The sun was just barely rising when two figures charged towards each other.
Len and Maya were at it again.
Today was their last day of sparring, and Len not having any win yet was determined he was going to do so today.
His mind was extremely calm as an ocean and with his gaze laser focused.
Even Von had noticed the different air around him, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
Von had watched how Len barely slept during the past two weeks, focused entirely on his training day and night.
Though Len was unable to see it. Von could tell there was a lot of latent potential waiting to be unleashed within him. It appeared something was holding him back.
Maya, just as usual, was in the offence releasing strike after strike.
Len met her strike head on, parrying, evading, and blocking all without a waste of motion.
To others watching the battle, they would think Maya was the dominant one in the fight but not for Von, a bonafide and veteran swordmaster.
"No way in hell. He's controlling the flow of the battle." His brow shot up with an amused expression.
Just three months for a boy who hadn't held a sword once in his life to grow to this point and even stand against that little monster.
"Hehe. I'm truly a great teacher."
The fight became heated as Len finally went on the offence.
His style was something unusual. A style Von didn't know what to make of.
Len's thinking was simple. He didn't have time for flashy skills or techniques.
To him, such stuff was a waste of time.
The true purpose of the blade was to take life. And so, his attacks were finely tuned to a dangerous intent of ending his opponent's life in the quickest way possible.
Von's eyes widened in shock. "This..."
"Is he building a sword technique from scratch? An Unranked human building a sword technique? Ha!"
"Amazing!"
Meanwhile, Maya was slowly getting pushed back. Her expression tightened each time she blocked his blade, followed by a slight grunt.
Len's unnatural strength wasn't to be joked with.
"Did he have a boost in strength over the week or what?" She thought, leaping backwards.
Len was already on the move as if expecting such a move from her.
His sword flashed downward with precision towards an opening at Maya's neck.
"Dammit! Don't think I'll lose easily." Her eyes narrowed as she twisted her body to the limits, gathering just enough force to retaliate with an attack of her own .
SNAP!
Both swords collided with sparks and a loud snap echoing over the dojo.
The broken half of a black wooden sword fell to the ground with a clatter.
A brief silence occurred as Len stared at his sword that was broken in half with a frown.
"Didn't he say the swords were made from one of the most durable materials in the world?
How... How the hell did my sword fucking break?"
Maya, one not to let go of such opportunities, moved forward without hesitation.
Her sword travelled through the air before stopping just inches away from Len's face.
"Seems you lost, again." She said with a small smile, though her eyes couldn't help but betray her rattled expression.
Did she get dominated in a sword fight?For once, she couldn't call this a true victory. It was more like a clutch win for her.
She looked up only for a dumbfounded expression to appear across her face.
The other half of Len's sword clattered to the wooden floor, followed by a soft sigh.
That wasn't the shocking part.
Len's next action shocked Maya and even Von, who was watching from the sideline.
"I lost." He said with a slight bow before walking towards the end of the room.
"This..."
Von rubbed his chin softly, staring at the young boy.
Where was the frustrated yell and bickering that occurred during each end of their spar?
Hehe.
Not thinking much about it, he approached his granddaughter.
"That was a nice block."
"Yeah." Her eyes never left Len, though.
She knew... she knew her victory was by a hair's breadth. Len had dominated her throughout the duel and had only fallen short due to her unnatural luck.
Von picked up the broken sword with a dazed expression.
'Just what grade is that trait of hers? To be able to cause such an effect on the natural flow of things.'
"Oh my..."
"This generation of youngsters is going to be quite interesting."
Meanwhile, Len sat cross-legged, eyes closed as he went through their spar in his head.
He wasn't angry about his loss. He had come to the conclusion that Maya's unique innate trait was extremely powerful.
Not something he could outmatch easily with pure brute strength.
Sigh.
At least, he felt the huge progress in his sword skills. 'To think I would go from using a kitchen knife to an actual sword.'
Life truly was unpredictable.
Len finally stood up just in time to meet the approaching Von.
"Such fine skills, boy. I didn't get this excited when I trained your father."
"_"
Wrapping his hand around Len's shoulders, he led him towards Maya.
"Come on. Let's go celebrate. After all, today is the last day ya gonna spend with this old man before the Unranked trial."
...
The sun was up fully in the bright sky, casting his golden rays down on the people of Avalon.
Avalon was the capital city of humanity's only settlement, a single large continent they had managed to keep during the bloody war.
The city was bustling with vibrant energy and activity more than ever.
Civilians spoke with excited voices while pointing at the imposing tower situated at the centre of the citadel.
Most stalls were closed as most were currently headed to the grand citadel at the heart of Avalon.
Today was a special day, all across the world.
The Towers were going to open the portal that would lead to the Unranked trial.
The citizens of Avalon were excited. Not only would they be allowed to see the celestial Tower in its full glory but also humanity's strongest ranked hero.
It wasn't every time such an opportunity was granted to one.
The towers only opened twice a year.
The first, for the Unranked trial and then a second time for those wishing to ascend into the next rank.
The same thing was occurring in the city of Valerie.
Currently, Len and Maya stood before a large court with a large throne fixed at the centre of the chamber.
The room was filled with powerful figures from bloodline families and, most importantly, the current patriarch of the Everhart family.
Daerion Everhart.
His long dark hair was stylishly braided, fitting smoothly with his golden robe. His golden eyes stared down on the duo, standing before him.
He didn't bother to hide his overbearing aura, letting it wash over the room in a brilliant golden hue.
Len was barely able to stand upright, already feeling nausea.
"Your uncle sent his greetings, Len. He hopes for a successful trial."
'Damn bastard.' Len cursed silently in his mind.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and a figure walked in. He had thin white hair and long gruff beards.
One of the inner and oldest elders of the family. He was the tower guardian and barely showed up in such gatherings.
Just then, another figure stepped through the open doors. A face all recognised instantly.
A white domineering aura washed over the room as he stepped forward. Staring at all present in the room, he casually headed towards a nearby pillar and leaned on it.
Len finally breathed in an air of relief as the aura pressing down on him specifically vanished.
"Ahhh. How many years has it been since I last stepped into this place." Von inhaled a handful of breath, ignoring the tensed and awed look of those around him.
Since his retirement, Von never really appeared in the family meeting or special events. This was the second time he was making an appearance in the chamber.
Staring at Len, he let out a wink before speaking.
"Ahh. Don't mind me. You can continue with whatever you're doing."
The Tower guardian stepped forward calmly, his cane making a clacking sound across the marbled ground.
"Sorry to interrupt," He said with a slight bow before Daerion.
"But the portal is about to open…"