We woke up early in the morning and headed to the guild while I showed my friends the town. Once we arrived at the guild, we went toward the map and examined the areas with monsters, and planned where we would sleep for the three days outside the kingdom. We then grabbed food, cooking supplies, and wool blankets to sleep. The area we choose to go to first was a Prairie with tall grass near a forest. We planned to enter once we reached Level 5.
We decided to split up and level up on our own for the first day. I was against it at first but realized it would be better since we could get in the way of each other while fighting monsters.
“Ok, Yuki, let’s get some training done by fighting these monsters. When one shows up, that is.”
“Y-You want me to fight monsters!? But I’m only level one, and I can’t even swing the sword you and Selena gave me.”
“I’m level one too. We can attack the monsters together and level up together.”
Yuki nodded, and we walked in the tall grass. We encountered our first monster, called an Aitkin Boar, that was a level 2. We engaged in combat, and with the training from Selena and the quick orders I gave to Yuki, we took it down quickly, though it was still tough. Me and Yuki each got 50 EXP from the battle, and after fighting a lot more of them, we reached Level 5.
“Finally reached level 5. Let’s see what type of support skill I can use.”
I looked at the support skills that I unlocked in the main menu. An explanation on how to use support skills appeared in front of me, saying, “Once reaching level 5 you unlock the support skills, in order to use these skills, hold out your hand and say the name of support skill along with the names of the people you wish to use the support skill on. Your support skill is Defense/HP up by 10. However, support skills will take 5 MP and can only be used once every 10 minutes with the effect lasting for 3 minutes.”
“Ok, let’s test this out. Selena, you said you had an item that will make enemies come to us, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Use it. Yuki, Get your sword ready, and when an enemy appears, I’ll use the support skill. You got it?”
“Yes, Sir Alex.”
Selena used the enemy awareness item, and twelve, level 4 Aitkin Boar came at us. I held out my left hand and yelled out the support skill.
“Support Skill: Defense and HP up on Yuki and Alex!”
A white aura developed around myself and Yuki before disappearing. I checked our stats, and our HP and Defense went up for 3 minutes, and we engaged in combat with the Boars. By the time we beat them, we reached level 10. It was starting to get dark, so we headed back to the spot to meet the others and rest for the night. We made a campfire, and Selena made Curry with some ingredients she brought.
I asked my friends about the support skills they can use. Leo can increase MP and Luck, Connor can increase Attack power, and Matt can increase Speed/Agility. We ate Curry and went to sleep. When the next day arrived, we ate some of the left-over Curry for breakfast and headed into the forest.
We encountered more of the boars and some new monsters in the forest as we went in deeper. Ruby was collecting herbs to make some potions. By the time it began to get dark, we reached level 15. I wanted to see how much stronger my friends got, so I asked them if we can do a friendly duel to see which one of us improved the most and is the strongest. They agreed, and we choose who was going to fight who. I got to fight Connor, Leo got to fight Matt, and the loser gets to fight the other loser; the winner fights the other winner, and then the winner gets to fight the loser. We agreed to these terms and decided to fight in the morning.
Once morning came, Selena took us to the training arena in the castle. She explained to us the battle ends when one of us forfeits, gains too much damage during the fight, or gets knocked out of the arena. She also told us that we can use our weapons instead of the training ones. I headed to the arena to fight Connor.
“You better bring everything you got, Connor!”
“Same for you, Alex.”
We shook hands and headed to our spots. I drew my sword from the scabbard at my side and pointed it at Connor, who had his spear stabbed in the ground. I ran at Connor and thrusted my sword forward, he dodged it, tried to hit me with the tip of his spear by swinging it at me, but I blocked it with my shield and jumped back.
“Looks like your training is going well, Connor, but is that all you can do?”
“Well, let’s see how you like this skill I learned from Lucy.”
Connor pulled his spear back, aimed it at the ground, and threw it.
“Turbulent Burst!”
When the spear contacted the ground, multiple bursts of energy came out in a wave rushing at me. I managed to block it with my shield, but the impact shot me back, and I landed on the ground. I got up and looked at Connor, who picked up his spear from the ground.
“Connor, that ... was so cool! Lucy taught you that?!”
“Yep. Though I had to be level 10, and it takes 30 MP to use.”
“Guess I’ll show you my skill now. Here I go.”
I put my sword by my side and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before opening my eyes, surrounding my sword in fire.
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“Blazing Strike!”
I did a slashing motion with my sword, creating a large crescent-shaped flame, launching it forward from my sword, and I jumped in the air to make it longer. The attack made an impact on Conner and launched him back.
Connor got up from my attack picking up his spear.
“That’s a pretty strong attack. Did Selena teach it to you?”
“No. I learned it from the skill tree available to us in the skill menu.”
Connor ran at me with his spear at his side, but I pushed it aside with my shield. I threw multiple strikes with my sword, connecting them, and kicked him back. Selena noticed that Connor could barely stand as he took too much damage from my attacks, declaring me the winner.
Ruby gave Connor and Me some healing potions she made from the herbs she collected in the forest, and we headed to the stands to watch Leo and Matt fight. Matt and Leo shook hands and headed to their spots, preparing their weapons. Matt shot an arrow, but Leo cut it using one of his Katanas and ran up to Matt. Their match was interesting as Matt used his bow to block Leo’s attacks and kept Leo at a distance with arrows. Matt and Leo then prepared to launch their special attacks, and it seemed like they were going to clash. Matt pulled his bow back, and Leo made an X shape with his katanas. They then launched their attacks.
“Fissure Shot!”
“Terminal Force!”
Their attacks made contact and caused an explosion. Once the smoke cleared, we were surprised to see Leo on the ground with one of his katanas near matt’s neck, as Matt had his bow near Leo’s head. Leo’s used his other katana to hit Matt, but Matt jumped back. They continued their battle, but Matt forfeited the match after a while. They both healed and up as Connor went to fight Matt. Connor showed impressive skills, but his attacks were easy to read, and Matt quickly got the upper hand, making him the winner. I got up from my seat and went to face Leo. I looked at Selena and could tell she was excited about this match, as she was training both of us and wanted to see which one is stronger.
“Let’s see which one of us is the better sword user, huh, Leo?”
“I’m game. Bring it!”
We ran at each other and clashed our swords together. I smiled as I jumped back, knowing this battle will test my strength. We clashed our sword will all our strength, throwing dust in the air. I used my blazing strike skill, but Leo easily cut it in half. He jumped in the air, throwing himself at me with his katanas, but I blocked it with my shield pushing him back as I used my support skill, throwing multiple slashes at him, but he dodged every attack I made, he then put his katanas in an X shape using his support skill at the same time.
“I’m going to end this. Terminal Force!”
I blocked it with my shield, but he did his skill three more times, which caused an explosion, knocking me out of the arena and thus ending the match. Leo put his katanas away in his scabbard as he began walking toward me.
“Sorry, Alex, but it looks like I’m better at using a sword.”
I slammed the ground with my fist and looked at Leo.
“I don’t get it?! How could you be stronger than me?!”
“Not sure why you’re getting mad at me? I just have better skills than you.”
I got up and walked away. I looked at Selena before leaving the arena. Connor yelled at me if I’m going to watch his match with Leo, but I didn’t answer. I was walking around the castle when Yuki called my name.
“Sir Alex, why do you look so down?”
“I just need to think, that’s all. Go and watch the match and leave me alone.”
Yuki nodded and ran back to the arena. I smiled and was about to continue walking when- “So you want to be stronger, Alex?” I looked behind me to see Elysia standing there.
“If you want, I can make you stronger than your friends.”
“What?”
“You just need to use the anger you felt when you lost to Leo.”
“My anger?”
“Imagine if all your friends surpassed you, left you in the dust as they got stronger, and you became nothing. You a shadow in their light. I know you can get stronger than them if you use your anger.”
“No, I’ll get stronger on my own, and besides, I can get over this one loss.”
I said bye to Elysia continued my walk.
“Damn it! I just need one of them to turn against the others. I need to keep close tabs on him. I could use his anger when the opportunity presents itself again.”
I asked the maids if they knew where the other Neon Cavaliers were, and they told me they went to the dining area, so I thanked them and headed over there. When I arrived, I apologized to Leo for getting mad at him when he beat me fair and square and was just thinking for my own sake. We laughed about it, and I asked him who won between him and Connor, and from what he told me, their match was a close one, but he pulled the win. We then determined that Leo was the strongest, I came in second, Matt third, and Connor last. Yuki told me how intense the match was, while my friends and I talked about how we did in combat. I was eating when Selena came up to me and asked if we could speak privately.
She took me to the arena and asked if she could challenge me to a duel. I told her it was late, and I should go to bed, but she was persistent on the duel, so I accepted. She took out her sword, and I took out mine. She told me not to hold back and use all my skills. While we were fighting, she kept yelling at me, telling me things about how I hold back my swings and how she can tell my foot movements which makes me predictable. She was quick at using a sword in combat, and I could tell that if she were to fight us at our current level, we would lose.
I told her I couldn’t fight anymore, but her skills are amazing, and she could read every movement I made. She didn’t say anything, but I knew she was happy to hear me say that. I walked back to my room after taking a shower and changing into some pajamas. Once I entered my room, my friends were waiting there for me and asked why Selena asked to speak privately with me.
“She just asked for a duel with me. That’s all.”
They looked disappointed that she didn’t confess any feelings for me but asked if I had feelings for her. I told them I have some feelings for her, but they should just drop it as I have no chance with her. They told me that I do have a chance with her, I just need to make her notice my strength. I told them that strength wouldn’t be enough and went to sleep.
Underneath the Castle
“Elysia, have you brought news for me?”
“Yes, sire. One of the Neon Cavaliers has anger in their heart when something doesn’t go their way. I believe we can use this to turn him against the others.”
“What is his name, and what made him angry?”
“His name is Alexander Durham, though he prefers to be called Alex. He got mad when he lost a duel to his friend whom he calls Leo.”
“Getting mad at losing a duel? No, we cannot use this to make him turn against the others. What about the other heroes? One of them is bound to have darkness in his heart that we can use, perhaps one who will be put in a shadow by the others. Tell me, do any of them seem to be like an outcast compare to the others?”
“The only one that comes to mind is Connor. He lost every duel against his friends. He pales in comparison to the other heroes. Will he do, sire?”
“Perfect. He will be the one who will turn against the others. Watch over him and give him the Phoenix fruit when the time is right.”
“Yes, sire.”