The voice came from behind them. It was sharp and sweet all at once, like silk drawn over the edge of a blade. Commanding without needing to be loud.
Shiki and Ai turned their heads in unison.
So did the rest of the bar.
Every single patron pivoted in their seats, conversations dying mid-sentence, mugs hovering in midair. It was like someone had rung an invisible bell that compelled silence.
Standing there, framed in the doorway, was a woman in immaculate white-and-silver armor, her long blonde hair braided neatly over one shoulder, a blue cloak draped behind her like a banner.
Seraphina Valtoria Lysandre. Commander of the Celestial Knights.
Every eye was fixed on her, and she didn't even seem to notice the weight of the stares. Her posture was perfect—chin up, shoulders squared, eyes forward, the very image of disciplined authority.
Beside her stood a second girl, half-hiding behind her commander's presence. She was shorter, her long dark hair spilling over a modest robe, her hands wrapped nervously around the shaft of a polished staff.
And behind the two women, like bookends to the scene, stood a male and female rookie knight—fresh-faced, clearly new to the field, eyes darting around the bar as if expecting trouble to break out at any second.
"Yes…?" Shiki replied, his voice carrying that familiar tone—half amusement, half mild confusion, and not a hint of intimidation.
"My name is Seraphina Valtoria Lysandre," she said with pride, her voice crisp, her head held high. "Commander of the Celestial Knights."
"And what do you need with us?" Shiki asked, his tone still smug enough to make Ai glance at him sideways.
"I want to talk," Seraphina replied simply, like it was the most natural request in the world.
---
The scene shifted quickly after that.
They were now in one of the Guild's meeting rooms—a chamber designed exactly for situations like this.
Heavy oak walls insulated the space from the noisy bustle of the main hall outside. A round table sat in the center, polished to a mirror shine. Torches along the walls flickered gently, their light glinting off the polished plates of armor worn by the two rookie knights who still lingered by the door.
At the head of the table sat the Guild Master himself—Corvathen Light Bringer. A mountain of a man even in his older years, his presence filled the room. His long white beard draped over his chest, and he absently tugged at it in a slow, rhythmic motion as if each pull was helping him think.
To his left sat Shiki and Ai.
Ai leaned slightly toward Shiki, her voice dropping to a whisper that was soft enough for only him to hear. "Shiki… don't tell me she's going to be all over you too?"
Shiki didn't bother lowering his own voice. "She doesn't look like the type."
On the other side of the table, Seraphina stood with her back perfectly straight, the faint clink of her armor the only sound she made. The shy girl, Lyra, stood just behind her, almost using the commander's silhouette as a shield.
"Hohohoho…" The Guild Master's deep chuckle rolled across the table. "What brings you here, Seraphina?"
"Grandpa," Seraphina replied evenly, "as the protector of this country, I have a duty to save its people. That is my sole focus."
"Grandpa…?" Ai muttered, her eyes flicking from Seraphina to the Guild Master.
"Ah," Corvathen said with another amused rumble, "Miss Ajio, not surprising. Like grandfather, like granddaughter—though she is a bit feisty."
Seraphina blinked once, as though the exchange was of no consequence to her. She turned her full attention to Shiki, her gaze traveling from head to toe in a manner that was far more assessment than admiration. Still… Ai's arm wrapped a little tighter around his.
Shiki met the stare calmly, without the faintest twitch of discomfort. It was as if being sized up by the Commander of the Celestial Knights was no different from chatting with a waitress.
Finally, Seraphina spoke. "Sir… I would like you to join the Celestial Knights."
Shiki's eyes shifted briefly to the shy figure beside her.
Lyra's gaze darted away the instant their eyes met. Her grip on her staff tightened, and she bowed her head, cheeks coloring faintly.
"This is Lyra Noctienne Maev," Seraphina said, gesturing toward the girl with a gauntleted hand. "She is a mage. Class S. Despite her demeanor, she is not someone to be taken lightly."
"I understand," Shiki replied with a slow nod.
'Well… I was the one who created you both anyway,' he thought privately.
Seraphina straightened. "So—what do you say? Will you join us?"
Before Shiki could answer, the Guild Master lifted a hand. "Mr. Ajio here belongs to our guild, Seraphina. Any arrangement concerning him must go through us."
Seraphina inclined her head slightly. "Of course. But does he know what he can accomplish if he joins the Knights?"
"Definitely," Corvathen said, stroking his beard again.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed faintly. "And still… you do not wish to join us?"
Shiki leaned back in his chair, the hint of a grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah. My wife here told me not to."
The room went quiet for a heartbeat. Ai's head snapped toward him. "Don't drag me into—"
But the smirk on his face was already widening, and Ai knew exactly what he was doing: letting the word wife hang in the air long enough for everyone to notice.
Seraphina's brow arched slightly, her gaze flicking to Ai—taking in the way she was practically glued to Shiki's arm. Lyra, in contrast, seemed almost more flustered by the casual claim than the Commander did.
Then–
The room went still after Seraphina's proposal.
"How about we have a duel?" she said, her voice smooth as polished steel.
"Duel?" Ai repeated, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes. If you allow me, I will explain."
Ai's brows drew together, her grip tightening on Shiki's arm as if she suspected this was going to be the kind of 'explanation' she didn't like.
"Go on," Shiki said, amusement dripping from every syllable.
Seraphina leaned forward, her eyes never leaving his. "If you win… I will never bother you again. But if I win… you will join the Celestial Knights and work under me. Additionally—if you win—you may ask for anything."
Her words were calm, but the subtle curve of her lips hinted at deep confidence. She was certain she wouldn't lose.
Shiki tilted his head, thinking for a moment. Then that wolfish smirk spread across his face. "Okay."
Ai's head snapped toward him. "Okay?! That's it? You're just—'sure, why not'—ing your way into this?"
"Come on," Shiki said, shrugging like this was no big deal. "It's been a while since I stretched my legs."
Ai groaned. "And by 'stretch your legs' you mean 'do something reckless while making me worry'?"
Across the table, Lyra peeked over Seraphina's shoulder, her voice timid. "U-um… Commander… are you sure—"
"Positive," Seraphina interrupted, her tone firm enough to cut through Lyra's whisper.
The Guild Master let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. "Oh ho… this should be very entertaining."
---
The room began to buzz with energy. The two rookie knights by the door exchanged looks.
"Did she just challenge him?" the male rookie muttered.
"Yeah," the female rookie whispered back, "and she's acting like she's already won."
"Not gonna lie…" the male rookie said, leaning a little to get a better look at Ai, "…his wife's gorgeous."
The female rookie smirked. "You're gonna get your teeth knocked out if you say that within her hearing range."
"Still worth it," he said with a dreamy sigh.
Meanwhile, the female rookie glanced at Shiki and muttered, "I get why she's glued to him, though. Damn."
Ai's ears twitched, her sharp glare snapping to the two rookies in the corner. The male froze like a deer in torchlight. She smiled sweetly—too sweetly—and they both quickly found something very important to stare at on the far wall.
---
"I will allow the duel to take place in the west courtyard," Corvathen said, tugging thoughtfully at his beard. "Large enough space, good ground, minimal chance of anyone breaking a table or setting the roof on fire."
"Minimal chance?" Ai repeated, glaring.
"You'd be surprised what can happen when pride is on the line," the Guild Master replied.
Seraphina's posture remained perfectly straight as she looked at Shiki. "We can begin in one hour. Prepare however you like."
"I'll prepare by finishing this tea," Shiki said casually, picking up his cup.
Ai groaned again. "You're impossible."
---
An Hour Later — West Courtyard
The courtyard was a wide, open expanse of packed earth surrounded by stone archways. Sunlight spilled in at an angle, catching on the edges of armor and weapons. A small crowd had already gathered—guild members, curious townsfolk, and, inevitably, a few betting enthusiasts smelling profit in the air.
Eline, the barmaid from earlier, was leaning on the railing, smiling in that faintly provocative way that made Ai's teeth itch.
"Here to watch him flex, sweetheart?" she called over.
"I'm here to watch you trip down the stairs," Ai shot back without missing a beat.
Eline just laughed. "Still jealous, I see."
"Not jealous," Ai said with a too-bright smile. "Just making sure the trash knows where the bin is."
The people around them snickered, and Eline blew Shiki a kiss. Ai immediately stepped between them, muttering something about "anchor chains" under her breath.
---
At the center of the courtyard, Shiki stood opposite Seraphina. He looked relaxed—too relaxed—while she was the picture of military readiness. Her sword, a gleaming blade with celestial engravings, hung at her side, and her eyes were locked on him.
"You can still back out," she said.
"Ladies first," he replied, smirking.
Ai stood off to the side with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at Seraphina. "Just so you know," she called, "if you mess up his pretty face, I'll mess up yours."
Seraphina glanced briefly at her. "Noted."
Corvathen took a step forward, his voice booming across the courtyard. "The duel will be non-lethal. First to yield or be incapacitated loses. No outside interference."
Ai raised her hand. "Define 'outside interference.'"
"It means don't throw shoes at her, Miss Ajio," Corvathen said with a grin.
"Tch. Fine."
---
END OF CHAPTER : 17 : A DUEL!
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