Together 2

29. Test

"Conditions?" Xiao Zhan asked his father. "Yes. Before I give you permission, I want to see with my own eyes whether you have achieved the skills to become a knight." Xiao Jianmin replied. "I'm giving you ten days. Defeat Sir Yi Zhou in a duel." "Father. Sir Yi Zhou is one of the best swordsmen in the country. And it's only been half a year since I started learning the sword." "All the more reason to defeat Sir Yi Zhou!"

Xiao Jianmin sighed and held his forehead. "It's against the imperial law for omegas to join the guild and become swordsmen, even male omegas. If you join the army, I can no longer guarantee your safety. You becoming a knight is not an obstacle you can overcome easily." Xiao Zhan looked at his father. 'If I do this, Zhan will give up.' Xiao Jianmin thought.

"So, if I defeat Sir Yi Zhou, you will no longer be against it?" Xiao Zhan asked, making Xiao Jianmin pause for a moment before answering. "Yes. I will respect your wishes." "I accept. Then please excuse me." Xiao Zhan bowed to his father before leaving the room, making Xiao Jianmin sigh. 'There's no way... do you really think you can win?'

***

For the next seven days, Xiao Zhan trained himself rigorously. He tried to awaken his mana through theory, rigorous training and even life crisis situations. He even used the green jewel in his necklace. But he couldn't even feel the 'ma' in mana. "You damn underworld bastard Hua Cheng! You said I could choose any talent I wanted God damn it!!" 'Sir Yi Zhou's physical and mental strength and experience can't be compared to mine. All I have is a sword to beat him.'

Suddenly, Xiao Zhan remembered Duke Wang Yibo's words. 'Hesitating isn't like you.' 'I'm not hesitating.' Xiao Zhan thought. "I'll keep going until it works! Or I die trying to!" Saying so, Xiao Zhan swung his sword again, trying hard to get the mana out of him.

***

In the imperial palace, a weak young prince kept coughing in his bedroom. "Your Highness! Are you alright? The doctor...!" His servant was about to continue when the prince cut through him. "There is no one to call A-Yao. If you call the doctors for every cough, the courtiers will just laugh at you." The prince said, making A-Yao cry. "This is all my fault. If only I had known your food was being poisoned by the second prince... if I had paid more attention..." "Don't say that A-Yao." The crown prince replied. "I'm sorry for being so mean. You're the only one who remained by my side." "Your Highness..."

"Still. It was a blessing that Zhu Zanjin was banished to the northern border. Now that he's gone, I'm sure Your Highness will recover. So just focus on restoring your health." A-Yao said, making the prince sigh. "I just hope this body will hold on till then. Besides... I'm the only one who can ascend the throne." "Duke Xiao's son did a wonderful job. Isn't it thanks to that one omega that the game of succession was able to change."

"Hm. He's one hell of an omega." The prince replied as he thought of the mysterious son of Duke Xiao. 'Maybe I'll never see you in my life...' Suddenly, the prince's chest ached, making him clench it as he coughed out a mouthful of blood. "Your majesty! Call the doctor immediately!" A-Yao shouted as the prince gasped for air while staring at his bloodied hand.

'The frequency of the seizures increased. I guess I really don't have much time left.' The prince looked at the window of his room and sighed. 'I'd like to see the world outside the palace.'

***

The seven days were over sooner than Xiao Zhan expected. Finally, he was standing in front of Sir Yi Zhou, his sword by his waist. "You must defeat your enemy to declare defeat. The victor will be the person who will get their opponent to drop their sword. Are you ready?" Xiao Jianmin said, making Xiao Zhan smile as he and Wang Yi Zhou raised their swords. "I won't go easy on you. Are you ready?" Wang Yi Zhou said. "It's what I've been waiting for." Xiao Zhan replied confidently. "Then, begin!" Xiao Jianmin announced as the two men took their stances.