Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 102 - Simpleton

Previously:

The day of the practical exams is finally here and Kiel is inside a large arena created by the Replica Dungeon. Kiel and Nelaira manage to defeat their opponents. Rhur uses Razorblood petals to slice the neck of his opponent open. Kiel and Rhur decide to each take one opponent, however, they can't agree on which opponent to pick. They end up bickering, neither one wanting to fight Deora.

* * *

Kiel stared at Rhur speechlessly trying to stop himself from shooting out a sarcastic remark. "Older brother... your worry is unnecessary. Let's be logical here. The ginger should be a perfect fit for your abilities. If you use your Sparkbloom petals he'd be easily dealt with."

Other than the Razorblood petals Rhur had used earlier, he often used another variety of petals that was even more dangerous – the Sparkb(l)oom petals.

Sparkb(l)oom was a rare flower similar in appearance to a chrysanthemum, discovered (and named) by Alann Farhice, which grew underwater in poisonous swamps. As one might guess by its name, its petals were highly flammable and quite explosive.

"Ah, that's true." Rhur sighed sadly. "However, I am out of Sparkbloom flowers. You should know how expensive and difficult to find they are. I can't always have them just because I want to."

Kiel's eyebrow twitched again. "What do you mean expensive?! Don't they grow in the poisonous bog our family owns?"

"Yes, under the Shield our little bog is the only one with an environment in which Sparkbloom flowers can grow. And since it is such a small bog, the number of flowers is very limited. Most of Sparkbloom flowers I use come from the Forbidden Zone, and such merchandize is hard to come by." Rhur explained.

Kiel frowned, cursing inwardly. "Don't tell me that you are not confident in beating such a small fry? I always thought that my older brother was really an amazing fighter. Have I overestimated your abilities?"

Rhur's eyes chilled. "Of course, that's not the case. I can easily beat both of them, little brother. But there is no glory in defeating an elibu female, so I decided to let you take the glory of beating the ginger."

"You are the future head of the family, it is in the family's interest for you to have as much of the glory as possible. Therefore, I shall take it upon myself to do such an arduous and unrewarding task and let you handle the ginger."

"How about this, little brother? I'll take down the girl, and then I'll join you in fighting the ginger. It shouldn't take long for me to dispose of the girl and then we can join hands for the glory of the Rroda family."

From the corner of his eye, Kiel noticed that Nelaira had approached Deora and they seemed to be conversing. He had no time to argue with Rhur further. Otherwise, Nelaira and Deora might decide to team up, and the battle would turn into two vs. two, instead of two battles of one vs. one.

Kiel's face stiffened, and he gruffly whispered under his breath. "Dear brother, have you forgotten my dislike for fire?"

Rhur chuckled huskily. "It's not a dislike, little brother, it's more of a fear. You need to learn how to deal with your fears. Therefore, this opponent is perfect for you."

Kiel's pupils shrunk and a string of curses almost erupted from his mouth.

He finally realized the truth of the matter.

It wasn't that Rhur wanted to fight Nelaira, rather, he wanted Kiel to fight Deora!

He was aware that Kiel hated fire!