"Free? Are you feeling fine? "
Sylvia asked, they were now far from the cheering crowd and observing nobles.
"... No"
He answered honestly, his head was still aching a little due to the affinity overloading, even after that long period, on top of all that violence earlier.
He could feel the expectations of others, as the new hero of the era, he should have been proud, happy and bag about it, yet....
It was the same again, the expectations, future demands, the voice of people and a collar to his neck that will never be thrown away no matter what he will do.
"I don't think I'll live up to their expectations... "
Free said, gripping Sei so tightly his knuckles turned white. Sylvia eye landed on his hand, she knew this would be too much pressure for him.
"Free.. "
She muttered.
"I know how hard it must for the people to rely on you, but remember.... "
"Remember what you did for the Town"
She added, trying to stay calm.
"All I did for the town was step up as a noble to protect my family and you from the greedy nobles"
He repkied, Sylvia but her lip hearing it, but she didn't gave up.
"So... You don't care for the Town? "
She askeed, Free looked away trying not to meet her eye.
"It is a shame.... But yes, when I thought of becoming a noble, my first thought were you, the people agreement was only like a stepping ston–"
Slap*
Free's head, moved side ways to the left, a hand imprinted on his face.
"Don't..."
Sylviia growled.
"Don't even dare complete that sentence"
Her voice snapped, eyes calm down calm Yet anger was visible in her eyes, Free placed a hand on his face. he knew, he knew Sylvia deeply cared for the Town, her mother and her grandmother had been living there and always favoured the Town over anything else, and Sylvia was the same in her power to maintain it's peace.
"I-i'm ashamed..."
He muttered, Sylvia's hand tighten, but she took a deep breath and calmly exhaled.
"Look Free, I know that you care for me and your family, but-but aren't the people there like family too...."
She said, gently placing her palm on the back of his hand, Free twitched slightly.
"Rember, they have always step up for us, even as kids, they helped use, gave us snacks, there may be some unpleasant experience but we grew up with them, they saw us grow, saw us mature and..... Saw us through our whole life"
She said.
"Hemire trusted you, Rael believed in you, your father entrusted responsibilities on you, and we... "
She paused and smiled, her hands tracing his cheeks, while she herself blushed.
"We have hopes on you... So fight,
Don't try to run, but exceed, exceed what they never thought, exceed what they never expected, be the person they will never forget! "
she said, gave a smile, and placed her hand on his, and gently lifted his hand with both of her hand, and–
Chu...
Her lips touched his hand, Free stared at her then at Sei, who was silently listening to their conversation all this time.
'Really'
He thought.
'I really am stupid, I thought if had forget that life. yet, it never faded'
He thought, pulling back his hand and his gaze met Sylvia's, now determined and concluded.
"If fighting is what they want from me, then I will!"
He declared, Unsheathing Sei from the scabbard and pointing it toward the heavens.
"And..... I will win!!! "
He yelled loudly, so loud it could be heard at the dressing room.
Sylvia gave a bright happy smile and hugged his right arm.
"Shall we go then? "
She asked and Free smiled faintly and nodded, walking toward the arena to fight against Leo the Royal sorcerer
Sylvia gave pat on his head.
During that time–
Leo stood in the arena waiting for his opponent.
"Where is he...? "
He muttered, scratching his head.
The crowd oon the other hand was losing their patience, for 10 minutes they have been waiting and there is no news about the new hero.
"Where is the hero!! "
"I want to see him fight!!! "
"Is he a coward!!"
People started to cause riots in the crowds, Alberto himself was slowly getting impatient, tapping his arm rest continuously.
"Alberto... "
The king called.
"Yes father?"
He replied.
"No need to be impatient, he has arrived"
Alberto, furrowed his brow, the turned his gaze to the arena.
...
...
Step.
Step.
Step.
Free calmly walked inside the arena, the moment he entered, the riots stopped, everyone stared, Leo smirked. His hand already on his wand.
"My apologies for the delay"
Free apologized, but Leo shrugged it off.
"You came, that is all I need"
He replied.
"OKAY, BOYS AND GIRLS, LET'S START THE BATTLE!!!! "
The host declared, everyone roared in excitement, as the host cleared his throat.
"READY!!! 3..."
The host announced, everyone quiets down.
"2.... "
Sylvia in her seat clenched her fist.
"GO!!!! "
Tthe host finished.
'Dash to his left, then jump! '
Sei instructed, Freedid didn't disobey, he dashed with full speed to the left of Leo.
'Such careless moves'
Leo thought, his hand slowly got engulfed in Fire and–
Woosh!!.
A wave of heat and crimson was launched at Free, an advance spell.
Free jumped up just as Sei instructed him.
'Pretend to hit him from above... '
Sheadded, Free gripped the sword tighter and launched directly above Leo.
But Leo wasn't some beginner he saw through Sei's strategy and Casted a Earth spell instead.
Crook!.
Crook!.
Boulder in spike shape emerge out of the ground, aiming at Free.
'Slice them all... '
Sei calmly instructed, Free twists his body and slice all of the spikes with precision.
Then dashed forward, Leo looked left, then right, ahead and everywhere, Free was running so fast his after image was confusing Leo.
"Tch, if this is what you want... "
The ground started to heat up, slowly the whole arena was feeling the heat, some even started to sweat, Leo chanted comtimously preparing for the biggest spell.
"...Inferno! Drive!!!! "
He finished, slowly, a very bright crimson light started to appear, not just any fire, a massive wave of heat rush through the arena, everyone shielded their eyes.
Leo smirked and descended the light on the arena.
Fssshhhhh...
The ground melted, the rocks started tomelt, Leo remained untouched in the center, his smirked clinged to his face.
But Free? He was nowhere ear the arena, everyone looked around, Leo too readied his stance and 3 extra spells.
'Shit, I'm running out of many
He thought, preparing spells with every last biit of mana he got. But then, he felt something on his feet, quickly looked down and one of Free's ring had already shrink in his feet.
'Fuck!'
He cursed.
Just then–
"Behind you... "
A calm voice came fromm behind, Leo looked back and–
Smack!!!.
Was met with a very powerful punch square in the face, it was so hard that his face twisted, Jaw cracked out of place, and.
Boom!!!.
His unconscious body was printed to the arena's wall.
The host remained silent, eyes in idsbelif, Free maybe the hero but defeating someone like Leo was... Was.... Magnificent!!!!!.
"LEO HAS LOST!!! AND WE HAVE A WINNER, AND THAT. IS. BARON FREE HOSHIIII!!! "
the host declared loudly.
"YEAHHHHH"
The crowd of audience screamed in unison, while Alberto nodded with a satisfied smile. The king chuckled softly, Elize guggled at the sight.
Meanwhile Sylvia smiled, a proud smile, her gaze lingered on Free, and to her surprise, he too looked at her, even in the crowd, he could sense her.
Free raised his right hand, and with a bright smile gave a thumbs up.
"Free... Free... "
Sylvia muttered, repeating his name again and again, her face faintly pink.
'That was a splendid battle, master'
Sei praised, Free responded with a nod, walking to the exit room while the healers behind himm performed healing on Leo.
"Tomorrow... "
He mumbled, tomorrow, the round 2 and sem-finals would take place, and Free doubted if he could clear past round 2 or not.
To be continued.....