CHAPTER 1011: JUST A KID

Arty’s words made Annette and Esther turn sharply toward her, both wearing questioning looks.

"What do you mean?" Esther asked with a tone that edged with suspicion.

"I feel familiar with this lightning that attacked us," Arty said with eyes narrowing toward the three cloaked nobles. Her voice was low but laced with anger.

Annette and Esther exchanged glances. Concern flickering between them.

"When did you first encounter this lightning attack?" Esther pressed.

"In the Academy," Arty answered. Her fists clenched as the memory flared. "When I was being trained by Sylmira there was a boy. He attacked me first by throwing lightning at me and I retaliated. I beat him down. He looked furious then, like he’d never been humiliated before. Now..." Her gaze burned on the figures ahead. "Now maybe he wants revenge."

Her chest heaved, anger spilling through her veins.

She knew that boy had noble blood and she knew that his pride was a fortress that couldn’t stand being shaken.

But to come here and to attack her in the middle of the forest while dragging her companions into this problem? Arty couldn’t forgive that.

"That bastard," she hissed, her voice shaking with fury. "I swear I’ll make them pay more if even one of you gets hurt."

Esther and Annette both smiled.

"Why are you smiling?!" Arty demanded, glaring at them in confusion.

"You actually care about us," Annette said softly, her calm tone carrying a warmth that contrasted the chaos around them. "We’re touched."

Arty blinked, her cheeks warming slightly.

"Of course I care. Because of you... I’ve been able to enjoy the world outside the kingdom. It feels like you four have been giving me a tour of everything these past few days. So of course I care. Especially if you’re hurt by those nobles." Her voice wavered, embarrassed at her own sincerity.

"Ha!" Esther chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Arty’s hair. "Don’t worry, little sister. Do you really think three noble brats can hurt us?"

"But... they look pretty strong," Arty muttered, her lips tightening.

"And you think we’re weak?" Annette teased, smiling knowingly.

Esther’s expression firmed as her hand dropped back to her staff. "We haven’t even shown you the best of what we can do yet. We’re not as strong as your brother or course, but don’t mistake that for weakness. Because your brother is in a different realm."

Arty blinked, confusion flickering across her face.

For a moment she was silent, but as she looked into their calm and unwavering gazes, she felt reassurance seep into her heart.

—

Meanwhile, Hund was already moving. His heavy steps tore through the earth as he surged toward the cloaked nobles.

His lips curled into a savage grin. His muscles flexed in anticipation.

He didn’t know who they were right now, so he only saw enemies that needed to be crushed.

From the opposite side, Kale stepped forward, his smirk carved deep across his face.

He lifted his hand and twisted the silver ring on his finger. With a flash of light, a long blade materialized in his grip.

Its surface gleamed darkly with veins of crimson energy pulsing along the steel.

CLANG!

Their swords met with a deafening crack. The shockwave rattled the trees around them.

Both men pressed into the clash, their strength nearly equal.

Hund’s glowing rune-etched sword hummed with violent Magic energy, while Kale’s weapon thrummed with an eerie rhythm as well and also fed on his Magic.

In an instant they broke apart then clashed again. Sparks erupted as their blades collided dozens of times.

They moved like trained swordsmen who darted and weaving with expert swordsmanship at each other.

Hund’s heavy power meets Kale’s same kind of attack.

Hund swung with incredible force. His strikes aim to cleave through armor and bone.

But Kale’s smirk never faded. His movements were fluid, his blade always sliding into just the right angle to parry, deflect, or redirect. Then sent his own counterattack.

CLANG!

SHIIING!

CRASH!

The ground cracked beneath Hund’s boots as he pressed harder.

Kale pivoted smoothly, his counterattacks lashing out like a serpent’s bite.

Their speed was blinding. In moments the two became a blur of flashing steel and ringing impact.

"You’re strong! But not strong enough!" Hund laughed.

Kale’s grin widened, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Oh, I’ve barely started."

Their swords locked again, faces inches apart and both of them grinning. One with savage joy and the other with arrogant confidence.

And then, in perfect unison, they broke apart once more.

Kale’s cloak fluttered as he leapt back so the hood slipped from his head.

His youthful features finally came into view and Hund’s brow furrowed in disbelief.

The arrogant smirk belonged to a boy that looked no older than Arty.

"You’re just a kid!" Hund said.

Kale tilted his chin defiantly, his lips twisting with smug pride. "Yeah, so what? You angry because a kid is making you struggle?"

Hund shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping him.

"No. You’re not making me struggle at all. I’m just worried I might hurt you, kid. What if your parents scold me?"

His words came out with genuine concern.

But Kale’s pride burned hotter than his reason. He thought Hund was mocking him and belittling him in front of everyone.

His grip on the crimson-veined blade tightened until his knuckles whitened.

"Mock me again, and you’ll regret it," Kale hissed, his teeth gritted. Then he launched forward, blade arcing with crackling energy.

Hund grimaced, his sword lifting almost lazily to intercept.

"Aww, man... I don’t think I can go all out now."

His mutter was low, almost reluctant. He wasn’t the kind of brute who enjoyed beating down children. His serious attack always aimed for warriors, soldiers, or monsters. Not someone who should’ve been sitting in a classroom still learning how to shave.

But then a voice curled into his head like a breeze cutting through fog.

"Beat that kid, Hund. He’s a noble, and he came here to attack Arty."

It was Esther’s voice.

Hund blinked, and then the heaviness in his chest cracked open.

"Oh," he said simply. His grin returned, stretching ear to ear with savage delight. "That changes everything."

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