Before heading home, we stopped at the bathhouse.

Rion: "We're here."Rose: "Wait, how are you going to wash yourself?"Rion: "I'll manage."Kain: "Hey, guys!"Celestia: "What are you doing here?"Kain: "What happened to you? You're covered in bandages and need Miss Rose's support to walk."Celestia: "Are you okay?"Rose: "He took a quest to slay 50 medial dragons and a higher ice dragon."Kain: "Are you crazy? That many medial dragons?"Celestia: "And a superior ice dragon?"Kain: "Did you win the fight?"Rion: "Yes."Kain: "Man, I need to step up my game if I want to beat you! What rank are you now?"Rion: "Rank C."Kain: "First, you do a quest without me, then you reach Rank C? Come on, you're not playing fair!"Rion: "Okay, okay, I'll stop."Kain: "You know what? I'll rank up alone while you're recovering. Then you can catch up."Rion: "I'll look forward to it—and you bet I'll duel you too."Kain: "Oh, you're on!"Kain: "How will you bathe? Want me to help?"Rion: "Yes, please."Rose: "When I asked, you said no. Why?"Rion: "Rose, we’re 14 years old. We're nowhere near old enough to bathe together. Did you think of that?"Celestia: "Yeah, he's right, Rose."Kain: "Let's go; it's getting late. It's already past 7:30."All but Kain: "Okay, let’s go."

We went inside, and Kain helped me remove my bandages and get into the hot water. The burns on my wounds stung, but it was nothing compared to the pain of tanking a shot from the ice dragon. Once we finished bathing, Kain and Celestia offered to walk us home.

Kain: "So, Rose, did you tell Celestia you're staying with Rion to take care of him?"Celestia: "Wait, Rose, why am I only hearing about this now?"Rose: "Oh, I just hate guys like you, always butting into others' business."Celestia: "If you're staying, I'm staying too."Rose and Kain: "WHAT? No, that's not happening!"Celestia: "I'm not listening to anyone."Rion: "I don’t mind."Celestia: "Okay, then it's decided."

We headed home.

Rose: "I’m staying in the same room as you, Rion."Rion: "No, you're not. We're going to have separate rooms for boys and girls. Good night, no arguments."Rose: "But—"Kain: "No buts! You're too young."Celestia: "Then I guess we're sharing a room again, Rose."Rose: "In that case, why can’t I sleep in Celestia’s room?"All but Rose and Celestia: "You’re practically sisters."

Before going to bed, I locked the doors—knowing Rose all too well.

By morning, my wounds were completely healed thanks to my magic ability, which allows me to recover faster than regular humans. I spent two days resting and fully recovered just as the entrance exams for the Royal Magic Academy of Barbardor approached.

Rion: "Let’s go train."Rose: "It’s 5 a.m.! Let me sleep."Celestia: "Yeah, I’ll train later. Sleep now."Rion: "Okay, keep sleeping. Hey, King George and Duke!"They bolted upright in panic.Both: "Father? Wait, he’s not here—you tricked us!"Rion: "Well, the entrance exams are in two days. No time to sleep—let's train!"Both: "Ugh, fine. We’ll get changed."

Rion: "To start, let’s do a 1000 km run."Both: "Are you crazy?! We’re not superhumans! 10 km is a lot, 1000 is impossible!"Rion: "Fine, do 100 while I do 1000."Rose: "No, we can’t do more than one!"Rion: "Final offer—10."Celestia: "Fine."

We ran, and it took me minutes to finish, though they struggled. Afterward, we worked on strength and magic.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Rion: "Let’s spar. No magic for me, but you can use it."Rose: "Can I go first?"Celestia: "Okay, I’ll take a break and watch."

Rose’s attacks were relentless, starting with ice spears and fireballs. I evaded with ease until she enhanced herself and threw punches. One hit landed, her raw strength surprising me.

Rion: "You’ve got great strength. I’d recommend fighting with gauntlets."Rose: "Really?"Rion: "Yep. Celestia, your turn."

Celestia used her speed enhancement, running circles around me while firing light waves, fireballs, and air bullets. I evaded, striking back with precision. The sparring ended with me winning.

Rion: "Your strength is your mobility. Use it to your advantage."Celestia: "Got it."

After days of training, the exams began. The written test was brutal—I barely passed, but I wasn’t there for academics. The next challenge was a mock battle against instructors.

Rion: "I want to challenge the head swordmaster, Zander Jackson."Zander: "That would be me."

Gasps erupted from the students.

Others: "Is he crazy? No one’s ever beaten Zander! He’s the Chief Knight!" Rose: "Come on, Rion, you can do this!"Celestia: "Yeah, show them who’s boss!"Kain: "Don’t lose yet—I still need to beat you!"

As soon as the battle commenced, I rushed at him with blinding speed, so fast that the onlookers could barely register my movement. He barely managed to block my initial strike, his eyes widening in surprise. With a swift counter, he aimed a blow at me, but I parried it with equal force. Our blades clashed, ringing out like thunder in the arena.

He then slashed with ferocity, and I leapt over his blade, delivering a powerful kick to his side. He stumbled but quickly regained his balance, his stance as solid as a mountain. He slashed at me again; I blocked and retaliated with a kick, but he twisted, catching me off guard and landing a clean punch to my jaw. I was barely standing—this guy was strong.

He rushed at me, swinging his sword in a deadly arc. I jumped, using the wall to build up momentum, leaping from one pillar to another. He started mimicking my movements, our battle now a blur of speed and power. He slashed; I blocked and countered. We moved so fast that the spectators could barely keep up with our motions.

I leapt into the air, executing a spinning kick aimed at his head. He ducked just in time and swung his sword upward. I twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the blade, and landed behind him, aiming a punch at his back. He spun around, our fists colliding with a force that sent shockwaves through the arena.

We exchanged blow after blow, neither of us giving an inch. He was relentless, and so was I. I could feel the strain in my muscles, but the adrenaline kept me going. He swung his sword in a wide arc, and I slid under it, kicking his legs out from beneath him. He fell, but quickly rolled to his feet, launching himself at me with renewed fury.

Using the pillars as springboards, we continued our high-speed dance, our movements fluid and deadly. Each strike, block, and counter was perfectly timed, a symphony of combat that left the audience breathless. I could feel my energy waning, but I couldn't afford to show weakness. Not now.

He charged at me, his sword glowing with an inner light. I knew this was it—the decisive moment. I gathered all my strength, my aura flaring to life as I readied myself for his attack. He swung his sword with all his might, and I met it head-on, our powers clashing in a brilliant explosion of light and sound.

As the dust settled, we stood facing each other, breathing heavily. I could see the respect in his eyes, a mutual acknowledgment of our skills. The battle was fierce, but it wasn't over yet. With a final burst of energy, we launched ourselves at each other, ready to see who would emerge victorious.

Despite his strength, I matched him, leaping from pillars and countering his strikes. The fight reached its peak when his sword glowed with power. I met his attack head-on, our auras clashing in an explosion of light.

As the dust settled, Zander stepped back, lowering his sword.

Zander: "I admit defeat. You’re small but mighty."Rion: "Thank you, sir. It was an honor."

Celestia, Kain, and Rose: "You really never run out of surprises, do you?"Rion: "Thanks!"

The arena erupted in applause, and I stood tall, ready for the next challenge.