Chapter 5: The first

As Surk and his master entered the large stadium near the castle, they saw a huge crowd of people trying to get to their seats.

"Go down and check who you will be fighting with. I'll look for Cruz and watch the matches with him.", Surk heard Caim say to him in the crowd.

As Surk was about to reply, he saw that Caim had already left him. So he went down to look at the list of participants posted on a board near the stage, and looked for his name. There were a hundred participants of different professions. They would have to face against each other and anyone who lost in a battle would immediately be disqualified from the competition.

As Surk searched for his name, he found that his opponent was a warrior named Gray. Unlike knights, warriors didn't use shields and mainly used swords or axes as their weapons. As Surk waited for his turn, he saw people of different professions such as archers, magicians, swordsmen, warriors, and assassins, and fight on stage.

When his turn came up, he saw that his opponent was a tall man carrying a heavy broadsword on each hand. As they got into position and the signal for the battle was given, his opponent immediately lunged at him and swung his right broadsword in a side slash at a terrifying speed.

However for Surk, this speed was normal for him. He immediately backstepped to easily avoid the attack. However, his opponent didn't stop and continued to attack relentlessly. Surk gracefully avoided the attacks without much effort and continued to watch his opponent.

"What swift movements! How is she able to avoid those attacks at such a close distance? ... Such amazing agility! Who is she?", the spectators talked to each other and thought that Surk was a girl because of his long hair, and gracious movements.

As his opponent eventually got tired of attacking continuously, Surk took the chance to attack. He dashed forward. His opponent, Gray, couldn't track his movements so he made a defensive stance and waited for the attack.

Surk leaped from the ground and attacked from above. Gray, blinded by the light from the sky, held out his broadswords to defend himself. Sparks flew as the swords clashed. Because of the force of the attack, Gray's broadswords cracked and one of them broke.

"How did she do that? To break a broadsword, what kind of weapon is that?", the spectators murmured as they continued to watch the fight.

Gray threw the broken sword and used the other sword to attack Surk as he landed on the ground. Surk blocked the attack with his sword but was pushed back. Because Gray used most of his power on that attack, the impact caused Gray's last broadsword to finally break.

With both of his opponent's weapons unusable, Surk was declared as the winner. He got down the stage, and he noticed Gray approaching him.

"Hey, wait. I'd like to talk with you.", Gray said as he rushed toward Surk.

Surk, who heard him, wondered why he wanted to talk to him as he turned around.

'Err... Is it because I broke his swords? Is he going to make me pay?...Oh no, I can't pay him! I don't have any money!', Surk thought as Gray finally got near him.

"You were great out there. Although it's a shame that I lost...About your sword", as Gray said this, Surk thought, 'He wants my sword! No! If he gets it, how will I be able to fight the other opponents.' Surk immediately hid the sword on his back.

"You can't have it", Surk said as he stepped backward.

"Of course, I wouldn't dream of taking it from a cute lady such as yourself. I just wanted to ask who made it.", Gray said smiling.

"So that's what you wanted...Hey!", Surk shouted at Gray.

"W-what? Did I do something wrong?", Gray was surprised by Surk's sudden outburst.

"If you want to know, then you better remember this! I'm a man!", Surk said angrily.

"oh...OH! Sorry, I didn't notice. It's just that many of the female swordsmen I've met looked more masculine than you.", Gray said apologetically.

Surk turned his back and said," I guess you don't want to know."

"No, I'm serious! Please tell me!", Gray said grabbing Surk's shoulder to stop him.

"Fine, I made it.", Surk said facing Gray.

"Eh, you're the one who made it? But, you're a swordsman and your body looks so...", Gray stopped as he saw Surk glare at him.

"No, my mistake! Please make me a strong weapon like yours!", Gray said to Surk.

Hearing this, Surk calmed down. "I can make you one after the competition. But you'll have to pay for it."

"Of course! Then I'll be waiting." Gray agreed and headed out of the stadium.

At the front benches near the stage, Cruz and Caim watched as Surk won his first battle. "It looks like he's doing great", Cruz commented as the next battle started.

Note: Next chapter will be posted next week.