Spear Of Retribution

Evading Macum's attack, Geraldine rolled on the ground and kicked his shin bone, making him staggered back in pain.

Standing up, she raised her sword and thwack him with full force, he was able to defend it but it caused a small crack on the sword in his hand.

"What the--" Macum's eyes widen seeing the crack on his beloved sword that was made with the finest metals and have fought many enemies with it, only to be broken by a young lady in front of him.

At first, Macum didn't seriously take Geraldine's request about a friendly duel as he never saw a woman holding a sword, much less use it to fight. 

But now, seeing that Geraldine knows how to use the sword pretty well, he doesn't have a choice but to fight her without holding back as he doesn't want his colleagues and students to see that he can't defeat a young lady.

He wanted to prove that he is a worthy teacher to them, but what he kept on thinking is why the lady he doesn't know suddenly asks for a duel when hearing them insult the competition's winner. It might be just a drunk joke from his group but she takes it seriously.

Macum's throw an overhead cut but Geraldine parried quickly, he cut from the other side and she parried again. They moved back and forth with their blades doesn't stop from kissing one another.

"What do you want to achieve in this battle because from what I can see, this isn't a friendly fight," Macum whispered to Geraldine when their swords met.

"Hmm, I don't know, maybe I just want you guys to know what place you belong," As soon as Geraldine said that she pressed in, keeping her blade against Macum's to close in line and pressed it on his throat.

Macum glared at Geraldine, "I won't yield to a girl like you."

"Good to know," She grinned and thrust the sword and was able to cut the front of his clothes, nearly tearing his skin.

The crowd gasps seeing that a woman like her has the skill in swordsmanship that can go against a retired knight.

Alexjin massaged his temples while he keeps worrying over his master. He's confident about her fight that she can defend herself. After all, she was the one who teaches her how to fight but what he worries about the most are the people watching over their duel. Her face is fully exposed to everyone there and afraid that it might cause problems if someone will take an interest in her.

Macum parried desperately and tried to counter each of Geraldine's attacks and each time he tried to attack back. Geraldine could always find an opening and attack him there so it pushes him to go on the defense side and waited for the perfect timing to strike… If it will come.

Geraldine's tip finally slipped past Macum's guard and aimed at his neck but because Macum jerked his head back, barely turning around. The tip of her blade creates a gash across his face. 

In shock and pain, Macum stumbled back while holding his face. He tripped on his own feet, causing him to lose balance and losing the fight as well.

The crowd cheered to Geraldine's victory and was amazed that she was able to defeat Macum who is known to be a popular teacher of the future knights.

Seeing that their leader falls to the ground, his squad immediately aided him, and some take out their sword and aim it at Geraldine who remained calm. Alexjin immediately went to her side and used his body as a shield.

"The duel ends now and the winner is set, so you don't want to cause another battle to begin with," Alexjin spoke in a firm voice while her eyes glared at the man whose tip of the sword is in his chest.

Geraldine stepped aside and pushed the sword away from Alexjin then he gives back the sword she used in the fight. 

"Thanks for the duel, I hope you learned your lesson," She said sweetly and pulled Alexjin with her as they were about to leave.

"What lesson?" They asked as if they're confused about the whole meaning of the duel.

"That you must not compare your skills and even said that you can easily beat Alexjin, the winner of the competition if you can't even beat me, a woman who only knows how to hold a sword," Geraldine gives them his most sincere smile but her eyes keeps glaring on them, "So watch your mouth next time."

After saying those sentences, she pulled Alexjin away from the crowd even though they are calling her back.

They even needed to hide in the bushes when other people tried to chase them as they wanted to talk to Geraldine. After all, she catches the eyes of many.

"Good thing, you're able to bring our stuff," Geraldine chuckled seeing Alexjin pout look.

"Master, they might try to find you after what happened," He said worriedly and sigh.

"Nah, don't worry, I don't really care about them if they wanted revenge. I can always fight back besides…" Geraldine stopped in her tracks and look at him in the eyes, "I have you on my side to aid me."

Hearing what his master said, Alexjin felt something burning in his ears and tried to avoid eye contact with Geraldine.

She also noticed the redding of his ears but decided not to tell him about it as he will be embarrassed.

"I will always be by your side, master. I won't leave you for eternity," He said with sincerity as his eyes softened when seeing her smile.

"That's good then, I hope you won't break that promise someday," Geraldine begun walking again towards their house as they forgot to get back their horse from the stable, and going back will only let those people find her.

"Master, it's not a promise," Alexjin muttered and looked down, "But a commitment to myself that I will never leave you. I will serve you with all my life and make sure to protect you from harm."

Geraldine saw the sincerity in his eyes, making her smile, "I know you will."

Both of them are staring at each other for a while with their heads playing different scenarios. Alexjin thinking about that he'll be there till they are old and die, he will still serve her in the afterlife while Geraldine's thoughts circled around Alexjin dancing in her hands, a complete puppet who would die for her and followed her every command.

***

"This should be good for now," Geraldine wipes the sweat forming on her forehead and sat on the ground. She's currently in the garden, planting the seeds that Alexjin gave her as a gift, "I really can't believe that he asked for these plants instead."

For the past three days, Geraldine makes herself busy with planting the seeds from the boxes and saw that some of those are very rare and can actually help treat diseases but she also noticed that some rare plants are poisonous and that can kill a person if it goes inside the body which makes Geraldine extremely happy.

As for Alexjin, he pushed him to go and assist Aurelie in the store as she wanted them to have a long bonding time and create more memories with his own mother.

"I never thought I'll be doing something like this," She muttered angrily while digging another hole for the seeds. Even though she's unloved by her family, she still lived like a noble with servants ready to do what she asked for. She also thanked that the time she became a Spear, she read a book about planting and gained knowledge on it which she was able to use today but didn't realize how tiring it will be.

"My shoulder hurts!" She grabbed her right shoulder and massaged it to ease the pain and discomfort she's feeling. As the sun continued to spread its head. Geraldine went back inside the house to cool down from the shade.

Then she felt tingling over her skin and her senses heightened, "Ah! I guess you're hungry," she touched her head and thought of ways to feed her pet butterflies.

They notified her that they needed to be fed, not by her blood but something instead, "Now, I need to hunt for your food!" She laid on the floor and feel the coldness on it, "Why? Ugh, you asked food when I'm about to collapse from tiredness."

Even though how many times she whined, she still doesn't have a chance but to stand up and hunt an animal for her butterflies to feast so that they won't eat her instead.

"Its' time to venture into the forest once again," She grabbed her weapons and started to walk into the forest to find a deer or boar roaming inside.

"Please, let this be quick!"