The Extra Can't be A Hero-Chapter 145: Duel (2)

Leon tightened his grip on Ascalon as Alrock's voice faded into the background. Grey clouds blocked off the brilliant rays of sunshine, as thunder crackled in the distance. Flickering shadows were cast on the ground as Leon held his sword at the ready, while the former Governor of Alverton, Valen Wrenleigh, held onto his treasured greatsword with a wry smile.

"Leon…"

Ellahan muttered her lover's name in concern. Amon's face was hard like stone at her side, and she did not know what to expect from the duel.

The outcome was fixed, and Valen's head would roll today. But whether Leon could beat the former mercenary in a duel… was anyone's guess.

Valen hadn't shown his skills; no one knew whether it had deteriorated or improved. But judging from his days as the mercenary known as the Iron Count, it was hard to believe in Leon's victory. Even as he stood on the arena grounds, everyone could see the innumerable marks of countless battles—scars that crisscrossed his entire body. His eyes were sharp, like a hawk stalking its prey, and the mana he emitted was clean and dominant.

Valen was, without a doubt, a seasoned professional.

But Leon wasn't a small fry either.

Three Suns orbited around the young Knight, and three further satellite Suns strengthened his core. Solar mana merged with Holy Power while Ascalon buzzed with increased excitement. It was as if the Holy Sword knew that it was time to execute a sinner, and it was providing Leon with the utmost support, even going so far to expand its energy to bolster Leon's Aura.

The burst of Aura drew whistles from the crowd, particularly those who hadn't seen Leon in action before.

A seventeen-year-old using Aura was the mark of a prodigy, but for him to possess so much mana on top of that, it was enough to let the audience conclude that Leon was worthy of his title. And yet, Leon wasn't done. Ascalon burst into a golden blazefire, dazzling the crowd with its intense energy. At the same time, Leon released a faint pressure, one that came from his mastery over the Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra.

Together, it was an intense response to a challenge issued by a mere mortal who dared to reach his claws to the clouds.

To which, Valen could only laugh.

"Haha, you're going all out. I'm honoured."

In which universe would a nobody such as Valen be allowed to challenge the Hero—a man who would leave his mark in history? Leon's decision to not hold back brought a big smile onto Valen's face as he readied his greatsword.

"Thank you, Leon… But, I'm not going to hold back either."

A silver-grey Aura enveloped Valen's body, its energy converging most intensely at the tip of his greatsword. The Aura was reserved and simple, a far cry from Leon's fantastic display. But, perhaps… it was more practical. It may seem simple, but the years that were honed into perfecting this Aura was enough to make others nod in approval.

"Begin!"

With both warriors ready, there was no need to delay the inevitable. Alrock threw his raised arm down, signalling the beginning of the duel.

And at the very start, both men lunged at each other at their top speeds.

Valen's movements were deceptively fast for a man burdened by age and rust. The greyish Aura was flung with vengeance, clashing violently with Leon's ascending, flaming Ascalon. The two Auras created sparks of energy that would suffocate the average man, as the mana spiked in the arena.

Grey and gold. They both fought for supremacy and sought to dominate the other.

In the end, there was one clear victor in the clash.

Valen was flung back like a slingshot, and crashed into the ground with great force. In a pure contest of strength, the Iron Count was still no match for the superior body of the Hero.

"As expected, I can't beat you in a head-on collision."

Valen had somewhat expected it, but experiencing it first hand was a different beast. A seventeen-year-old boy had just overpowered him in seconds. Smiling bitterly, he swung his precious greatsword and staggered, ready for another clash.

Launching himself forward like a torpedo, the Iron Count showed his skills by showcasing a footwork variation. His speed and unpredictability were enough to throw Leon off his guard and watch helplessly as the Valen reached his side.

Leon was forced to take evasive measures while swinging his blade overhead in a stunning counter. The movements were rapid, and Valen's greatsword could barely scratch the young man's flesh before Leon's golden Aura Fire burned it.

The exchange continued for a few seconds, with Leon slowly gaining the advantage.

Valen had the experience, while Leon had the talent and proper training. Their fighting styles highlighted their respective abilities.

Valen took straightforward paths to victory, sometimes even at the expense of his safety. He would leave numerous openings that would turn into traps. It wasn't the cleanest way to fight, but it was the most effective as a mercenary.

On the other hand, Leon was drilled to the bones on how to fight properly. His swordplay, footwork and mana control were so fine-tuned that it was almost robotic. Each move was optimal, and he could easily counter Valen's haphazard style. In no time at all, it was clear who had the upper hand.

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While Valen possessed enough physical power and mana to match Leon, it wasn't enough for the young Solaris Hero's perfected skills. It was almost laughable how many times Valen nearly dropped his weapon from poor swordplay, and Leon quickly capitalised on his mistakes.

Forced into a corner, Valen could only swing his sword wildly without a care. Although messy, the unpredictable movements made Leon flinch and retreat to gain some distance.

"You are even superior in swordplay… The gap between a noble and commoner is so vast that it's laughable."

"..."

In the Hyades Republic, the nobility class was abolished years ago, and no one followed it anymore. But it was without a doubt that some people were born far more privileged than others. The Solaris House was a great example.

They possessed immense wealth, incalculable assets, and a superior bloodline, enabling them to grow stronger than regular humans. Even the weakest Solaris Knight was equivalent to a regular Knight that had spent decades honing the craft.

And Valen was currently facing that inescapable canyon.

"Even now, you're spouting nonsense."

"Perhaps," the former governor laughed. "But, it's also a fact that you've never experienced the hardships of life. You've never seen the suffering of Alverton, the daily murders, women constantly fearing for their lives and bodies, and children wondering when their next meal would come."

If there was one thing that Valen couldn't accept, it was the fact that Leon had never suffered once in his life. The Hero he'd envisioned, the man he idolised, would have been a perfect figure that wouldn't be afraid to do evil just for the greater good.

And so, when he saw Leon, the wielder of Ascalon denounce his ideals, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"The Solaris Founder… He would have been ashamed of you."

"You know… I don't care about that."

Leon snorted, announcing his true feelings. They'd been comparing him to the legacies of the past Heroes for the longest time. What they'd accomplished and how he could measure up to them.

But Leon didn't care about that.

If there were one legacy he wanted to chase… it would be his own.

He wanted to become the best he could be and use his skills to save as many people as possible—just like his father did.

"You've been putting random expectations on me, just because you think I'm a shadow of your idol. But, I'm not your idol, and neither do I want to be him. The only reason I am here before you today, is because your blind faith has caused innocent lives to be lost."

"As usual, you're unbearably naive."

Valen's body roared into life. A dense grey Aura fog blinded Leon as the greatsword in the former governor's hands split into several iron shards. They floated above the Iron Count's head like shrapnel and oscillated around like a hive of bees.

It was the Iron Count's signature ability, and the one that gave him enough renown to take over an entire town even though he didn't have the requisite experience or background.

The Iron Rain.

Aura seeped into each of the broken iron shards, creating a menacing scene where at any given time, the shards would make their way into Leon's tender flesh, ripping him to smithereens from the inside out. Once Valen revealed this ability, the air became tense, and Alrock was ready to step in at any moment.

But, Leon remained calm.

Even after facing such a tremendous risk, the young Hero didn't feel fear, only conviction.

'If he's giving his all, it's only fitting that I do the same.'

Leon smiled and held Ascalon up high. The Aura Fire he created never extinguished once, instead, it gradually grew more assertive. At the same time, a blue Aura seeped from his inner soul, mixing with the golden light of Ascalon's fire.

For the first time, Leon would show the world what this generation's Hero could do and what he was all about. Fire and water mixed into a symphony of distinct light. The sharpnels that were floating overhead vibrated seemingly in fear, as the mana Leon emitted doubled in intensity.

Until finally… Leon raised Ascalon to the sky and declared:

"Summer Rain."