Shadow Slave

It seemed like the diminutive Master Sunless, an unknown Ascended from the lakeshore settlement, had no chance against the young master of the Aegis Rose clan. Not only was Tristan much taller and more powerfully built, but he was also a Legacy...

And Legacies still held the title of the most skilled and deadly warriors of humanity, by far, even now that the number of Awakened had swelled. Their upbringing, training, and martial culture were all designed to produce lethal fighters to rule the battlefield unopposed.

The idle onlookers did not know what the pretty young man had done to enrage the Legacy scion so much, but from the looks of it, he was in for a good beating... which was a shame, considering that with his jade skin and slender figure, he looked quite handsome.

Sadly, though, he didn't look like much of a fighter.

Neither did Master Sunless seem very familiar with handling a blade. He tried to swing the provided greatsword to deflect an incoming attack, but failed.

Not, not just that...

Perhaps due to his short stature and slender build, he actually lost control of the heavy blade and allowed its weight to pull him off balance, Instead of deflecting the opponent's sword, he yelped and stumbled forward instead.

That was a common mistake most often seen among Awakened. Young Awakened were prone to overestimating their newfound strength, forgetting that their mass and center of gravity remained the same. So, it was easy for them to misjudge things and end up being pulled forward by the inertia of their own swing.

Still. For a Master to be that inexperienced in combat was a bit...

The delicate Ascended seemed to be doomed.

But, strangely enough, he ended up being saved by his clumsy mistake. It was doubtful that he could have deflected Tristan's powerful strike, but after stumbling forward and nearly sprawling on the ground, the opponent's sword missed and flew harmlessly above his head.

There was a murmur among the onlookers...

"Lucky."

But then, they were treated to a bizarre spectacle.

That Master Sunless was not just lucky... it was as if he was charmed!

No matter what Tristan of Aegis Rose tried to do, his sword never seemed able to reach the cowardly opponent. Master Sunless slipped on the cobblestones, accidentally evading a skillful attack. While trying to stand up, he tripped on the hem of his own silk robe, losing balance and gracelessly sprawling on the ground... but also making Tristan's follow-up strike miss him entirely.

While trying to block a downward slash, he actually failed to hold on to his sword and dropped it, staggering back in panic. However, in the process, the coward accidentally kicked the falling sword and sent it flying in the direction of the Legacy scion, who was forced to hastily defend his lower torso and retreat.

Then, Master Sunless recklessly bent down to pick up the fallen sword a grievous mistake when facing an armed opponent! However, it was exactly because no one in their right mind would think of leaving themselves so open to a lethal blow that Tristan had never anticipated it, once again fruitlessly sliced the empty air above the oblivious opponent's head.

"What are you doing?! Fight like a man!"

A sheepish smile appeared on the unknown Master's deathly pale face.

"But I... I was trying to pick up my sword! How am I supposed to fight without a sword?"

Ascended Tristan let out an infuriated growl.

"Just take it, damn! I'll step back!"

Under everyone's bewildered gazes, he took a step back and waited patiently for his opponent to arm himself.

But Master Sunless did not seem to be in a hurry. breathing heavily.

Tristan's face twitched.

"What are you doing?!”

young man

you didn't specify that I should pick it up immediately, did you? So I thought I'd catch my breath real

Legacy scion seemed stuck between complete

it up right this

down

alright... there's no need

the oddly comical

of steel, remaining unscathed by sheer, ridiculous

fool's luck was bound to run out sooner or later. And finally, in less than a minute, Tristan's sword pierced the

back, not wishing to deliver a serious wound to

cut was a

also hurt like a real cut. Sunny

him a disdainful smirk and retrieved his sword. The two of them were standing close to each other, and the Legacy was staring down at Sunny, his face full of pleased

beg forgiveness! I'll let you off easy if you do... but if you don't, don't blame

simply

the victory

Tristan blinked.

clearly just won. What

nonplussed. He raised the collar of the Nebulous Mantle, revealing the black

agreed to fight to first blood. Do you see

young Master stared at his chest

the little knave's shirt... but where

the blade of

frowned and started to speak, his

"How..."

before he could

absolute

next moment, Sunny's fist slammed into his face with an audible bang, sending young Tristan

Master Mercy, while covering his face with a hand. His

dripping between his fingers

the courtyard was

Tristan slowly lowered his hand, revealing two red streams flowing out of his nostrils

His voice was listless:

"You... you..."

on the ground with visible relief, rubbed his wrists, and let out

Then, he smiled.

shall we proceed with begging

spit blood. That,

and he seemed to completely lose his

flush with murderous wrath,

"You wretched mongrel!"

pretended to be frightened and flinched

- or rather, quite purposefully - the sun was

was sprawled on the

Ascended Tristan's

bit of essence, Sunny stealthily manifested a small part of the wild shadow and made it trip

enough to send the enraged young Master, who had committed to the attack a little bit too hard, completely off