Sir William raised his sword, and a Crimson flame engulfed his blade.

  So that is Sir William’s Sword Aura. The air around us all grew warmer.

  One of the rank 5 swordsmen had green hair and eyes. The other two were twins, they had crimson eyes and short hair. They all wore black steel armor.

  Sir William should be able to defeat them. He is a rank 7 swordsman after all.

  The three swordsmen charged toward Sir William, but he was calm; he held his sword steady; he dashed forward, swinging his sword and pushing the green-haired swordsman back.

  Sir William is strong—he easily pushed a rank 5 swordsman back like it was child's play. I didn't expect that. A shocked expression appeared on my face.

  One of the twins stood behind Sir William while the other clashed his sword against Sir William; they both had enveloped their blades with Aura, their blades engulfed in flames similar to Sir William's, but their Aura felt weaker.

  The green-haired swordsman charged towards Sir William. But Sir William vanished, reappearing behind the green-haired swordsman.

  Sir William swung his sword, cutting the green-haired swordsman in half. “How dare you attack our kingdom! You scoundrels will pay with your lives!” His voice filled with authority, sending a huge shockwave throughout the forest.

  Sir William is dominating his opponents. Even if everyone combined here charged at him, I don't think we can leave a scratch on him! I shuddered at the sight I was seeing.

  The two rank 5 swordsmen mumbled something before they charged toward Sir William.

  “Hmph. You bastards think you stand a chance!” Blue flames erupted from the ground surrounding the rank 5 swordsman dashing towards Sir William.

  “William, do you think this is enough to kill us, you're sorely mistaken!” the twins said.

  Suddenly, a blade almost stabbed Sir William, but he managed to dodge it; he looked behind, and his eyes opened wide in shock.

  Who is that man that ambushed Sir William! My focus was completely on the man who had appeared behind Sir William

  “Barton! You bastard, what are you doing here! It seems you want to die along with these fools.” Sir William said as he thrust his sword at the muscular man who had short blonde hair and blue eyes.

  The man blocked Sir William’s strike before he spoke. “Ah, William, don't be like that, I can't let you kill any more of my men. I have already lost too many.” He spoke with a grin on his face.

  That man Sir William called Barton. Mana is as strong as Sir William, he is also a rank 7 swordsman. This skirmish isn't just about conquering Goldshire. What is going on here! I put my hands on my arms where I had been wounded as I gritted my teeth.

  Everyone's attention was purely focused on this once-in-a-lifetime battle.

  “Why don't we both withdraw our forces, poor little William?” Barton said in a haughty voice.

  “Do you think I'm letting you get away again!” Sir William said his voice filled with anger.

  “Stubborn fool. No matter, one of us will die here today, William!” Barton took a step forward as he swung his sword towards Sir William’s ribs.

  Sir William easily blocked the strike before he retaliated, swinging his sword; Barton also swung his sword; their swords clashed against each other, and the impact of their clash sent a shockwave throughout the forest, making me falter.

  "They're really going at huh, aren't they?" Corey said, standing alongside me.

  “They truly are, so this is the battle of rank 7 swordsmen." I gazed at Sir William; he moved so fast as he swung his sword over and over aimed at Barton’s vitals.

  Each time their sword made contact sent a tremor throughout the air.

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  “Everyone! Step back, this battle is far too dangerous!”

  We all walked to a safe distance, protecting ourselves from the fight.

  “This is it! I have longed to fight against you since our last battle, William!” Barton said with an ecstatic expression.

  “You're weaker than me now, Barton! When will you realize that you only survived back then because I was weak!” Sir William said as he stabbed Barton’s shoulder.

  Barton laughed before he spoke, “Do you think I'm alone In this battle, William? Look behind you!”

  Suddenly, Sir William turned around and saw the two rank 5 swordsmen charging towards him. They had conjured some sort of flame, rivaling the flame wall Sir William trapped them in, but instead, the flames enveloped their swords in a fiery blaze.

  Sir William moved so fast that he stood behind them without them even realizing. With a roar Sir William’s sword carved a fiery arc. The two men barely raised their swords blocking Sir William's strike together but were sent flying through the air before hitting the trees, knocking them both out.

  That was one powerful strike, Sir William was holding back this entire time! I clenched my fist.

  “How is he so strong? I thought I had seen it all!” I muttered.

  Suddenly a huge buzz sound filled the air. Barton had conjured a massive lightning bolt.

  The Lightning bolt shot out towards Sir William. Sir William quickly raised his arm, and a huge golden Mana barrier formed protecting him.

  The lightning bolt surrounded Sir William, trapping him.

  “I will see you again, William, and make sure to kill you; the next time will be your last!” Barton said as he ran towards the Two rank 5 swordsmen who were knocked out.

  “No, you don't!” The lightning bolt was still restraining Sir William, making him unable to do anything.

  I tried to chase after Barton but Corey stopped me.

  Damn it… I can't do anything; if only I was stronger, I could've stopped them.

  “Wait for orders, Soren. You could die if you charge in like a lunatic!” He shouted in an angry tone.

  “Come on! we have to stop him!” Commander Alex said as he dashed toward Barton who had reached the two rank 5 swordsman.

  Barton grabbed the two rank 5 swordsmen before he ran away.

  “Damn it!” Commander Alex stomped his feet, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

  The battle was over, we had won, but not without casualties. We let them escape if only we were stronger if only I wasn't so weak!

  When the lightning finally stopped, Sir William disabled his barrier before he trudged towards us, he seemed exhausted. His jaw clenched his knuckles whitening around his sword hilt.

  “Commander Alex, take the corpses back to Goldshire, they deserve a proper burial; these soldiers fought bravely. I will make sure their families are rewarded,” he said with a pained look on his face.

  I survived this battle, but this is not over, not in the slightest! We have lost many of my comrades, I won't forgive those heinous bastards! A frown crept up on my face.

  I took a deep breath before I walked toward my father; it seemed he had defeated his opponents without a problem.

  My father looked at me before patting my shoulder. "Good job, Soren, remember this battle for the rest of your life,” he said as he looked up; the sun was setting, and the fog had dissipated.

  “Soren, remember we will avenge our fallen comrades, that's the least we can do for them,” his voice filled with determination.

  Commander Alex walked toward us before he spoke. “You're right, Raynard, and congratulations, kid, on breaking through to rank 2 at such a young age. You're the most talented little one in our entire town,” he said with a smile on his face.

  “Ah! Soren you broke through to rank 2? I didn't even realize, you cheeky brat, you should've told me!” My father scolded me.

  “Sorry, I thought it wasn't that important right now,” I said as I looked at my wound, which had almost healed greatly.

  “We will retrieve the bodies of our soldiers when we return later. ” Sir William spoke Loud and clear.

  We did it, we defended Goldshire! I felt relaxed and peaceful as I took a deep breath letting all my worries go away.

  "We should go home,” I said.

  It was over, we all were tired from the long battle but felt pride in defending our town.

  "Good job, soldiers! you may go back home, I will call the Third Division to come pick up our fallen soldiers.” Sir William said as he climbed up on his horse before riding away.

  *****

  For the next three days, I completely focused on recovering my body.

  Breaking through to the next rank had enhanced my regeneration abilities, making the recovery a breeze.

  After having recovered, I spent 7 days stabilizing my Core. I needed to stabilize my core when I had broken through so recently.

  “The Awarding ceremony is today. I should prepare now.” I muttered as I stood up and walked toward the water container.

  I splashed water onto my face cleaning myself. As I was about to walk away, I saw my reflection in the mirror.

  My hair has grown too long, I should tie it down.

  I grabbed a ribbon on the table nearby and tied my hair into a ponytail.

  I dressed in the new outfit my father had prepared for me, which was a black military uniform made out of wool. It had golden stripes over the shoulder.

  I like it. It must have cost a lot, I wonder why my stingy old man gave it to me.

  I exited my house as I strolled towards the center of the town where I had taken my rank 1 test.

  The awarding ceremony is happening at the same place where I took my test.

  As I arrived at my destination, I saw my father waiting for me.

  "Brat you're late! Quickly let's head inside," he raised his hand, almost hitting me on the head out of anger.

  He was wearing a grey military uniform with a black cape, "Sorry, I didn't realize it was getting late, but why did you give me this new uniform, it seems expensive?" I was confused.

  "It is mandatory. That is the only reason I bought you one. You better treasure it or I will give you some fatherly love." He said as he looked at his pocket.

  Stingy old man, he can't even hide his dissatisfaction. I raised my eyebrow.

  “I like it a lot, thank you,” I said with an awkward smile.

  “Good, that uniform cost me a lot of money; come on, let's go in.”

  We entered the building before walking to the center, my father opened the door leading me into the ceremony hall. The hall was quite big, all the guards were present.

  The guards had lined up in multiple lines in an orderly manner. "Line up, Soren. I will go up to the stage now." My father said as he walked past me towards the stage before greeting Sir William and sitting on a chair.

  Sir William glared at me before speaking. "Ahem, now that everyone is here, we will commence the awarding ceremony."

  I shouldn't have taken my sweet time getting here. I thought as I averted my gaze away from him.

  He called the soldiers one by one, giving them rewards. Finally, it was Corey's turn; he took his reward before stepping down. His presence seemed different.

  You are not going to let me surpass you, huh Corey? You have broken through to rank 2 too! I smiled.

  Finally, Sir William called my name, I walked forward, climbing the staircase and greeting him. "Soren Veyrin, you have shown exceptional talent on the battlefield at such a young age. As such I award you with a rank 2 Mana fruit along with a few complimentary silver coins.”

  “Thank you, Sir!” I saluted him.

  The mana fruit looked like an apple, but Blue. He handed me the fruit along with a bag filled with silver coins. I stepped down the stage and walked toward Corey.

  “You got a rank 2 Mana fruit! Not fair, I only got a rank 1 Mana fruit!” Corey said as he stared at my Mana fruit, his eyes shining.

  “You should've killed the rank 2 swordsman then! And I won't give it to you” I said while grinning.

  Before Corey could reply Sir William spoke.

  "With this, the awarding ceremony is concluded. I hope all of you continue working hard and grow stronger; this war has only started, dismissed!”