Jacob awoke with a languorous yawn, he had slept better than he ever had in his ten years. The sun had peeked over the horizon and was pouring brightly into his room.
He stretched his body and got up out of his bed, the gifts he had attained the previous day were replaying in his mind like memories from a dream, he walked slowly to his bathroom and splashed some water on his face. He still couldn't completely get over his amazing looks, 'Still handsome,' he mused, smiling like a little boy.
Today was a special day, not just for Jacob but for the entire Ironfell clan, today was the day that the world would see the extent of his power, he was to duel with the genius of the Flying Macabre sect.
He quickly got prepared and walked out of his room, there was nothing holding him in there at the moment, so he got out as swiftly as possible. The halls were awash with servants and soldiers, lined up already, bowing to him as he moved gracefully past them.
He was soon joined by Xenia, who nodded her head as she met his gaze. "Good morning, Young master." She said, her voice like a calm breeze brushing his ears, "I trust you are well rested and ready for your battle today."
Jacob had on a black shirt and trousers, simple, but would allow him move effectively, "Definitely, Xenia," he replied, his eyes locked on the vast space beyond the castle, he could already see the Flying Macabre caravan arriving towards the castle.
'I wonder what this genius looks like, what his powers are.' He asked himself inwardly, then scoffed, realizing it didn't matter much as he was ready for whatever Savant decided to throw at him.
He arrived at the general hall, took in a deep breath and then they large doors swung open;
"Jacob!"
"There he is!"
"Ho Ho, Little critter."
His family was already there, awaiting his arrival, he pondered for a second on how they always got ready so early, but he didn't allow the thought disturb him for long.
He moved towards them slowly, Rhoarin and Alaric bent over and touched his shoulder.
"Are you ready son?" Alaric inquired, with a faint hint of uncertainty.
"Don't worry, dad, I'm prepared, I will not lose," Jacob responded.
"Haha, now that's my boy! A true Ironfell." Alaric roared, slapping Jacob on the back, a little too hard, he immediately performed an apologetic gesture, raising his hands as the boy winced and rubbed his back.
He left away from them and moved towards Elena and Esty, who immediately noticed how different he looked.
"My boy, did you get even more handsome overnight?" Elena asked with a surprised expression.
"What do you mean mom, I've always been handsome."
"He looks just like his grandfather when he was the same age," Esty added, warranting a dignified smile from Alaric.
"Don't forget in his father now, mother." Rhoarin cut in, almost pouting.
"I'll never forget dear." Esty replied sarcastically as everyone laughed.
The laughter lasted only a moment before Elena looked at Jacob seriously, "If that boy even tries anything funny, and I mean ANYTHING! Just call on me, I'll freeze him down to his bones." Elena told Jacob, her eyes almost glowing.
"I'll be fine mom, just watch."
It wasn't long before the caravan arrived and the entire family moved to the arena, where the fight would occur. Savant unmounted his carriage with a young boy, not a day over twelve, he had short brown hair and brown eyes, his lean physique made him look like he worked out every day of his life.
The arena was packed with spectators, Jacob expected an enclosed space, with not many people, but here they were, cheering and clapping like they were at a WWE match up.
The set up was much like the one they had during his awakening, except there was no Nexus Spirit Orb resting at the center, just a wide space that would allow the boys express themselves very aggressively.
Savant walked in with the boy and broke away from him, the games master had mounted on his position, it wasn't long before the fight would begin.
The crowd went silent, it wasn't everyday people got to see two natural born geniuses duel each other seriously.
Both boys walked up to either sides of the podium, standing on the edges.
"Coming up on my left, a genius from the Flying Macabre sect, born with enormous amounts of Qi, former heir of the Zorandal clan, Zaheer Zorandal!"
"Coming up on my right, the heir of the Ironfell clan, a natural born anomaly, many don't even understand the level of his power,Jacob Ironfell!"
They both stepped onto the podium and met each other's gaze.
The podium was at a reasonable distance from the crowd so even if the boys were talking, no one would hear them.
"Finally we get a chance to talk, I'm Jacob, you're Zaheer, it's nice to meet you." Jacob said with a smile.
"I'm not here for formalities, Jacob, I'm only here to defeat you."
'System, status update!'
"Defeat me? That's a little too harsh, and I thought we were starting to be friends."
"I have no interest in friendship." Zaheer growled.
"Wow, you're so stiff, let's play a game, you like games, don't you?"
"I am interested in your games." Zaheer responded.
"It's very simple, come at me with everything you have, if you land even a single hit, then you will be declared the winner," Jacob smiled.
"What?? you dare mock me?" Zaheer's eyes glowed, a bright white color.
"No no, just a little game, don't hold back."
With that said, Jacob grabbed his Earthly Spirit Blade, sparks of lightning surrounded him instantly as he held his stance, looking at his opponent intently.
'Excalibur? How cliche.' Jacob smiled.
The sword grew longer, its blade more defined, it had faint streaks of light on its edges.
For the first time since Zaheer arrived, he looked impatient, angry. Jacob smiled, he had achieved his goal.
Jacob could see the boy's Qi flow, and could tell from the flow of his Qi that at the age of twelve, the boy had mastered control of all four major elements.
Zaheer raised both his hands and slammed them into the ground, causing the earth to break apart, he then turned his fingers, the large pieces of rubble rose above the ground, suspended in air.
Zaheer sent every last piece of rock flying towards Jacob, just as they were about to hit him, the rock pieces turned into molten lava, boiling hot.
Jacob carefully imbued the sword with light and cut through the lava, the heat from the lava brushing past him as he watched it spill carelessly on the ground, creating holes in it, he remained unmoved from the spot.
Before he could even cut through the entirety of the lava attacks, Zaheer was already in the air, he raised his hand forming a huge fireball above him, and sent it crashing down towards Jacob.
'He better step it up soon.' Jacob mused.