Koji arrived with Cecilia to the yard--there stood the kids, the children who witnessed the ever so traumatizing crisis just a couple days ago, except the mood had already changed, why? Because everyone was excited for the duels! Although the children, in every way possible--were absolutely horribly affected by an event of such disgust, they had already discovered a way to get over it. When the children heard of the competition, their spirits immediately brightened--well, for what reason would this be?
Because these kids, all of them were raised by fathers and mothers who were Transcendents, and all Transcendents were warriors. Being exposed to warriors for so long, it is no wonder they had a thirst for dueling others; they all wanted to go home and let their parents know how well they did, and prove how strong they are!
Currently, the kids were standing in a line; the line was formed by going from oldest to youngest; the oldest kids would go first to get their swords, and the youngest last; this was because the older kids would be fighting first, and the younger ones last.
The competition would go as such: A fights B, and A wins; in this case, A will move on. For the second fight, C and D will battle--say C wins, then C will move onto fight A; one can already imagine how this goes, as it is a very simple concept.
"Ugh man, this line stinks! Ecchi the Extravagant shall skip the line, slay the head of the demon lord and save the princess Ms. Cecilia!"
Ecchi spoke valiantly as he raised his arm up in the air grasping at the sky; clearly, his mom or father had bought him a fantasy kids book...
"Uh, so Ecchi; serious question, are you good with a sword?"
Ecchi froze in place, then slowly turned his head towards Koji and looked him dead in the eyes for a full three seconds before responding.
"You dare ask the conqueror, the devourer--the amazing, the entertaining, the king--the Ming, Ecchi--if he is good with a sword!?"
'Uhm... Is Ming even a word?'
Koji looked at Ecchi oddly at his dramatic act, and waited for him to give another response; honestly, it would be useless to respond to Ecchi's behavior, as he would just keep going.
"Eh? Well, I'll have you know--oh, and by the way Kingsman Koji! It is King Ecchi to you, you hear? Anyways, I am absolutely beautiful with a sword, the wind flows with my body as my sword swings just as the snake lashes at it's prey--my sword dances as if the wind itself was carrying it towards my target! My feet move as the grass guides me through it's deep trails!"
Ecchi made extremely dramatic hand movements, and also was crouching; by the end he was peeking up at Koji through the gap of both of his arms while he was crouching, as if he thought he was a ninja.
"Well that's nice, I hope you win your first fight today."
Koji casually responded despite Ecchi's erratic behavior, and that was due to him being used to it by now for the most part.
"Well Koji, you must hope that your first fight shall not be against me! As I do not hold back, even if you are my Kingsman; the example shall be set, for a follower shall never challenge the leader!"
However, before Koji could respond Ecchi went dead silent and his face went serious as he looked around; then, he slowly crept closer to Koji and whispered in his ear.
"Shh, don't let this out but I begged Ms. Cecilia, and she will pat my head if I win!"
Koji, in truth didn't care much--though he was pretty surprised Cecilia agreed to do such a thing.
'She really agreed to that? That's surprising....'
His gaze fell upon Ecchi, who was now smiling viciously like he already knew he was going to win the whole contest.
'He really is confident, well I guess I hope he wins.... No! I must win, and make him stop calling me Kingsman. Yes, in fact--I will have Ms. Cecilia pat my head instead...'
The person handing out wooden swords was not Cecilia, but a short, old man who must have been someone from the city willing to provide for the kids training; Koji's eyes searched and found Cecilia walking around smiling at the kids--obviously, keeping her distance from Ecchi; though, that wouldn't last for long.
"Ms. Cecilia! Ms. Cecilia!"
Koji called out to Cecilia while waving his hand and smiling like he had an innocent question; however, his question wasn't exactly what he made it out to be.
Cecilia hesitated but walked over to Koji, still worried that Ecchi may say something; however, if Koji had an important question, she would not be someone to ignore it.
"Ecchi, stay quiet--anyways Koji, what is it?"
Koji smiled up at Ms. Cecilia, and then asked his question.
"Ecchi said that if he won, then he would get headpats! I think I should have the opportunity too!"
At that, Cecilia's face turned to shock--her green eyes reflected Koji's bright smile as her brows slightly furrowed, but she quickly relaxed.
"Well... Uhm sure Koji..."
"Thank you Ms. Cecilia!"
After that, Cecilia walked away and Koji turned to Ecchi--who indeed, was fuming in anger like he had just been completely betrayed.
"Kingsman Koji! I said keep it quiet, yet you betray me like this.... What is a knight who betrays his own King? No honor!!! Truly, devilish you are!"
Ecchi's red hair waved around in the air as he angrily spoke, and he looked like he was going to pounce at Koji--though quickly, his smile reformed.
"Actually, it is okay that such a filthy knight like you thinks you can challenge his own King! How funny, the princess shall never fall for a lowlife such as you. The princess, in all her glory--yes, she will only be the Kings!"
Koji was slightly confused at what Ecchi was saying, and truthfully all he wanted to do was laugh; this kid, he was the funniest person alive!
'Eh? Wait, how does he have such a vocabulary at nine? I guess he must read a lot then. Maybe I should ask, I'm bored by now anyways, I may as well.'
Koji thought for a moment, and then spoke up to Ecchi--who indeed, was still smiling confidently.
"So Ecchi, do you read a lot?'
Ecchi's eyes slightly sparkled with sincere interest In Koji's question, and he slightly calmed down as he answered.
"Yes, Ecchi does read indeed. In fact, I have started a new journey into a story not too long ago! The story of the King and his 15 wives; ah yes, though I must hide it from my parents, I still enjoy it."
'Uh... I guess he's into harems?'
"So you're into harem stories then?"
Ecchi's eyes widened instantly, and he instantly started to deny Koji's implication.
"No! No! Simply, one of the women in the story is described to look like Ms. Cecilia, so I am reading it."
However, before Koji could respond again--it was now his turn to get a sword.
Finally, the battle would be starting soon for him.
Meanwhile, some of the other kids had already fought and were exhausted; Koji's chances weren't very good as he was so young and without experience; these other kids may have little experience, but at least they had some--well, any experience compared to Koji.
"Well kid, here's your sword!"