Reincarnated as a Son of the Sword Saint and the Sage

In one of the waiting rooms in the coliseum, Erik was on a wooden chair while holding a sheathed rapier in his hands. He then unsheathed the sword from the scabbard for a few inches and revealed that the blade was apparently made out of shiny adamantine.

His mithrill rapier just broke earlier in his match with Boris, so that sword might be an entirely different one. Like his previously broken blade, the new rapier in his hand perfectly fit his build.

Actually, someone provided it to him earlier, just after the match. That person said that he was amazed at his performance. Not only that person, but many people also made an approach to him and made offers to him.

Since Erik's sword was broken and unusable anymore, a few people offered him a new one. Some did it for free and some were requesting something in exchange. Among them all, a person was willing to give him a beautiful adamantine rapier surprisingly for free. Of course, those people just watched Erik accept the blue blade with a smile.

As Erik was watching his reflection on the shiny blade, he took heed of the familiar presences from the outside. When they slowed their pace, Erik immediately knew that they were going toward him. Erik then sheathed back the blade before he turned his head to the door and waited for their arrival.

Knock. Knock.

Upon hearing the dull sounds coming from the door, Erik stood up from his seat and walked toward it. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a group of three young men, who fancied themselves fashionable.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. If you were here to offer me your weapons, then I am out."

Erik knew who these people were, but he would act like he had not seen them in his entire life. Since there were many people giving him questionable offers, Erik could just pretend to assume that that was their purpose in going here.

"You are quite rude to the future lords of the empire. Do you know who we are?"

"I knew this would happen. We shouldn't have come here."

"Keep your head cool, Warren, Celeste. We are here to discuss with Mr. Erik, not to make a scene and displease the other party."

"... Alright. I understand, Francis."

"... Alright. It's for His Imperial Highness after all."

The three young men who came to visit Erik were the entourage of Prince Edward, namely, Warren, Celeste, and Francis.

"Mr. Erik," Francis politely said. "First of all, I congratulate you for reaching the grand finals of the tournament."

"... Thanks, I guess? Since my next opponent could be Prince Edward, I assume that you are here because you have something to discuss with me regarding our possible fight?"

"Hmm. You are sure quick to pick it up. But you are right, the crown prince of the empire, through us since he is currently fighting in the arena, has something to, let's call it, offer to you."

"... From the looks of it, I could smell that you are trying to tell me that I am considered a threat to the prince's success. Am I?"

"..."

Judging from the displeased faces of Warren and Celeste, Erik could say that his words were spot on. Accepting that they had been seen through, Francis let out a defeated sigh.

"You got us, Mr. Erik. That's right, we have to admit that you are too strong for His Imperial Highness Edward to face, and we cannot bear to see him lose. That would be a huge embarrassment to the empire."

"Let me guess, you approached me to offer me something I could not reject. Basically, bribing me to let him win?"

After seeing how powerful Erik could be, Edward and hus friends were worried about the outcome of his run in the tournament. They originally thought that the armor was enough to have a decent matches with Boris, which they were not sure of. But with the suddenly introduction of Erik in the scene, things were getting out of hands for them and they were resorted to make a deal with him—bribing.

"Fufu." Francis let out a soft chuckle. "Since you have said that, you can name your price."

"..."

"If you were still not convinced," Celeste added. "We can provide you with whatever you want: fortune, women, or whatever."

"...Pardon me, gentlemen," after a brief silence, Erik finally spoke. "I really appreciate your offers, but my pride is not for sale."

"How dare you reject Edward's kindness?!"

Immediately after hearing Erik's rejection, Warren became aggressive toward him and was about to lunge at him. Thankfully, Francis stretched out his arm and stopped Warren from doing so.

"Is there really no chance of getting you to agree?" Francis asked.

"No."

"Do you know who you are dealing with?!" Warren warned. "Do you know what we can do?!"

"Do what? Fight me? Duke it out? Do you think you could win against me, the one who defeated your empire's strongest adventurer? I advise you not to make yourselves look stupid, gentlemen."

As Erik retorted that, he rolled his eyes around, which made the three realize that the commotion had gathered some audience. It would make a huge scandal if the public heard that the prince's side was trying to threaten his possible next opponent.

"Damn it." Warren clenched his fist in frustration. "What are you looking at? Bug off!"

Upon his voice, the people then turned their backs around and walked passed as if nothing happened. When there was no one else around, the conversation between Erik and the three young lords continued.

"I guess you are done with your business with me, yes?" Erik said. "Again, just to be sure, I am not interested in your offer. If you didn't have anything to do with me, you may now leave."

Warren and Celeste seemed to have something to say, but Francis gestured to them it would be in vain.

"It seems like nothing can waver your integrity, Mr. Erik. If you ever change your mind, do not hesitate to come to us. Alright, guys, let's move out."

Judging that their efforts were worthless, the three of them wore displeased faces as they trailed the corridor away.

Not so long later, the victory of Prince Edward over Rogcal the Destroyer had been declared. At last, the two finalists for the grand finals of the Imperial Battle Tournament had been named.