I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

*Knock, knock, knock!

Victor waited, his heart pounding in his chest as the sound of footsteps approached from the other side of the door. He didn’t know exactly what to expect when he met Trawerr, but he knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, a chance to right the wrongs of the past and build a future with the son he never knew he had. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The door opened slowly, revealing a young man with red hair and bright green eyes who immediately bore a resemblance to Aluella. Trawerr was a tall boy, only slightly smaller than Victor, his posture serious and cautious, as if ready to face any danger. He looked at Victor with a wary expression, perhaps because there was a brute on his doorstep.

"Can I help you?" asked Trawerr, his voice firm but with a hint of curiosity.

Victor stopped for a moment, studying Trawerr. The young man before him was a fascinating mix of Aluella and himself, living proof of a past he barely knew. The silence stretched between them, full of expectation and suppressed emotion. Victor took a deep breath and tried to find the right words.

"My name is Victor Shieldman," he began, his deep voice filling the narrow corridor. "I... I’ve come to find you, Trawerr. I’ve been absent for a long time, but I believe it’s time to make amends."

Trawerr narrowed his eyes. He recognized Victor’s name because Aluella had repeated it a thousand times over the years with a twinkle in her eye.

Victor swallowed, feeling the weight of the words that were about to come out. "I am... I’m your father."

The young man before him blinked, his expression changing from suspicion to surprise and then back to a mask of indifference. "My father? You mean the man who left my pregnant mother. Making a child is not the same as being a father."

Before Victor could answer, Aluella stepped forward, her presence soft but firm. "Trawerr, don’t talk like that. I know this comes as a shock to you, but Victor is here with his heart in his hands."

Trawerr’s eyes moved from Victor to Aluella, softening a little at the sight of the woman he obviously trusted. But suspicion still hung in his eyes as he turned back to Victor.

"If you are truly my father, take your sword." Trawerr said, taking his sword from next to the door. "We will fight."

Victor felt a mixture of pride and sadness as he saw the young man ready to fight. It was a situation he had never imagined, a duel with his own son to prove his worth. He nodded slowly, accepting the implied challenge.

"If that’s what it takes for you to trust me, then so be it," Victor said, his voice firm. He turned to Aluella, who watched him with a mixture of concern and hope. "I will prove to him that I am worthy to be called father."

Aluella gave him a small, encouraging smile, though her eyes revealed a deep fear. "Be careful, Victor. He’s very talented."

Victor smiled back, trying to convey a confidence he didn’t quite feel. He followed Trawerr, who was already on his way to the city’s public arena. The young man walked with long, determined strides, and Victor had to quicken his pace to keep up.

The arena was located in a busy part of the city, a place where monster hunters trained and prepared for dangerous missions. It was a sturdy building of stone and wood, with grandstands rising up around a wide open space. When they arrived, the arena was full of hunters, some training, others just watching. Victor could feel the curious and respectful looks that followed Trawerr as he entered the arena.

"It’s Trawerr," someone whispered, and Victor realized that his son was known and respected there. "The Rank-B Hunter."

Trawerr ignored the murmurs and headed straight for the center of the arena. He stopped and turned to face Victor, his green eyes shining with determination. Victor stood across from him, trying to calm his racing heart. He had faced many challenges in his life, but none as personal as this.

"Let us begin," Trawerr said, raising his sword in a defensive stance. "Show me what you can do, Father."

Victor took a deep breath and drew his own sword, feeling the familiar weight in his hand. He assumed a fighting stance, his eyes fixed on Trawerr. "I’m ready."

The silence in the arena was almost palpable, all present watching intently. Victor knew he was being tested, not only by his son, but by everyone there.

Victor kept his gaze fixed on Trawerr’s green eyes as they both studied each other, looking for any sign of hesitation or weakness. The air was thick with tension, and the crowd around the arena was silent with anticipation. Victor knew that this duel would not only be a test of his skill with the sword, but also a test of his determination and sincerity in reuniting with his son.

Trawerr was the first to move, advancing with surprising agility for one of his stature. His sword glinted in the sunlight as he struck a direct blow in Victor’s direction. In one fluid motion, Victor raised his own sword and blocked the attack with a metallic clang that echoed through the arena. The force of the blow coursed through his arm, but he held his ground.

Trawerr’s eyes narrowed and he stepped back, only to launch a swift and unexpected side-strike. Victor ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade that whistled through the air above his head. He seized the moment to counter, aiming for Trawerr’s exposed flank, but the young hunter reacted quickly, spinning on his heels and blocking the blow with his sword.

The two separated briefly, measuring each other again. Victor felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. Trawerr was clearly a talented swordsman, with quick reflexes and impressive strength, but there was a brutality to his movements, a youthful impetuosity that could be his undoing.

"You’re good," Victor commented, his voice calm and controlled, trying to gauge Trawerr’s reactions.

"Show me how good you are," Trawerr replied, his voice filled with defiance and determination. He was not interested in words; he wanted action.

Trawerr attacked again, this time with a series of quick, precise blows. Victor blocked and parried each one, his body moving with the grace and efficiency of years of training and combat experience. He realized that Trawerr was trying to test his stamina, forcing him to defend himself again and again.

Victor waited for an opening, and when it finally appeared, he delivered a diagonal blow that forced Trawerr backward. In one fluid motion, Victor advanced, pressing the attack with a series of quick thrusts that forced Trawerr into a defensive posture.

The young hunter showed signs of frustration, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. He grunted and, with a powerful movement, launched an attack from above, putting all his strength into the blow. Victor raised his sword, absorbing the impact with a clash of metal against metal. Shock ran through his arms, but he held his ground.

"You fight with a lot of anger, Trawerr," Victor said, his eyes fixed on the young man. "Anger can be a powerful weapon, but it can also blind you to opportunities and weaknesses."

Trawerr gritted his teeth and backed away, his face a mask of determination. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, adjusting his posture. Victor noticed the change and nodded imperceptibly. The young man was beginning to learn, however reluctantly.

The fight continued, each move a test of skill and strategy. Trawerr was fast and strong, his blows loaded with raw power. Victor, on the other hand, fought with calculated calm, using his experience to anticipate and neutralize Trawerr’s attacks. He realized that despite his son’s strength and speed, there were patterns in his movements, loopholes that could be exploited.

In a moment of Trawerr’s distraction, Victor saw his opportunity. He struck a low blow, aiming for the young man’s legs. Since it was a real sword, it was obvious that he intended to stop the blade.

Trawerr jumped back first, narrowly avoiding the sharp claws of the ferocious beast that lunged towards him. His heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline surged through his veins, fueling his instinct to survive.

"You’re quick, but you need to be more strategic," Victor said, stepping back to give Trawerr room to recover. "Brute strength isn’t everything."

Trawerr pressed his lips together, his expression determined. He adjusted his stance again, this time more defensive. Victor smiled slightly. The young man was learning, and quickly.

They faced each other again, their swords dancing in the air in a symphony of steel. Every move was carefully calculated, every blow blocked or deflected with precision. Victor could feel the growing respect in Trawerr’s eyes, even if the young man would not admit it.

"I’m not giving up," Trawerr declared, his voice firm.

"There’s no reason to give up. I’m not here to beat you."