Aleister woke up some number of hours later and for the first time in a while, didn't feel absolutely exhausted when he did. He went through his normal morning routine and read through the book he received about Spear Fundamentals. He kept the book propped up and practiced each of the forms. This included his posture and the transition of one form from the next. Changing from one to the next only needed one movement between all of them. Thus, it came down to pure muscle memory. He made sure each of his actions was purposeful, fluid, and smooth. All of this seemed easier in head than in practice.

The spear Syn made him choose was too long and too heavy, making it too cumbersome to practice with. However, she insisted that he needed to use this spear unless he found an even heavier one. Aleister swallowed any thoughts of protest he had and continued to practice with the one he already had, as he had no intention of making his practice and training any more miserable than it already was.

After the first couple of days, the muscle memory he built up from all of his practice with Gilmore for the past few years started to come back. And while the form and technique were different, his handling improved and made the exercises less tedious.

This continued for another week until Luo Yun interrupted him one day.

"You're registered to fight in the Unranked Osetia Showdown, but there is just one more thing you need to do," Luo Yun said to him after dumping a bunch of papers in his hand.

"Just, one thing?" Aleister asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, because all of this is just one form."

"Great. Do I just need to sign all of this garbage or what?"

"You also need to answer a bunch of questions about your current state, your past, any injuries or prior experience," Luo Yun said. "Just a bunch of that nonsense."

"When do I need to complete this by?"

"Tommorrow."

This did not amuse Aleister.

Luo Yun shrugged. "Like I said, I have expedited this process. I need to turn it tomorrow so you can get ready for your first fight in a week."

"Damn, that really was quick."

"You know when Jehkad said some vaguely threatening words before he left the two of us together?"

Aleister understood what was happening here. His first opponent was likely not to be some random journeyman, but an actual threat meant to crush him before he even got his chance to begin. This was no doubt made easier by Luo Yun rushing the process.

Luo Yun handed him a sheet of paper that barely detailed his opponent. Bjorn Farvalor, or more commonly referred to as The Savage. His battle history was brief, but each of the six fights he took part in were all over in under a minute.

"Who gave him such a stupid nickname?" Aleister asked.

"The officiary in charge of both the Unranked Showdown and the Ranked Championship," Luo Yun replied. "After his examination, he too will give you a title."

"And when is that?"

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"Come on now, it's obviously tomorrow too."

"How was that supposed to be obvious? Also, why is everything just tomorrow?"

"Because tomorrow is Lamau and everything needs to be filled out before the last day of the week?"

"Fair enough." Aleister flipped through the papers with his thumb and finger. "I'll get to it then."

The paperwork didn't take him nearly as long as he expected as he finished in only two hours. This gave him more time to practice his form and technique.

The next day dawned, and Aleister had already left the manor as Luo Yun waited outside the massive office building for the time of his appointment. A bristled grunt sauntered up to them and walked them inside. As they lounged around on some cheap chairs, a petite human female dressed in skimpy clothes walked out. She winked at the two of them before leaving.

Aleister stared at Luo Yun. "Don't tell me—"

"Why even bother asking a question you know the answer to?"

"For confirmation."

"Then you have it."

He wanted to rest his eyes for just a moment, but through the door a deep voice rumbled. "Come in."

A tall dragonkin man dressed in regal leather clothing waited for them at his desk. Dragonkin were creatures of any race that were born with an activated draconian bloodline. This didn't work the way most people imagined it and actually differed from dragonborn. The latter were straight up just dragons. The humanoid form some looked like was just a different appearance for them. Dragonkin were humanoids that carried many aspects from dragons. This included their scaley hide for skin, tails, claws, and other such aspects that presented themselves at birth. These actually differed depending on the time and location the dragonkin were born in. Those born near oceans carried blue scales, similar to the one in front of Aleister. If they were born near a desert, they would take on a more yellow-brown scale color. Besides the superficial color aspect, it also gave them different and unique abilities that did not require a Heart Loop.

"So you're the mysterious Aleister," the dragonborn said in his gruff voice.

"Aleister, yes, mysterious, no."

"Not true at all. When I look at you, I have so many questions that I cannot yet get the answers too." The dragonborn shook his head with disappointment. "Lord Gilmore refuses to tell me anything at all. It is such a shame."

"Sorry for you loss?" Aleister said, not knowing what else to say. Although, maybe it would be better to stay quiet in these situations.

"Although you are Gilmore's son, you must still call me Lord Kilciar, understood."

"Understood Lord Kilciar," Aleister said with a pseudo salute.

The dragonborn let out a hearty chuckle. "Even though you're a stranger to me, I don't hate you. Both mysterious and a stranger."

"I appreciate such a complement from one as esteemed as yourself."

"And you are not afraid to engage in a bit of flattery? The future is bright for you, kid. Now, onto business."

Aleister handed over the papers he completed yesterday. Lord Kilciar didn't even give them a second glance as he filed them away. He then stood up from his chair and entered his backroom, only coming out a quarter an hour later.

"This is your your official fighter card," Lord Kilciar said. "Not that its of any uses since I've already noted down all the relevant information."

He took a look at the card. "Mysterious Stranger?"

"Yes, that is the fighter name I have decided for you."

Now, Aleister wanted to react, but didn't know how too.

"Perhaps you, dislike it?" Lord Kilciar's voice carried a hint of a threatening aura.

"Honestly, I actually don't," Aleister responded with sincerity even though it wasn't something he would have come up with himself. Although, that should be obvious as he was neither mysterious nor a stranger to himself.

"I'm glad to hear it," Lord Kilciar said after pulling out a thick cigar. "You may now leave. My next appointment will arrive soon."

Aleister gave him a formal bow and left the office.

"How was it?" Luo Yun asked.

"Kind of anticlimactic. I honestly expected there to be more for me to do."

"I can understand, but now I must ask an even more important question—"

Aleister flicked his card into Luo Yun's face. "My name is Mysterious Stranger."

After a quick scratch of his nose, Luo Yun took a look at the card. "How do you feel about?"

"I think its growing on me."

"Good, because I couldn't think up of a more appropriate name. Do you know how many questions I had about you?"

"Lord Kilciar said the same thing."

"Great minds think alike."

"Whatever makes you feel better." Aleister yawned. "Now what?"

"Now, you just need to show up for you match next week and win."

Aleister nodded and headed back to the manor, where he went back to bed.