Next morning came.
Blaze is already awake, next to Byakuren and Nochtrael. But I was still feeling a bit sleepy because of everything that happened yesterday..
Random blade came flying past my face, I got threaten the first time I set foot in here, and that imaginary assignation I had. Just great, then–
*Knock knock*
I opened the door, and it was Elandor. "Are you ready for today?"
"You mean to suffer for nothing or learn something from it?"
"Both."
Yeah, this grumpy elf is really helpful..."Good morning to you too." I said while crossing my eyes. Blaze then jumps in my shoulder as usual, Byakuren and Nochtrael followed us.
Elandor asked. "Do you think it's a good idea to bring them in the first day of training?."
"You mean Blaze? Because Byakuren and Nochtrael was actually nice to me."
Blaze barges in. "Hey kid, that's rude. I'm literally just on your shoulder."
"Sometimes, you have to get a taste of your medicine." I said, while Blaze looks annoyed. Probably because I left them last night to eat delicious food and return to them with only a handful, and now I'm using his own language against him.
Elandor answered. "Actually all of them, because two of them are known guardians."
"..I think that's fine?, I mean they've already threatened me more than enough times yesterday.."
"Very well." He answered as dry as usual..but at least I know it's him and not some doppelganger sent here to assassinate me.
Elandor was walking in front as if he knew every corner of this place...Well, he did said Caethel actually trained under him, so maybe it explains his confident walking without asking for directions here.. honestly, by now I don't even know if he's always confident because he's a general, or he's a general because of his confidence, or both.
Elandor stopped Infront of a huge wooden doors like he owned the entire building, which, knowing him, he probably mentally did...but these doors are just plain in design at that, unlike the doors in king's throne.. and behind the doors..I heard screams.. but not scared.. more like screams of chaos happening inside. Elandor glanced at me. "Try not to die inside."
"Comforting start for the day, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Blaze yawned on my shoulder. "If you die, I call dibs on your stuff."
"You're the worst familiar ever."
"I prefer 'motivational companion."
Byakuren stayed silent, already looking like she regretted being part of this group. Nochtrael stood behind us like a normal dog wiggling its tail. Elandor pushed the doors open. And the world inside immediately stopped pretending to be normal.
Metal rang first. Clashing steel. Wood snapping. Heavy footsteps tearing across the ground like something far beyond training was happening inside.
Then I saw it. Training grounds. Or what was left of of it...The floor was cracked in multiple places, like it had been hit by repeated impacts. Weapon racks were broken and scattered, splintered wood everywhere. A pile of training dummies burned quietly in the corner, as if no one had bothered to stop it.
Two fighters were mid-exchange in the center. Caeleth, swordsman, moving with sharp precision. And opposite him–
Elandris. Smiling like this was routine. Their blades were locked in the air, sparks flicking between them as neither gave ground. To the right–
A second clash. Elf knight that feels like it's almost the same age of Elandor, dual axe wielder, driving brutal, heavy strikes down with overwhelming force. Opposite him–
Slightly younger Elf knight, lancer, holding his ground with disciplined precision, his lance turning aside each blow while the floor cracked under their movement. It wasn't training. It looked like controlled disaster.
Everything stopped the moment the doors opened. Silence fell instantly, all eyes turned toward us.
Then Blaze broke it. "I like it here."
I exhaled slowly. "Of course you do."
Elandor stepped forward as if nothing unusual was happening. "So this is how Ravenshard trains."
Elandris was the first to react. His eyes lit up. "Lucien!" He pointed his sword at me, not threatening, just excited. "Come join us!"
"No," I answered immediately.
The other elf's gaze holding dual axe shifted toward me. The air changed. "…Lucien," he said slowly. Then his eyes narrowed. "Isn't that the name of the brat who defeated my son in a single punch at Valerión."
My stomach dropped slightly. I glanced at Elandor. He didn't help. Dual axe wielder stepped forward once. "I am Sylendor. Top tier A-rank axeman of Ravenshard." His axes tilted slightly in his grip. "And father of the one you humiliated."
"…that makes it sound worse than it was," I said carefully.
Elandris laughed lightly from the side. "It was impressive though.."
That didn't help either. From the other side, the elf lancer finally spoke, voice calm. "Erendil. Top tier A-rank lancer of Ravenshard." He gave a small nod toward me. "I want to see how you fight."
Sylendor cracked his neck. "You will spar with me first. Draw your weapon."
I raised a hand slightly. "I think there's a misunderstanding. I didn't come here to fight anyone–"
"The sparring is the lesson," Elandor cut in, tone flat. "Refusing won't help you here."
I turned to him. "You're enjoying this."
"I am observing."
"That's worse."
Blaze sighed. "You're going to get folded."
"Thanks."
Elandris stepped forward slightly, still smiling. "I was supposed to fight him first."
"You can wait young master, observe how he fights." Sylendor said without looking away from me.
I knows he's just making an excuse because of what happened back in Valerión. The pressure in the room tightened. Even Erendil adjusted his stance slightly, watching now with more focus.
Sylendor raised both axes fully. "Begin." The three of them instinctively gave space. I exhaled once. Slowly, I reached for my practice steel sword. "…fine." I pulled it free. But my eyes didn't leave him. "…just don't blame me if I break something."
"Bold words for a child," he said, adjusting his grip on the axes. A faint smirk followed. "Now show me they mean something."
The air in the training hall shifted immediately. No more waiting, no more talking. Just intent.
So I moved first. I kicked off the ground–blade forward… But he dodged it completely as if he could read me!. My blade cut through empty air. He wasn't there anymore. A heavy sound cracked behind me–
*Clang!*
I barely twisted in time to block one of his axes. The impact traveled through my arms instantly. My feet slid back across the cracked floor. Sylendor wasn't just strong. He was heavy, controlled, precise. Like every movement had already been decided before I even thought of attacking.
Sylendor narrowed his eyes as their blades met.
This brat is actually good… no wonder he beat Sylas in one punch.
His grip tightened slightly.
But speed alone won't take me down.
*Clang! Clang!*
Clash after clash. I pushed my speed higher, stepping into angles, trying to break his rhythm. But every time I tried to shift angle, he was already there. Not chasing me. Waiting for me to arrive into his blade.
"Tch…" I clicked my tongue and changed pace. Faster. Short burst movement. I disappeared from his front and appeared slightly to his side, aiming a diagonal strike. He twisted his body without even looking fully.
*Clang–*
Blocked again, then he muttered. "Too predictable." And this time– he countered. The axe came down like a hammer. The ground shattered.
*BOOM!*
I jumped back instinctively as the floor cracked open where I was standing. Dust burst into the air. The shockwave alone pushed me back another step.
My eyes widened. "…Hey! I thought this was only a sparring!"
Sylendor straightened slightly, rolling his shoulder like nothing happened. "Huh," he said, eyes flicking toward me. "You dodged that?"
My heart was still catching up.
"Yeah, barely!" I snapped. "Why are you trying to execute me you old geezer?!"
That finally made him pause. He tilted his head slightly. "Old geezer?, Kill you?" Then he smirked. "Calmdown kid, I merely gauged your speed."
"…that's worse!"
From the side, Blaze muttered, "You're getting tested like a lab rat."
"NOT HELPING!"
Sylendor rotated both axes once, slow and controlled. The cracked ground beneath him creaked again under pressure alone. "Again," he said simply. And this time–
End of chapter.