Crazy Britain:They’re All Raising Me

"This place really hasn't changed at all..."

As his eyes swept across the shattered stone bricks beneath his feet, Bavanzi couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.

Percival didn't refuse his challenge—he accepted it directly.

And before long, their duel became a part of the celebration welcoming the Child of Prophecy.

Now, once again, Bavanzi stood in Lundenium, on this strangely familiar arena.

He remembered it well. In the very first simulation, it was right here that he fought his first battle.

It was this fight that made him famous in that first simulation. And back then, his opponent had also been Percival—the man hailed as the strongest human in all of Britain.

He had gone through so many simulations... Could he live as gloriously in reality as he did within them?

—If he could, then let it begin here.

Staring at Percival, who stood tall and imposing on the opposite side of the platform with his lance in hand, Bavanzi slowly raised his own Vick Spear.

On the other side, gripping his lance, Percival was also deep in thought.

He could understand why Bavanzi would want to challenge him. After all, with a title like "Strongest Human in Britain" floating around him, it was only natural that every warrior would be eager to test themselves. He'd already defeated many such challengers and was no stranger to this kind of thing.

Still, his opponent this time was a companion of the Child of Prophecy, and the celebration was in that child's honor. If he won too decisively, it would probably be quite awkward for their side.

So, he'd need to be careful with his strength—

Just as that thought crossed his mind, thunder cracked.

Something sliced past his ear, the tearing sound of the air ringing painfully.

What—

A red flash still lingered on his retina. Percival stood stunned.

"Percival," Bavanzi said with a smile, giving his spear a slight shake to dispel the red lightning on its surface, "I know it's just a spar, but holding back too much isn't good either, right?

Don't go easy on me."

"...You're right,"

Realizing his mistake, Percival shook his head lightly and apologized, "Sorry. I got too arrogant, assuming I was stronger and letting my thoughts wander mid-battle... how rude. Thank you for holding back just now."

—His opponent wasn't someone easily defeated, but a worthy rival that deserved his full strength. That last strike from Bavanzi made that abundantly clear.

Had that red lightning been aimed at his face with malicious intent, he'd likely be badly injured by now.

Still, it helped Percival realize that Bavanzi wasn't here chasing fame. He wanted a memorable battle—something every great warrior yearns for, even someone like Percival.

"Then I'll go all out, and make this a battle you won't forget."

"Good! Then take this—Blazing Charge!"

As soon as Percival finished speaking, Bavanzi could no longer hold back the fire in his veins. He stepped forward, leapt into the air, then slammed his spear down onto the ground.

At the moment the tip struck the arena floor, a burst of fire erupted from the spear's core.

This was one of the two special abilities of the Vick Spear—"Madfire Charge." But because the madfire's chaotic power was too dangerous for a friendly duel, Bavanzi had modified the move.

Instead of using madfire, he used Rune: Powder Keg, drawing explosive magic to power the move. Fire-attribute magic, concentrated within the Vick Spear, exploded like a bomb upon impact.

Facing the shockwave and flames rushing toward him, Percival's expression remained serious, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he let out a sharp cry.

His lance blazed with a bright white light. He stepped forward and struck—sending out a blazing wave of light that pierced right through the explosion.

In the next instant, Percival lunged again. His body blurred into a shadow as he slipped through the gaps in the flame wall, rapidly closing the distance. His lance shot forward like a wild dragon, aiming straight for Bavanzi's chest.

"Well struck!"

Laughing, Bavanzi flicked his spear, knocking the tip of Percival's lance upward with a precise strike to the shaft. He stepped forward, closing in quickly, and shoved the butt of his spear toward Percival's face.

Though surprised, Percival's instincts as a Knight of the Round Table did not fail him. Following the force of Bavanzi's deflection, he pushed his own lance upward in a mirrored movement, blocking Bavanzi's counter.

"Nice one."

Their feints and strikes landed nowhere, but Bavanzi chuckled and leapt back. Mid-leap, he twisted his body and thrust out again with a returning strike aimed for Percival's face.

Percival, though quick to react, had never seen this move from Chinese spear techniques. He was just a bit too slow—the spear grazed his cheek, drawing a single drop of blood that splashed on the floor like a blooming flower.

Seeing his chance, Bavanzi swung his spear in a horizontal sweep. But Percival ducked just in time, dodging it.

Then he stepped in again, lunging with his lance, and the two resumed their fierce exchange.

In the blink of an eye, they'd already traded several rounds. The spectators around the arena, even if they couldn't grasp the techniques, were enthralled by the clang of metal, the dazzling lights, and the clash of flame and holy light.

Cheers erupted.

What followed was a dead-even battle. Spears danced in a blur, lightning, light, and fire mingling in every clash. The forged spear and holy lance collided again and again, creating a whirlwind of sparks and wind.

Finally, after a massive wave of magical energy exploded between them, both fighters leapt back to the edge of the ring to steady themselves.

Just as Bavanzi prepared to charge again, Percival suddenly raised a hand:

"Sir, shall we stop here?"

He lowered his lance and smiled:

"Your spear technique is unlike any I've seen before—its precision truly astonishes me. No, I think everyone here would say the same."

Bavanzi blinked, and glanced at the crowd.

Instantly, a storm of applause and cheers erupted:

"Percival! Percival!"

"Bavanzi! Bavanzi!"

Seeing this, Percival smiled and added:

"You and I are quite evenly matched. If we push further, one of us might get hurt—and we're not enemies. This duel was just to liven up the celebration. If someone ends up injured, it would be a shame."

"Let's call it a draw—or no, perhaps I should admit defeat. If you hadn't snapped me out of my arrogance at the beginning, I might have suffered far worse. In that sense, you win."

"No need for modesty. I didn't gain the upper hand at all,"

Bavanzi shook his head and stepped forward, patting Percival on the shoulder:

"Alright then, we'll stop here. That was a great fight. Let's do it again sometime."

With that, he leapt off the stage.

"Yes," Percival nodded, smiling. "I look forward to it."

Percival was right—there was no need to keep fighting. Bavanzi hadn't challenged him for fame. He simply longed for battle, to test how much he'd grown.

And from that battle, he was satisfied.

To fight evenly with someone like Percival was proof enough that his efforts weren't in vain.

Just then, the system message popped up before him:

[ Ding! You performed exceptionally against the stronger Percival and managed a draw without using Endless Trial, verifying your training. ]

[ While you won't admit it, due to Percival's early carelessness, you slightly edged him out in the duel. Fighting Spirit Victory Count +1. Total Wins: 1. ]

[ Ding! Fighting Spirit activated. Endurance increased one grade: now C-grade. ]

[ Ding! Fighting Spirit activated. Due to outstanding spear performance, Skill: Chinese Martial Arts (Liuhe Great Spear) (Pseudo) has advanced. "Pseudo" tag removed. ]

[ With deeper understanding of Liuhe Great Spear, when using a spear in battle, you now gain "Sure Hit" and "Invincible Penetration" status. ]

[ However, due to the influence of Skill: Chinese Martial Arts (Liuhe Great Spear), your Luck has decreased one grade. Current Luck: G-grade. ]

Reading this, Bavanzi stumbled, nearly tripping.

Wait—System, are you serious?

Minus one?

Luck G?

He felt terrible.

No, please, System, take back Invincible Penetration and give me my poor Luck back!

What use was Invincible Penetration?! Was he going to need it to keep clashing with Lancelot?!

...

"Achoo!"

Meanwhile, in a dark and sunless underground cavern, a certain girl sneezed suddenly while still trudging through the tunnels.

"Ugh... what was that? Why'd I suddenly sneeze... Is it too cold down here? Am I catching a cold? But I'm a dragonkin! Can dragonkin catch colds?"

Kicking aside yet another monster lunging at her, Melusina fell deep into thought:

"Tch... Is someone talking bad about me behind my back? Maybe the Child of Prophecy and Tristan are telling my dear Yser that I'm a villain?"

At that, a chill ran down her spine. Her mana surged, propelling her forward at an even faster pace.

"No! I can't let dear Yser think I'm a bad person... I won't accept it!"

"I must find them before the Child of Prophecy and Tristan completely poison her mind!"

Thus fired up, Melusina renewed her search for Bavanzi and the others through the underground labyrinth with even greater determination.