My Devourer System: Rise of the Bastard Son

Limp clouds dragged across, casting light in distorted waves on the ruined landscape of Castaway valley.

Many giant figures roamed the flattened land, carrying rows of wood and stone. With a wave of a Knight's hand, walls rose from the ground, and water mixed with clay. Many houses were already rebuilt.

Lucen wondered how they would compensate the Knights for this. Giants were slave labour, basically free.

The people occupied tents. They cooked in large bonfires and joked around despite their homes being destroyed.

Many of them were already gathering where Lucen would duel Duran. They talked excitedly among themselves; it wasn't often you got to watch a Knight fight safely.

Lucen hung back, the white hood of his cloak covering his blonde hair. He wore simple leather armor and a red shirt inside.

He was waiting for Duran to arrive. The pompous fool was late.

His preparations for the duel were complete. He studied Duran's spells and his fighting style, deciding on how he might win this fight.

Duran had three spells that he loved to use. One allowed him to teleport between two points; its range wasn't far, but it was his go-to way for escaping tough spots.

His second spell enhanced his blade; it could cut steel like butter, and the speed also increased occasionally.

Duran's last spell was the most troublesome. It was a body enhancement spell. The more he moved, the less visible he was; his body would blink and flash like the light was playing tricks on Lucen's eyes.

Mana sense couldn't follow Duran either. Throughout their team training sessions with Warren, Lucen made it a habit to analyse how Duran exploited this spell so he could counter it.

Humans are an unpredictable bunch, though, so he was going to use more spells. Particularly [Sinking Sand].

He couldn't rely on [Serpent's Call]; the newly upgraded spell was too hard to control, unlike [Will's Breath]. One cast could draw on all his entire mana.

He needed to learn to regulate its mana consumption the way he did with [Breath of Rage].

And it could also kill Duran if used at full power. Lucen didn't care much about him, but Chester could use it as a reason to execute him.

Someone approached him. He raised his head to find Kibara frowning at him.

She wore a white dress with a brown leather vest. Even dressed simply, Lucen had to admit she looked amazing.

"Are you angry at me?" Lucen asked.

Kibara tilted her head. "Did you seriously just ask me that?"

Lucen was at a loss for words. "I've been kind of busy recently, so I couldn't look—"

"Try again."

Lucen scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "The duel? Duran was the one that challenged me."

"Helie told me you waited for him to come challenge you." Kibara's hands were on her waist. She stood over him, glaring.

He put the fact she knew aside, and said, "If it makes you feel better, I'm not fighting for you, I just want to beat Duran."

Her eyes narrowed and Lucen knew he made a mistake. "Oh, that's nice. Hmph, I guess you are just a kid."

She turned away without a single word, and Lucen groaned. He was about to run after her when he saw Duran and his friends coming.

He sighed; it wasn't like he had much of a chance with her anyway. He pulled down his hood and marched towards Duran, who smiled brightly.

"You actually came?" Duran asked.

"Why wouldn't I?"

Duran nodded. "You've got steel in your heart or stone in your skull. But I appreciate you not running away."

"I appreciate you coming too. So much time passed, I thought you weren't feeling up to it."

That one stung. Duran ripped off his brown cloak, sneering. "Careful now, halfblood."

Lucen took off his cloak, staring back into Duran's golden eyes. "Who's officiating?"

"Bane," Duran said simply. One of his cronies walked forward, smiling wickedly.

"I asked Sir Nathaniel if he could spare us some time," Lucen said, pointing at a Knight making his way through the crowd.

Nathaniel was Tharic's father, and was helping rebuild Castaway. He was tall, rising head and shoulders above the crowd around them. His black hair and scarred face sent people jumping out of his way.

"I wouldn't normally even condone such an imbalanced duel," Nathaniel grumbled. "But better hunters make the rabbit quicker, and you are about to go on a suicide quest."

Lucen knew Duran would appoint one of his dogs to officiate if he didn't get anyone, so he asked Tharic to talk to his dad.

He raised his hand, wordlessly signalling to them to get ready. Lucen reached into the air and drew his silver spear from his soul; the shimmering metal felt warm to his touch.

Duran also drew a soul-bound weapon from the air: a black blade made from the jagged talon of a Wyrm. Red runes glowed along the hilt of the blade.

The sounds of claps and cheers from the crowd poured over them. Lucen stole a glance at Kibara, her arms were folded tightly. But worry flickered in her magenta eyes.

Nathaniel brought his hand down. "Start!"

Duran disappeared in a flash of blue light. Lucen jumped forward and activated [Starfall].

Duran appeared right behind him and slashed low for his tendons. His sword sailed through air harmlessly. His eyes flicked up and found a bolt of white light streaking towards him.

He teleported again and Lucen's spear tore through thin air. He recalled the spear while moving.

Duran reappeared, tutting. "This would have been much less painful if you went down there."

Lucen caught his spear with one hand, shaking his head. "Don't bore me."

Duran's sword flashed blue, lips curled in disgust. "You really let those things get to your head, huh? You think you can beat a Knight?"

"I don't know if I could beat a Knight," Lucen smirked. "That's why I'm here. You're a good way to get a hint of what to expect."

The crowd roar grew louder as they insulted each other. Duran raised his glowing sword to the crowd, smirking and turning to showcase his glory.

Lucen considered attacking, but he could sense Duran setting another teleport point. It was a lure; a gaudy one that made him look scared for not attacking. The crowd jeered at him, seeing inaction as foolish.

Duran sighed, tired of waiting for Lucen, and shot towards him in a blur of blue.