Royal City Tournament

The next day, I woke up and instinctively checked my body and limbs, confirming I was still Leivo. 🐙☢ ♣☢

I didn't call Nora and Noviya. I dressed myself, washed up, and went to the dining hall. Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, I finished breakfast and headed to the royal palace with Fili again.

There was a training ground in the palace where everyone had agreed to gather yesterday. However, while my three uncles were all present, only one brother had shown up. Just as I was wondering what was going on, the King spoke:

"Upholding the virtue of humility, two candidates have voluntarily forfeited the competition. Therefore, today's victor will be decided between Leivo and Andy. The winner will accompany General Garen to the Dauntless Vanguard legion for training and become a hero spoken of for generations, as Sage Tabor foretold. I declare the competition to begin!"

Amidst cheers from the crowd, Andy and I changed into our armor and stepped onto the training ground. Originally, the goal was just not to come in last, but now it had turned into a duel between two people:

Losing meant losing honor, winning meant a precarious life.

This situation was completely unexpected, and Andy's expression showed he felt the same. He hadn't expected the other two to forfeit either.

The subsequent battle was even more surprising. We took our stances, probing each other, neither willing to attack first.

I wasn't attacking because I lacked confidence in my swordsmanship. But I'd heard Andy's swordsmanship was exceptional; why wasn't he attacking either?

I couldn't figure it out, so I tentatively lunged a sword towards his chest. To my surprise, he didn't dodge at all and was directly hit on his chest guard, conceding defeat!

He had deliberately lost, just to avoid war!

It seemed that between life and honor, they had all chosen life. Just as the referee was about to announce my victory, a young man suddenly ran over and shouted:

"What kind of competition is this! How can someone chosen like this save Demacia? I demand to fight him!"

The young man looked about seventeen or eighteen, clad in gleaming golden armor. The iconic spear in his hand revealed his identity: Prince Jarvan IV!

Perhaps everyone thought the same, as the crowd erupted in support upon seeing the Prince charge forward. The King had no choice but to relent:

"Child, you don't understand swordsmanship, how will you compete?"

"I don't understand the rapier, but I wield a spear! We don't need to be bound by rules; we can fight however we want until one side concedes!"

"Insolence! What's the difference between this and the barbaric and brutal Noxian arenas?"

The King was somewhat angered by the proposal, but the Prince was undeterred: "What rules are there in war? We aren't here to perform, but to kill! Please, agree!"

At this point, and with the Prince's words being perfectly reasonable, the King had no choice but to agree, even if he was unwilling. He turned to me:

"Leivo, do you agree? Don't force yourself. If you agree, we'll fight; if not, you are still the victor."

I didn't want to cause any more trouble, but refusing without even fighting would seem too cowardly, and it would be a disservice to Fiora for teaching me swordsmanship so diligently yesterday.

"I agree."

Upon hearing my answer, the crowd below expressed their approval, saying I hadn't brought shame to the Laurent Family. The Prince, however, wore a look of disdain, as if victory was already assured.

Since the competition wouldn't involve swordsmanship, there was no need for pretense. I stood properly again, crouching low and intently watching the Prince.

His spear looked very heavy. I didn't need to face him head-on. Once his strength was mostly depleted, an opportunity to attack would naturally arise.

With that thought, I focused on dodging his attacks. Occasionally probing with my sword didn't require much effort. The Prince clearly hadn't expected me to fight this way, and soon he was panting heavily, glaring at me fiercely:

"Coward!"

"Wearing down the enemy is also a tactic. You said it yourself: we aren't here to perform; everything is for victory!"

The Prince was furious and suddenly swung his spear towards me, assuming a aiming posture.

From this distance, he shouldn't have been able to adopt such a stance. Could he be... preparing to use his EQ combo?

It doesn't matter; I know you too well!

As expected, the moment I prepared myself, a chain shot out!

The spearhead at the end of the chain firmly embedded itself in the ground behind me. Then, the Prince rotated his spear, the chain rapidly tightening and pulling him in a sweeping motion towards me!

I jumped vertically to the side, narrowly dodging the attack. If I hadn't been mentally prepared, I would have been hit for sure!

After this attack, the Prince had no strength left. I turned back and placed my sword at his throat:

"You lose!"

Some in the crowd cheered, while others criticized. I had won in a rather messy fashion, and my constant dodging wasn't exactly glorious. But a winner is a winner. The referee raised my hand, announcing my qualification to join the Dauntless Vanguard legion.

I understood that for the people of Demacia, this was the highest honor, even more glorious than joining the King's army!

At the same time, I yearned for training. I didn't want to remain unproductive in this world, especially with such an excellent platform as the Laurent Family!

Jarvan picked up his spear and silently left the field. As he passed by me, he even said, "Congratulations."

Afterward, Garen walked up and awarded me a set of military uniform and a Dauntless Vanguard badge. It was a rectangular metal piece, engraved with the Wings of Freedom in the center.

Once the awarding ceremony was complete, I returned to Fili's side and found a beautiful young lady standing next to him – it was Lux.

"Congratulations, Leivo! Now you're a soldier of the Dauntless Vanguard legion. How enviable!"

"You flatter me, Miss Luxanna. Your brother is the true warrior; I must learn from him."

"Don't call me that, just call me Lux. All my friends do."

"It's a great honor!"

Back home, everyone was happy except Fiora. She had privately cautioned me more than once: "When encountering danger, prioritize your own life above all else." I naturally agreed wholeheartedly and used my perceived weakness as an excuse to learn swordsmanship from her.

Of course, my real intention was to spend more time with her, like a boy deeply in love, with every action aimed at deepening their mutual impression.

How could Fiora possibly know her brother's ulterior motives?