Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

A few minutes later, Aldren finally led Maverick back onto the training grounds.

This time, however, Maverick had changed into a formidable set of training attire befitting a knight of House Valehart.

He wore a fitted azure tunic reinforced with flexible leather panels around the chest, shoulders, and forearms, granting both protection and freedom of movement. Intricate golden embroidery traced the hems of the sleeves and high collar, forming the stylized wings of House Valehart’s knightly crest.

A broad leather belt cinched his waist, while dark trousers disappeared neatly into knee-high riding boots strengthened with polished steel greaves. Leather vambraces wrapped around his forearms, and although the outfit lacked the grandeur of ceremonial attire, it radiated a quiet martial dignity that suited him perfectly.

His golden hair, which usually cascaded loosely to his shoulders, was now tied neatly into a ponytail with a braided azure ribbon embroidered with the crest of House Valehart, ensuring that not a single strand would obstruct his vision during combat.

Upon noticing them, Cedric quickly walked over.

The young heir looked Maverick up and down before a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Well, would you look at that." Cedric remarked. "You look gallant, like a warrior forged upon the anvil of countless battlefields."

Despite the genuine compliment directed his way, Maverick’s expression remained completely unchanged.

Not even the slightest ripple disturbed the calmness reflected within his golden eyes. If anything, he remained composed with an almost unnerving equanimity, as though such praise carried no particular significance.

Most people witnessing such a reaction would have assumed he was deliberately acting stoic, or perhaps even ignoring Cedric altogether.

But neither assumption was correct.

For one, Maverick simply wasn’t the sort of person who could be moved or exhilarated by mere words of commendation, even when those words came from none other than the heir of House Valehart himself.

Moreover, he still harbored certain reservations regarding Cedric. Although the young heir had yet to bare his fangs, Maverick remained cautious around him. This is because his guts were warning him about the young heir and he isn’t about to go against that gut feeling of his.

Therefore, it was precisely because of those lingering doubts that he couldn’t allow himself to become unguarded in Cedric’s presence.

At least, not until he understood the young heir’s true intentions.

Fortunately, Cedric seemed completely unconcerned by Maverick’s restrained reaction. Whether he genuinely didn’t mind or simply chose not to acknowledge it, only he knew.

Either way, he continued speaking naturally.

"I’ve already spoken with Instructor Aegon." Cedric said. "He’s agreed to officiate the spar. Just don’t drag it out for too long because you still have training to attend afterward."

As he spoke those last words, Cedric’s gaze shifted meaningfully toward Aldren, making it abundantly clear who the true recipient of that reminder was.

"That’s great!" Aldren answered with unconcealed exuberance, not paying attention to Cedric’s warning.

A broad grin spread across his face as excitement danced within his eyes.

"Since we’ve gotten that out of the way..." He declared enthusiastically. "What are we waiting for?"

He clenched his fists eagerly. "Let’s fight!"

"Easy there, you belligerent fanatic." Cedric called out instantly.

He could practically see Aldren’s martial fervor and combative exhilaration spilling into the surrounding air but still, he asked the question that needed asking.

"Have the two of you actually decided how this spar is going to be conducted? As in are you using weapons? Or bare hands? Or your Soul Essences? Which of them?"

Hearing that, Aldren finally calmed down, as though the blazing excitement surrounding him had suddenly met a bucket of cold water.

"Right..." His voice became noticeably gentler as he added. "There’s that."

Then turning toward Maverick, he spoke earnestly. "You decide. Since I’m the one who challenged you, it’s only fair that you choose the conditions. So, what do you think? Weapons? Or hand-to-hand combat?"

Maverick merely shrugged. "Either works for me. It doesn’t really matter."

He paused briefly before adding. "Though I suggest we refrain from using our Soul Essences. This is only a friendly spar, not a life-and-death trial."

Aldren nodded immediately. "I suppose that’s fair. Personally, I’m an aficionado of weapon combat, so I’d prefer blades."

He gestured toward the nearby weapon racks as he spoke further. "But since we’re leaving Soul Essences out of this, ordinary weapons should suffice."

"Good." Cedric smiled. "Now that you’ve both settled on how you’re going to cross blades, I suppose it’s time. We wouldn’t want to keep Instructor Aegon waiting, would we?"

"Right."

At this point, Aldren could scarcely remain still.

His entire body trembled with irrepressible anticipation, making it obvious that every passing second felt like an eternity to him.

Therefore without waiting for another word, he strode toward the weapon racks.

Cedric watched him go before letting out a helpless sigh. Then he turned toward Maverick.

"Please take it easy on him. You know how he is."

Maverick glanced sideways at Cedric before replying in his usual calm manner. "Don’t worry. This isn’t a fight to the death, so why would I go overboard?"

Without waiting for a reply, he followed after Aldren, leaving Cedric standing alone but not for long...

A few moments later, the other youths gradually gathered around the young heir.

Their expressions were filled with puzzlement as they watched Aldren and Maverick selecting practice weapons from the racks. Actually, they’ve been watching the trio’s interaction but it wasn’t until they now that they decided to come and ask Cedric about it.

Elena was the first to speak the moment they arrived near the young heir.

"Cedric..." She frowned slightly. "Why does it look like those two are about to fight?"

"Because they are." Cedric answered matter-of-factly.

But his straightforward response only deepened the confusion written across everyone’s faces.

Seeing that, Cedric sighed before explaining.

"You all know Aldren. The moment he encounters someone he believes worthy of testing himself against, he can’t help challenging them."

He gestured toward Maverick.

"Apparently, he believes Maverick fits that description. So he challenged him. Since Maverick accepted, they’re now preparing to see whose martial discipline proves superior."

"Isn’t that ridiculous?" Tristan blurted out suddenly. "I mean, I know Maverick is your cousin and all, but couldn’t Aldren stop for one second and realize that challenging someone who just returned yesterday is hardly the most tactful decision?"

"When has Aldren ever used his head?" Elena replied with a playful scoff. "Have you forgotten that, besides training and fighting, there’s practically nothing else inside that incorrigible battle addict’s head?"

She shook her head in amusement. "So honestly, I’m not surprised that he’d suggest something like this."

Her gaze drifted toward Maverick as she spoke with bafflement in her tone. "What surprises me, however, is the fact that Maverick actually agreed."

She then looked back at Cedric. "Also, I still can’t believe you allowed them to go through with it."

Cedric merely shrugged, his voice carrying quiet nonchalance as he answered her accusations.

"What? They’re both adults and they know exactly what they’re doing. So why should I interfere?"

He smiled lightly. "Besides, it’s not as though either of them is in any real danger. It’s just a friendly spar, one that Instructor Aegon himself is officiating. So if you ask me... I don’t think there’s anything for you to worry about."

"I’m not worried." Elena replied, folding her arms across her chest. "I was merely expressing my concerns."

"And how is that any different?" Cedric asked, raising an eyebrow. "They sound exactly the same to me."

Then a knowing smile appeared on his face.

"Besides, are you really going to tell me that you aren’t curious about Maverick? And that you’re not waiting to appraise him for yourself?"

Elena remained silent. Though her silence alone was answer enough.

Cedric chuckled softly before speaking.

"See? Even you’re curious. Aldren was also curious but he simply chose a far more direct method of satisfying that curiosity. So let him find the answer with his own blade."

Elena sighed. "When you put it like that, then I suppose there’s nothing for me to be apprehensive about."

With that, she turned away from Cedric.

Her golden eyes settled upon the two youths, who had already finished selecting their weapons and were now making their way toward the center of the arena...