THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The guild's central arena buzzed with an electric tension as David stepped into the wide, sand-covered ring. A crescent of adventurers lined the edges, their expressions ranging from wary to opportunistic. Each had their sights on the prize, the 500 terran gold—a fortune large enough to secure a family's future for years.

Mariana stood at David's side, arms crossed, her eyes sharp and intent. She had discarded her usual playfulness, now keen to observe this battle sense David had spoken of. The atmosphere in the arena felt heavy, like a storm teetering on the horizon.

David rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms, his body loose and relaxed despite the eyes on him. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the greedy and eager stares of his challengers. "A crowd like this, just for me?" David joked, flashing a crooked grin at Mariana.

She smirked but didn't reply, instead watching him closely. Her gaze wasn't just curious—it was calculating.

The receptionist approached, clipboard in hand, his brow furrowed in doubt. "Are you absolutely certain about this? No aura? Not even a hint of mana to back you up?"

David nodded, letting out a light chuckle. "Certain as the sun's rise. Let's not keep the good people waiting."

The receptionist hesitated but finally raised his voice to announce the first challenger. "Step forward, B-ranked adventurer, Marik Stormblade!"

A broad-shouldered man with a rugged face and light armor strode into the arena. His movements carried the weight of a seasoned warrior, and strapped to his back was a massive claymore. The blade gleamed under the sunlight, its edge honed to perfection.

Marik stopped a few paces away, planting the sword into the ground with a thud that sent ripples through the sand. He examined David with a mixture of disdain and amusement. "You must be brave, or stupid, to think you can take me on without an ounce of aura."

David gave a lazy shrug. "Or maybe you're not as scary as you think."

Mariana raised an eyebrow at David's casual taunt, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

Marik's expression darkened, and he yanked the claymore free. "Fine, let's see if you're still joking when I'm done."

The crowd hushed as Marik adjusted his stance, holding the heavy blade with surprising ease. The receptionist glanced between the two and, with a sharp nod, raised his hand. "Begin!"

Marik charged, the sand spraying under his boots as he swung the claymore in a wide arc. The sheer force of the swing was enough to cleave through armor and bone alike.

David stood still, his posture almost too casual as the blade screamed toward him. Then, with a movement so fluid it was almost lazy, he sidestepped the attack. The claymore crashed into the sand, sending up a plume of dust.

Mariana leaned forward, her breath caught in her throat.

David pivoted, closing the gap between them in a flash. His fist shot out, striking Marik's gauntlet with pinpoint precision. The heavy sword wobbled, the force of the strike reverberating through Marik's arm.

"Your form's too rigid," David remarked, stepping back. "You're relying on the sword to do all the work."

Marik growled, tightening his grip on the claymore. He adjusted his stance, his eyes narrowing. "You're quick, but that won't save you forever."

As the crowd watched with bated breath, Mariana couldn't help but smile. This is going to be interesting.

The sound of metal clashing against air filled the arena as Marik swung his claymore in a flurry of powerful arcs. Each strike carried the weight of years of experience, yet none managed to even graze David. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he evaded with minimal effort, his body twisting and shifting with precision.

Frustration grew on Marik's face as he pressed harder, his strikes becoming more erratic. "Stand still, damn you!" he bellowed, his claymore slamming into the sand once more.

David chuckled, his expression calm. "If I stood still, where's the fun in that?"

He sidestepped another heavy swing, then stepped into Marik's guard. With a swift, calculated motion, David's leg shot out, his boot connecting squarely with Marik's face. The force of the kick sent the larger man stumbling backward, his claymore slipping from his grasp as he landed on his back with a resounding thud.

The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs of disbelief.

David took a step back, rolling his shoulders as if the fight had been a light warm-up. He turned to Mariana, who stared wide-eyed. "The first thing about battle sense," David began, his tone steady, "is learning to adapt. Watch your opponent, read their movements, and use your surroundings. Wait for the right moment to strike. Raw power doesn't mean much if you're too slow to land a hit."

Mariana nodded, absorbing his words as the crowd's shock turned into a murmur of awe.

The receptionist, still recovering from the sight of Marik's defeat, hesitated before raising his hand. "Winner, David!"

David glanced at the receptionist. "Call the next participant."

Reluctantly, another adventurer stepped forward, this time a lithe figure with dual blades. The fight was over almost as quickly as it began, with David deftly disarming and incapacitating his opponent. One by one, adventurers stepped into the arena, and one by one, they fell. Each battle seemed effortless for David, his movements deliberate and efficient.

Between matches, David spoke to Mariana. "Physical exercise is just as important as trusting your aura. Strengthening your body gives you an edge, even when you're low on mana or unable to use aura."

Mariana nodded, but her gaze remained fixated on David, admiration mixed with curiosity.

As the defeats piled up, the once-eager adventurers began to murmur amongst themselves. "Who is this guy?" one whispered.

"We should've figured anyone accompanying the Flaming Blade would be just as dangerous—or worse," another muttered.

Eventually, the murmurs turned into refusals. Adventurers began backing out, shaking their heads as they retreated into the crowd.

The receptionist approached David, his expression apologetic. "It seems no one else is willing to challenge you."

David raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

The receptionist hesitated, then added, "Well, almost no one. There's… an unusual request. A D-ranked adventurer and her partner, an S-ranked alchemist, have asked to fight you together. They're a B-class party."

David tilted his head, intrigued. "Two against one? Strange."

The receptionist nodded. "They're waiting for your answer."

David glanced at Mariana, who merely shrugged, and then back at the receptionist. "I'll take it."

The crowd parted as two figures stepped into the arena. One was a petite young woman with short hair and an energetic smile, her adventurer's gear light but well-kept. Beside her stood a small figure in a long, ornate robe, a variety of alchemical vials strapped to her belt.

The young woman gasped audibly, her eyes lighting up in recognition. "David?! is that you!"

David blinked, surprised. "Yue?"

Yue, the alchemist, seemed equally shocked. "You're the one causing this chaos?"

David offered a respectful nod. "It's been a while, Yue." he said, addressing the alchemist.

Yue bounced on her heels, her excitement palpable. "I can't believe we're meeting again! And here, of all places!"

David smirked. "The world works in strange ways."

Litty crossed her arms, studying him. "I didn't expect the infamous challenger to be someone we knew."

David chuckled. "Infamous, huh? I guess word travels fast."

His tone shifted as he looked between them. "Are you sure you want to go up against me? Two-on-one is already unconventional, but I don't want to hurt you."

Yue grinned. "You think you can?"

David's smile widened, his confidence unwavering. "I suppose we'll find out."

Mariana leaned closer to David, her voice tinged with curiosity as they prepared for the next match. "You know them?" she asked, gesturing toward Yue and Litty as they made their way into the arena.

David nodded, keeping his gaze fixed on the duo. "We crossed paths during my travels. Yue's an alchemist—sharp and resourceful. Don't let her size fool you; she's incredibly knowledgeable about magic and potion crafting. Litty, on the other hand, is the sword user."

Mariana tilted her head, studying the pair more intently. "An alchemist and a swordswoman? That's an unusual combination. I'll keep that in mind."

Luna stepped forward, her expression softening as she addressed David. "You'll take it easy on them, won't you?" she asked, a faint smile on her lips. "I like them."

Meanwhile, Yue, standing in the arena, caught sight of Luna. Her pale cheeks turned a vibrant red as she clasped her small hands to her face, eyes wide with wonder. "She's… so beautiful," Yue whispered to herself, staring at Luna's beast-like ears with an almost childlike fascination.

Litty raised an eyebrow at her partner, nudging her gently. "Mother, now's not the time for that."

"But her ears…" Yue muttered, her voice barely audible. "They look so soft. I just want to pet them…"

Luna noticed Yue's staring and blinked, offering a warm, puzzled smile. "Are you okay?"

Yue quickly averted her gaze, her blush deepening. "Y-yes! I'm fine!"

The receptionist's voice cut through the moment. "Let the match commence!"

Litty stepped forward, drawing her dual swords with a flourish, her posture firm and confident as she positioned herself in front of Yue. Behind her, Yue adjusted her vials, her hands steady as she prepared for support.

David took a deep breath, his keen eyes already reading their stances. He smiled faintly, speaking under his breath. "Let's see what they've got."