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CHAPTER SIX

The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the training ground where the two sides faced each other. The wind stirred the dust around their feet, whispering promises of destruction. Shin stood tall, the wind blowing on his hair as the thick white streaks danced in its tune, his breath shallow and his palms slick with sweat. Al, beside him always the voice reasoning, offered a quiet word of encouragement, his gaze burning with determination.

“Don’t let doubt take hold. We’ve been through a lot: the hardships in the mines and the attack in the forest," he said. "We can't stop here."

Al's mind swirled with troubling thoughts, but none provided any comfort. His magic felt weak—barely a flicker compared to the powerful infernos he once commanded. His mana pool was limited; at best, he possessed the mana of a one-circle mage. The runes he could inscribe only elevated his spells by one circle, and they felt nothing like the magic he once wielded. Before them stood Alexandri, the Iron Lion—a living legend and one of the strongest knights on the continent. His towering form loomed over them, massive and immovable, reflecting the dying light of the day.

Al knew what he was up against. Even with Shin beside him, even with the shreds of encouragement his friend offered, it felt like an impossible challenge. He held no illusions; this wasn’t a fight he was meant to win. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he scanned his opponent: the formidable figure of Alexandri.

“Come on!” Alexandri’s voice rang out like the crack of a whip. "We haven’t got all day. Either you step up and fight, or I’ll reconsider my judgment. You’ll get a fate worse than the mines, I assure you."

The words dug into Al’s resolve, but they also made something stir within him—a deep, unyielding determination. He couldn’t afford to back down. He wouldn’t.

Alexandri’s smirk widened as he continued, his tone mocking. “Simple. The only way you’ll pass this trial is to make me move. Otherwise, you’ll remain on this field, powerless.”

Shin swallowed hard. Make him move. How? The question echoed in his mind, but there was no answer. His powers were far too weak.

Before he could think further, Al gripped his shoulder firmly. “Just like the Dark Hounds. You know the drill, Shin. Follow my lead.”

Shin nodded. There was no time for doubt.

In an instant, both of them moved, charging at the Iron Lion, as swiftly as they could. Al was to the right, his dagger flashing in the sunlight, his eyes focused. Shin surged to the left, his sword in hand, its weight feeling like a mountain in his grip.

“Now!” Al shouted, his voice sharp with purpose.

The two of them attacked in tandem—Al leaping high to aim for Alexandri’s head, while Shin aimed lower, targeting the knight’s midsection. But Alexandri merely chuckled. With a swift motion, he caught the blade of Al’s dagger with his fingers, stopping the attack dead in its tracks. At the same time, he didn’t even flinch as Shin’s sword collided with his body. Not a single strike landed.

“Weak,” Alexandri muttered, his voice like gravel. He didn’t even budge.

Al’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before either could react, the Iron Lion moved again, his fist a blur as he said "First comes the fist". Al didn’t have time to dodge. The fist collided with his chest, sending him soaring through the air like a ragdoll.

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Shin barely had time to blink before Alexandri’s hand gripped his leg, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled Shin across the battlefield, where he slammed into the earth with bone-crushing force.

Gasping for breath, Shin struggled to push himself to his feet, pain coursing through him. The world was spinning, but he didn’t have time to recover. Alexandri was already gazing over at them awaiting their next attack, an imposing figure like something out of a bad dream.

“I’m getting real impatient,” he boomed. “I’m not even using my aura abilities yet. This is your best? You’re hiding something. This is not how you defeated the Alpha of the Dark Hounds.”

Al’s blood ran cold. It was true. They had something else—something hidden. And now, they had no choice but to reveal it. The fight was no longer about holding back.

Alexandri sneered. “I’m done pulling my punches. Whatever trump card you’re holding, use it now. Or I’ll make sure it’s your last."

The command was clear—no more hesitation. Shin and Al shared a look—no more waiting.

Al whispered under his breath, running toward Shin, touching his back and his sword. Together, they surged toward the Iron Lion again, attacking in perfect synchrony, hoping to break his relentless defense. They switched positions, moving with the fluidity of practiced dancers, trying to confuse him and throw him off balance. But Alexandri’s gaze never wavered. His eyes followed every movement with terrifying precision. "You're quick, I’ll give you that," Alexandri growled, his face twisting with frustration. "But speed won’t save you forever!"

Shin struck first, aiming for Alexandri’s shoulder. But at the last moment, he shifted the direction of his sword, aiming for the knight’s chest. In that same heartbeat, Al was behind him placing his right hand on his opponent's back and sliding in for an attack on Alexandri’s legs. But before either could land a blow, the Iron Lion was already one step ahead. His hand shot out and blocked Al’s dagger strike, twisting the dagger effortlessly to the side, while his other hand knocked Shin’s sword away, sending both attacks wide.

“Not enough,” Alexandri sneered.

Shin’s breath caught in his throat. How could they possibly win? But Al had a plan, one he had murmured to Shin just before they attacked. “Change the direction of your attack at the last second. Keep him guessing.”

Shin’s body was already moving before his mind could catch up, but it wasn’t enough. Alexandri was still too fast, too strong. With a flick of his wrist, the knight sent them both flying back with an explosion of golden aura. The boys hit the ground hard, blood leaking from their mouths.

Alexandri stood, unimpressed, as he spoke again, his voice filled with menace. “Attacking with the same pattern won’t work twice.”

But they weren’t done. Al gritted his teeth, muttering a spell under his breath. Shin readied his sword, the weight of it now comforting in his grip. They ran again, this time faster, more desperate. Their blades moved in unison, flashing through the air like a deadly dance.

But Alexandri wasn’t caught off guard. Just before the blow would land, he threw both his fist into the ground, using his aura to shield himself. He hit the ground with a powerful shockwave, disorienting the boys’ vision.

But just as he did, a glimmer of ice shot out of the dust—a lance of sharp, frozen energy aimed straight for his chest. Alexandri didn’t hesitate. His fist, infused with his golden aura, slammed into the lance, shattering it instantly. But that was just the beginning. Shin approached him with a frontal attack from jumping off the debris the shockwave created.

Two more ice lances followed from behind, while Al struck from the side, aiming for the knight’s legs. This time, the attacks came from all directions. Al muttered to himself "This is it, we've done it. No way he's avoiding this"

Alexandri’s eyes narrowed in focus, his hands moving like lightning to counter. He spole something silently under his breath "impressive," and in that instant, golden light surged around him, forming a shimmering barrier like a second skin.

“Impenetrable Tower Defense,” Alexandri said with a smirk he didn't expect they would make him use this move he never expected them to push him to this point, as the boys’ attacks crashed against his aura. With both ice lances disintegrating on impact. Both boy's blades bounced off like they were nothing. But Shin and Al didn’t stop. They kept pushing.

With a roar, Alexandri exploded, grabbing Shin by the head and holding onto Al by the arm. The boys were thrown back with Al pushed back with a fist and shin thrown after him, crashing into each other, their bodies battered and a little bloodied.

The dust cleared, and Alexandri stood tall, still standing in the same spot. “So,” he said with a chuckle, “this is how you defeated the Dark Hounds’ Alpha. Interesting.”

There was recognition now, a spark of respect for the boy who had dared to strike him.

"Not bad, child," Alexandri muttered, his voice low. "But don’t think you’ve won."

His feet remained in the same position; he hadn't moved despite all the barrage of attacks.

He paused, watching them struggle to rise. “I know now. You’re a mage, aren’t you? Hiding your true power. Well, whatever it is, it’s not enough. Get up. The real fight starts now.”