The shock was immediate the moment they arrived.
The training grounds roared with the metallic clash of swords and shields. Knights fought each other in fierce duels, their strikes echoing like thunder across the earth.
Every blow released a power so intense the ground itself trembled. Matheo's jaw dropped.
Matheo: "H-How… how are they this strong?! Why would they ever need us?"
Réhann narrowed his eyes, his voice grim.
Réhann: "If they're this powerful… the monsters must be even worse."
Max and Anthony exchanged a glance, despair weighing heavy in their voices.
Max & Anthony: "We'll never make it… this is hopeless."
Arald laughed, his booming voice carrying over the battlefield.
Arald: "Now, now, don't be so pessimistic! With the right training, you might even surpass half of them! AHAHAHA!"
Réhann exhaled, trying to believe him.
Réhann: "Maybe he's right… we might as well try."
Matheo gave a reluctant nod.
Matheo: "He's not wrong."
Anthony cracked a grin, masking his unease.
Anthony: "Alright then! So when do we staaart?!"
Arald's smile widened.
Arald: "Now. But first, I'll face each of you one by one. I want to see your true level. Who's going first?"
The three exchanged a look.
Then, as one, they all pointed at Matheo—the tank.
Matheo: "You bastards…"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Matheo stepped into the arena, his hands tightening around his axe and shield. The knights around the training ground stopped their duels and moved to the stands, their eyes fixed on him.
The air grew heavy.
Max cupped his hands and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Max: "LETS GOOOO, MATHEO!!! CRUSH HIM!!!"
Matheo snarled back, trying to hide his nerves.
Matheo: "Shut up, dumbass!"
Arald strode forward, calm and confident.
Arald: "Are you ready, boy? Don't worry… I'll go easy."
Matheo raised his shield, determination hardening his gaze.
Matheo: "Yeah… I'm ready."
The duel began.
Arald took a single step.
And vanished.
Matheo's instincts screamed
A gust of wind brushed his neck. He raised his shield just in time
CLANG!
The impact sent shockwaves through his body. His knees buckled, his feet sliding back meters across the dirt, leaving deep trails carved into the ground.
Matheo: "Tch… so fast…"
He roared, swinging his axe in a wide arc, a blow meant to crush. But Arald slipped past it effortlessly, his body blurring as though he had melted into the wind.
The audience murmured in awe.
Arald reappeared in front of Matheo, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
BAM!
A single strike of his wooden sword launched Matheo across the arena like a ragdoll. His body skidded across the ground, dust exploding in his wake, before crashing heavily at the far end.
Silence..
Then, laughter.
Arald: "AHAHAHAHA! Watch carefully, little ones! Learn something!"
Max, Anthony, and Réhann froze in disbelief.
Their breaths quickened. Their pupils shrank. That presence… that overwhelming aura…
They had felt it before.
Max clenched his fists.
Max: "… Guys… it's him. The one who attacked us in the forest."
Réhann's expression darkened.
Réhann: "Yeah… I realized it too."
Anthony's voice cracked, disbelief etched into every word.
Anthony: "… We'll never beat him."
Arald turned, grinning, his voice booming across the arena.
Arald: "Well then? Who's next? AHAHAHA!"
This time, Réhann stepped forward. He planted his staff firmly into the ground, his eyes sharp.
Réhann: "Before we fight… answer me. That night in the forest. Was it you?"
Arald tilted his head, scratching it like a child caught in mischief.
Arald: "Ahaha… yes, that was me. My apologies, I forgot to mention it."
Réhann's glare deepened.
Réhann: "Why?! Why attack us when you knew who we were?"
Arald's smile lingered, but his eyes grew colder.
Arald: "I had to test you. To see what you were capable of. I didn't expect you to be so weak… so I simply knocked you out. A bit harder than intended, perhaps. My bad."
His laughter stopped abruptly.
The smile faded.
And in its place came something darker.
Arald's eyes narrowed, and an oppressive aura rolled out of him like a black tide. The weight crushed down on Réhann's shoulders, suffocating, relentless. Réhann staggered, his chest tightening. MHis heart thundered
BOOM… BOOM… BOOM…
Each beat faster. Louder. Too fast. His breath caught in his throat, his vision blurring as cold sweat ran down his temples.
But he had no choice.
He raised his staff, gripping it with trembling hands.
Réhann (thought): "Stay focused… or I'll end up like Matheo."
Arald's voice dropped, low and chilling.
Arald: "Prepare yourself… I'm coming."
Step by step, he closed the distance, dragging his wooden sword against the ground.
Shhh… shhh… shhh…
The sound scraped against Réhann's nerves like knives.
And then—he disappeared.
Réhann's body reacted on instinct. His staff clashed against Arald's sword.
CLANG!
The sheer force threw him back several meters.
Arald pressed harder. Faster. Strikes from every angle, each one sharp enough to break bone.
Réhann blocked, dodged, countered. His movements clumsy at first, then sharper. His staff spun in wide arcs, deflecting blow after blow.
Réhann (thought): I… I can see him. His speed… his steps… I'm reading them…
Arald raised a brow.
Then smirked.
Arald: "Interesting."
He lunged again, but this time Réhann moved with fluid grace. His staff struck Arald's leg, then his shoulder, forcing him back.
The crowd gasped.
Max and the others leaned forward, stunned.
Réhann (thought): So this is it… this is my gift. The voice of every weapon… guiding me. I'm a Weapon Master.
Arald chuckled, genuinely entertained.
Arald: "At last… show me your true self!"
Réhann spun his staff, stance solid, ready to push further.
But Arald's smile twisted. His eyes froze over.
And in an instant—he vanished.
BAM!
Pain exploded at the back of Réhann's skull.
Before he could fall, another strike sent him flying into the air.
Arald leapt, caught his staff mid-air… and snapped it clean in two.
Réhann hit the ground hard, knees giving out, breath ragged.
Réhann (thought): Not yet… I can't… move…
Arald stood above him, merciless. A single blow to the face dropped him completely. Blood filled his mouth as his body crumpled.
The knights in the stands fell silent.
Even Max's usual grin vanished.
Arald stepped on Réhann's back, pinning him to the ground like an insect.
Arald (cold): "Stand… if you can."
But Réhann's body betrayed him.
Arald sighed, then grabbed him by the collar and tossed him from the arena as if he weighed nothing.
Réhann's body rolled across the dirt, limp, eyes half-open, consciousness fading.
Arald calmly sheathed his wooden sword.
Arald: "Next."
The silence was deafening.
Max clenched his fists, trembling. Matheo swallowed hard. Anthony took a step back, his voice barely a whisper.
Anthony: "He… he crushed him…"
Arald's smile returned, jovial as ever.
Arald: "Well? Who's brave enough to follow?"