"Tarik." The guide called up the young swordsman into the miniature arena.

"Garnesh." The master called out, it was a young man no older than Hektor or Tarik. He stood at a height relative to Tarik, taller by only an inch.

Both of them appeared to be swordsmen.

"Do not be afraid to go all out, we have healing pills and some priests present at the clinic." The guide reminded them as he called for the start of the match.

Tarik disappeared the moment the battle began, he wasted no time in dashing towards his opponent.

Clang!

A clash of two Aura-infused blades. The sounds of reverberating metal echoed in the small arena. Tarik's overhead strike was blocked by Garnesh's longsword.

Tarik's red blade shined against the blue hue of Garnesh's aura.

Tarik then sent a kick towards the disciple's torso right as he landed, sending the young man back by a few steps. Without relenting or even letting his opponent have a chance to breathe, Tarik rushed forward.

A series of slashes would push Garnesh back as Tarik took an overwhelming lead. Blocking the slashes that came his way, Garnesh was becoming overwhelmed.

Tarik's eyes began to glow red as he saw his opportunity to strike.

In one blow the disciple's sword flew out of his hand and he was forced to accept defeat.

"This is the difference between experience. " The Master began. "This young swordsman's resolve is clear, he's used to life or death situations so he knows what must be done."

"By my estimates on your Auras, this should have been an even match up." He had a disapproving gaze.

"You need to work more on that drive young Garnesh." Garnesh looked frustrated but he simply bit his tongue. There was nothing for the loser to say in this situation.

The master was being kind to Garnesh, the Markluzian styles only have access to three aura enhanced moves each. Considered to be the bare minimum to be considered a martial art, yet Garnesh someone who has learned under a dojo with a so called advanced martial art lost. It was a testament to how talented and experienced Tarik was, If other dojos were watching then Garnesh would be a laughing stock.

"And finally, Hektor."

With the other two at the sidelines it was finally time for Hektor's turn. With his cloak on, the only visible things on his body were his weapons. He then took off said cloak to reveal that his black birds were present. Some were perched and resting on his cloak. They flew away as he spun his spear around.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"You will be up against, Instructor Nakt."

Nakt, one of the instructors in the dojo, appeared standing amongst the adults next to the master. This was an indicator that they were taking him seriously. The bald man wore a blue bandana and he carried a pair of knives.

"Begin."

The man moved at a much faster pace than the bandit that Hektor faced before. Which is why he barely managed to block with his shield. The man pushed off of his shield and prepared himself once more.

'He's too strong, looks like I'll need the help of the birds after all.'

Hektor whistled and soon enough his swarm of crows and ravens began to fly around the small arena.

"I wouldn't underestimate the kid, Nakt. It seems news from the frontlines travel fast." The master reminded him from right outside the fighting space. "There have been stories going around about a talent which a royal deemed worthy of knighthood."

With a wave of the teen's hand the black birds decided to strike.

"Talks of a young soldier, capable of commanding birds." The master said sternly, eyeing Hektor as he moved.

Nakt was forced to swat them away. 'I don't have time for this! I'll just end it in one go.' He thought to himself.

He aimed for the same area but this time, he held nothing back. The sheer speed of colliding with him would no doubt fracture a few bones.

Whack.

The spinning move built into the spear art struck him. He was fast enough to close the gap avoiding the slash of the spearhead, But not fast enough to strike at the young man as he sent him flying mid-swing.

Nakt used aura to cushion his landing. "I see… I'll tell you one thing kid." The instructor coughed out. "You're strong. You deserve that silver plaque."

Hektor assumed a position once again.

"But it's time to get serious." The instructor clanged his two bracers together, only for them to fall onto the ground. "Count yourself lucky, that you were worthy enough to make me take off my weights!" He did the same to the weights that he carried on his legs.

'Another fight that I'm meant to lose?' Hektor thought to himself.

"Fwooooo." He whistled once more forcing the crows to cover his body, those that couldn't perch themselves on his body simply flew around him in circles.

Nakt's speed was no longer something that Hektor could react to.

A single slash to his back killed off nearly a dozen birds. He couldn't move, let alone create a mana barrier.

[Your Minion has been slain.]

The notification's dings rang and all he could do was spin with his spear only to see that his opponent was now at least 30 meters away. "I yield." With a look of distraught he was forced to throw down his spear.

"What a spectacular show! So young and yet so talented. To be able to react to his speed, even with the weights on? It's nothing short of amazing." The master began. "You need not take our entrance exam this weekend. Simply bring all of your belongings within the week, Instructor Faisal will be your guide."

Faisal was the same person that guided the three of them.

"As for the two of you, come back this Saturday for the entrance exam."

---

Hektor held a serious and unabashed expression, but all he could think about was the gap between him and the instructor.

"Despite all that training… all my effort. The gap between me and them is still that large." He punched the wall, startling a few of his birds. "How the hell am I supposed to help Lina?" He asked his feathered friends knowing they could only squawk in response.

"I'm still far too weak." He concluded. "and I need to check on the library and find out what the hell a sprite is."

"If that was a real fight, I would have died the second he got serious." Hektor manifested two crows that night. With the last of his remaining souls.

"I guess I have to gather more souls too."

Souls: 0