It had been ten days, and I was finally ready for my final exam. Fidelis and I stood in the training field, surrounded by a familiar audience: Zenita, Eleanor, Mira, Felicia, and a group of Paladins. The atmosphere lacked the grandeur of the Radiant Battleground battle. This time, the test was focused solely on our swordsmanship; magic was strictly forbidden. Only raw skill and strategy were allowed.

I could feel the weight of the expectation on me as I gripped my sword. I glanced at Eleanor; she gave me a smile that filled me with courage.

Fidelis stood across from me, wearing a knowing smile. He was an experienced warrior, and I knew this wouldn’t be an easy duel. As the sun cast long shadows on the ground, I took a deep breath, ready to prove I was worthy of the title of commander.

"Three years... And now you’re here for your final exam," Fidelis said, his voice filled with the pride of a father.

"I’ve learned so much from you and Zenita. You and the other paladins have helped me a great deal during my training. No amount of thanks could ever be enough." I bowed my head in respect, and the paladins applauded, offering their support. I had spent countless hours with them, forging deep bonds with each one. I was truly grateful for the support they had given me.

"I’m glad to hear that. Now, are you ready for your final test?" Fidelis asked, his eyes piercing and serious.

I nodded, my resolve unwavering.

"I won’t hold back, don’t forget that. You should see me as an enemy now. Otherwise, you can’t win," he advised.

"Please do your best, Fidelis. I'll do the same," I said. We were both aware of the weight of the moment. Everything was now ready.

"Ready... Start!" called out one of the paladins, and the duel began.

The moment the signal was given, Fidelis attacked with impressive speed, even without the aid of magic. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. This time, I wouldn't freeze up like I had before. As he closed the distance between us, I noticed his sword rising; it was a feint. He was pretending to attack from the right but intended to strike from the left.

I raised my shield toward the direction he seemed to be attacking. I was right. It was exactly the deceptive move he had made.

"As you can see, you've figured it out, Shinya," Fidelis said. I could hear the pride in his voice.

"After taking so many hits during training, yes," I replied with a mocking grin. But I couldn't let myself get distracted. This was a serious duel, and a moment of inattention could cost me dearly.

Now it was my turn to attack. I quickly closed the distance and lunged at him. With a decisive swing, I aimed to strike from above, hoping to catch him off guard. But Fidelis was fast; he raised his shield just in time to deflect my blow. The impact resonated through my arms, reminding me of the strength he possessed.

I quickly adjusted my stance, preparing for his counterattack. I knew Fidelis wouldn't miss this opportunity.

As expected, Fidelis launched a counterattack, and I instinctively blocked his strike. The clang of metal echoed around us as I struggled to find an opening in his defense. We took turns attacking, each trying to outmaneuver the other. As the battle continued, our attacks grew faster, and the time it took to react became shorter than what a normal person could handle.

Despite my training, the pressure on me kept building. I was doing my best not to show any signs of weakness, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. My body was overflowing with adrenaline, and that created a rush that sharpened my senses but also clouded my judgment. Some of my attacks were more instinctive than tactical; instead of a careful strategy, I was surrendering to the raw energy rising within me.

There was a vast difference between Fidelis and me: his ability to remain calm under pressure. As an experienced former adventurer, he had mastered the art of composure; every move he made was deliberate and calculated. He danced around my attacks with precision, predicting my next move as if he knew it in advance. In contrast, the adrenaline coursing through my veins was like a double-edged sword. As I increased my speed, it pushed me to make hasty decisions, clouding my ability to think clearly.

And just as I feared, it happened. Fidelis attacked from the side where I held my sword, and although I could easily deflect the strike with my sword, I made a split-second decision to raise my shield instead, leaving my left side momentarily vulnerable.

Without hesitation, Fidelis seized the opportunity, charging forward and swinging his shield at me. The blow was merciless; I felt a crack in my ribs, or at least I thought I did. I staggered back a few steps, a few drops of blood trickling from my mouth as I tasted the metallic bitterness of it.

"Don't let your mind cloud, Shinya!" he shouted, his voice stinging in my ears like a whip. It was an order; he was reminding me to focus and regain my composure.

But before I could fully recover, Fidelis attacked again. First, he made a strike with his sword. I blocked it with mine, but I couldn’t lose focus if I was to respond quickly. Then, he made a move with his shield. I raised my own shield in time to deflect the blow. Our swords and shields clashed together, and then, with an unexpected move, Fidelis kicked me in the stomach. The force of the blow sent me to the ground.

Fidelis quickly closed in after I fell. As I tried to get back on my feet, another kick hit my stomach. The impact made me roll a few times. Blood started to spill from my mouth. As I quickly tried to rise again, my eyes suddenly locked onto Eleanor. There was fear in her eyes. She was worried. Seeing her like this left a hollow feeling inside me.

What hurt the most was not wanting to disappoint her. I wanted to protect all of my loved ones. If anything happened to them, I could never forgive myself.

I have to be strong. I can do this.

"Use your strength, Shinya," Forsaken whispered in my mind.

No. I couldn’t use that power... not in this situation. If I kept relying on that power, it would eventually consume me. I had to trust in my own strength. I could only win this battle with my own power.

The good thing was that the adrenaline coursing through my body dulled the pain. I had to shake off the effects of the blows, clear my head, and get back into the fight. I took a deep breath to reassess my strategy. This wasn’t just about survival; it was about proving I had what it took to become the commander of the paladins.

Fidelis wasn’t going to give me any openings, and I knew that. If this duel dragged on, I’d eventually tire out before him — his stamina was greater than mine. I had to gamble, catch him off guard. I needed to play a little dirty.

After spitting out some blood, I got back on my feet. Every muscle in my body burned with pain, but that couldn’t stop me. I launched a counterattack, swiftly heading toward Fidelis with my sword. However, he skillfully blocked my strike. In that same moment, I threw a handful of sand into his eyes..

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Fidelis lost his focus for a brief moment as the sand hit his eyes. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. As he tried to clear his vision, I swiftly struck him on his right side with my sword. The blow shattered his armor, but I didn’t stop. I immediately followed up with a blow from my shield. However, this time, Fidelis managed to block my attack.

"Ah, so you're playing dirty... I like it!" Fidelis said, stepping back slightly. As he caught his breath, a smile appeared on his face, though the anger in his eyes was still evident. He wasn’t going to give up that easily.

"You really are skilled with a sword, Fidelis. That’s why I can only defeat you this way," I said, keeping my distance. I was winded as well. Both of us were catching our breath, sizing each other up for the next move.

"Thank you, Shinya. But flattery isn’t going to win you this duel," he replied with a grin. He had cleared his eyes. Every movement of mine was under his watchful gaze.

I moved a bit closer to Fidelis to make my final move. I needed another surprise attack. This was the moment — either all or nothing. I gripped my shield tightly and called out, "You know, I think shields can be even more useful if we do this!"

Without further warning, I hurled my shield at him with all my might, sending it spinning like a disk. The moment the shield left my hand, I charged forward.

Fidelis’s eyes widened in surprise. He quickly raised his own shield, deflecting the shield with a loud clang. All I needed was to distract him.

As I closed in, I raised my sword. The moment he moved to defend himself, I tossed my sword into the air. It spun above us. Fidelis glanced at the blade for just a moment, and in that split second, I slid between his legs, catching him off guard and throwing off his balance.

As I slid on the ground, it felt like time slowed down for a moment. I grabbed his legs and, using the opening, disrupted his balance. I could hear him cursing as he fell. As he hit the ground, I sprang up, catching my sword mid-air as it fell.

At that moment, Fidelis turned toward me.

I pressed my sword against his throat. Gently applying pressure to the edge, I declared my victory. The training field fell into silence for a moment. Then, everyone suddenly erupted in celebration of my win.

"It looks like you tricked me," Fidelis laughed. "I didn’t expect you to make me fall like that. You took a big gamble, but it paid off. Well done, Shinya-kun," he added, his words full of pride.

I took Fidelis’s hand and helped him up. When he stood, I embraced him without thinking. It always felt a bit awkward, but I didn’t mind; he was like a real older brother to me. As the others rushed toward us, Fidelis gently patted my head.

"Shinya!" Eleanor shouted from behind me. As I turned, she jumped into my arms, and we both fell to the ground.

"Oh, I’m sorry! Are you okay?" she asked, quickly standing up and offering her hand.

"I'm fine," I groaned, casting a healing spell on myself. I considered using the same spell on Fidelis, but he gently waved his hand, politely declining.

"Congratulations on your victory!" Eleanor said as she bent down and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. My face instantly flushed, and as I became aware of the onlookers, I stammered a little, "Thank you, Eleanor."

At that moment, Zenita approached us with a wide grin. "Ah, Shinya-kun, really well done!" she exclaimed, and as usual, she pulled me into a tight hug against her chest.

"Zenita! You're suffocating him!" Eleanor scolded, and Zenita reluctantly let me go, laughing heartily.

Then Mira and Felicia joined us, each giving me a congratulatory hug. As I looked around, a wave of satisfaction washed over me. After three long years of grueling training and three tests, it was finally over. I had overcome every challenge, and now, I was ready to take my place as the commander.

"So, when is the ceremony?" I asked excitedly.

"Probably in a few days," Fidelis replied. "The paladins, mages, and healers will gather at the cathedral's center. The Goddess will declare you the commander."

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of pride and gratitude swelling within me. Soon, the journey that had started as a struggle would become a mission, and I felt ready to fulfill that mission.

Three days passed, and the day of the announcement finally arrived. A large crowd, mostly made up of paladins, had gathered, all waiting solemnly. To the far right, the healers stood, with Oscard at the front. His face carried a trace of disappointment, but he had no choice but to be there, as it was the Goddess's command. In the center, Zenita stood tall with a group of mages behind her. To the left, Fidelis, Felicia, and Mira waited with the paladins. The number of paladins surrounding us was truly impressive.

Standing behind the stage, watching the crowd, my heart raced in my chest. Eleanor was beside me. "Are you nervous?" she asked softly.

"I always feel nervous in front of crowds," I confessed. Even in my old world, standing in front of my classmates during presentations was a challenge. My anxiety would always spike.

Eleanor gently wrapped her arms around me. "You'll be fine. Just take deep breaths," she comforted me, helping me calm down as she assisted me in putting on my armor. Fidelis had insisted I wear the armor today to make a strong impression. It had been severely damaged after my fight with Zenita, but surprisingly, the blacksmiths had restored it to its former state.

At last, I was ready. My armor glimmered under the sunlight, and my white cloak draped proudly over my shoulders, embroidered with the symbol of Luminara—a shining sun with a rose at its center. Eleanor stepped back, giving me an approving look and a sweet smile. "You look so handsome, Shinya."

I couldn’t help but smile. "I love you," I said as I kissed her cheek.

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. "I'm glad to hear that," she said proudly.

"Well, don’t you love me too?" I asked.

Without saying a word, Eleanor kissed my lips. Her lips were as soft as always, and they carried a mix of sweetness and a hint of bitterness. "I think I got my answer," I said, smiling.

The cathedral filled with a sacred silence. The air seemed to be charged with the Goddess's presence. Then, Luminara's voice echoed from her statue, filling every corner of the space with a commanding, spiritual tone that demanded everyone's attention.

"My loyal soldiers... my Knights of Light... welcome!" Her voice was both warm and powerful, like sunlight splitting through a storm. "Today, a new dawn rises for Luminarca."

She paused, as if gazing at every soul before her.

"Three years ago, a noble soul sacrificed his life, giving up his own light to protect his loved one. He was fearless, pure of heart, and determined. When I saw the depth of his courage, I could not allow such light to be lost. Therefore, I saved him from the void, granting him life with my light, so that he could become the worthy leader this realm needed."

Her words hung in the air, each syllable invoking awe in the crowd. The healers and mages bowed their heads; the paladins stood even straighter.

"I watched him with unyielding determination as he dedicated himself," she continued, her voice rising. "He faced trials that others would have surrendered to. He learned not only the art of the sword but the spirit of leadership and the strength to push you all forward. He has come here, with his own strength, his own resolve, and with your support."

The crowd murmured in approval.

"This person, as Commander, will be the sword and shield of Luminarca against Tenebris Dominus. Knights of Light, know that today is the day a warrior rises to banish the darkness from our lands!"

Her voice softened, filled with a dignified pride. "And now, I call forth the one who has earned his place before you. Knights of Light! Here is your new Commander... Shinya Kage!"

When Luminara spoke my name, her voice echoed through the cathedral and beyond. Stepping onto the stage, I could hear the waves of cheers from the mages and knights. Their voices rang out loud and clear. The raised fists and shining faces reflected the respect and courage I had earned throughout my years of exhausting training.

However, the healers on the right remained silent. Oscard, no doubt, had ordered them to stay quiet.

To silence the crowd, I raised my hands and gestured for quiet. I knew everyone was expecting a speech from me. Taking a deep breath, I tried to shake off my nervousness.

"When I died, I had no regrets—only the peace of knowing that I had saved my mother. When I died, everything went dark. I was swallowed by an endless void. There was no warmth, no life—just silence and darkness. But then, Luminara-sama found me and saved me from the void. She gave me a purpose. I stand here not only as one who has been reborn, but as a soldier of her light, her chosen commander."

"I will fight for our Goddess with my last breath. I will face the Lord of the Void, Tenebris Dominus, and I will destroy his darkness. I swear to bring Luminara's light to every corner of Luminarca, to protect this world from shadows. This is my oath to you, to our Goddess, and to all who believe in the light."

I raised my voice with the fire of my faith. Led by Fidelis, all the paladins raised their swords in unison; a sea of shining steel formed above their heads. "All hail Commander Shinya!" they shouted. Their voices shook the entire cathedral.

end of the part 2: Training

to be continued...