I met a teacher in my month of training. He was an odd person. He barely spoke to me while I searched for new skills to learn. Doing everything, I could gain more strength and better with a sword. Noticing my efforts, he pulled me aside for a moment.

"You are Eckhart Flynn, aren't you?"

"I am. Is there a problem, sir?"

"Not initially. I heard from other students you openly challenged Lord Valum. One of the best knights we have had this generation for the Scarlet Order."

"I intend to win."

"I don't doubt you do. But you are way out of your league in facing him. You won't reach him."

"Is there a point to all this?"

"Your lack of concern or unwavering determination is nice, but you are outclassed."

"Won't know unless I try. Now, are you going to waste more of my time, or will you let me go so I can study." He looked me straight in the eyes like he was searching for something. He smiled.

"You got guts. Too much, I think. But there is much promise. Very well, meet me on the roof of the barracks, and I will show you why you are out of your league."

"I'll make sure you eat those words. Anything else you want to add to your regrets because I can make you swallow them, too."

"Your arrogance will do you so much before it runs out and the wolves stare at you alone. Just meet me on time, or don't bother showing up; either way, it will prove something to me."

"See you tonight." The instructor left without much as a sound afterward. A random encounter that set some wheels in motion. I didn't know beforehand he was scouting me and prying for knowledge.

After the day had ended and the night was in full view, I made it to the rooftop of the barracks, where he said to meet. Not lying about his words, he was waiting for me. He had his arms crossed, looking out across the distance.

"Good, you're here."

"You asked me to. So, what do you want?"

"To prove a point. Take your sword and be ready to defend yourself. I'll show you what Valum can do."

"A duel? Should you be fighting with students?"

"Nope, but I think it is fun knowing their limits."

Sword raised, I charged at him with all my might. Swinging with full force, I connect with his blade and turn around to find his blade pressed against my neck. I didn't see him move. He was too fast to understand. I backed away from him.

"How did you do that?" I asked, with questions piling up.

"This is what Valum is capable of; you have no chance."

"Yeah!? We shall see, damn it!"

Charging ahead again without a plan or thought, I swing my sword and notice a shift in the air. I could see a glimmer of shadows moving behind me. My instincts kicked in, and I rolled to my side and faced behind me. Standing there was the man, a slight grin on his face.

"Oh? No one can see that unless they are very good with years of experience."

"I saw it... What did you do?"

"Hmph, it seems I gave you too much credit. If you can't understand, then I will make sure to take you down swiftly."

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I step forward and strike with an overhead swing. The air around me shifts, and I quickly turn around. Only to see that it was a feint for his actual attack. Adapting to the situation, I throw my fist in his direction. The blade clips my gauntlet, and I feel the sharp pain shoot through my hand and up my arm. It runs down the cold steel of the armor, but I find the strength to punch his shoulder.

Seeing the shadows shift behind me, I pushed myself back and blocked his attack before striking at his neck. But then I felt the pommel of a sword hit my head. A dizzy feeling washed over me before I stood my ground. "Not yet!" I shout. My body was on fire in pain, but it didn't stop me from taking another chance to land a hit.

I miss entirely, and with my eyes wide, I am blindsided by another hit to my temple. Shock hits my systems, and my vision darkens; unaware of my surroundings, I grab my sword and keep myself standing.

"I don't want to lose, not yet!" Gritting my teeth, I grab my head to shake it awake. Pushing past, the feeling of being dazed. Just before returning with a strike, I am hit in the stomach with a kick, then an uppercut to the chin, falling back and hitting the floor. My left arm, wounded and numbed from the pain, doesn't move. I try to get to my feet, but a large metal boot kicks my chest hard into the ground. I cough violently before refusing to surrender.

"This is the difference of strength in this world. Age and experience beats talent and determination. Just because you were born with a rare skill for adapting to a battle and styles, does not mean you will win. Learn to live with the fact that there will always be someone stronger than you, and you'll never grow weak." His words were very true for a young idiot like me.

For the longest time, I always thought I was stronger and I would be stronger. But no one stays the strongest forever; there will be someone to take that spot if you look away from it. So, I took this advice to heart. "Is that so? Then I guess you wouldn't mind me doing this..."

Unaware of my actual talents, I use my strength to kick him off and stand to my feet. Holding my sword forward, I channel my Sword Art; a burst of flames engulfs the sword before being engraved into the blade as runes.

"Sword Arts? That is a mighty feat for your age. Maybe I was wrong about you yet again, but a child has nothing but-"

"You talk too much in a fight!" I let out a long sigh of air that causes my eyes to dilate from using the power. Summoning such a power is beyond me, but I had to do more than just adapt. Even if Sword Arts are easy to learn, I don't have the mind to put them into focus without wasting my energy trying to use them. "Burning Flash!"

A complex and dangerous Sword Art that heats the user from the inside. Accelerating blood flow and burning energy for a boost in speed and strength. The cost is greater than the results, but it can be the edge of winning or losing a fight if used in short bursts.

"That move! You'll die if you use it!"

"Flash and strike!" Leaping forward, steam erupts from my skin and blade. Enhanced by the ability, I close the distance and strike without a thought—pure instinct to take him down with a cost.

Clink!

Repelled back, I stared without knowing what had happened. The strain of the Sword Art had begun to consume me rapidly; breathing became hard. I grab my throat to gasp for air but only cough at any attempts. That is until I noticed the instructor drew another blade from his side. Dual wielding wasn't uncommon, especially for higher-ranked officials or very experienced fighters. The only problem was that the style or stances around such a complex idea were riddled with flaws. It provided many offensive capabilities to master and use two blades but left the user open for many counters from other styles or Sword Arts. The lack of control or defense in severe circumstances only meant that either you die taking down your enemy or they are smart enough to defeat you before you get a chance to unleash a whirlwind of attacks.

That is why I felt confused when I saw him draw both blades; I didn't know someone like him practiced such a style. However, he was able to counter my Sword Art flawlessly. I stood there, barely holding onto a sword that felt heavier than before. A frail and fleeting feeling in my body consumed me before I realized that he had already drawn the other blade in preparation when I used the Sword Art. His ability to move so fast reflected his dual-wielding style with only a single weapon in hand. I couldn't help but marvel at such a concept that seemed so flawed and could feel so satisfying to be defeated by it.

"You bastard... Hiding something like that from me. You better take me seriously, or else I won't forgive you..." Barely conscious, staggering from side to side, I attempt one final use of Burning Flash Sword Art. Reving up the heat inside my body, feeling the boost in abilities once again.

"You'll do good to learn from this..." Behind me, the man slams his hilts into my sides before hitting me straight in my face, causing my jaw to dislocate. The pain alone caused me to be knocked out, but the dislocated jaw struck a nerve that was the finishing blow.

And so, I lay there, defeated by a flawed style I knew I could defeat. Shame wasn't in my heart in those fleeting moments before closing my eyes. It was a sense of admiration and deep respect. Looming over my defeated self was a man of experience and skill. Something that I lacked greatly. Something I wanted to learn more than anything.

"This is the power that Valum and others like him possess. But that doesn't make them unstoppable. And I will teach you that personally."