章節 31: Sparring

"...It's beautiful."

Sorin's fingers slowly reached out at the ancient demon crawling on the floor; he traced its darkened skin with his palms, taking in the demon's reaction.

It was an amalgamation of twisted limbs and flesh, sharp bone-like horns protruding from its back. Adrien heaved a tired breath beside Sorin, leaning on the saint's shoulders.

"This is amazing, Adrien," he praised the child with a warm smile. The ancient demon was small, about the size of a dog, but Sorin knew about the vicious capabilities of this beast.

He had seen these ancient swarms underneath Adrien's feet as they tore through the flesh of the living without any hint of mercy.

"It's ugly, and it's tiny," Adrien said blandly, eyes narrowing at the ancient demon. Sorin couldn't help but snort out a soft laugh at the child's honest words.

"It's strong." Sorin corrected him. "This creature is condensed demonic energy, and you can control it so easily."

Understandably, Adrien was unswayed by how Sorin viewed the demon. He furrowed his brow as if he was not completely believing Sorin's words.

The Saint chuckled as he kneeled down on the floor to slowly carry the demon in his arms. He felt the subtle shift in the demon's aura as if it recognized his presence.

"Smart thing," he mumbled.

Adrien eyed the ancient demon and carefully brought his fingers to touch its skin; it reacted, emitting a vibrating sound similar to that of a howl from its fanged mouth.

"It sees you as its master," Sorin murmured, bringing the demon closer to the child.

Adrien's expression softened. "Hmmm..."

Sorin wanted to see those mage bastards be slowly devoured by these demons, to watch as they perish under his hands. Adrien turned to the saint, his blue eyes now tinged with black from his use of demonic energy. "Can I keep it, please?"

The saint blinked, almost surprised at the child's question. "...Huh?"

"I'll feed it and I'll sleep with it," Adrien's words held a childish tone. "It's my first demon."

"As a pet?"

"I'll summon more," Adrien pleaded.

"As much as I want to indulge you, I can't. You'll scare the people." Sorin smiled, but his eyebrows knitted in worry.

Adrien pouted. "Aw."

***

"Sorin!" a familiar voice called out his name.

Sorin froze, his head turned to find Kieran waving at him with a bright smile. Kieran hadn't visited Sorin in quite a while, not since he had arrived back at the empire. He thought that Kieran would be busy with his duties... but it seemed that Sorin was wrong.

"Distracted?" Felix's voice rang in his ears. His aide had a snarky grin plastered across his face.

Sorin maintained his calm facade as his sword clashed with his opponent. Felix's energy was raw and untamed; he could feel it from afar.

Sorin's movements were precise and swift as steel clashed with steel, bright sparks emitting from both of their swords.

Perhaps it was Felix's cocky words or the arrival of an unwanted guest that Sorin felt rage bubble up inside of him.

With one fluid movement, Felix crashed onto the ground with a painful thud. The dull blade of the practice sword lightly pressed against his throat. "Boo, I was just joking," he mumbled with a resigned expression.

Sorin's smile was tight as he held out his hand. "It's your loss again, Felix," he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"Ruthless as always," Kieran commented from the sidelines, spectating the battle between the two.

Sorin helped Felix up from the ground. Despite the smile on his aide's face, Sorin could trace annoyance in Felix's eyes. He was more bothered about Kieran's arrival than Sorin.

"I've been training a bit, Kieran," Sorin turned his attention to his guest as Felix brushed the dust off his pants. "I hope you haven't been slacking off."

"I've been busy, but I don't miss practice, you know," Kieran chuckled as he approached the center.

"Would you like to spar with me?" Sorin asked with a smile.

"Who am I to deny that opportunity?" Kieran returned, taking a practice sword from the side of the training grounds.

Felix glanced at Sorin for a second before walking away from the center, not even looking back at Kieran.

"Tch." His aide had clicked his tongue at the guest.

"Felix," Sorin warned.

"It's fine," Kieran said. "I know he's probably annoyed after I interrupted you two. I know how feisty your aide can be."

The warm glow of the sun bathed the training grounds as the two faced each other, anticipation buzzing through the air. Kieran's red hair glinted like fire underneath the sun.

Kieran was relaxed as he moved with his stance, something Sorin was already used to. They studied at the same academy and learned the same fighting styles; somehow, they were almost a copy of each other's sword skills.

Sorin had the leverage of having a decade more of experience.

He won't be showing too much, though. Kieran was more adept in magic, but he was still a monster with any weapon he held.

"Ready?" Kieran called out.

Sorin smiled, his sword already prepared. "As long as you don't use your magic."

"I'm not a cheater."

Then, Kieran launched first.

The sound of metal ringing echoed through the air; Sorin was used to Kieran's strikes. His movement was precise and fast, as if every strike of his sword was calculated.

Sorin's was fluid and elegant, as if he was not parrying powerful strikes from his opponent.

Kieran grinned as he distanced himself from the saint, circling Sorin with an anticipating gaze. "You're the same as always. How about you attack me first?" he challenged.

The saint blinked at his opponent's words; perhaps he should let a bit of his control slip, maybe it'll ease his frustration. He had been holding himself back ever since he returned.

"Are you sure?" Sorin smiled, his voice rising an octave higher.

Kieran snorted. "Confident."

Sorin closed the distance as he lunged toward Kieran, pushing his opponent a step back. There was a second of surprise in Kieran's face, but it was instantly gone as he grinned. "Oh?"

Sorin's movements were masked with elegance, behind it was nothing more than aggression. It was the skill of someone who had spent years in the battlefield with nothing more than the need to survive against demons.

Kieran countered Sorin's thrust, each movement was efficient enough to protect himself from the blades.

Sorin, on the other hand, was more unpredictable, trying to break through his opponent's guard. The intensity escalated almost instantly, and he watched as Kieran's breath became more labored.

'It would be easy, the dull blade would do well, and it'll be more painful.' Sorin's mind raced with thoughts. His face remained neutral as Kieran continued to parry his attacks.

"Sorin! Sorin!"

The sound of metal halted in an instant.

Sorin took a step back as Kieran let out a loud sigh of relief. He turned his head to find Adrien approaching the training grounds.

Sorin smiled, hiding the venom in his voice. "It's a draw."

Kieran panted before he responded in a shaky voice. "I-I almost admitted defeat." He grinned at Sorin, patting his friend's shoulders.

"Too bad, then." Sorin returned. He was thankful for Adrien's timing, feeling relieved that he was able to push down his resentment.

Adrien's eyes shifted between Sorin and Kieran, suspicion immediately evident on his face at Kieran's presence. He approached Sorin with careful steps, Felix helping him climb up the center of the training grounds.

Kieran blinked at the child's sudden appearance. "I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet." He smiled at Adrien.

Sorin ruffled Adrien's hair gently. "Ah, it might come as a surprise." Sorin forced a gentle smile. "I took him in."

Adrien nodded.

Kieran's surprise was obvious. "Huh."