reginald felt confident that Arthur would join him since he was giving a chance for a commoner to become a noble, no it was much better than that since he was offering Arthur to be his son. If Arthur becomes his son he would become the crowned prince and have a chance to become the next king. There was no reason to reject his offer.

The other nobles who heard what Reginald said were surprised. Among all the nobles of the Serbek Kingdom Reginald was the one who was most against commoners, so hearing him ask Arthur one of common birth to be his son was astonishing. The only reason why Reginald did this was that he saw the potential Arthur possessed.

"So what do you say?" Reginald was already anticipating Arthur to say yes.

"Huh? So you're not surrendering?" Arthur answered while sighing.

"Did you not hear what I just said? I'm going to make you into a noble." Reginald spoke trying to hold back his frustration in talking with Arthur.

"Yeah, I heard you, but what does becoming a noble do for me? Also, what do you mean you will train me to become the strongest? How can you claim that if you are barely stronger than me? You won't even last a second against my master." Hearing Arthur's answer Reginald could no longer hold it in as he clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, as I expected, a dumb commoner like you can not understand a single thing. I have given you a path to the heavens, yet you wish to remain down there with your filth. I must've been crazy to have thought that a commoner like you is worthy to be my son." Reginald held a slim longsword and took a fighting stance.

"So I take it that you won't be surrendering?"

"Stop saying that over and over again!" Reginald dashed forward while chanting something under his breath. A swift sword strike came down upon Arthur who nimbly evaded.

"[Ice Bind]" Reginald activated a spell that would entrap Arthur's legs. Yet that too was evaded by Arthur who jumped up. Reginald was quick to react to this as he did a piercing motion towards Arthur's chest. Unable to evade mid-air, Arthur who was suddenly holding his daggers in both hands diverted the strike that was aimed at his chest to hit his shoulders instead.

Reginald's attack was diverted more than was expected and actually missed Arthur's shoulder. Those that were watching that were skilled with the sword were sure that strike should've hit Arthur's shoulder. Yet seeing a different outcome they were confused as to what happened. That was when they noticed that it was Reginald who had been hit at the shoulder, a dagger had actually pierced his left shoulder.

Arthur used this chance to gain some distance from Reginald, but the moment he did so he felt a huge impact on his chest, Reginald had kicked him. It was a good thing that Arthur's reflexes honed by fighting Ren all the time kicked in. Arthur was able to quickly create a mana shield to lessen the impact of the strike. Still, even after doing that Arthur flew quite a distance.

"Damn brat, I underestimated you thinking that you were just a kid, but now there will be no more mercy. I will allow you to witness the strength of a Sword Saint." Reginald pulled out the dagger on his shoulder and tossed it aside. At this moment his left shoulder was no longer moving properly and he could at most use his left hand to swing once. So this time Reginald took a one-handed stance with his longsword. The pressure Reginald emitted became heavier than before. It was like the very air had become blades that surround him.

Arthur stood up while coughing up a bit of blood. He did a quick check and was relieved to know that no ribs were broken, still, he had received some internal injury. Seeing the stance Reginald took, and the pressure he was emitting, Arthur knew that surprise attacks would no longer work. Also in that one exchange, he knew that Reginald was leagues above him in skill.

'In that case, I better fight until I win.' Arthur lowered his stance and stood with his hands and legs were on the ground. The way Arthur looked at the moment was like that of a wild beast.

...

"If you're outclassed in skill, then since it's you, all you need to do is attack them with wild ferocity." That's what Ren said to Arthur while training him. He noticed that the fighting style Arthur was best at, was something Ren could only call wild.

...

"That stance, as expected you commoners really were just a bunch of wild beasts." The moment Reginald said those words a dagger flew towards him. Reginald easily deflected the incoming dagger, but he lost sight of Arthur. Reginald then quickly did a backstep as another dagger flew past him.

Arthur who was now enveloped by his mana suddenly appeared beside Reginald. At that moment Reginald instinctively slashed his sword downward. Arthur kicked Reginald's sword hand aiming at the sword handle. Arthur's aim was to disarm Reginald but that didn't work as Reginal was holding onto the sword tightly. Still, that move pushed Reginald's sword hand away.

Arthur used this chance to get inside, towards Reginald's chest. Once Arthur was inside he gathered mana into his palm. He was going to strike at Reginald's chest at full power, but then he was surprised to see Reginald about to strike him with the sword. Reginald had forcefully used his left hand to slash downward at full power.

Seeing that they had the same idea, the fastest one would be the winner. Arthur's instincts honed by playing hide and seek with Ren told him that he needed to stop. So instead of attacking he used most of his mana to strengthen his defense.

As Reginald's blade fell down it was able to slice through Arthur's right shoulder. The blade didn't go deep enough. Arthur used this chance to get Reginald's right arm in an armlock. Arthur was about to break Reginald's arm, but then Reginald lifted his right arm and smashed it and Arthur onto the ground.

The strength of the smash made the ground crack. Still, Arthur didn't let go in fact, he held on even tighter. Arthur's fingers dug into Reginald's arm piercing through his skin. Despite the agony Reginald was feeling, he did not scream in pain. He would never allow these commoners to hear him scream.

The two continued this way for a few minutes until finally, Arthur was able to break Reginald's arm. The bone of Reginald's elbow stuck out of his body. Seeing that made the people watching wince in pain. Reginald no longer had any functioning hands to hold his blade, which he dropped on the ground.

On the other hand, Arthur was breathing heavily and he was bleeding all over. Still, he stood tall without staggering. He did feel lightheaded but he has gotten used to these kinds of punishment and would not fall from something like this.

Arthur checked the current status of his body and noticed that three of his ribs have been broken, and it was getting harder to breathe for him. Not only that if that assault continued his back would've given in as well. It was a good thing that he was able to break Reginald's arm in time.

One of the twenty approached Arthur and handed him one of the healing pellets that Henrietta passed onto them before coming here. She said that it was still an incomplete product but it should still be useful in case they were injured. Arthur did not hesitate to eat the pellet. Once he swallowed he immediately felt the effects and he could feel some of his wounds healing, and his lightheadedness was gone.

Arthur then looked at Reginald who was glaring at him while sweating from the pain. It doesn't seem like he would be able to fight for now. As Arthur didn't really want to kill another human being, he once again asked the same question he kept on asking over and over again.

"This time will you please surrender?"