章 23: Chapter 23: Unexpected Duel

"Haha, looks like someone needs a lesson," Elora declared, eyeing Jett, who remained expressionless. "When do we start?" she asked, reaching for one of the swords strapped to her back.

"Right now. But if you're aiming to win, you better go all out," Jett replied, nodding towards the second sword she carried.

Elora's irritation flared at his words, and she turned to Finn. "Blame your friend for what's about to happen to you."

Finn felt a chill run down his spine and quickly pulled Jett aside. "What are you doing? Why are you trying to provoke her? And dragging me into it?"

"Relax and trust yourself. Trust that weapon you obtained earlier," Jett whispered back. "Believe me."

"But can I even win? Her skills are unmatched, even compared to yours," Finn pondered.

"You dense fool... did you bother to read the weapon's description?" Jett sighed, disappointed. "Just read it and stop fretting."

[Midas Spear]

[One of the fourteen great weapons forged by the Gods themselves, each imbued with their blessings and will. Crafted by the Blacksmith God and blessed by Midas to bestow infinite wealth and protection upon its wielder.]

- +70 All round stat boost

- 20% increase in Exp gained

- 50% increased drop rate.

- 20% Probability of getting a better item grade.

- Gold skin with 50% additional defence.

???

Special Trait

- Return

- Pocket Save

???

???]

[You are have been BOUND to this weapon and therefore no one else can wield it.]

[This weapon shall continue to grow as it accompanies you.]

[Special Quest: Find the Lost Blacksmith God]

[Unique Quest: Find the ancient Midas Temple]

Finn was utterly shocked, "What the he—" he began, but Jett swiftly silenced him with a glare.

"Keep your voice down, you fool," Jett hissed.

"But that's outright cheating," Finn protested in a hushed tone.

"I never claimed EX weapons were off-limits. Just try not to end her life," Jett explained, outlining Finn's strategy for the upcoming fight.

"You're a real devil," Finn muttered.

With a smirk, Jett walked away. "I'm just offering assistance," he called back, waving Finn off with a wish of good luck.

*****

"The Divine Lords." It was a title bestowed upon those born on the exact day and time as The Holy Priestess Freya. The emergence of 13 children from royal and noble families, all bearing special traits during their awakening, was a phenomenon unprecedented in history. Believing it to be a celestial message, they honored these children with the esteemed title of Divine Lords.

Jett could have been among them, had Jerry chosen to take him to the capital for his awakening.

*****

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as news of the impending duel between two Divine Lords spread like wildfire.

Whispers echoed through the crowd, excitement palpable in the air. Everyone yearned to witness firsthand the prowess of these extraordinary individuals.

Finally, the moment arrived. The two Divine Lords stood face to face in the expansive arena, once a place for adventurers to spar and showcase their skills during the fair.

Now, it served as the stage for a much-anticipated showdown.

Beside the arena, Freya, her face veiled, stood next to Jett, who appeared unfazed. "You must truly loathe Finn if you're putting him in this kind of situation," she remarked, her voice tinged with concern.

Aiden, standing nearby, attempted to dissuade Jett. "I commend your resolve if this is revenge for something he did, but you've gone too far. Call it off," he urged.

Lost in his thoughts, Jett muttered to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips. Unnoticed by his companions, his attention remained fixed on the arena.

Freya's frustration simmered, while Aiden's smiled as he walked away.

Ray approached from behind, voicing his concerns. "You're quite the enigma, Jett. I almost wonder if you have a plan, but it's Elora we're talking about..," he admitted. "Let's hope Finn makes it out alive."

"Don't worry, I know our prince won't let that happen, Just make sure they don't notice this eyesore next to me." Jett's confident response reassured Ray, but it earned him a punch from Freya, her anger evident as she stormed away, leaving him momentarily stunned.

As tension mounted, a voice rose above the murmurs, drawing attention. "Step right up and place your bets! Elora, The Hot-Blooded Queen, versus Finn!" The words hung in the air, heightening the suspense as spectators eagerly wagered on the outcome of the duel.

"Seraphina? Are you seriously kidding me?" Finn's voice cut through the tension, pleading for assistance. "Morrigan, Marcella, help me out here."

"Always seize an opportunity to make money. You taught me that didn't you?" Seraphina retorted, undeterred as she continued her collection.

"Whatever, just get this over with." Marcella muttered, already disinterested and ready to leave.

Morrigan chimed in playfully before following Marcella. "She's relentless, Finn. Can't say I'm too sorry about it though."

As the others dispersed around to watch, Jett remained, observing quietly. "You've certainly pissed off quite a lot of them, Finn. All the more reason."

Ray's voice cut through the chatter, signaling the start of the duel. "Set your weapons."

Elora, wielding dual swords she always kept at her back, and Finn, reluctantly summoning his spear concealed within it's pocket save trait, prepared for battle.

The sight of Finn's elegantly crafted spear mesmerized the onlookers, drawing admiration and whispers of awe.

"That spear...," Ray muttered, a flicker of recognition crossing his features.

"Don't assume wealth alone can bridge the gap between us," Elora warned, her confidence unwavering.

Finn couldn't help but ponder the advantage his spear afforded him, caught between a mix of relief and uncertainty.

Ray refocused the attention, outlining the rules. "The first to forfeit or leave the arena is deemed the loser. Disarming also counts as defeat. Magic and skills are prohibited. I'll use a special artifact to simulate damage. If your artifact breaks, you lose. Understood?"

"Yes," they both chorused in unison.

"Then you may begin," Ray declared, stepping out of their view as the duel officially commenced.

Elora stood her ground, beckoning Finn to make the first move. He wasted no time, launching into an offensive assault.

Due to his weapon's blessing, Elora would have found herself outmatched, with the duel nearly ending within moments. But Jett had different intentions.

With his own motives in mind, Jett had urged Finn to prolong the battle, to showcase Elora's capabilities to the onlookers.

Finn, understanding the plan, held back, dragging out the fight for a reason.

Despite Finn's advantage in weapon length, Elora skillfully parried his thrusts, closing in on him with determination.

As their weapons clashed with resounding force, it became evident to all that these children possessed remarkable skill for their age.

"You're better than I expected. I'll give you that," Elora admitted, a smile playing on her lips. "But don't think for a second I'll let you win."

"I never claimed otherwise!" Finn retorted, discomfort evident in his tone. While Finn appreciated being in the spotlight, this level of scrutiny made him uneasy.

Spectators watched in awe as the young combatants engaged in a fierce exchange. "Are they truly only six years old? Remarkable."

But what truly surprised the onlookers was Finn's ability to hold his own against Elora, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by their group.

Spotting an opening, Finn seized the opportunity, ready to turn the tide of the battle in his favor.

As Jett had orchestrated, he skillfully maneuvered himself to fall backward, narrowly evading a fatal strike.

In the same motion, he positioned his leg against Elora's, causing her to stumble and fall as he rose to his feet.

Before she could regain her footing, Finn had his spear pointed at her, leaving her no choice but to concede defeat.

"Huh? I know he used a trick, but still, Elora lost?" Ray and the spectators watched in astonishment.

"I can't believe this." Aiden was more surprised than anyone, "Sis lost?"

"You little cheat. I put too much money on this so just lose." Evelina yelled at Finn.

"Quite it, he didn't cheat, plus they just started" Asher, not wanting to look away, kept a calm composure as he observed Finn, "Something feels different about him."

"Don't get too excited after resorting to a cheap trick like that. The next round won't be the same," Elora remarked to Finn, her surprise evident despite her words of admonishment.