Adam had called for Taygak, John, and Maharan to watch, however, all of his companions came to watch, since they wanted to see the half elf fight a sand giant who towered over him, the fellow almost an Adam and a half tall. His breastplate gleamed under the purple sky, his large greatsword upon his back was even taller than the half elf, made as though someone had cut a piece of rock and tossed it upon a hilt of bronze. 

“Taygak, watch carefully,” the half elf said, nodding his head to the teen, who nodded back, before his eyes darted towards Charek, who raised his brow, and then they darted towards the older Iyrmen in their midst, who also raised her brow. 

“Adam, do not hold back much,” Jurot said. “Ramzan is strong.”

Ramzan turned towards the Iyrman, hearing his name, though not understanding the words. 

“My brother told me not to hold back much since you’re so strong,” the half elf informed.

“You may be the one person I have met who is more troublesome than even Tanika.”

“Why am I taking the heat for something my brother said?” The half elf joked, chuckling lightly. “Either way, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to spar with you. I’ve been trying to spar as many great figures I can to show off to my cousin.”

“I should warn you, even if you were the Radiant Blade, you would struggle against the likes of me.” Ramzan flexed, his armour creaking under the might of his muscles, before he drew his greatsword, spinning it around his arm before resting it over his shoulder, the giant grinning wildly, his long moustache curling around even more playfully than his lips. 

“Even if you were the Poison Sword Dragon…” The half elf began. “I’d rather you not, since he was so scary.”

“Gahahaha!” Ramzan tensed up, gritting his teeth, his eyes filling with the fire of someone who was a fire giant instead, glaring down at the boy. “I am glad you hold such a youthful spirit! Do not crumble under my blade!”

“Even when you lose to a youngster like me, don’t feel too bad, since so many have already lost to my axe,” the half elf said, raising his axe towards the figure, wielding the crimson shield once more. 

Tork glanced aside to Mork, wondering why the half elf was playing with fire, for he was a sand giant, and they were well known to be greater than the typical Aswadian, and considering Ramzan was probably at least a hundred years old, perhaps older, he was pretty much someone who could go blow for blow with the Poison Sword Drag-

Oh, right.

Battle Order

D20 + 1 = 18 (17)

Adam inhaled sharply as Sokikez called for them to begin, the woman taking the role since she was respected by both sides, and it was Sokikez, the Raining Bow, one of the greatest archers across the lands. 

The half elf darted forward, only to find the shadow of a giant blade threatening to crash down against his skull, bringing his shield up over his head. 

Mana: 34 - 33

Spell: Shield

Defence: 25 - 30

Health: 126 - 98

‘Holy!’ The half elf coughed, almost dropping to his knees as the force of the blade dented the crimson shield, his thighs on fire as he tried to rebound against the blade, grunting in pain. 

“Ohohoho! Not bad, young man!” Ramzan grinned even more wildly, his eyes sparkling. 

“Ramzan! Do not kill him!” Charek called, his voice cutting through the echo of stone striking steel. 

“I do not think you have to worry,” the sand giant replied, noting the look within the eye of the half elf from behind the shield. ‘Where does your audacity come from? Show me!’

Fighting Spirit: 3 - 2

Health: 98 - 103

Seventh Sky: 1 - 0

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 22 (12)

D20 + 10 = 27 (17)

Hit!

Mana: 33 - 32

Ability: Divine Smite

4D6 + 2D6 + 8 = 25 (14)(3)

25 damage!

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 19 (9)

D20 + 10 = 21 (11)

Hit!

Mana: 32 - 31

Ability: Divine Smite

4D6 + 2D6 + 8 = 24 (14)(2)

24 damage!

Onward Soar: 1 - 0

Mana: 31 - 30

Spell: Thunderous Smite

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 11 (1)

D20 + 10 = 22 (12)

Hit!

Mana: 30 - 29

Ability: Divine Smite

4D6 + 2D6 + 2D6 + 8 = 29 (13)(3)(5)

29 damage!

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 11 (1)

D20 + 10 = 12 (2)

Miss!

Ramzan’s heart throbbed violently within his chest as they clashed, the flashing of magic rushing through him as the half elf forced him back with each blow, finding the young man’s blows were unlike so many mortals he had faced. Perhaps, the sand giant thought, he was as strong as the Poison Sword Dragon? 

‘What are these rolls?’ the half elf thought, before chanting the words for his Thunderous Smite, calling forth the might of the storm, the thunder rumbling through the air, before a cry cut through the air. 

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Amal! I didn’t mean to-,”

Mana: 29 - 28

Spell: Shield

Defence: 25 - 30

“Looking away from the likes of this Ramzan, you must wish to meet Lord Sozain quickly,” the sand giant growled, though his eyes beamed with delight, his lips forming a wider smile.

The leader of the sand giant caravan had thought he would need to step forward, but as the pair fought, he realised that Ramzan did not hold the upper hand. As his eyes darted around, he noted the others had also began to notice that one of their greatest warriors was currently struggling against some haughty little brat who had spoke with a tone that asked for death, and yet, somehow, he held the strength to back up such a tone. 

Fighting Spirit: 2 - 1

Health: 103 - 108

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 11 (1)

D20 + 10 = 20 (10)

Hit!

Mana: 28 - 27

Ability: Divine Smite

4D6 + 2D6 + 8 = 35 (19)(8)

35 damage!

Attack: Seventh Sky (Advantage)

D20 + 10 = 17 (7)

D20 + 10 = 29 (19)

Critical Hit!

Mana: 27 - 24

Ability: Divine Smite

8D6 + 8D6 + 8 = 57 (24)(25)

57 damage!

‘Finally!’ the half elf thought, forcing the sand giant back with a vicious slash, panting for air as the sand giant stepped back, and yet, he remained standing, even after taking enough damage to batter down the the average Grandmaster. ‘Oh, damn! Is he a Paragon?’

The sand giant flared down at the half elf, his eyes still twinkling, his lips still a wild grin, while a particular half dragon frowned slightly, since he could have been the one to fight the sand giant. 

“It is my loss,” Ramzan finally admitted, slamming his blade into the earth beneath, the earth crackling under the might of his blade, while he flexed, regaining some of his strength. 

“Phew! Thank you,” Adam replied, before flexing his own muscles.

Tough Spirit: 1 - 0

2D6 + 9 = 17 (8) 

Health: 108 - 125

‘One away?’ Adam thought, rubbing the side of his neck, his thighs still gently burning, but he looked as though he could spar with the sand giant once more, who blinked towards how healthy he seemed. Then the half elf’s eyes fell to Charek, nodding his head, the sand giant blinking at him, his mind blank, then the half elf turned to face Sokikez. The young fool of a father smirked, towards the Iyrman who raised her brows in surprise. 

“Taygak, did you see?” 

“Taygak saw,” the teen replied.

The half elf approached her, reaching out to shake her forearm. “Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Adam nodded, before bringing the teen in for a quick hug, patting her back gently. His eyes then fell upon Tanika, whose eyes were so full of shock, she was unable to even see the half elf in front of her. 

“I see, you are the grandson of Flame Brand,” Ramzan said. 

“Don’t you forget it,” Adam replied, standing tall and proud, his cheeks flushing slightly. He noted all the looks upon him, his eyes darting to Maharan, whose eyes were also so shocked, he was unable to see the half elf. “Any chance you have a basin? I need a nice hot bath after that.”

John and Yasha eyed up Maharan, who had finally seen it, the one known as Adam, then their eyes fell upon Tanika. At the very least, she found out within the day, while Maharan had thought he was a fool for much longer, and now his entire world view had shifted. 

As a sand giant brought a basin for the half elf, actually an empty barrel they used to transport their alcohol, the half elf picked it up, before turning to meet Charek’s gaze. The half elf smirked, causing Charek to recall everything the half elf had said to him. 

‘The Grand Commander of…’ Charek through, before his thoughts fell to that. ‘No, did he not say he even defeated Master Isam?’

The sand giants left the half elf be, allowing him to bathe, but the moment he was done, he noticed all the sand giants about, eager to hear his tale. 

“Jurot, I’ll leave it to you,” Adam said, patting the Iyrman’s back. 

“They wish to hear it from you.”

“Yeah, but they won’t believe it if it’s from my lips.”

“They will,” the Iyrman replied. “You defeated their Dragon Hunter.”

“You what mate?”

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What an elite chapter.