Alaric Silversword [Knight] EXP: 372/500
Potential: B
Traits: Horseback Riding (C), Swordsmanship (SSS), Close Combat (C), Archery (F), Hunting (E), Tracking (F), Sixth Sense (F)
Strength: 100
Stamina: 34+
Agility: 43+
Vitality: 27+
Endurance: 42+
Mana: 13+
Battle Points: 2570
Stat Points: 35
(Requirements for next advancement: 500 EXP, 100 in all attributes, and 5000 Battle Points)
Alaric was confident to win the sacred duel because of his stat points and his unparalleled swordsmanship.
What should I do with these stat points?
Just as he was about to make his decision, a series of knocks on his door pulled him from his thoughts.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Alaric raised an eyebrow as he closed the cyan screen. He then stood up and opened the door.
“My lord, I apologize for the disturbance.” It was Henry.
The old man cast him a worried glance and asked.
“Are you really sure about volunteering for the sacred duel?”
Alaric was like a grandson to him and he was worried that an accident might happen in the sacred duel.
“I have already made my decision, Sir Henry. I understand that you are worried about me, but my decision will never change.” Alaric responded with a calm look.
The old man sighed and forced out a smile. “In that case, I hope that you make a thorough preparation.”
“In a sacred duel, the use of mana is allowed so you must be careful, my lord.” He reminded.
Alaric nodded with a grim look. He had almost forgotten this important detail. Unlike the unofficial spars that he had participated in before where using mana was against the rules, it was the exact opposite in a sacred duel.
“Thank you for your reminder, Sir Henry.” Alaric was grateful for the old man’s words.
If it weren’t for him, he might have already distributed all of his stat points.
“Please rest well, my lord. Just call me if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
After the old man left, Alaric headed back to his room and opened the cyan screen.
His mana was currently his weakest attribute with only 13 points.
Excluding my strength, most of my attributes should be at the average level. My mana on the other hand is barely at the level of a Knight.
Mana was crucial in a battle between Knights.
He had always neglected his mana because of his powerful swordsmanship, but in this sacred duel, having a higher mana might be a deciding factor in how the battle would end.
Without hesitation, Alaric added all of his stat points to his mana.
Mana: 13 —> 48
At that moment, Alaric felt a surge of power rising within him.
With this, I should be ready for the sacred duel…
***
Inside the main mansion of House Paxley.
“Father, you need to believe me! It really wasn’t me!” Liam kneeled in front of the baron, his face covered in tears.
“Husband, he is still our child. There should be something we can do to save him.” Vivian begged as he grabbed the baron’s arm.
“I also don’t want this to happen, but we can’t reject a sacred duel.” Baron Nathan muttered while rubbing his temples. He looked like he had aged a decade in just a few hours.
At this moment, Liam suddenly thought about something. He lifted his head and suggested with an ugly smile. “Father! Why don’t we send that person?”
Baron Nathan frowned. “Who are you talking about?”
“The man they call ‘The Butcher’,” Liam responded.
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
The Butcher was a nickname given to a heinous criminal who had caused a series of killings in Ryvaad.
He was a deranged man addicted to killing and it took the combined effort of multiple Knights to subdue him.
He was currently locked up in a cell, waiting for his public execution.
“Absurd! How could you make such a shameless suggestion!? Have you no shame?!” Baron Nathan raised his hand and slapped Liam out of rage.
Pa!
“My son! Are you alright?” Vivian went to Liam’s side and looked at his face with a tearful expression.
She then glared at the baron and shouted. “How dare you hurt your son?!”
Baron Nathan ignored her and kept his eyes on Liam. “This is the last thing I will do for you as your father. Whether you live or die is up to Aru.”
He then turned his gaze to the Elite Knight standing behind him and uttered. “Release ‘The Butcher’. He will represent us in the sacred duel.”
The expression of the Elite Knight hardened, but he still complied. “Yes, my lord!”
Liam’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, father!”
The baron snorted and walked away with heavy strides.
***
Later that night, Alaric went to take a look at Yvanna’s situation.
Knock! Knock!
He knocked on her door and said.
“It’s me.”
Her response came a few seconds late. “Wait. Give me a minute to change.”
“Alright.”
Alaric bought her some winter dresses earlier since her clothes were already torn and tattered.
A few minutes later, she finally opened the door.
“Come in.”
Yvanna locked the door after Alaric stepped inside the room.
Hm?
He realized that the mud he had smeared on her was already gone.
Now that she had cleaned up herself, a devastatingly beautiful face was revealed.
Her long white hair was as white as snow and her cyan eyes sparkled with enchanting radiance.
She was only wearing a dull winter dress meant for commoners, but it failed to hide her charm.
“How do you feel now?” Alaric asked while trying to maintain his composure.
“I still feel a bit weak, but I should be fine after a few more days of rest,” Yvanna responded while breaking eye contact.
“I’m glad to hear that, but you should be careful. We can’t let anyone see your face, not even my subordinates.” Alaric reminded with a stern look.
“I will be careful.” The elf nodded.
“Here’s the medicine paste and the medicinal extract.” Alaric handed her the things he had brought from his room.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll take my leave first. I’m on the room to your left so just knock on my door if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
Alaric didn’t stay any longer and stepped out of her room.
She is still cold, but maybe a little less colder.
He shook his head with a bitter smile.