'What have we learned from this, Benign? Never tell a lie.'
Claiming to be a Protector was his first win within this realm, yet it returned to punish him, and not subtly.
The elf carried a tall steel polearm capped with a short knife. It made Benign's rod look like an insult.
His shoulders loosened. So much for 'special treatment.' There was definitely no god looking over him. As always, all was himself.
Leaning towards the elf girl, he asked in unfounded confidence. "I should hold back, right?"
She passed him a smile and nodded. "Please, hold back. He's just excited to duel a Protector."
The elf straightened himself. As his head lowered in what Benign registered quickly as a bow, the three figures around him were already a meter away from him.
Breeze from the movement still slapped across Benign's face, despite his distance, and pushed hair strands into his eyes. He blew them off, staring tiredly at the elf.
"Thank you for accepting the duel, Sir." The elf bellowed.
