Kyren charged towards his weapon, intending to retrieve it and continue the fight. However, Alaine anticipated his move and seized his weapon first. Kyren attempted to fight with his bare hands, but Alaine's armor was too tough for him to inflict any damage.
As Alaine fled, holding both of their swords, Kyren was determined to continue the fight and charged in recklessly.
In that moment, Kyren was shocked by Alaine's next move. She threw Kyren's sword at him, causing him to dodge it. Distracted, he lost track of Alaine. He quickly grabbed his sword from the ground and suddenly noticed a shadow on the ground. It was the shadow of Alaine's sword about to hit him. He swiftly assumed a parrying stance, but was shocked once again when he realized that Alaine was also throwing her sword at him. He miscalculated, thinking she would be holding it.
In the moment of realization, Kyren was struck by Alaine's punch, knocking him to the ground, and this point Kyren gave up.
"I hope that clarifies some of it, Kyren," Alaine smiled, offering a hand to help him stand up.
"Yeah," Kyren accepted.
"Are you satisfied, Kyren? Alaine is really strong, isn't she?" Hiro said.
"Well, Hiro, it's not just about that," Alaine replied.
"Then for what else?" Hiro asked.
"I want to see how the human race can truly become strong without a roots. I used to doubt how we could fight against those who have roots, but now I see it—the combination of power, speed, and battle brilliance," Kyren explained.
"You're exaggerating, Kyren," Alaine blushed.
Hiro turned to Alaine and grabbed her hands. "Whoa, Alaine, you're really strong and smart. The leader position really suits you," Hiro complimented.
"Stupid!" Alaine knocked Hiro's head.
"Just always remember, even in a 1 versus 1 situation, you really need a plan. Don't just attack recklessly. We humans focus on tactics, and we do better if we have teammates—and much better if your teammates understand what you're trying to do, synergy is the key."
Kyren finally started to understand the power of a great human warrior after being outsmarted by Alaine.
"And also, Kyren, Hiro, I'll not elaborate much because Sky Academy will teach this to you. Roots or magic can be infused into your equipment to act as resistance. If you really don't want to wear heavy armors, you can go for it, but you can only obtain it with high-level spells, or maybe buy some resistant scrolls from the mercenaries in Arramaya City," Alaine explained as she understood that Kyren really don't want to wear a heavy armor.
"I see, so there's also something like that in this world," Kyren said.
"Yes, and it was just discovered last year by the experts," Alaine added.
"Kyren we've learn so much! we didn't even start in the Academy." Hiro said.
"Yeah" Kyren said.
"Are we done here?" Alaine said while grabbing her sword and putting in the her belt protective case. "Let's go back to the office they might be there, you guys really need to rest for late afternoon training."
...
After they gone back to the office,
"Alaine, we have received a letter from the AL guild." Patricia handed the letter to first one to look at it.
Alaine rushes to her table and put her reading glasses, she read the letter that they she's invited along side with other new Guild Leaders to a conference, after done reading she gathered all the members around. "Guys, may I have your attention for a minute." Alaine commanded.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Everyone started to sit in and ready to listen for what Alaine will tell, "I'll be going to Knight bay City for 5 Days Roland will come along as my travelling assistant, AL Guild schedule a conference meeting of all newbie Guild Leaders, Patricia will be assisting you all for doing some mission as usual, Lili will be your command in charge for doing some E rank missions, and for you Hiro and Kyren, continue doing the morning exercise and later we will teach you what you will do in the evening exercise." Alaine announced.
"Noted Leader." Everyone agreed.
...
After that busy afternoon,
"Ok, boys, I hope you got some rest. Your training will be resumed," Patricia told Kyren and Hiro.
"This time, we will be going to the town's most famous spot, the Hundred Sand Hills," Alaine added.
"WOAH! LET'S GO, I'M READY FOR IT," Hiro exclaimed, showing his usual enthusiasm.
"Kyren, are you ready?" Alaine asked.
"Yeah," Kyren replied.
"This time, only bring this wooden dummy sword," Alaine instructed.
After they arrived at the bottom of the hills, they were amazed at how tall it appeared, even from a distance.
"Your training will be to reach the top of this hill. The loser will have to redo the climb one more time while the rest stay at the top. After that, we'll repeat from the start, and we'll join along with you guys," Alaine explained.
"Alright, let's go. Kyren, this is your time to even up our records," Hiro said, remembering that he had beaten Kyren once in the beach race.
"Ok, boys, on the count of three... one... two... three... GO!" Patricia said, with Hiro giving his all to take the lead while Kyren chased after him. Alaine and Patricia stayed behind, casually warming up.
"Pat, it's been a long time since we've done this," Alaine remarked.
"Yeah, do you want to compete too, like we used to?" Patricia suggested.
"Isn't it nostalgic? It feels like I'm looking at us when Hiro and Kyren compete against each other," Alaine said.
"Yeah, I felt that too. That's why I'm so invested in them," Patricia agreed.
"Anyway, they're so far ahead. Let's overtake them. This time, I'm going to win against you," Alaine challenged, picking up her pace.
"Not sure about that," Patricia replied, speeding up as well.
After a moment, Alaine and Patricia managed to overtake the two.
"Man, they're so fast! Are they competing too?" Hiro wondered aloud.
Meanwhile, Kyren was slightly ahead of Hiro.
"Don't get distracted, Hiro. We're almost at the top," Kyren urged.
"Oh, man!" Hiro tried to push his limits, but he stumbled and lost.
...
"So Hiro is the loser." Alaine said.
"Yeah, I'm just getting distracted on both of you but I'll bounce back in the next challenge for real." Hiro said.
"Whatever stupid, go reclimb this hill, then we will do it again." Alaine said.
"Alright." Hiro started going down the hill.
...
"Alaine I have one more question." Kyren said.
"Sure what is it?" Alaine said.
"You mentioned before, that someone loses their lives in the academy, how many of them loses their life?" Kyren asked, while looking at the nice view.
Patricia looked at Alaine and got shocked that she revealed it to them.
"Well, I think about 10 people? but in the qualification exam, we didn't know because they didn't announce or record on it." Alaine said.
"Alaine," Patricia's concern deepened as she pondered how much trust Alaine had placed in Kyren to disclose such sensitive information.
"It's okay, Pat," Alaine reassured her.
"I understand," Patricia replied.
"Kyren, there's one more thing you should know. Be cautious around the academy's proctors, especially the vice president of the AL Guild, known as The Handsome Prodigy," Alaine cautioned.
"Why's that?" Kyren inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"He's an Evil Narcissist," Alaine explained. "He frequently manipulates the rules to his favorite student to take an advantage, making the environment increasingly unfair for others. That's one of the reasons why the academy is in such a dire state."
"And what about the Leader of the AL Guild? Why hasn't he taken action?" Kyren pressed further.
"We're not entirely sure," Alaine admitted. "But we believe the AL Guild Leader is a good person. He's one of the Legendary Heroes in our realm, renowned for ending the first racial war and establishing the guild system."
"You know, he stay busy exploring around the world with the top guilds, leaving Sky Academy to the Vice Leader, clueless about his real deal, that's what our assumption" Patricia added.
"I see," Kyren nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation.
A brief silence enveloped to Kyren, Alaine and Patricia as they took a moment to digest the weight of their conversation, finding a fleeting respite amidst the tension.
"Just remember to keep an eye out for Hiro, Kyren. His personality won't survive in that environment without your guidance. I haven't told him this because I like his confidence, and I don't want him to lose that, because I'm like him in the beginning" Alaine confided, her voice softening with concern.
...
"HAAAAAAAAAAGH I'M TIRED" meanwhile Hiro done with the punishment.
"Ok let's go down again, for the second round." the three stood up.
"Wait what? Give me a second."
"Nah boy, Just relax while we are going down." Patricia said.