Chapter 37 — Aric Faces Kaelric

The arena held its breath as Aric stepped forward, sword in hand, facing Kaelric Veynar. The shadow of the undefeated challenger loomed over him, a figure of precision, speed, and raw confidence. Every spectator sensed that this was no ordinary duel—it was a true test of skill, strategy, and heart.

Kaelen watched silently from the sidelines, golden eyes narrowed. He knew Kaelric well enough to recognize the danger; this opponent was faster, more cunning, and less predictable than anyone Aric had faced before. One wrong move could end the match before it even began.

“Stay calm, observe, anticipate,” Kaelen murmured to himself, almost a whisper, though Aric seemed to hear the words echoing in his mind.

Kaelric smirked, his curved blade gleaming. “I’ve heard much about you, Prince Aric. Let’s see if your training under the legendary Mirrorblade has borne fruit.”

Aric’s jaw tightened. I will not falter. I will adapt. I will fight.

The first strike was lightning fast, Kaelric’s blade arcing toward Aric in a deadly sweep. Aric blocked just in time, the steel ringing sharply. He countered, feinting a thrust to gauge Kaelric’s reaction. The challenger’s eyes narrowed, analyzing, calculating, and adjusting in an instant.

Kaelen’s gaze followed every movement. Good… but he’s reacting too much to instinct. Trust the rhythm of the fight, Aric. Predict, don’t just react.

Aric adjusted, stepping into Kaelric’s attack pattern. He mirrored a subtle rhythm he had noticed, a tell in Kaelric’s shoulder movement, a shift in stance before every strike. In a sudden moment of clarity, he executed a precise counter that caught Kaelric off guard, striking lightly across his guard.

The crowd gasped. Kaelric blinked, impressed but unshaken. “Interesting,” he said, voice low and controlled. “You’ve learned more than I expected.”

Aric’s heart pounded, adrenaline fueling his focus. He recalled Kaelen’s lessons: Observe fully, copy the essence, and perfect it with your own adaptation. With each attack, he adapted, weaving defense and offense into a seamless flow.

The duel escalated, sparks flying as blades clashed again and again. Kaelric increased his speed, testing every skill Aric possessed, but the prince moved with growing confidence, anticipating attacks, adapting to feints, and turning each strike into an opportunity.

Kaelen’s presence was subtle but critical. He did not intervene directly, but his prior lessons, his philosophy, and his calm influence guided Aric’s instincts. The young prince was no longer just fighting—he was learning in real-time, growing stronger with every exchange.

Finally, in a swift, fluid sequence, Aric disarmed Kaelric, pointing his sword at the challenger’s chest. The arena erupted in cheers, witnessing a moment few could have imagined.

Kaelric lowered his gaze, a faint smile forming. “Well done, Prince Aric. You’ve not only trained under the best… but you have learned to make it your own. Continue this path, and you may surpass even your mentor one day.”

Aric exhaled, lowering his sword, feeling both exhilaration and relief. The duel had been fierce, the challenge immense, but he had applied Kaelen’s teachings and emerged victorious.

From the sidelines, Kaelen nodded slightly, approving. His golden eyes shone with quiet pride. This is only the beginning, he thought. The true tests are still to come.

Princess Lysandra’s eyes glimmered with pride and admiration, while the crowd continued to cheer wildly. The Royal Grand Tournament had revealed not only the skill of a prince but also the depth of Kaelen’s mentorship.