Episode 194
Rumble, rumble!
The carriage carrying Zeke and Reina made its way to the main estate of the Turn family, located in Tempel.
The two sat in silence, each looking in a different direction, not exchanging a word.
Zeke stole a glance at Reina, recalling what she had said before they boarded the carriage.
“I’m going to challenge the Trial of Strife too.”
He knew Reina saw him as a rival, but he hadn’t expected her to declare she’d take on the Trial of Strife alongside him.
Her unexpected determination left Zeke slightly taken aback.
“With her current skills, the Trial of Strife won’t be easy for her,” he mused.
In his past life, Reina had only attempted the trial after advancing to a Blue Knight, making headlines by reaching the 50th floor in one go. It was an impressive feat, especially since few veteran knights had ever reached that height, let alone someone her age.
Zeke watched Reina, who was meditating quietly, and clicked his tongue inwardly.
“Well, Rex Turn will probably sort it out.”
In the awkward silence, the carriage finally arrived at the Turn family’s main estate.
The Turn family estate was known as the “Hall of Warriors.”
True to its name, the largest building on the estate was not a mansion but a grand dueling arena. Any knight from the Turn family could showcase their skills there. The demand for duels was so high that the arena was always packed.
Surprisingly, the person who frequented the arena the most was none other than Rex Turn, the head of the family.
“Hyah!”
Three knights wielding greatswords charged at a man standing with his arms crossed, an aura blade soaring from their weapons.
Boom!
A massive aura storm erupted around the man.
In an instant, the man lowered his stance.
“Hup!”
He held his breath and stomped the ground with his foot.
Crash!
The solid floor of the arena shook, sending ripples outward.
Rumble!
The three knights, caught in the wave, were thrown back.
“Ugh!”
The knights, sprawled on the ground, couldn’t get back up.
After a moment, the man approached them.
“Let’s call it a day.”
The knights struggled to their knees, expressing their gratitude.
“Thank you for your guidance, Master!”
The knights were from the Turn family, and the man who had bested them with his bare hands was Rex Turn, the head of the family. He was dressed more like a martial artist than a knight, his face and arms covered in rugged scars.
Unlike most Black Knights or family heads who rarely appeared in public, Rex Turn was different. Known for his lack of mystique, he was always ready to duel with anyone from his family, even the most ordinary knight.
Reina and Zeke entered the arena and approached Rex Turn. Reina bowed respectfully.
“Reina Draker! Greetings to the head of the Turn family!”
Zeke, standing behind her, looked at Rex Turn with pure admiration. His physique was flawless, muscles tightly packed with no room for error. Though both were Black Knights, Rex Turn felt different from Arthur Draker.
“He feels more like the Sword King Bernas.”
Rex Turn’s other name was the “King of Combat,” and seeing him in person, Zeke understood why.
Rex Turn looked at Reina, who was kneeling before him, and approached her.
He raised his hand and spoke.
“Ah, my little girl is here! Did you come because you missed your dad?”
He pulled Reina into a hug and kissed her cheek. Reina grimaced at his display of affection.
”…Master, this is a formal setting.”
“This is our home! What formality?”
Rex Turn rubbed his cheek against Reina’s, prompting her to punch him in the chest.
Thud!
“Ugh.”
Reina gritted her teeth and whispered.
“I told you not to do this in front of others.”
Rex Turn wilted under his daughter’s fierce tone.
Zeke, observing the scene, realized the rumors were true.
“The Turn family is known for their fierce loyalty to their kin.”
The Turn family was notorious for avenging any harm done to their kin, even if it meant chasing the culprit to the ends of the continent. This was why the leader of the infamous Draker’s Execution Squad often hailed from the Turn family.
As Reina and Rex Turn bickered, Zeke stepped forward.
“Zeke Draker greets Rex Turn, head of the Turn family.”
Rex Turn glanced at Zeke, his demeanor shifting entirely.
“Zeke Draker. Arthur’s son.”
“Yes, Master.”
Rex Turn scrutinized Zeke before speaking with a stern expression.
“You resemble your mother more than your father.”
Zeke, surprised, looked up and asked.
“You know my mother?”
Rex Turn replied with a hint of disbelief.
“Arthur never told you? Well, he’s not the type to share such things. In our youth, Arthur, Laura, Ramon, and I traveled the continent, seeking ancient mysteries.”
The head of the Draker family, the head of the Turn family, the head of the Siemens family, and Zeke’s mother, Laura Agamemnon. Zeke had never heard of their adventures together.
“Interesting, but that’s not why I’m here.”
“Thank you for sharing that story.”
“So, what brings you here?”
Zeke took a deep breath and addressed Rex Turn.
“Master, I wish to challenge the Trial of Strife.”
Rex Turn’s eyebrow twitched at Zeke’s words. An overwhelming pressure emanated from him, bearing down on Zeke.
Zeke recognized it as a similar force to the intangible power used by Arthur Draker and Hoshgar.
“A unique power of the Black Knights.”
Rex Turn, seeing Zeke withstand his aura, looked intrigued.
He spoke to Zeke.
“You wish to challenge the Trial of Strife. Are you prepared?”
Zeke replied firmly.
“Yes.”
At that moment, Reina shouted at Rex Turn.
“I will challenge it too!”
Rex Turn was taken aback by her sudden declaration.
“What? What are you saying all of a sudden?”
“I want to take the Trial of Strife too. Please allow it.”
Rex Turn shook his head at Reina’s stubbornness.
“Reina, you’re not ready yet.”
Reina clenched her teeth and spoke.
“Zeke Draker can, but I can’t?”
Rex Turn hesitated before nodding.
“That’s right.”
Reina’s eyes blazed at his cold words. She slowly raised her head and drew her sword.
“The Turn family never backs down. That’s what I’ve been taught.”
Seeing her draw her sword, Rex Turn sighed and raised his fist.
“If that’s your true intention, Reina, I’ll accept it. But I won’t go easy on you just because you’re my daughter!”
“That’s what I want!”
“Good! Come at me like a charging bull!”
A powerful hum resonated from Reina’s sword as she became a streak of light, charging at Rex Turn.
Zeke observed Reina’s movements, recognizing traces of the Flash Technique.
“She’s a genius. To have already developed her own application of it.”
If asked to name the most skilled among the Five-Star Knights, Zeke would choose Reina without hesitation. Only Felix, who had inherited the Aura from the Arc Paladin, could rival her talent.
Reina’s sword, like a flash of light, flew toward Rex Turn.
Rex Turn blocked it with his bare arm.
Crash!
The sound was like a sword clashing against armor.
“Ugh!”
Reina was flung back, rolling across the ground.
“Huff, huff.”
Struggling to her feet, Reina’s hands trembled, unable to grip her sword properly. As a Purple Knight, facing a Black Knight was no easy feat. An ordinary knight would have been unable to breathe, let alone hold their weapon.
After a moment, Reina admitted defeat.
“I will heed the Master’s words.”
Rex Turn nodded.
“A wise bull knows when to stop and see the right path! Reina Draker! I’ve seen your skills! Excellent! Continue to improve!”
The Turn family, known for their strictness, was surprisingly generous with praise. It was a stark contrast to the cold, calculating atmosphere of the Draker family.
As Reina retreated, Rex Turn turned to Zeke.
“Zeke Draker. Are you unwavering in your decision to take the trial?”
“Yes.”
Rex nodded at Zeke’s words, then suddenly shouted, “Bring me my sword!”
Reina, standing behind, was taken aback. “Is Dad really going to wield his sword?”
It was a rare sight for Rex Thurn to draw his sword in a duel. He only did so in genuine combat, not during training. This meant that the head of the Thurn family was acknowledging young Zeke as a worthy opponent.
Soon, the attendants brought Rex Thurn’s sword. It was a hefty, single-piece weapon, its blade and hilt seamlessly forged together. The sword bore countless nicks and scars, evidence of its long history. Despite its weight, which required three attendants to carry, Rex lifted it effortlessly with one hand.
With a swift motion, he swung the sword and addressed Zeke. “Zeke Draker, if you can withstand a single strike from me, I will permit you to undertake the trial of combat.”
Zeke responded, “I have one request, my lord.”
“You’re not backing out of the trial, are you?”
“No, my lord. If my sword manages to touch you, I ask that you grant me one favor.”
Rex’s eyebrow twitched at Zeke’s boldness. “Do you understand what you’re saying?”
Zeke nodded. “It means I might die by your sword.”
“Knowing that, you still wish to proceed? Foolish.”
“Will you grant my request?”
Rex studied Zeke’s resolute expression. “What request is worth risking your life?”
Zeke met Rex’s gaze unwaveringly. “I want to hear about my mother.”
For a moment, Rex’s eyes flickered with emotion. Then, an intense aura emanated from his sword. He spoke, “Zeke Draker… I accept your request.”
“Thank you.”
Zeke readied himself, gripping his sword, Bahamut, in a basic dragon-slaying stance rather than the more advanced Gale Stance.
A powerful wave of aura clashed between them, though neither had yet formed an aura blade on their swords.
Then, Zeke charged first, executing the Dragon Slayer Technique’s “Severing the Dragon’s Head,” a move from the original True Dragon Sword Art aimed at Rex.
Rex countered with his own technique, the Thurn-style Dragon Slayer’s “Bull’s Horn Charge,” his heavy sword targeting the opening in Zeke’s attack.
The clash of their swords resounded like an explosion, sending waves of aura rippling across the arena.
Reina watched the duel with wide eyes, acutely aware of the skill gap between herself and Zeke Draker.
Suddenly, Zeke’s form wavered, employing the advanced Mirage Step, a higher technique of the Gale Stance.
Zeke vanished from sight, but Rex remained unfazed. He swung his sword toward a blind spot.
The blade struck the arena floor, not Zeke. Using the Mirage Step, Zeke had lifted the ground to obscure Rex’s view.
Simultaneously, Zeke reappeared from another blind spot, his sword vibrating fiercely.
The first secret technique of the True Dragon Sword Art was unleashed.