The Sword Mage Without A Path

The Festival 2

Fred turned toward Alvin. His father had been quiet as he listened to the official speak.

"Can I enter?"

Alvin studied him for several seconds.

"You've only just recovered."

"I know"

"Your body is not completely healed."

"I can still fight."

Alvin looked over at Fred's sword before asking, "Why do you want to enter?"

Fred thought over the question. He could have just said that he wanted to become stronger; it would have been the truth, but it was not the complete truth. "I want to know how I compare to people who actually know how to fight." Alvin's expression softened.

"The forest has taught you how dangerous monsters can be. This will teach you something different."

Fred nodded. "Then let me try."

After a moment, Alvin gave his permission.

Fred walked toward the registration table.

Several young people noticed him as he approached, though most moved on after a few seconds. One, however, remained watching him.

The boy looked about Fred's age and wore the clothing of a minor noble. A red insignia marked him as a Fire Path Mage and the sword on his waist suggested that he had received combat training as well. His eyes moved from the sword on Fred's waist to his face.

"You're entering?"

Fred turned toward him.

"Yes."

The boy looked at the registration official. "Doesn't this competition require actual talent?"

The official frowned. "Your name?"

"Lucan Veyre"

The official looked over the list before nodding.

"Lucan Veyre. Fire Path."

Lucan turned back toward Fred.

"And you?"

"Fred Meyer."

"Path?"

Fred answered without hesitation.

"None."

Lucan stared at him before laughing.

A few of the people nearby turned toward them. "No Path? Then why are you wasting everyone's time?" Fred remained calm. "Because the rules say I can participate." Lucan's expression hardened.

"You think carrying a sword makes you a warrior?"

Fred glanced towards the arena before looking back at him. "No. I think using it does." A few of the spectators murmured amongst themselves. Lucan stepped closer. "Then perhaps you should demonstrate it."

The festival official quickly stepped between the two of them.

"If you're both registered, you can settle this inside the arena. Fighting outside the designated area is forbidden."

Lucan scoffed and walked away. Fred finished registering and was given his participant number. His first match was due to start in less than an hour.

Fred felt excited. Fighting monsters had taught him the unpredictability of nature, but fighting another person would be different. A human opponent would have techniques, change strategies, find weaknesses, and set traps for him.

That was exactly what Fred wanted to experience. While he waited, he wandered away from his family for a moment and entered one of the quieter streets surrounding the square.

Near a stall selling jewelry, Fred spotted Lyra eyeing a small silver bracelet.

Fred smiled.

"Lyra."

She turned towards him and her face brightened.

"Fred. I didn't expect to see you here."

"My family came for the festival."

"I came because I wanted to see it."

Fred glanced at the bracelet in her hand.

"Are you buying that?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"You don't look like someone who needs to think about buying a bracelet."

Lyra laughed. "And you don't look like someone who knows anything about bracelets."

"Fair enough."

They continued walking together while discussing the festival. Eventually, Fred mentioned the combat exhibition and Lyra became interested.

"You're participating?"

"I registered."

"Who gave you permission?"

"My father."

"Then I want to watch."

Fred smiled. "You should enter too."

Lyra shook her head. "I'd rather watch you."

"Why?"

"Because I want to see how much you've improved."

Fred remembered their fight against the Horned Bear.

"You'll probably be disappointed."

"I don't think so."

Before Fred could respond, several armored figures appeared at the end of the street.

Lyra's expression changed.

The guards approached them directly, and Fred was confused as they stopped in front of her.

One of them immediately bowed.

"Princess Lyra, we've been searching for you."

Fred stared at the guard.

Princess?

The guard continued, completely oblivious to the surprise on Fred's face.

"His Majesty King Aurelius Ashre and Her Majesty Queen Eliana Ashre have asked that you return to the royal escort immediately."

Fred slowly turned towards Lyra.

"Princess?"

Lyra closed her eyes for a moment before looking at him.

"Fred..."

"You never told me."

"I was going to."

"When?"

Lyra hesitated.

"Eventually."

Fred sighed.

"You really are a strange person."

She gave him an awkward smile. "You already knew that."

One of the guards glanced towards Fred.

"Is this the young man you mentioned?"

Lyra's face immediately became embarrassed.

Fred looked at her.

"You mentioned me?"

"Maybe."

The guard smiled faintly but wisely decided not to comment.

A bell suddenly rang across the central square signifying that the first combat matches were about to begin.

Fred looked towards the arena before turning back to Lyra.

"I have a match."

"I know."

"You're coming?"

Lyra nodded. "Of course."

Fred smiled.

"Then I'll see you there, Princess."

Lyra immediately frowned.

"Don't call me that."

Fred laughed. "I think it's appropriate now."

She gave him an annoyed look before following the guards towards the royal escort.

Fred watched as she disappeared into the crowd.

Still, he found it hard to believe that the girl he had met in the forest, the girl who had fought beside him against the Horned Bear, was the princess of the Arkadis Empire.

He shook his head and returned to the arena.

That could wait.

Right now, he had a fight.

The registration official announced the next set of participants, and Fred stepped through the entrance. His opponent was already waiting on the other side of the arena, a young Fire Path Mage wielding a sword.

Fred drew his own blade and readied himself. The crowd grew louder as the two fighters faced each other. Fred was about to test himself against another person who possessed a Path.

And unlike the Horned Bear, this opponent could think.