Chapter 137: The King's Tournament
Scene: Far from the turbulent seas and the heroes' journey to Zisteria, life continues back in the South Nation. The castle courtyard is alive with the clashing of swords and bursts of mana as the Knight recruits from the Holy East Nation undergo their rigorous training. Since Commander Elara is away on her mission, King Thalanor himself has stepped up to oversee the recruits' progress.
Narrator: With Commander Elara on her journey to Zisteria, King Thalanor has taken on the task of training the Knight recruits from the Holy East Nation. Day after day, he observes as they grow stronger, honing their skills with blade and mana alike. The recruits have already made great strides, but today, the king has a special announcement.
The recruits stand at attention as King Thalanor walks onto the training grounds, his presence commanding yet warm. He surveys the gathered recruits, his eyes lingering for a moment on the top performers—Volkra, Alexis, Milton, and Kara—before addressing them all.
King Thalanor: (smiling) I must say, you've all come a long way since your first day here. Your dedication to the South Nation has not gone unnoticed.
The recruits stand a little taller, some exchanging glances and quiet smiles. Volkra, ever the confident one, winks at Alexis, who rolls her eyes but smirks all the same.
Volkra: (whispering to Alexis) See, I told you I'd be a natural at this.
Alexis: (smirking) Don't get cocky, Volkra. You're just good at making a lot of noise with your sword.
King Thalanor clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
King Thalanor: (firmly) As a reward for all your hard work, I've decided to hold a tournament among the recruits. One-on-one matches to test your skills in combat—both with your swords and with your mana.
The recruits' eyes light up with excitement. A murmur of anticipation spreads through the group, and a few even exchange competitive smirks. Milton leans over to Kara, a playful glint in his eye.
Milton: (grinning) I'll try not to make you look too bad when we're matched up, Kara.
Kara: (raising an eyebrow) Oh, don't worry—I'll make sure you don't embarrass yourself too much, either.
King Thalanor chuckles, clearly entertained by the recruits' enthusiasm.
King Thalanor: (encouraging) The tournament will be held in two days right here at the castle. Each match will be fought with honor, skill, and respect for one another. The winner will receive a special armor crafted by the kingdom's finest artisans. This is armor that has seen battle—it's not just for show.
Volkra's eyes widen, and he nudges Alexis with an exaggerated grin.
Volkra: (excitedly) Did you hear that? Special armor. Just imagine how good I'll look in it.
Alexis: (smirking) Assuming you get that far, Volkra. I'm not planning on handing you the victory.
The top four recruits, Volkra, Alexis, Milton, and Kara, exchange determined looks, the excitement building as they think of the upcoming tournament.
Narrator: The tournament is the talk of the training grounds. Each recruit begins to strategize, their minds filled with visions of victory and the pride of wearing the king's special armor. For them, it's not just a prize—it's a symbol of the honor they are fighting for.
As the recruits disperse to resume their training, King Thalanor watches them with satisfaction, leaning over to his advisor, a tall, serious-looking man named Aldric.
King Thalanor: (chuckling) They're a lively group, aren't they?
Aldric: (smiling slightly) Indeed, Your Majesty. They're determined, and each seems eager to prove themselves. Volkra especially seems to have a knack for, shall we say… enthusiasm.
King Thalanor: (grinning) Enthusiasm is good—as long as he has the skill to match it.
Aldric nods, watching the recruits as they train with renewed intensity.
Narrator: With only two days until the tournament, the training grounds become a place of fierce dedication. The recruits push themselves harder than ever, each aiming to prove themselves worthy of victory. For the top recruits, especially, the tournament is a chance to stand out.
Volkra, wielding his sword with a fierce intensity, practices his swings, each strike more powerful than the last. He mutters to himself as he trains, half talking to himself, half taunting an imaginary opponent.
Volkra: (to himself) Just wait till they see me out there. King's armor, here I come.
Kara, practicing nearby, overhears and can't help but chime in.
Kara: (teasingly) You know, Volkra, confidence is good… as long as you're not all talk.
Volkra: (grinning) Oh, you'll see, Kara. I'll be the one standing at the end, looking sharp in that armor.
Meanwhile, Alexis and Milton spar together, each testing the other's skill and agility. Their movements are fluid and fast, each strike countered with practiced precision. Milton, ever the joker, can't help but keep things light.
Milton: (playfully) You know, Alexis, if you're going to lose, at least do it with style.
Alexis: (smirking) Oh, don't worry, Milton—I plan to win, with or without style.
They laugh, the friendly competition between them bringing a sense of camaraderie and motivation as they continue their practice.
Narrator: The excitement of the upcoming tournament fills the air, and the recruits are more focused than ever. The chance to impress King Thalanor, to win the prize armor, and to prove themselves as future knights fuels their every move. But beyond the training grounds, the kingdom itself watches, eager to see which of these young warriors will rise to the top.
As the day ends, the recruits gather once again, sharing their thoughts on the tournament and joking with one another. The camaraderie among them is strong, but so is the competition.
Volkra: (grinning) I'm just saying, the rest of you might as well sit back and let me handle this. I'll bring the victory home for all of us.
Kara: (laughing) You're really setting yourself up for disappointment, Volkra.
Alexis: (smiling) Don't worry, Volkra. I'll be sure to lend you some armor polish… after I win.
Narrator: With two days left until the tournament, the recruits train harder than ever, each one driven by the chance to claim victory and the honor of winning the king's armor. But beyond the prize, they fight for the pride of becoming knights of the South Nation—a title that holds more weight than any armor.
As the recruits disperse for the evening, King Thalanor watches from a distance, pride filling his heart. He knows that each of them has the potential to become a true protector of the kingdom, and he looks forward to seeing who will rise to the challenge.
King Thalanor: (to himself) They're more than ready. This generation of knights will be the strongest yet.
The chapter ends with the recruits preparing themselves, the anticipation for the tournament building as they look toward their chance to prove themselves.