Chapter 20 - Frank Vs. Stephen

The two of them were inside the barrier wall. Looking at each other's faces and scaling each other's strength.

Stephen was nervous the most between the two of them. Having seen the others fought was very intimidating.

He was also told that Frank was the strongest in terms of power. It was only natural to be stronger than the rest because he was their leader.

It only added to Stephen's nervousness.

With the two of them inside the barrier, Stephen chose the two-handed sword. Also reserved the two-handed hammer in his side.

Being put on the ground, headfirst.. Frank grabbed the staff and thrust it into the ground then used the sword and shield.

Thinking of using it first when he will battle. Frank stretched a bit to relieve his stiff muscles. Twisting his waist and doing a few swings of his wooden weapon.

Stephen stretched too, not wanting to have setbacks on their spar. Starting from his legs up to his waist and shoulders, all through his neck.

With some swings of his two-handed weapon, he warmed up his body.

"I am ready," Said Stephen to Frank, finished warming up.

"Good! Now we proceed with the fight. You know the rules right?" Frank said to him while getting warmed up.

"Yeah! Let's do this!" Stephen said excitedly.

Both of them faced each other with their weapons of their choosing. Stephen crouched with his weapon on his arms, the tip facing the ground. He can't get a hold of himself. Frank was tapping his wooden round shield with his wooden one-handed sword.

"Ready, Go!" Frank shouted.

The two of them immediately dashed forwards, towards each other. Leaving the ground with their footprint that was dug by their feet's sheer force.

Stephen swung his sword with all his might and Frank prepared to receive his blow with his shield.

The sword struck the shield and it left Frank's feet to subside in the ground.

'Such force from a child!' He inwardly exclaimed.

He slides it in the last moments and rotated. Slashing Stephen on the back. Stephen's momentum continued and his sword hits the ground.

It was able to shake the ground a bit by his force. Frank used his skill [Shield bash] and Stephen was thrown towards the edge of the wall.

[Shield bash]–a burst of speed and strength to hit the opponent with the shield. A basic skill of a Protector Knight.

He was flung but he stands up snappily. Able to regain his balance in just a matter of split seconds. Stephen used his skill [Minor heal] and alleviated the pain.

[Minor heal]–basic heal of healing slight injuries and torn muscles. Able to heal fatigue and stamina.

Frank also was slightly damaged on his arm. He used his skill [Heal] to himself.

[Heal]–more advanced version of Minor heal. Able to heal cuts and wounds.

Stephen saw that they will be having a tough fight until anyone will go down first. It will be a battle of attrition for the two of them.

Frank dashed and slashed with his sword, turning around and used [Shield bash], followed by [Sword slash].

[Sword slash]–a burst of speed and strength of slashing the enemy with a sword. A basic skill of an Offensive Knight.

Stephen saw the sword coming and blocked it with his sword. Still able to push him from afar even with his block.

Frank dashed towards him and prepared another assault but Stephen was still standing up. Stephen thrusts his sword to the ground and used his skill [Beast call].

From his shadow, emerge Helltooth and bit Frank's shield. Frank was flabbergasted as he saw him used the skill of the Lycan's. Frank stepped back away from him.

"You are a Lycan?" Frank nearly shouted.

The others too were shocked by his skill. They were looking at Saber at the moment.

"What? Why are you all looking at me? I am surprised too!" He said quite intrigued.

"I am sorry but I can't tell others about it. Let's continue!" Said, Stephen.

Stephen then attacked with his weapon. Helltooth was assisting with his attack this time. He dashed towards him and the two of them were dashing in zigzag.

Completely in sync with each other. Stephen slashed diagonally and Frank blocked it with his shield.

Helltooth then attacked his other side but Frank slashed Helltooth in a split second. Stephen managed to call back Helltooth at the right moment, making him disappear without taking a hit.

And again, he summoned Helltooth in a split second that was already ready to attack his front. Frank jolted and blocked with his shield in the last moments.

Frank shield-bashed Helltooth, making him thrown on the process. His sword slashed Stephen and his weapon broke into splinters.

Stephen throws his weapon then used his skill [Conjure daggers].

[Conjure daggers]–the skill of making daggers made of mana. Can be thrown or used as a weapon.

Stephen summoned two on both hands and throws them in his direction to distract him.

Frank can only shield his incoming thrown projectiles and Stephen grabbed the two-handed hammer. His skill [Heavy lifting] activated because the hammer was heavy.

[Heavy lifting]–a passive skill of helping you lift heavy weapons.

His wooden two-handed sword was light for him so it didn't activate the skill. Stephen grabbed the two-handed hammer that was as long as a staff with a heavy mallet on the top.

He rotated and twirled the hammer on his front and back. Motioning Frank to attack him.

Frank removed his weapon and shield then used the staff. They both dashed to each other without fear.

Pouncing like a predator to its prey. They both treated each other like one. Stephen rotated the hammer and thrusts its head at Frank.

Frank parried it with his staff and used his skill [Staff smash].

[Staff smash]–a skill of using the staff with a burst of speed and power. A basic skill of Priests in their fighting skills.

Stephen blocked his vertical smash but when the skill landed in him, his legs were forcefully bent by the force.

Stephen rotated his hammer and swung it horizontally on Frank. The momentum was very great and it landed on Frank's block.

Making him thrown a bit by a few steps. They both attacked and Frank thrust his staff towards Stephen.

Stephen was hit furiously and immediately healed himself. Frank then smashed his left and right that Stephen left with many openings.

Hitting him on his waist and shoulders, he was also struck in the face that made him felt dizzy a bit.

The blows were not stopping but Stephen was still attacking him with heavy blows. Even blocking and parrying, Stephen's attack was very damaging. Making Frank heal in between his blocks.

He used another staff smash and Stephen managed to block it properly this time.

But due to him forcing himself, he absorbed the impact and made him forcefully let go of his grip on the hammer.

"I surrender!" Shouted Stephen.

Frank was surprised and saw that his hands were reddish. Full of small cuts and was bleeding.

"I am sorry I can't keep up my healing," Said Stephen.

Frank immediately healed his wounds and tapped his shoulders.

"You've done well! Let us congratulate Stephen!" Frank shouted.

The others were clapping their hands and were pleased by his performance. Even though he lost, he never felt so happy before.

It was a pleasure of meeting the heroes that he was so proud to be his brothers.

The sun has risen and they were all looking at it as its first rays appeared. All of them, later on, helped his mother to cook food and they took a warm bath after exercise.