Aldric’s gaze flickered from his blade, embedded in the sodden earth, to Dustin’s calm form.
Suddenly, a wave of defeat washed over him. He had nurtured lofty ambitions of shining brightly, of making a mark at the Sacred Wrym Summit Combat Tournament. And now, it struck him hard that he had overestimated his abilities.
He understood that many others surpassed him in skill in this vast world. Despite his earnest endeavors, his modest talents and inflated ego proved futile.
The current outcome embodied this harsh truth. Despite pouring his heart into it, he couldn’t land a single strike on Dustin, who effortlessly outmatched him.
This sobering realization left him struggling for composure, lost in the whirlpool of his emotions.
After a brief silence, Aldric relented, ” Okay, you win. I admit defeat.” He struggled to speak, the weight of his admission evident in his voice.
Dustin responded calmly, “Your skills are impressive. Among your peers, you’re certainly exceptional.”
Aldric had just showcased the prowess of a grandmaster martial artist, a remarkable achievement considering his age. It spoke volumes of his cultivation skill. Yet, it was clear that he and Dustin were not evenly matched.
“Win or lose, I always accept the outcome with grace. But remember that I’ll return to challenge you again!” Aldric turned and left without sparing a glance at his blade.
Even though he lost, his fighting spirit stayed strong. He was determined to train harder and surpass Dustin as quickly as possible.
“That guy might come off as cocky, but you can’t deny his skills. The way he handled that blade gives me chills,” Ruby confessed, still feeling a bit jittery.
Despite her disdain for Aldric’s attitude, she had to admit his prowess. In a showdown, even Spearhawk Vincent might find himself outmatched.
“Aldric undoubtedly has talent, but, unfortunately, he encountered Dustin. Despite his abilities, he is simply outmatched.” Miles sighed.
“I guess you could say he lost with dignity,” Crystal agreed, nodding in approval.
If Aldric was talented, then Dustin was on another level entirely. Whatever he tried, Dustin effortlessly countered. They were simply not on equal footing.
She began to wonder if Dustin was hiding his true identity. With his talent, he should be on the Legendary List, a figure of widespread admiration.
“Crystal, Miles, what’s gotten into you? You just shared dinner, but now you’re talking like Dustin’s biggest fans,” Ruby remarked with a pout, seemingly disgruntled.
Though she acknowledged Dustin’s strength, her previous clashes with him left her skeptical.1
“Mr. Rhys is undeniably the ideal candidate, regardless of his physical prowess or moral fiber,” Crystal asserted. “We must acknowledge and honor the potential of promising individuals like him.”
“Yeah,” Miles agreed, his head bobbing with enthusiasm.
He added, “Meeting someone as gifted as Dustin is like stumbling upon a gem. With his talent, he’s sure to shine at the tournament. We’re lucky to have crossed paths with him. We shouldn’t let this opportunity pass us by!
“Building relationships today is like sowing seeds for tomorrow. One will never know that the kindness we’re exchanging now could prove invaluable when we least anticipate it.”
“Hmph! Sucking up to others? Not my style!” Ruby rolled her eyes with an air of nonchalance. She refused to compromise her principles just to gain favor with someone.
“Ruby, you’re still too young to understand.” He sighed deeply. “The martial world isn’t just about fighting. It’s also about relationships. Making friends can benefit us in the long run.”
“Friendship isn’t just about getting something out of it. It’s about finding common ground. Without that connection, all the chatter is pointless, “she countered.
“Forget about what I just said,” Miles said, shaking his head. “You’ll get it eventually.” He decided not to push the conversation any further.
Aldric’s challenge posed no real obstacle, as everyone anticipated Dustin’s victory. After exchanging brief pleasantries, they went their separate ways.
Dustin retired to his room at the tavern, settling in for the night without giving the day’s events a second thought.
As the rain poured down relentlessly, Aldric walked alone along the deserted street. His clothes were soaked, and his appearance was somewhat disheveled, giving him a battered look.
