My Adventures In Philia

2. A Match Between Rivals

Speed walking through the swarming crowd, I finally arrived at the park where I assumed the fight would take place. As much as it should be none of my business, I wanted to look at this match to see who exactly is brawling.

Rolling hills of soft green grass stretched across the park with a few trees planted on the sides, paths of andesite spread out in different directions and a smooth platform in the center of the park where there is an overwhelming mass of people gathered around. It seems like the match has already gone underway.

As I approached closer to the crowd, the clashing of a sword and the whooshing of arrows flying were ringing in my ears. The bustling group of citizens surrounded the fight, watching in awe and wonder, blocking my field of vision as their bodies towered over me.

I tried to peek through their shoulders to get a good look at the fight even though there was no prevail. Switching to stand on my toes, I was able to catch a glimpse of the match.

My eyes widened as my mouth hung open in shock.

How is this possible? I thought such a thing was not allowed but despite that, who in their right mind would give weapons to children?

Never in my life have I encountered adventurers who are children. They are commonly seen playing in the streets or spending time with their loved ones, not wielding weapons and fighting each other with them.

What if they found those weapons from another adventurer and stole them to use as toys? But no- I doubt anyone would let their weapons get stolen. Unless these children are little thieves of some sort. If so, then a royal guard would've taken notice and put an end to this match.

My ocean-blue eyes looked around the park for a royal guard but there are none in sight.

As I found myself focused back on the match, two girls were landing blows and dodging attacks. They seemed to be well familiar with the weapons they use but I think noticed a few flaws in each of their fighting abilities. But for children like them, it is pretty impressive.

The shorter one swung a short sword toward the tall skinny girl right before she jumped backward and pulled out a longbow, ready to shoot with two sharp feathered arrows in her hand.

With the arrows in place, she shot the tipped arrows as they were soaring to the sword-kid who sidestepped away, dodging the arrows as they landed on the ground before lunging towards the little archer with the sword in tow.

She raised the sword in the air, ready to strike with a battle cry until the little archer leaned backward, avoiding the sharp blade, and was able to catch herself using both of her hands.

I swore I caught a small smirk written on her face before she kicked the sword out of the sword-kid's grip as it spiraled in mid-air. That trick caught her off guard as the little archer quickly got back on her feet and was already ready to shoot another arrow.

In sheer panic, the sword-kid shrieked before ducking down just in time before the arrow was shot.

At that moment, I felt everything going in slow motion as I watched the arrow fly, however my eyes lay on where it's heading, towards another kid within the crowd. I couldn't stand aside any longer.

Without a moment to lose, I shoved through the crowd while muttering apologies left and right before sprinting in haste to stop the gliding arrow. Taking out my magic staff that is strapped from my back, I quickly cast a spell under my breath and slammed the end of the staff on the ground.

Almost instantly, a tall wall of thick solid ice emerged following a trail of cold air.

The ice shielded the boy from the arrow as it impaled into the wall, finally coming to a stop.