I Hate Being The Protagonist

The dueling arena is in the capital, about a 40 minute walk from my old school. The capital is huge, with many streets filled with skyscrapers, houses and stores all around.

The arena is surrounded by a hundred meters of vegetation. It is gigantic, like a spiral tower made from metal. The impenetrable glass makes it look fragile, even though the toughest materials permeate its structure.

"This is amazing... I've never seen something so majestic except Obiwon. But this is even bigger, isn't it?"

Lucidel laughs, saying Obiwon is larger in the surface it occupies–but the arena is taller.

"And tell me how you haven't seen the arena when you've lived here?" Lucidel asks.

"I've only been in school and my mansion for most of the time. The only times I would go out were near a river close to my home and the hillside behind it."

"Did you even explore Eclipsia when you were still a prince?"

I look at the shining general walking beside me. He is an astonishing figure, one that inspires awe in anyone who can witness his brilliance.

"That I did. I couldn't go into the shady parts of Eclipsia, the 'poor' part as my mentors called it. I did explore the capital and its glorious architecture. Everything was built lower and sturdier than here, but it yielded the same beauty in my eyes."

"I respect your appreciation for your home kingdom. Many lose that sense of nostalgia and belonging when they move through Eviansis. It has many regions, which have their own parts and societies. The idea of a 'hometown' has become extinct when everything unified in this mega-empire."

"I feel like you don't like the current way things are settled," I note.

"Your observations are correct once again," Lucidel says while rustling my hair.

"Such a smart kid... I'll tell you why I'm in disdain. I might sound like an old grandpa, but the way things were before was better. I loved and served my king undoubtedly, in the brightest kingdom known to man. The Star Kingdom as we called it. Eviansis was a solo kingdom with its distinct vibe. It's all changed now that every great kingdom was absorbed and every Ruler disappeared."

I never experienced how the world was before I was born, but I could understand where Lucidel is coming from. Eviansis is too gigantic, having a population that is so sizable yet unified.

"Everyone hails Eviansis as a perfect kingdom, but that was before. Now, homelessness and crime are becoming more prominent as people in the poor regions starve because of overpopulation. I'm sorry for rambling, but you have to know where you live now. You're an inhabitant of Eviansis, so you should know everything about it. "

We entered the arena, reaching the lobby where many guards and people stood. When their eyes laid on Lucidel, a few people moved out of our way and saluted.

After the others recognized him, they followed as well. We were walking through a motionless crowd that organized themselves in a few seconds.

"You're famous," I tease.

"If professor Guille was here, there would be an even more compelling reaction. Sword Saints are like royalty, respected even more than generals. Only in Holdanis though, as this is the region of sworsdmanship. When it was still a kingdom, it was ruled by the best swordsman in existence."

"Grey?" I ask, knowing about him from my mother and from the few stories in the history books.

There isn't a lot about the Rulers themselves in history books and even less about their adventures. They were known as the mightiest adventurers back before they each ruled their own kingdom. What is known about them is their kingdoms and the reason behind why they are the way they are. Holdanis was led by Grey, the best swordsman, so naturally swordsmanship would be the most respected art.

"Address him as King Grey," Lucidel warns.

"Ah, sorry."

Lucidel was serious. Even though the ruler of Eviansis was his king, he respected Grey enough to give proper credit even in a casual conversation like this.

"King Grey was a figure I would worship as much as Gabriel. Only falling behind his Majesty, the other Rulers are next in importance. When they would visit Eviansis, I would bow as deeply as for his Majesty."

I still didn't tell Lucidel I had the Sunsword, as I liked to keep that private. I practiced with it in secret, but didn't reveal it to my teacher yet. The general is trustworthy for sure, but my intuition tells me to get a bit stronger before unleashing one of the best swords in history.

That said, today was definitely the day. In the competition, I could use whatever sword I wanted. Lucidel wanted to push me as far as I can go, so I'll use anything at my disposal.

"I have a surprise for you," I tell Lucidel as we move from the crowd.

He raises an eyebrow while I take my case out. I slowly unzip it, opening the black finish to reveal a bright sword of perfection.

"That is a nice sword Adam!" he comments, almost shouting.

"Do you recognize it?" I ask.

"I'm afraid not. Should I?" he asks.

This will be sweet.

"It is the Sunsword, one of the swords Grey used."

Lucidel's jaw drops, more ajar than I've ever seen it. He is in disbelief, holding his head. He asks me for consent to hold the sword, to which I chuckle and allow. He meticulously lifts it out of the case, looking at the white and golden specs, observing the crystal blade carefully.

"H-how!? What? This is your possession??" he asks, not knowing where to start.

He quickly ushers me into a room, where we'll be out of the range of any curious eyes. I explain how my mother had this sword in her treasury.

"That is incredible!! However, I can't allow you to fight with it," Lucidel forbids.

"What, why not!?"

"That sword is a national treasure of incalculable value. It is priceless, so anyone will try and get their hands on it. Only one of Grey's swords is held in a museum, since only one sword can be kept under such intense surveillance."

Grey used a plethora of swords in his life, with most of them in the other Ruler's possessions. They are considered priceless, as anything he touches becomes national treasure.

"But isn't this arena completely safe?" I argue.

"Not when you reveal one of the most treasured items in the world."

I couldn't argue anymore, as Lucidel strictly forbid the use of the Sunsword in the duel. If he's worried about someone stealing the sword while he's here, I know it really might be dangerous.

-

I enjoyed the fact that my teacher was a general of Eviansis, with whom I'm taking a field trip. He truly cares for my talent, using his famed name to push me into the arena. There are thousands waiting to surface as the best swordsmen, to be called into this arena. You have to go through many arduous evaluations and duels before being called here.

I was lucky, having the general lead me here and allow a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There were about a hundred people signed up for the event, which will hold a tournament like schedule, where one is eliminated if they lose. Once the competition is down to 10 people, titles will be handed out accordingly. If I manage to enter the top 10, I will be given a Silver Sword status, which is already an achievement in Holdanis. If you are no. 1, you will be given the 'Best Sword' status.

When you gain that title, you can challenge a Sword Saint to gain their rank.

The only way to become a Sword Saint is to defeat one in a duel.

I waited for an hour before I was called for my first fight. The whole arena was filled, more than a hundred thousand people cheering to see the best swordsman have a duel.

The use of magic is allowed, but only in accordance to the rules. The regulations limit the use of magic to the sword mostly, so no mages could win the duel without using a sword or anything similar. You had to master the sword in order to win the duel.

I was taught by Lucidel, so I didn't have the problem following the rules and handling a sword like a pro.

The fighting stage was colossal. The circular stage was so huge that 300 people could stand in a line side by side to reach each end. It was definitely enough room to have a sword duel.

I began looking at the crowd while walking to the center. Even though I couldn't use the Sunsword, Lucidel provided me with a great sword that I trained with already. It was an expensive piece, one handcrafted by a famous blacksmith.

I waited for my opponent for about a minute, which seemed like an eternity in this place. It was a grown man, standing about 15 centimeters taller than me. I was about 172 centimeters, so the man was tall. He also had a muscular build and a full beard. His aura was strong and his manapool was plentiful. The only problem was... he wasn't enlightened. It looks like being enlightened isn't a requirement for some reason, which made me open my jaw in surprise.

I turned around only to see Lucidel laughing his ass off. He was hitting his knee and pointing to my stupefied face. I could hear him chortling in amusement all the way here.

"I can't believe he didn't tell me enlightenment wasn't necessary."

The man opened his mouth, extending his hand.

"I don't know how you passed through the ranks and have gotten here, since I can't even sense your aura... Still, may the best swordsman win," he says politely as I shake his hand.

I didn't even get the chance to ask him if he knew what enlightenment was before we were ushered to move 10 meters from the center, our starting positions.

This poor guy must think he's lucky to face a 12 year old with no mana... I felt bad for him, as he's about to get his world turned upside down.

"Ready your swords! Begin!!"

The booming voice of the announcer rang out, starting the fight.

The guy ran towards me, trying to finish the fight quickly. We had magic protection around ourselves so that no deaths could happen during the fight. The protection was connected to the bracelets, which could be destroyed if hit hard enough. Lucidel told me to watch my enemy's movement, since if an accident occurs during a fight, my opponent won't be charged with anything and won't even receive a disqualification. We entered this competition on our own, and it was our duty to watch over our bracelets.

As my opponent reached me, he swung his sword. I didn't dodge, taking the sword directly to my head. Now, the bracelets absorb a tremendous amount of force, leaving just enough for a knockout blow to go through. This way, the fighters can feel every blow, but won't get decapitated.

With his sword being dug into my neck, I didn't feel a thing. His face quickly contorted, from confidence to a frightened one.

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but you can't hurt me," I say while swinging my sword without any force, knocking the guy out in a single swing. He spews blood onto the floor, making me realize that a lot of force goes through. Still, he isn't dead or gravely injured, so the bracelet did its job.

"We have a winner!!"

The whole crowd went into uproar, as they witnessed a 12 year old beat this swordsman in a single swing.