"Normani is, in truth, my mount, and Tia serves as my Holy Servant. It is not overly excessive for them to engage in the battle alongside me, is it?"
Upon hearing Kenley's words, Roland at last comprehended. The pink-winged maiden with wings she had seen moments ago was actually a mount? A subhuman mount, no less?
"Very well, I accede. However, Kenley, you are destined to be vanquished in this battle," Roland declared as she rose to her feet, her smile radiating an imposing confidence.
"Teacher, regardless of the outcome of this challenge, how would you feel about staying for dinner tonight? Her Highness Guinevere has extended an invitation for me to visit her castle, and I wish to escort you there with me," Kenley suddenly proposed.
"Her Highness Guinevere?" Roland was momentarily taken aback. She had not anticipated Kenley's abrupt mention of this matter.
"Certainly, it is feasible. I had also intended to pay a visit to Her Highness Guinevere during the festival. Since that is the case, we might as well journey there together."
"Very well, Teacher. Please, let us proceed."
Just at that moment, a robust and resounding roar abruptly emanated from outside the castle.
It sounded akin to that of a dragon.
All exchanged glances, and Kenley was the most bewildered among them. Could it be Normani?
Yet, when they stepped outside, they discovered that a vast and imposing shadow descended from the heavens above.
This was...
Appraisal!
[Frozen Tempest · Mimir · Unitit]
[Level: 70]
[Occupation: Dragon Knight]
[hp: 69816/69816]
[mp: 17454/17454]
[rp: 1000/1000]
[Introduction: Captain of the Third Battalion of the Imperial Dragon Knight Guards. Mimir, who commands a Frost Dragon, captured the prince alive by employing the Frost Tempest during the battle against the Kingdom of Babel and was personally bestowed the title of Frozen Tempest by His Majesty the Emperor.]
Mimir of the seventh rank? Kenley recognized this individual. In his recollection, this fellow seemed to be one of Roland's suitors.
"Miss Roland! I have scoured far and wide for you! I simply cannot bear to part with you!" With that, this colossal figure leaped down from the dragon's back with a swift swoosh and then lunged towards Roland with great force.
Roland's countenance darkened. With a sudden, elevated kick, a thunderous and earth-shattering sound reverberated.
Mimir crashed into the ground, creating a substantial hole.
"Miss Roland, please deliver more! I am utterly exhilarated!" When he lifted his head, it was as if he was savoring the kick he had just received from Roland. He even extended his face and persistently sniffed Roland's shoe sole.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Kenley was left in a state of stunned disbelief, Tia was rendered immobile with shock, and the veins on Roland's forehead bulged with irritation.
After all, you are an Imperial Dragon Knight! Can you not maintain a modicum of dignity?
"Mimir, how many times have I implored you to desist from pestering me?" At this moment, Roland was sorely tempted to deliver a decisive blow to this fellow's head.
"Allow me to issue one more challenge, just this once!" Mimir suddenly clutched Roland's leg.
"Release me this instant!" Roland hastily retracted her leg, overwhelmed by an intense wave of nausea that she could barely tolerate.
"Miss Roland, just this one time!" He remained obstinately persistent.
"You have already suffered ninety-nine defeats at my hands. One more defeat will mark the hundredth, Lord Mimir," Roland reminded him irritably, pressing her forehead.
"I have devised a strategy to counter the Floral Language Swordsmanship. I give you my solemn promise, this is truly the very last time!" At this moment, Mimir resembled a drug addict in the throes of intoxication, seemingly completely ensnared in the allure of the challenge and unable to extricate himself.
Roland turned around, grasped Kenley's hand, and said, "Kenley, let us go and deliberate upon the details of our challenge. Let us simply leave this fellow here for the time being."
"Very well, Teacher." Kenley cast a glance at Mimir but was immediately met with Mimir's murderous gaze.
"Who on earth are you, you impudent youth? How dare you obstruct my path, Mimir of the Frozen Tempest!" With that, Mimir promptly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, poised to draw and strike.
"Behave yourself!" Without turning her head, Roland delivered a powerful back kick to Mimir's groin.
As he crumpled to the ground, he continued to murmur, "It would be worth sacrificing my life just to be kicked by Miss Roland!" With that, he collapsed unconscious, a white aura emanating from his body.
The esteemed captain of the Third Battalion of the Imperial Dragon Knight Guards was thus thoroughly subdued by Roland.
"Very well, let us now discuss the matters pertaining to our challenge," Roland said, wearing a smile.
For some inexplicable reason, Kenley sensed that Roland seemed somewhat more amiable at this juncture.
"This location is too constricted to allow for the full display of our skills. We need to seek out a more expansive area," Kenley said, pointing towards the west, where there lay a barren expanse of land that was perfectly suited for the challenge.
"However, it is inevitable that injuries may occur during the challenge. Thus, we require some special surrogates to safeguard against any unforeseen accidents," Roland said, evidently well-versed in such matters.
"Please elaborate, Teacher."
...
When Kenley and Roland arrived at the barren wasteland, it was precisely noon. Tia and Normani huddled closely by Kenley's side, and the atmosphere was more solemn and tense than ever before.
To forestall any potential accidents, they employed a special magical puppet. Whenever either of the two dueling parties sustained an injury, the magical puppet would bear the injury in their stead.
Once the puppet of either party was completely shattered, it would signify the decisive defeat of the opposing party. The advantage of this approach was that it would prevent the occurrence of any fatal injuries. Magical puppets were quite prevalent in duels among the upper echelons of society. (Magical puppets were exorbitantly priced, rendering them unaffordable for the average commoner.)
However, before Kenley and Roland could commence their duel, the Dragon Knight named Mimir suddenly materialized between them.
"I will never tolerate anyone vying with me for Miss Roland!" With that, Mimir mounted his dragon and swooped down towards Kenley.
However, a blinding white blade of light flashed...
Subsequently, the ground trembled violently, and Mimir was hurled backwards off his dragon mount. His entire body, including his head, was impaled on a tree.
This was the awe-inspiring prowess of the Sword Saint!
Some might find it rather perplexing. Evidently, Mimir was a Dragon Knight of the seventh rank. Logically speaking, his strength should not be so lacking as to suffer ninety-nine consecutive defeats at Roland's hands.
Roland had only just reached the late stage of the sixth rank. Although she was a Sword Saint, it seemed improbable that she could be this disproportionately powerful. This, however, necessitates a mention of a truly remarkable and extraordinary setting in Aude Continent.
Although players have the option to change their class to become a Sword Saint, they must undergo a series of arduous trials. There is but a single opportunity. If a player passes the trials, they succeed; if not, they fail. The authorities will not grant players any special concessions or shortcuts merely because they are players.
In the game's background setting, Sword Saints possess a unique and special form of Divine Law Energy. Saint Magicians, too, possess Divine Law Energy, which represents the third type of power, distinct from elemental power and the power of the laws.
