Valerian, The Legendary

239 Underestimated.

The day passed and in the morning Libra decided to find Valerian for a sparring session but he was unsuccessful. He looked at the guard outside the Prince’s room and asked, “Where did the Prince go at such an early hour?”

The guard bowed his head and replied, “Your Excellency, the prince has been spending his nights in the training field. He often does not come back and practices there.”

Libra nodded and without caring about anything he made his way to the training ground, on the way he met his Daughter-in-law. He was surprised by her distressed face. She was so lost in her thoughts as she stood outside that she did not even notice his arrival.

Libra asked, “Princess Adele, what happened to you?”

The girl was startled by his sudden appearance and ended up in tears. The Emperor became flustered and the lady said, “Your Excellency, please save Ignis, he will not last for long.”

Libra opened his eyes wide and asked, “What happened?”

Adele did not say anything and just pointed her finger in the direction of the training field. Libra did not ask much and picked up his pace. Fragrantia did tell him that Valerian intended to train Ignis, but the first prince only returned last night, so how could he be at the training ground?

Libra passed a barrier of soldiers and arrived at the training ground. What he saw there stunned him, Valerian was running around Ignis, and he was shooting wind blades and earth balls at Ignis. The fire mage was not returning spells but moving his body.

Valerian said, “Concentrate on channeling your mana in your legs. You are being too wasteful. Your mana is precious. The opponent will not let you have the time to restore yourself. Why are you not moving closer to me? Do you not see the gap in the attacks? Your Highness, I am yet to fight at my best.”

.....

His tone was calm but it sounded like a slap grating against the ears. He was literally goading Ignis into getting angry. Suddenly the attack stopped, and Valerian sighed as he walked over to Ignis. The first prince was exhausted and he was panting his mana was spent. Although his body was covered in scratches and bruises, he was not harmed seriously.

Valerian conjured a ball of water and poured it in over Ignis. The water gradually vaporized. Libra walked over in a hurry and asked, “What is going on here?”

Valerian bowed to the man, while Ignis sat down on the ground. The former replied, “Training his highness to use mana to boost his physical body and face against a warrior or a battlemage.”

Libra was surprised and asked, “Do you mean this is possible?”

Valerian nodded and said, “However, it comes with a certain risk.”

“Like what?”, asked Libra.

Valerian replied, “Every attribute has a side effect when used too much. Like right now, the fire attribute overheated the body to the point where it can melt. That’s why the splash of water.”

Libra asked, “I see, what are the chances that he will master this technique?”

Valerian sighed and said, “It is too soon to say anything, we only started in the morning, so if he can manage to take one step while using this technique, then he might make it up and if he failed, then we will give up on this.”

Libra nodded, and replied, “Fine, how long before he can do it again?”

Valerian looked at Ignis and said, “Umm, an hour or two. Oh, Fortuna, call Sister-in-law. She can take care of him.”

Fortuna snorted and left the place to call Adele. Libra said, “Come, spar with me.”

Valerian did not act surprised and said, “Let me help him to the side first.”

Libra nodded and then he helped Ignis to the side. Soon, Adele came back, and when she saw her husband sitting at the side, she was relieved. She wanted to scold that sunny boy who apprehended her husband, but she found Valerian standing in the center, facing The Emperor.

Libra said, “You can use all your skills to the fullest. Come at me.”

Valerian sighed and said, “Are you sure you can handle me like that?”

Libra nodded and smirked, “You look down on me, child.”

Valerian did not say anything and took out a pair of daggers from his magic pouch. Libra looked at him and took out his long sword. Libra stood at a height of slightly taller than two meters, when he held the sword, his aura changed.

This man was no longer the docile and genial emperor of the nation, he was a warrior raging for battle. Valerian smirked and said, “I seemed to have misunderstood you, Your Excellency.”

He put back his daggers and took out his sword. He looked at Adele and said, “Sister-in-law, you tell us when to start.”

Adele was surprised, while Ignis was watching the field with great interest. It was the first time he saw his father like this. Adele gulped and said, “Start.”

Valerian and Libra vanished from their spots and appeared in the center of the field. They both did not hold back and fought with all they had. Their weapons clashed, but instead of a clang, a slice sounded.

Valerian’s sword was cleanly cut in half by Libra’s blade, however, the boy was not at the losing end, he moved fast, and appeared behind Libra while dodging the incoming blade. His eyes allowed him to see the trajectory of the blade, and then the battle aura augmenting his muscles combined with his mana pushed him forward.

The boy grappled Libra’s waist and lifted the man up, Valerians back arched and he slammed Libra onto the ground with a thud.

The scene surprised everyone, however, Libra had let go of his sword and was using his hands to support his weight. He let out a grunt and the battle aura from his body repulsed Valerian, forcing him to let go of his grip. The two quickly stood up, and Libra said, “I underestimated you too, kid.”