Chapter 157: Mock Battles

Mock Battles

’Well this is definitely better than whatever Dorian wanted to give me initially.’ Xander thought as he closely inspected his new cloak. It looked the same as what Dorian offered, however, when he tested it, he found out that it was simply... better.

It had all the traits of the cloak Dorian offered, but at a far higher level. And thinking about it, it was actually appropriate for the current him, as even while what Dorian offered wasn’t bad, saying it could survive the sort of battles he fought would be a long stretch, let alone actually providing meaningful protection.

But this cloak that Bellion gave him was far more effective.

Which made him wary.

’Ordinarily, I’d have said that an Archmage wouldn’t stoop so low as to tamper with something like this... But it’s Bellion we’re talking about so I wouldn’t put it past him at all.’ Xander grimaced internally.

He looked at Mia and Mary who were in his room and asked.

"What do you guys reckon? Am I liable to spontaneously combusting at an inappropriate time if I wore this?" He asked only half-jokiningly.

Mary tilted her head and squinted slightly, then she shook it.

"I’m unable to observe anything problematic with it, Milord. However, I have little hope of deciphering something created by an Archmage, especially if it’s made to be hidden." She replied and Xander nodded, unsurprised.

"It’s fine." He then turned to Mia who just looked up from his bed and gave the cloak a lazy glance, then she let her head fall back and said.

"There’s a dormant tracking beacon hidden among the numerous formations that give the cloak it’s properties. The moment you step out of this dimension, it will activate and broadcast your position to everyone within a large radius. Most likely assassin groups. There is also a listening spell embedded, similarly dormant." Xander’s eye twitched.

Yup, not surprised at all.

He sighed and folded the cloak over one arm.

"You think you could remove it?" He asked, but she just pointed at Keir who was asleep on a pillow.

"Removing the two spells won’t adversely affect the rest of the enchantments on the cloak. Just ask Keir to do it." Xander turned to the sleeping dragon and walked over, Mary simply looking ahead silently.

"Hey, Keir." Xander said in a low voice while gently prodding the dragon. After a few seconds, he stirred and turned his head to Xander without opening him eyes.

"Hm...?" He hummed sleepily.

"Think you can remove the two bad enchantments on this cloak? Mia can show you exactly what they are if you can’t find them easily." He asked, and Keir opened a single eye to stare at the cloak folded Xander’s arm.

After a few seconds, he inhaled slightly before exhaling, and a tuft of black fire left his mouth and engulfed the cloak. Xander didn’t panic as the flames completely ignored him, and the cloak also didn’t burn, but there was the distinct sound of something getting shattered as a moment later, the flames receded.

"Done." Keir hummed and closed his eyes again. Xander briefly rubbed his head in thanks and looked at the cloak for a bit before deciding to wear it.

He stood still for a few seconds, then his body seemed to gradually turn transparent.

"How is it?" Xander asked even though his body wasn’t visible.

"It’s definitely of a superior grade. I can still ascertain your position if I concentrate a bit, but many wouldn’t be able to see you, Milord." Mary gave an affirmative answer, and the invisibility was canceled as Xander nodded in satisfaction.

"Guess I’ll be wearing this for the foreseeable future." He hummed and looked at himself in the mirror.

When the hood of the cloak was down, he sort of resembled a famous nobleman who traveled often. The hilt of Abscinde peaked just a bit from beneath the fabric as well, so it was still obvious what path he followed.

It was then that a knock sounded on the door, and Xander went to open it. There, he saw the other three standing, obviously waiting for him.

They saw his new appearance, and Curtis whistled.

"Looking good dude." He gave a thumbs up, and Xander smiled.

"Isn’t that gonna piss off like... everyone from the Mage Tower if they see you wearing that though? I mean, I understand Archmage Bellion gave it to you directly, but like, you’re basically rocking the proof that your philosophy is on par with theirs." Falael tilted her head, and Aubrey was the one to respond.

"Considering he basically declared an ideological war in front of the crown himself... I’m pretty sure this is just the cherry on top." She shook her head. "Anyway, you gonna come? It’s about to start soon." Xander nodded and looked at the other people in the room.

Mia hopped off his bed and snapped her fingers, causing the asleep Keir to appear on her shoulder, while Mary stepped forward, standing behind him dutifully.

"Yup, let’s go." He hummed.

As for what they were going for?

Well, it was the next event for the day, meant to take place during the afternoon.

Mock battles between the forces those attending brought with them. Specifically, the knights.

It was a bit lame, but essentially, due to the hard cap conventional knights faced in their journeys of strength, they were often treated as entertainment for the Nobility. The situation remained the same now as the invitees who wanted their people to participate picked their best knights to join the mock battles.

The group soon left the main Palace and, under the lead of a servant, we’re taken to the back of the Palace were a large arena could be seen. Sounds of chatter and faint cheering could be heard as the group entered also entered the arena.

Xander found that it sort of resembled a colosseum with the circular shape and arches, and the higher one sat, the more noble their status, and it was the opposite the lower they sat.

Xander and co were led to an upper middle seat, and once again, many gazes fell on them as all sorts of intents intertwined. However, unlike before, there was one prevalent intent beyond the hostility many showed.

Wariness.

Their group was no longer just anomalous. No, they now represented a real threat to the established systems of the Kingdom, and they could no longer be taken lightly.

Xander looked around, and towards the top of the seat, he finally saw the figure of King Hemlock seated, and besides him, a mature, beautiful woman in royal attire could be seen. Her features were soft, and they reminded him of the delicate features of Felicia. She looked a lot like her, too, but rather than blue, her hair was an Onyx black, and her eyes were an earthy brown.

’The Queen.’ Xander noted as he saw the figures of Archmages Irene and Finn behind the two rulers. He then swept his gaze to the side and saw that in a separate booth, Xavier and Bellion sat, though they were pointedly not talking to each other.

There was then another booth right next to the one where the rulers sat, but it was fully private as only a layer of opaque glass could be seen, yet he caught sight of a familiar set of intents from it aimed at him along with several hostile ones.

’Felicia and presumably her siblings.’ Xander finally retracted his gaze and looked down into the actual arena.

There was a raised platform made of a special stone Xander assumed was very durable, and on it, two knights were already going at it, the sounds of weapons clashing and elements being thrown around.

One knight wielded two broad swords and swung them around wildly, the blades covered in a cold blue light as he heavily pressured his opponent who held a simple longsword and shield. The shield was dented in numerous places, and the Knight was barely holding on as his teeth were gritted behind his helmet.

It looked like an impressive bout as those watching would occasionally cheer, however, Aubrey, Curtis, Falael, and Mary all glanced at Xander simultaneously, and to no one’s surprise, he was watching the fight with a tight expression, like the way the knights were fighting physically pained him.

"Terrible. All of it is terrible. No stance, no structure to the swings. The guy with the shield keeps blocking instead of parrying, why wouldn’t he be on the backfoot like this? And the guy with the two swords... that’s just not practical at all. The number of openings he’s leaving is disgusting. He should be dead by now. But the other guy can’t capitalize on it because he’s equally bad. Oh my God!" Xander facepalmed, causing the others to sigh.

Xander was a very composed and calculative individual. But evidently, he seemed to feel something close to physical pain whenever he saw people unable to use swordsmanship properly.

"No wonder people call them brutes. Ugh, so many wasted movements. My eyes." He buried his face in his hands. His dramatic reactions obviously caught the attention of some as they were currently focusing on him, and this caused some dissatisfaction, but no one dared to actually go and refute him... because he had proved himself more than qualified to make such judgements.

Fortunately, the duel soon came to an end. Unsurprisingly, the one dual wielding swords came out on top after forcing his opponent into a corner and making him lose his footing. The latter surrendering before he could test just how defensive his helmet truly was.

"You can look up now, you drama queen." Falael said, and Xander finally looked up from his hands, his face a grimace.

"Do I have to sit through all of this?" He asked, and they found him to look almost petulant like this. Curtis thought it was amusing while the girls thought it looked adorable.

Aubrey cleared her throat to hide her slightly pink cheeks and pointed at the arena.

"Well, one of the Lowell Knights are stepping up, so you might want to watch this one." Xander sat at attention upon hearing that, and he looked towards the arena to see that, indeed, one of the Lowell knights was stepping unto the arena, and opposite him, a knight from one of the nobles attending this event also came onto the arena.

Xander’s expression relaxed as he exhaled while leaning into his seat.

"Okay, then. Maybe it won’t be so painful to watch."