The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

"A duel?"

"Is she serious?"

"What is Daughter Luna doing?"

"He he he he! And I thought nothing interesting was going to happen today."

Aeric's eyes narrowed at Luna, his gaze turning dark and his lips stretching to a frown. 'She wants a fucking duel?'

~ ~ ~

The tension in the training hall was extremely palpable at this point. Whispering conversation sizzled amongst the few Daughters, especially between Nyx and Nyssa, who weren't very fond of the high Daughters.

Melina was the one who broke through the murmurs, she had an expression of confusion as she really didn't expect her elder sister to do something as rash as this. With urgency, she hurriedly strode toward her sister.

"Luna, what are you doing?" her voice was sharp but carried a note of worry. "You're challenging him to a duel? Why? That's madness. I haven't complained about the Crest. I'm fine with it, actually. I want it. Why are you making a big deal about it?"

Luna turned to her sister, her silver eyes flashing with disdain. "Stay out of this, Melina," she said coldly. "You've been consumed by the same obsession with Aeric that's infected everyone else in our family. I'll put an end to this now. I'll defeat him and remove his influence from us for good."

Melina reached for her sister's arm, but Luna yanked it away. "You don't understand," Luna snapped. "This isn't just about the Crest. It's about what he's doing to us — our family, and the honor of our Region."

Melina sighed, shaking her head with her hands clutched together. "Luna, you don't have to do this."

But Luna had already turned her back on her sister, her focus locked onto Aeric. "Aeric of Starlight," she called, her voice ringing with authority, "accept my challenge."

Aeric, who had been observing silently, narrowed his eyes at the first Daughter of Moonlight. 'Pfft! Why does everyone feel that they can order me about around here? Everytime someone is challenging me to something; a beast battle, heart hunt, a freaking duel.'

He tilted his head slightly, his frown stretching. 'I'm increasingly becoming tired of these girls.'

He saw the anger in Luna's eyes. In fact, it was more difficult not to see it. Luna's rage was nearly tangible. From every word she had said and all her movements, he could see now that the boiling hatred she had for him had reached its peak.

Maybe it was the announcement, his new title as Head Boy that was the final straw in the hay for her. And here she was; challenging him to a duel?

"Whatever happened to shame?" Aeric extended his arms sideways and asked her.

"You're a Platinum Ranked Grandmaster Player, Luna," he said, his tone calm and almost conversational. "And you're asking to duel a mere Silver Ranked Adept Player? Isn't that something to be ashamed of?"

Luna scoffed, her expression unimpressed. "Do not pretend to be an underdog, Aeric. A Player with a 200% Affinity for Divinity is no underdog."

Aeric shrugged and let out a low chuckle. "Fair enough," he conceded, his sharp eyes studying her like a hawk assessing its prey.

'Am I ready for a duel?' he thought. 'I mean I've sparred multiple times but a duel is much more different isn't it? Death and incapacitation are allowed in duels. A fight to the death is where I'm particularly inexperienced in and that is where Luna is particularly experienced in.'

So once again, was he ready for a duel?

To be fair, there was little reason for Aeric to accept this duel.

If he did, it would only serve to indulge Luna's insecurities and hatred for him. Even more, it would put his hard-earned respect and newfound status at unnecessary risk, especially if he lost.

However, declining a duel — even one as mismatched as this — was a move that could tarnish his reputation.

Despite his logical reasoning, the whispers of cowardice could easily overshadow the legitimacy of his excuse.

What this meant in earnest was that, even if Aeric could make a claim of being mismatched, people would still point to his extremely high Affinity for Divinity as a plane leveller.

And yet, this duel also presented an opportunity.

An opportunity to test himself. Everything he had learned and trained for with Alzera could be put to the test here. He knew how to defend from Kael, how to attack from Ryn, how to strategize from Alzera, and although he couldn't let Bel know, he also had the [Heal] skill.

Basically, Aeric possessed all the qualities of a full Dungeon Squad in one.

But the thing was, Luna of Moonlight was no Dungeon Beast. And she was no pushover either. Her experience and skill were undeniable.

As Melina had told him, Luna was the one who was going to lead the army of Moonlight Knights in the Wave War. This could only mean she was a seasoned fighter, and must have defeated many of those skilled knights she'd faced.

This wasn't a duel he could take lightly.

But was it worth the risk?

After putting all this into perspective and pondering on it, Aeric was certain he could come to a conclusion that would at least help him in some way.

"Before I give you an answer," he said, breaking the silence, "what's in it for me if I win?"

Luna's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then narrowed into a frown. "You want an incentive?"

"An incentive?" Aeric asked with a raised brow. "No. No. No. It just makes sense that way. You want to free Melina of the Crest of Obedience and restore your family's honor. So you have now challenged me to a duel. Why should I accept? Don't I get to make my own wants?"

Luna's eyes narrowed even more. "Choose anything you want."

Aeric's lips downturned and he shrugged. "Alright then. Since you're so accommodating, if I win, you'll fight alongside us to clear the Beast Glade in Mursbridge."

Luna's expression froze. "What?" she hissed. "You expect me to fight in aid of a rival kingdom?"

Aeric crossed his arms, smiling to himself. This was perfect. He relished at how perfect it was.

He knew how patriotic Luna was to the Moonlight Region, so not only was this a punishment that would sting, but it would also help him in clearing that Beast Glade.

When he spoke next, his voice dripped with feigned innocence. "If you don't want to fight for Starlight, then just don't lose the duel."

Luna's grip on her silver scythe tightened, her knuckles turning white. "You expect me to fail?" she said with a venomous tone.

Aeric shrugged innocently. "Not at all, Daughter Luna. I'm just making the stakes clear."

Luna scoffed, swirling her scythe with a flourish before striking a battle-ready pose as silver energy burst out of her. "Nonsense," she spat. "I do not know failure."

The other Daughters all watched with intrigue.

"To keep things simple," Aeric said, his tone turning matter-of-fact, "we'll have the duel here. No need for a grand arena. Just us and the witnesses in this room."

This was to make sure it wouldn't be broadcasted in case he lost. At least, if it was fought right in this training room, only the few Daughters he was with would be the only true witnesses of it.

"I don't care," Luna said sharply. "I'll defeat you anywhere."

"Fine." Aeric gave a slight nod. "In that case, I, Son Aeric of Starlight, accept your duel."

Gasps rippled through the training hall. The Daughters exchanged wide-eyed looks of disbelief. "He actually accepted?"

"Why does he always do things like this?"

"Now this is what I subscribed for!"

The first thing that happened was a sudden shift in the air. And then, a commanding voice echoed everywhere, having a feminine, robotic sound.

<A Player Duel has been initiated. Please step away from the chosen battleground.>

The Daughters quickly moved back, clearing a wide circle in the center of the hall.

Then, a glowing boundary appeared on the floor, marking the duel's area. A white line began to draw itself around that circular ground that was now the duel's area.

Magical energy buzzed faintly, crackling like static as it formed a transparent dome around Aeric and Luna. This dome rose high into the ceiling of the training room like rods of a prison, then came together at the top, stopping any of the fighters from leaving.

The disembodied voice spoke again.

<The Participants of this duel are; Aeric of Starlight, Silver Ranked Adept Player, versus Luna of Moonlight, Platinum Ranked Grandmaster Player.>

< A Divine Contract has been formed>

Before them, a shimmering parchment materialized in midair. Aeric and Luna each pressed their palms to it, their signatures appearing in glowing letters. The parchment dissolved, sealing the contract.

Inside the dome, Aeric and Luna stood across from one another.

<Weapon will be provided for the Son of Starlight>

A sword instantly appeared in Aeric's hand. After inspecting it, and seeing it was fine, Aeric took a fighting pose.

Luna's silver scythe glinted ominously, its curved blade catching the light. Aeric's eyes remained steady, watching her with his crimson eyes, studying her, trying to make out her attacking approach.

<Begin!> the voice commanded.