The next day arrived. This was the day the competition was scheduled to begin. Felmer and Melfer ate their breakfast, took their weapons, got on their horses and rode towards the arena. As the young master rode through the streets, the people looked at him with worry. The news had reached, and the people could no longer smile at the main branch. They were losing their trust. There was no light in the eyes of the masses.
The two brothers arrived at the arena. Many people were entering the arena. They tied their horses in the stable and then went inside. The people here looked at Felmer as they were outside the arena. Felmer's fear was correct.
The two brothers went to the participant's room and saw six other participants. They were from all over the country.
"You need to focus here. Your victory will tell the people whether you are weak or not." Melfer said.
"I know…It's still unbelievable." Felmer said and gripped his sword more tightly.
"Forget it."
"Fine…I will,"
The two of them looked at the other participants and began to observe them. They seemed powerful. A man wearing a robe caught Felmer's eye. His face was hidden.
Felmer had to win. He had to tell the world that the Gorbin family hadn't turned weak and they were still the leaders. The trust was fracturing, but he had to close the wound with this victory.
The time came, and all eight of them were called into the arena, and they walked there. The eight participants stood in the centre of the arena and awaited the opening ceremony. As they looked up, Elna walked forward and took the stage. She was going to do the speech. She was the favourite of the people.
"Dear Cerfisians, today, the 45th Cerfisian Battle of the Blades will commence. This competition began in the memory of our Lord Emayla and our long-lost history. After the loss, a century earlier, we lost our status in the world. But to show the world that we stand tall against the oppressors, this competition came into existence. In front of us stand the eight worthy participants. Unlike every year, this year, two victors will be chosen. I wish good luck to our fighters. Let the round of eights begin!"
The speech ended, and the sky was lit with fireworks. The people cheered and chanted the names of their favourite competitors. The two brothers had supporters as well.
The first battle was of Melfer against a swordsman from the northern shore district, Lima.
The rest left the arena, and the two stood head to head in the centre of the arena.
The participants left, and the umpire stood between them. The rules were simple. The last one standing wins.
The umpire looked at both of them and signalled for the beginning of the match.
Lima gave no room to Melfer and instantly rushed at him. But Melfer was smart, and he avoided it by stepping a few steps aside. Lima stopped and understood Melfer's move. Melfer turned and looked at Lima. Melfer's weapon was in its sheath. And his hand was on it. Lima again rushed at him. This time, Melfer took out his sword and defended. He pushed Lima back and kicked him. Lima lost his balance, and then Melfer punched him in the face. As Lima fell, Melfer grabbed him by the collar and made him stand. And he again punched him in the face. Lima was humiliated.
Melfer looked at him and waited for Lima to stand. Melfer had no smile or anger. He was looking at him with a straight face. Lima stood and looked around. He already had low support and was even losing that. Lima then held his sword and manifested it with magic. He was an above-average soldier, so no unique patterns appeared. But he had some experience with the sword.
As Lima held his sword tightly and manifested it with magic, Melfer became alerted. Lima then rushed at Melfer and attacked him. Melfer blocked, but the pressure from the sword began to push him back. Melfer tightened his grip and parried the attack. Then he retreated a few steps. Melfer's sword wasn't an ordinary one. So he was able to hold his ground. Lima again rushed, and Melfer blocked it. But Lima didn't stop at one strike. He swung his sword, and the two exchanged numerous blows.
The match didn't move forward until Melfer used a little bit of his magic and gave a powerful strike at Lima's sword. The sword broke, and Melfer kicked him. Melfer grabbed his head and hit it on his knee, making him lose consciousness.
Melfer had won his battle and had qualified for the semifinals. The people cheered in his support as he left the arena. He waved back at them.
Melfer entered the room and joined Felmer. The next two participants were called, and they left the room.
"That was a good match." Felmer complimented.
"It was easy," Melfer replied. "When's your turn?"
"Mine is last."
The two sat and watched the next match from the window. The time passed by, and then Felmer saw the robed man leave the room.
"That person seems to have caught your interest," Melfer said.
"Yeah…His presence and the feeling around him feel like something I have felt before. Like someone I know, or have met before."
"Oh…Well, we will find out later."
But when they looked at the arena, the match was already over. Felmer stood up in shock. The match was over before it even started, and the man was back in the room.
"What the heck?" Felmer said.
The rest of the participants looked at both the man and Felmer. They thought that if Felmer is shocked, then this man may be something. The man had caught the attention of both the people and Felmer.
Felmer looked at him and then heard his name being called. He took a deep breath, picked up his sword and left the room.
It was time for him to battle.