Azure stood at the edge of the sandy arena, much like the place where she practiced magic; however, this area was much larger to accommodate a large number of troops that needed training.
The sounds of wooden swords striking against each other and elves falling over due to the blunt force echoed around her, yet she held a bored and exhausted face.
So slow and clumsy. Not even a single recruit was even remotely on the level that would satisfy her. But it was not that they were worse than before.
They were the same while her own power flew to the sky, and what's more, she had trained with Aqua, who dwarfed her much like she eclipsed the recruits in the power level. "Maybe I can ask Aqua if she would spar with me."
She shook her head as she dispelled the thought; she did not wish to bother Aqua more than she already had. Perhaps after some time passed, but for now, she wished to spare the heroine any stress if possible.
However, while her excuse was that she wished to spar, any amount of time spent with Aqua was something she treasured; every minute made her feel happier than ever before. She let out a sigh as she stepped forward to a pair of recruits.
They were a pair of young elven men with short silver hair, and they wore standard training padded clothing; however, both of their wooden swords were completely shattered on the ground.
"Dude, I won! Your sword broke first!"
"No way, yours literally cracked before mine even made a bad sound!"
Azure approached and placed her hands on their shoulders, "What's wrong, boys?"
"Lady Azure!" Both of them jumped back and bowed, "We were discussing who won!"
Azure blinked slowly as she frowned, "Idiots!"
The duo reeled back.
"This is not a daycare. I am here to get you beaten into shape so you can fight in a war. There is time for competition once you get the basics down!" She shouted as she clenched her fists.
"But Lady Azure, we have mastered the basics; the others can't even approach us!" One of them arrogantly stated, despite Azure glaring at them.
Azure audibly exhaled as she stared at the duo in front of her. She had not been able to get even ten hours of sleep in total in the past four days, and yet she had to deal with the childish behavior of the recruits.
No matter how much she tried to drill into them that they would die if they refused to let go of their arrogance, they still believed themselves superior.
She had suffered from that very same vice, and it caused her to lose both her friend and her men. And if not for Aqua, also her own life. She would have been a rotting corpse near the borders of Red Dawn, and for what?
Merely because she believed the idiotic notion that she was powerful.
When someone like Aqua exists, what's the point of being considered the strongest? She chuckled. She treated gods as if they were mere inconveniences and not the apex force of the world. Someone like that was worthy of being considered the strongest.
"You do not even realise how weak you are." Azure turned her back and approached the rack that held the wooden swords."You two will now spar against me."
She grinned as she retrieved three wooden blades.
"But, Lady Azure! We can't fight the Champion!"
"Let me tell you." She cracked her neck, "Even I am nothing compared to some people; if you can't defend against me, you have no right to speak of mastery."
The duo stared at each other as they gulped. Azure threw the swords at them, and they caught them.
"Everyone else, stand aside!" The other recruits bowed and moved to the sidelines as Azure walked forward. "If you land one hit before being defeated, I will admit you have mastered the basics. Is that understood?"
The boys before her nodded. While they had confidence in their skill, they faced the champion of the elven kingdom; they would never be able to defeat her. She was nearly untouchable by almost everyone.
Not even the elites could hope as much as to scratch her, and now they were supposed to fight and hit her.
Azure raised her sword up and waited, "I will give you a first move, come."
Instantly, the duo raised the swords above their heads and charged at her.
Azure sighed; they were far too slow in her eyes. She stepped forward and slashed at the pair's legs, sending them tumbling forward.
"Predictable." She stated bluntly as she held her sword to the side. In their eyes, she looked like a reaper.
However, they needed to win and prove that they were indeed worthy of the Champion's respect.
They nodded to each other and separated. They needed to surround Azure on both sides and strike at her blind spots as she focused on one of them.
Boys, come on, this is not helping your amateur status. They lunged at her at the same time, but instead of moving, she merely crouched and let the two boys hit each other.
Crash
They were both launched on their back as they clashed with each other.
"Ugh… Careful, dude!" He rubbed the back of his head as he stared at his friend.
"It's your fault!"
Bickering in the middle of the battle. Azure gritted her teeth as she appeared behind the first duelist.
Instead of hitting him with the wooden blade, she grabbed him by the collar and threw him near the spectators.
She then turned to the other challenger and approached.
Yet, despite being outmatched, he did not wish to quit. It was a unique opportunity to duel the champion and brag that he lost to her in a duel. So what it was merely a punishment for annoying her.
He rose and held the sword high. His eyes focused on her legs and hands. No matter what, he could not let her escape his sight.
Good. Fight! Azure's lips stretched into a smile. This boy had potential. Despite facing an overwhelming opponent, he rose to his feet and wished to at least attempt to defend.
"Lady Azure, thank you for this lesson. I understand that none of us might be worthy of your attention; however, I assure you I will surpass you one day!"
Azure stopped for a moment; she was absolutely stunned at the proclamation. "I am sure you will keep working hard, but your arrogance will be the end of you if you do not get rid of it."
"I understand, I will do my best." The other recruit she had launched away approached with a sword in his hand, "Same here, I will surpass you too, Lady Azure!"
"Good! Now fight!" She dashed behind them and raised her blunt blade above their heads. With a soft hit, both of them were sent flying before Azure charged after them and, with a light tap, launched them into the ground.
"Good work." She smiled.
Yet no answer reached them. Crap, I was too rough. She adjusted her shoulders and turned to the spectators, "Bring them to the infirmary, and then return to sparring."
They have potential; it would be such a shame if they died to arrogance. She smiled.
"Ah, Lady Azure, I see you are conducting your duties as expected." The powerful voice reached her from the entrance. Her eyes widened as she snapped back.
At the threshold of the entrance stood the woman with long black hair and green eyes.
The recruits continued their sparring session; Azure approached Lira and bowed. "It is my duty to perform my tasks to royal standard, my Lady."
The way this woman stared at her scared her deeply, yet she did not feel scared. Before, she was always uneasy, yet now she felt as safe as ever. Must be because I know Aqua will help me. She suppressed her smile as Lira scanned her.
"I need you to come with me, Azure." The woman spoke with venom-laced words.
Azure shook her head, "But, Lady Lira, I have my hands bound with the training."
"That matters not. This takes precedence. Come with me."
Azure sighed; she could not disobey Lira's order. She turned to the recruits and shouted, "Continue with the sparring until I return, then we can continue with other lessons!"
Shouts of approval reached her, and she nodded in a satisfied manner.
Lira crossed her arms. "Follow me."
She had never trusted the spymaster; there was always something off about her. Yet what choice did she have? If she had disobeyed, it would have been overall worse for her.
"Lady Lira, may I ask for what I am needed?" Yet as she followed the councilor, she merely answered, "It does not matter to you at the current time. Quit blabbering, your voice grates my ears."
The way Lira spoke to her irked her to no end. Not even the king and the queen dared speak with such disrespect.
No matter, I will figure out what you are planning anyway.