Emil, Arne and Piers were standing in a grass field.

It had been three days since Emil started practicing swordsmanship under Arne's guidance.

Emil wanted to start doing hunting missions already. Everyday was as precious as it got, he didn't want to dawdld around.

Ordinarily, Arne would tell him that he's not good enough yet and had to practice longer to get the basics down.

But Emil was a freak, at least when he was high. He learned in three days what would take others at least several weeks to learn.

Hence the current situation.

He was to pass a test designated by his uncles. He would get to go hunting if he passed, otherwise he had to stay in school and train more.

"The rules are simple, you have to land just one hit one me. It doesn't matter if it's solid or not, as long as your sword even grazes me you win."

Arne explained, his bulging muscularity and vigorous eyes taking Emil's confidence down a few notches.

"You got this Emil."

Piers yelled from the side.

He was resting on a chair not too far away, a glass of Sea Amber Wine in his hand.

It was like he was there to spectate a game. All he needed was a shade and a pair of sunglasses.

Truth to be told, he wasn't expecting Emil to pass. The kind of test they had for him in mind was a little different.

Emil glanced at Piers and then Arne before unsheathing his blade and taking a stance.

On the count of three, the fight began.

Emil rushed at Arne and swung his word at him.

The force from Emerald Reflection was enough to tear any grown man into two clean halves, but not a Knight like Arne.

Arne raised sword and deflected Emil's strike. The fight wasn't as unfair as it seemed. Arne lowered his strength to Emil's level so they were fighting based on skill rather than strength.

*Clang*Clang*

Emil attacked Arne again, and again Arne deflected his strikes.

His defense was solid, as solid as a rock.

If Emil wanted to get through to him then he had to cook something up.

With that thought in mind, he executed his only other technique. The fireball.

"Attash."

A flame sprung to life in Emil's hand as his sword was deflected yet again.

Arne didn't defend when Emil's fiery punch came at him. Instead he tilted his body and dodged it.

Deciding it was enough playing around, he raised his weapon and got on the offensive.

*Clang!*Cling!*Clang!*

Although not by much since he limited his strength, his strikes were still heavier than Emil's.

Emil could tell based on the numbness spreading through his hands each time he blocked his opponent.

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A vertical slash connected to Emerald Reflection. As soon as Emil deflected it the sword wreathed its way back to him, but was again stopped by Emerald Reflection just inches away from his face.

Emil thought to himself.

'i have to cast a fireball and make sure it connects to him, otherwise he'll sap all my strength and have me panting on the ground soon.'

Despite getting used it, Emerald Reflection was still heavy for Emil.

That on top of the fact that he had to swing it vigorously and endure the added pressure from Arne's assault was exhausting his strength.

Soon, he'd lose so much strength he'd become incapable of dodging Arne.

With that thought in mind, he pulled away before Arne's next swing and started casting Fireball.

However, his opponent wasn't gonna let him be.

Arne rushed after him as soon as he noticed him casting, and attacked Emil again.

Emil saw the sword coming, He had to make a decision.

Either cancel the fireball, grip with both hands and put all his strength into defending, or have his energy concentrated on casting, and defend with just one hand.

He could choose the latter option, but he'd probably lose his grip on his sword afterwards, leaving his only chance of winning with the fireball in his hand.

The Emil from before the combat practice lesson would choose to risk it for an opportunity to win.

But the Emil right now, decided to cancel his Fireball and defend instead.

*Clang!*

The two swords collided as Emil blocked the slash, stopping it from slicing his neck.

Pulling back again, he decided to cast another fireball.

This was his last chance. There was no beating Arne in a sword fight.

But Arne beat him to casting spells.

He too wielded the fire element and there were no rules instating that he couldn't use spells.

Without any chants or ceremony, a fire sword with a length equal to Arne's other sword formed in his hand.

Emil watched as two swords came slashing down at him.

This was an opportunity!

Arne's fire sword could be blocked with Emerald Reflection while he could see himself dodging the other one.

With his fireball being almost cast thanks to Arne stopping to cast his own spell, he could finally have a shot at landing a hit on him.

However, just like before...

Piers looked on with interest as Emil cancelled his fireball yet again and drew back to dodge the attack.

His mana pool must've been empty by now, having cast and cancelled his fireball twice.

With no mana or strength left, Arne soon broke through Emil's defense and had his sword at his neck.

"You lose, boy."

he declared with a stern face, looking down on his tired opponent."

"Huff, Huff.

You're too strong uncle, this isn't fair."

Emil complained, frustrated.

"But next time, I'll definitely get you next time!"

Gathering himself from the ground, he locked eyes with Arne as he stated, his determination clear.

The two of them stared at each for a few seconds before Arne broke into a wide smile.

"It's good that your loss didn't deter you."

He declared.

"Especially when you passed the test."

Piers said from afar, approaching the two as he stored his wine glass away.

"What, What do you mean?"

Emil asked, confusion riddling his face.

"You heard him boy, you passed the test."

"Why? I lost..."

"You didn't win the duel, but you showed us something else."

Piers began elaborating once he reached the two.

"You fought an opponent stronger and faster than yourself, with greater technique.

Your only chance of overpowering him was through your only variable, your spell.

But you refrained from using it despite getting the chance to, not once but twice.

Because both times the risks outweighed the gains. You'd be putting yourself in too much danger for just a small and uncertain chance of winning.

This strategy works but only rarely, when you get lucky. relying on it when fighting opponent's stronger than you, or Magical Beasts for that matter is a foolish decision.

You chose to refrain from using it today, something you didn't hesitate to do before, at least not back in the spar at the class."

Emil's head slowly moved in understanding while listening.

Looks like his uncle's had a slightly different test for him in mind.

"Honestly, i thought your impatience to pass the test and start hunting would make you lose today, but you colored us both surprised."

Piers confessed, his tone helpless but his face smiling, proud of his student for passing the test.

"That's right boy, you learned your lesson well.

You're ready to go out and experience the world now.

Just remember to take enough precautions cause you're still as weak as a noodle everything considered hahaha."

Arne patted Emil on the shoulder, perhaps hard enough for him to puke his guts out.

Emil looked at Piers with tears in his eyes, and then at Arne with resentment.

Nonetheless, he suppressed the urge to cough blood and flashed an assuring smile at the two.

"Don't you guys worry. I'll make sure to leave and come back in one piece, that's a promise."

Arne and Piers nodded in approval.

Solo hunting was still dangerous regardless of everything.

More likely than not, Emil was going to go through many hurdles, challenges and hardships. far more than what he's prepared for.

But that wasn't something they were planning to intercept. Overcoming those trials was a part of every Magician's journey. It always involved risks and the threat of death. They came hand in hand.

All they could do was trust their student and wish him luck.