Chapter 194
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The carriage carrying Zeke and Reina headed towards the Tourn family’s main house in Tempel.
The two looked in different directions without exchanging words.
Zeke glanced at Reina, recalling what she had said before boarding the carriage.
‘I will also challenge the Trial of Struggle.’
Though he knew Reina considered him a rival, he never expected she would challenge the Trial of Struggle alongside him.
Zeke was slightly taken aback by Reina’s unexpected response.
‘With Reina’s current skill level, the Trial of Struggle won’t be easy.’
From what Zeke remembered, in his past life, Reina challenged the Trial of Struggle after being promoted to Blue Knight.
He recalled how she became a hot topic by breaking through to the 50th floor in one go.
It was quite an impressive story since none of the knights her age even qualified to enter the Trial of Struggle, and few veteran knights had reached the 50th floor.
Zeke clicked his tongue internally while watching Reina silently meditating.
‘Well, Rex Tourn will filter her out anyway.’
The carriage carrying the two arrived at the Tourn family’s main house in awkward silence.
* * *
The Tourn family’s main house was called the ‘Hall of Warriors.’
True to its name, unlike other family houses, the largest building in the Tourn family’s main house was none other than the dueling arena.
Any knight from the Tourn family could showcase their skills in this arena.
The arena was always packed as there were always people wanting to duel.
And surprisingly, the person who used the dueling arena most frequently was none other than the Tourn family head, Rex Tourn.
“HAAAAAH!”
Three knights wielding raised great swords charged at a man standing straight with his arms crossed.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
A massive aura storm arose around the man.
In that moment, the standing man lowered his stance.
“HUP!”
The man held his breath and stomped the ground.
BOOM!
The incredibly solid arena floor shook as shockwaves spread out.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The three knights charging with great swords were pushed back by the shockwaves.
“UGHH!”
The knights thrown to the ground couldn’t get up again.
After a moment, the man approached the knights.
“We’ll stop here for today.”
The knights barely gathered themselves and knelt.
“Thank you for your guidance, Family Head!”
Surprisingly, those wielding great swords were Tourn family knights, and the unarmed man was none other than the Tourn family head, Rex Tourn.
He was dressed like a martial artist rather than a knight, and his face and entire arms were covered in rough scars.
Usually, Black Knights and family heads rarely show themselves in public.
This was because their very existence was nothing less than the most powerful strategic weapon.
But Rex Tourn, the Tourn family head, was different.
He was famous for being the least mysterious among Black Knights, willingly accepting duels even from regular knights if they were from the family.
Reina approached Rex Tourn’s location with Zeke after entering the arena.
She greeted Rex Tourn with a respectful posture.
“Reina Draker! Paying respects to the Tourn family head!”
Standing behind Reina and looking at Rex Tourn, Zeke genuinely admired him.
It was a perfect physique filled with solid muscles without a trace of openings.
Though both were Black Knights, he felt different from Arthur Draker.
‘Rather, he feels closer to the Sword King Bernas.’
Rex Tourn’s other name was the King of Combat.
Seeing Rex Tourn in person, he could tell that title truly suited the man.
Rex Tourn looked at Reina kneeling before him. Then he approached her.
Rex Tourn raised his hand swiftly.
He opened his mouth.
“Oh my! Our daughter is here! Did you come because you missed daddy?”
Rex Tourn hugged Reina tightly and kissed her cheek.
Reina made an expression of disgust at Rex Tourn’s behavior.
Then she said in a low voice.
“…Family Head. This is an official occasion.”
“This is our home, what official occasion?!”
Rex Tourn continued rubbing Reina’s cheeks vigorously.
Then Reina struck Rex Tourn’s solar plexus hard with her fist.
THUD!
“KUHEK.”
Reina whispered while grinding her teeth.
“Grr. Dad, I told you not to do this when other people are around.”
Rex Tourn quickly became subdued at his cute daughter’s fierce voice.
Watching this scene, Zeke could directly experience what he had only heard in rumors.
‘The Tourn family’s love for their bloodline is extraordinary.’
The Tourn family had uniquely strong bonds between blood relatives.
If any family member was attacked or ambushed outside, the Tourn family would chase the perpetrators to the ends of the continent for revenge.
This was why Tourn family members had historically served as commanders of the Pursuit Corps, the most notorious unit in Draker.
Zeke approached Rex Tourn, who was bickering with Reina.
“I, Zeke Draker, pay my respects to Lord Rex Tourn, head of the Tourn family.”
Rex Tourn turned his head slightly and looked at Zeke.
He looked down at him with a completely different attitude than how he treated Reina.
“Zeke Draker. Arthur’s son.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
Rex Tourn observed Zeke carefully and said with a stern expression.
“You look more like your mother than your father.”
Surprised by those words, Zeke raised his lowered head and asked.
“You knew my mother?”
Rex Tourn replied with an incredulous expression.
“Arthur didn’t tell you? Well… he’s not the type to talk about such things. When we were young, Arthur, Laura, Ramon, and I… though it was brief, the four of us traveled around the continent searching for ancient mysteries.”
The heads of Draker and Tourn families, the head of Jiemens family, and Zeke’s mother Laura Agamemnon.
This was the first time Zeke had heard they had adventured together.
‘Though I’m curious, that’s not what’s important right now.’
“Thank you for sharing that unknown story.”
“Yes, so what brings you here?”
Zeke composed himself and said to Rex Tourn.
“Family Head, I wish to challenge the Trial of Struggle.”
Rex Tourn’s eyebrows twitched at Zeke’s words.
Suddenly, tremendous pressure emanated from his body and pressed down on Zeke.
Zeke realized this power was similar to the formless force used by Arthur Draker and Hoshgar.
‘Is this power unique to Black Knights?’
Rex showed an interested expression when Zeke withstood his aura.
He opened his mouth towards Zeke.
“You say you’ll challenge the Trial of Struggle. Are you prepared?”
Zeke spoke in a resolute voice.
“Yes.”
That’s when it happened.
Reina, who was beside him, shouted towards Rex Tourn.
“I will challenge it too!”
Rex Tourn was startled by Reina’s sudden words.
“W-what? You fool! What are you suddenly saying?!”
“I will also take the Trial of Struggle. Please allow me.”
Rex Tourn shook his head while looking at the suddenly stubborn Reina.
“Reina, you’re not ready yet.”
Then Reina spoke while grinding her molars.
“Are you saying Zeke Draker can but I cannot?”
Rex Tourn thought for a moment and nodded.
“That’s right.”
At Rex Tourn’s cold words, sparks flew from Reina’s eyes.
She slowly raised her head and drew her sword.
“The Tourn bloodline never backs down. That’s what I was taught.”
Seeing Reina draw her sword, Rex Tourn sighed softly and nodded while raising his fist.
“Reina, if that’s your true heart. I’ll accept. I won’t go easy just because you’re my daughter!”
“That’s what I want!”
“Good! Come at me like a bull that never stops charging!”
WOONG! WOONG! WOONG!
A strong sword cry rang from Reina’s sword.
Her body became a flash of light as she flew towards Rex Tourn.
Zeke could see traces of the Flash Technique in Reina’s movements.
‘As expected of a genius. To think she’s already created her own application technique.’
If asked to pick the most skilled among the Five Star Knights, Zeke would choose Reina without hesitation.
The only talent comparable to hers would probably be Felix, who received the Aura Legacy from Arch Paladin.
Reina’s sword flew like lightning towards Rex Tourn.
Rex Tourn blocked Reina’s sword with his bare arm.
BANG!
Yet it made a sound like a sword clashing with armor.
“UGH!”
Reina was thrown back from the collision with Rex Tourn and rolled on the ground.
“HUFF… HUFF…”
Reina barely got up but couldn’t properly grip her sword with trembling hands.
At her level as a Purple Knight, even facing a Black Knight was no easy task.
An ordinary knight would have dropped their sword unable to breathe properly.
After a while, Reina finally acknowledged her defeat.
“I will follow Family Head’s words.”
Rex Tourn nodded at those words.
“A wise bull must know when to stop and look in the right direction! Reina Draker! I’ve seen your skills well! Excellent! Continue to improve further!”
Though they seemed only strict, the Tourn family was surprisingly generous with praise.
It was certainly different from Draker’s cold, strict, and calculating atmosphere.
As a dejected Reina stepped back, Rex Tourn turned towards Zeke.
“Zeke Draker. Are you unwavering in your choice to take the test?”
“Yes.”
Rex nodded at Zeke’s words.
Then he shouted.
“Bring the sword!”
Reina behind was startled at those words.
‘Dad is going to use a sword?’
It was extremely rare for Rex Tourn to use a sword in duels.
He only wielded a sword in real duels, not training.
This meant that the Tourn family head acknowledged Zeke, who wasn’t even of age yet, as a real duel opponent.
Soon attendants brought Rex Tourn’s sword.
It was a crude integrated sword with the handle and blade formed as one piece.
The blade surface was full of nicks and scars, showing traces of time.
Rex Tourn easily lifted with one hand the heavy sword that required three attendants to carry.
WHOOSH!
Swinging his sword, he said to Zeke.
“Zeke Draker. If you can withstand one strike from me, I’ll permit you to enter the Trial of Struggle.”
To those words, Zeke said to Rex Tourn.
“I have one request, Family Head.”
“You’re not going to say you won’t take the test now.”
“No. If I go beyond receiving one strike and my sword touches you, please grant me one favor.”
Rex Tourn’s eyebrows twitched at Zeke’s words.
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
Zeke nodded and said.
“It means I could die from your sword, Family Head.”
“You’ll still do it knowing that? How foolish.”
“Will you hear my request?”
Rex Tourn looked at Zeke’s firm attitude and said.
“What favor makes you risk your life?”
Zeke looked straight into Rex Tourn’s eyes and said.
“I want to hear about my mother.”
Rex Tourn’s eyes wavered for a moment.
After a while, an ominous aura rose from his sword.
Rex Tourn said while looking at Zeke.
“…Zeke Draker. I accept your request.”
“Thank you.”
Zeke also took his stance holding Bahamut.
It was the basic stance of Dragon Slaying Technique, not Wind Storm Technique.
WOONG!
Aura waves clashed between Zeke and Rex Tourn.
Neither had formed Aura Blade on their swords yet.
That’s when it happened.
As the waves broke, Zeke charged first.
Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form
Chapter 7 Verse 1
Dragon Head Slash
A sword strike containing the mysteries of True Dragon Sword, the origin of Dragon Slaying Technique, flew towards Rex Tourn.
Then, Rex Tourn also sprang forward with his sword.
Tourn-style Dragon Slaying Technique
Charge Technique
Bull Horn Strike
The heavy sword flew in, penetrating the opening of the charging Zeke.
BANG!
When Zeke’s sword and Rex Tourn’s sword collided, it made a sound like an explosion.
Aura waves spread throughout the vast dueling arena.
Reina watched their duel with wide eyes.
‘How could this be..?.’
She could directly feel the skill difference between herself and Zeke Draker.
That’s when it happened.
WOONG!
Zeke’s body, locked in swords with Rex Tourn, wavered hazily.
The Shifting Phantom, an advanced technique of the Phantom step from Wind Storm Technique, unfolded.
SWOOSH!
Zeke’s figure disappeared.
But Rex didn’t panic.
THUD!
He swung his sword toward the blind spot.
CRACK!
Rex Tourn’s sword struck not Zeke but the surging arena floor.
Zeke had used Shifting phantom and lifted the floor to block Rex’s view.
Simultaneously, Zeke revealed himself from another blind spot.
Woong!
Zeke’s sword created fierce vibrations.
At the same time, the first secret technique of True Dragon Sword activated.
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