Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

The thought had barely settled in Maverick’s mind when Aldren turned toward him.

Golden eyes met golden eyes, yet the light within them carried entirely different dispositions.

Unlike Maverick’s calm and composed gaze, Aldren’s eyes blazed with undisguised fighting intent. It was so intense that it seemed capable of igniting the very air around them, causing the atmosphere itself to become charged with palpable anticipation.

Had an outsider witnessed the scene, they would undoubtedly have assumed that a battle to the death was about to erupt between the two young scions. Some might even have believed Maverick had somehow gravely offended the towering youth, whose expression resembled that of a warrior thirsting for combat.

Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth as this was simply Aldren’s nature.

Whenever he encountered someone he deemed worthy of crossing blades with, his eyes would invariably assume this very expression. They burned neither with hostility nor malice, but with an almost childlike excitement that bordered upon obsession.

To Aldren, every formidable opponent represented an opportunity to grow stronger and every spar was another step toward becoming the knight he aspired to be.

Likewise, the reason he regarded Maverick as a worthy opponent was remarkably simple.

Just as Maverick had silently observed House Valehart’s younger generation, Aldren had also been observing him.

There was simply something about Maverick’s disposition that drew his attention despite the circumambient commotion surrounding them.

As a matter of fact, what attracted Aldren wasn’t merely Maverick’s composed demeanor or his unnaturally tranquil expression. Rather, it was the aura he unconsciously radiated.

Although Maverick had deliberately concealed his cultivation as an Initial Stage Rank One Etheryean, anyone possessing sufficiently discerning perception could peer through the carefully woven veil of subterfuge and perceive the restrained power hidden beneath his tranquil exterior.

Aldren might have been a straightforward individual who preferred facing matters head-on, but that hardly made him a fool.

If anything, he was far from one. No one could spend years growing up within a Great Noble House without inevitably learning a few things and Aldren had definitely learnt how to read people, especially fellow Awakeners and Etheryeans.

Thus, the instant he sensed the subtle fluctuations surrounding Maverick, Aldren immediately understood their significance.

It meant Maverick was no ordinary cultivator.

Like himself, he possessed an overwhelming talent supported by an exceptionally solid foundation.

More importantly, he was someone who had attained remarkable mastery over his own strength.

And that point alone was enough to ignite Aldren’s martial ardor...

Cedric looked into Aldren’s blazing eyes and instantly understood what they signified.

He merely shook his head inwardly.

There was simply no stopping this battle maniac; not that he had any intention of doing so.

Truthfully speaking, Aldren challenging Maverick worked in Cedric’s favor in more ways than one.

Firstly, it spared him the awkward responsibility of having to challenge Maverick himself.

Before they had left the dining hall, his mother had given him a rather peculiar look. It had been subtle, almost imperceptible.

Yet after years of growing up under Lady Seraphina’s guidance, Cedric understood precisely what that look had implied.

Fortunately, Aldren had unknowingly volunteered to shoulder that burden for him.

Moreover, the proposed spar would also benefit Maverick by allowing him to witness House Valehart’s martial traditions firsthand. After all, words alone could never convey the true caliber of the House’s younger generation.

Only through crossed blades could one truly appreciate the standards expected of those bearing the Valehart name.

Furthermore, the duel would provide Cedric with an invaluable opportunity to gauge exactly how much his cousin had grown after spending nearly a decade in the Frozen North.

Simply put, it would allow him to gather enough firsthand insight into Maverick’s true capabilities.

Therefore, having reached all these conclusions, Cedric abandoned any lingering thoughts of dissuading Aldren. If anything, he fully supported the idea.

Turning toward Maverick, he spoke. "Uhm... cousin."

Cedric scratched his cheek awkwardly, his voice carrying a hint of apologetic hesitation.

"This is rather sudden..." He gestured toward Aldren. "But he wanted to ask whether you’d be willing to have a friendly spar with him. It isn’t anything malicious. Just a friendly contest of martial prowess between peers."

Maverick raised a curious brow.

He had already arrived at that conclusion himself, but hearing Cedric voice it aloud merely confirmed his suspicions.

Truthfully, he had expected Cedric to refuse Aldren outright.

After all, they had only just met, and encouraging two newly acquainted cousins to exchange blows hardly seemed like the responsibility of House Valehart’s heir or a way to promote cordiality between them.

Perhaps interpreting Maverick’s silence as reluctance, or worse, annoyance, Aldren hurriedly added.

"Actually... I just wanted to test myself."

He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly before continuing. "Nothing more. You know, I’ve heard countless stories about the Frozen North; how unforgiving it is and how the warriors stationed there are far more valiant and battle-hardened than the average knight in Valor."

He smiled sheepishly as he spoke further. "So I thought maybe I could witness that legendary martial excellence through you."

He looked directly into Maverick’s eyes and asked.

"So... Would you agree?"

Maverick regarded him quietly, a contemplative glimmer surfacing within his golden eyes.

After several moments, he simply shrugged.

"As long as it isn’t anything sinister... Why wouldn’t I?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he continued. "Besides, I’ve also been curious about the martial standards here in Valor. So I suppose your challenge benefits me just as much as it benefits you. Wouldn’t you agree?"

The instant Aldren received Maverick’s assent, an irrepressible grin spread across his face. "I guess it does."

"Great!"

Cedric clapped his hands together with an enthusiastic smile. "Since both of you have agreed, I’ll go ask Instructor Aegon to officiate the spar."

Turning toward Maverick, he added,

"In the meantime, why don’t you change into a training uniform?"

Then without waiting for a reply, Cedric headed toward Instructor Aegon...

Maverick watched him leave before turning back to Aldren. "So... Where do I change?"

Aldren flashed a broad, eager grin that practically radiated excitement. "Right this way."

Without another word, he turned and started walking. Maverick followed behind him.

And just like that, the son of Goldric Valehart quietly made preparations for his very first challenge since returning to House Valehart...