The forest trembled as Zero and the Draco clashed fiercely, their movements a blur of speed and power. Their blades and tails collided with thunderous force, each blow sending shockwaves that tore through the surrounding trees. The ground beneath them shook, and the air crackled with energy as they charged at each other.

The Draco, a formidable creature covered in scales that glinted like polished steel, retaliated with a devastating fire blast. Zero's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly kicked the creature's head upward, launching it into the air. In a fit of rage, the Draco swung its tail, sending Zero soaring backward. The ground where he had stood was now engulfed in a blaze of flames.

As Zero retreated, the Draco charged its fire blast once more. This time, Zero managed to dodge the searing beam of fire, but the subsequent explosion caught him off guard. The flames burned him, and he winced in pain, trying to regain his footing. Before he could recover, the Draco seized the opportunity and sent him soaring high into the sky with a powerful tail strike.

As Zero ascended, he noticed something unusual happening around him. The clouds above the forest darkened, emanating a bright bluish glow. He also heard a strange whispering sound behind him, as if someone or something was calling out to him.

Suddenly, he found himself in a bizarre void, devoid of any landmarks or reference points. "Where the hell am I?" he wondered, his mind racing to make sense of the situation.

Then, a figure clad in black armor, crackling with mana, materialized before him. It was a knight, and the knight explained that they wanted to assist Zero by unlocking some of his sealed memories or abilities. Intrigued and desperate to gain an advantage against the Draco, Zero agreed, hoping that this mysterious intervention might hold the key to his victory.

The knight extended a hand and gently touched Zero's chest. A nameless voice spoke from within, "You're not strong enough to hear my name, but you can call me Liz for now." Liz went on to reveal another dormant ability that Zero had gained.

Feeling gratitude towards the enigmatic knight, Zero responded, "Thank you, Liz."

Liz replied, "You're welcome. By the way, I suggest you utilize the clouds to your advantage."

As the void began to fade away, Zero found himself buried under the rubble of a collapsed structure. With unwavering determination, he erupted from beneath the debris in a blaze of red light, causing a massive explosion that sent a shockwave reverberating throughout the area.

The Draco, still recovering from the previous battle, became aware of Zero's presence once again. Standing amidst the destruction, Zero noticed a giant cloud hovering above the forest. A spark of realization flashed through his mind, and he leaped into the cloud, leaving the recovering Draco behind.

The storm clouds above began to move, almost as if they were drawn toward Zero's location. He felt an instinctive connection to the storm, a newfound sense of control over the weather itself.

Meanwhile, Ushin, panting from her journey, spotted a strong-looking man in the distance.

"Mister, I need your help!" Ushin called out, desperation evident in her voice.

Curious and concerned, the man approached her, asking, "How can I help, kid?"

Ushin pleaded, "My dad's in danger, and he might die. Please, you have to come with me!"

The man, introduced as Enrique, immediately recognized the urgency in Ushin's plea. He saw the determination in her eyes and realized that her words were not to be taken lightly.

Golden tattoos began to appear on Enrique's body, a sign that he was tapping into his power as a fighter. He understood that there was no time to waste, and he needed to act quickly if he was going to help Ushin's father.

"Alright, kid, hang on tight! I'm going to get you there as fast as I can!" Enrique declared, his voice filled with determination.

Ushin clung tightly to Enrique as he rushed towards the forest, their journey fueled by a sense of urgency and hope.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Back in the forest, Zero, covered in storm clouds and lightning, soared above the trees like a thunderous deity. His body crackled with electrifying power, and he looked down at the Draco, which had recovered from their previous clash.

Summoning his sword, Zero enlarged it into a massive blade, crackling with the same energy that surrounded him. The Draco, still seething with anger, responded by launching a burst of flames that engulfed Zero before he could strike.

However, Zero's mastery over the storm was not to be underestimated. He cut through the flames with ease, his blade slicing the Draco in half with a single devastating strike. The impact of the attack tore through the forest, leaving destruction in its wake.

Amidst the chaos, Zero heard the approach of footsteps. His keen senses detected an orange-haired man with glowing tattoos rushing towards him, carrying a young girl on his back.

"Hello there! I am Enrique. This is your daughter, right?" Enrique greeted as he reached Zero.

Ushin greeted her father excitedly, "Hey, Dad! Sorry we're late."

Zero, still recovering from the battle, requested a moment with Enrique, and Ushin obliged, walking away to sit under a nearby tree.

Curious to know more about the man who had come to his daughter's aid, Zero began, "So, who are you, Enrique?"

Enrique replied, "I'm just a traveling fighter who wishes to join the knights to get stronger."

Zero's interest was piqued. "What is a knight, exactly?" he asked, revealing that his memory of the world was fragmented.

Surprised by the question, Enrique responded, "Are you serious? Knights are one of the most renowned military powers in the world. How can you not know about them?"

Intrigued, Zero explained that he had lost some of his memories and asked Enrique to elaborate.

Enrique proceeded to enlighten Zero about knights, their significance, and their role in dealing with dangerous monsters and various missions, such as rescue operations and guarding duties.

Absorbing the information, Zero spun orbs of lightning in his hand, showcasing his developing control over his newfound abilities.

Still confused by some aspects of knighthood, Zero asked, "Can you explain it again?"

Enrique's deadpan expression hinted at his mild frustration, but he complied and explained the concept of forming squads within the knights, emphasizing the potential for strength and camaraderie.

Considering the offer, Zero glanced at Ushin, who was happily playing in the leaves nearby. After a moment of contemplation, he finally agreed, saying, "Sure, we'll come with you. You helped Ushin, and I'll trust you."

Enrique responded with a warm smile, happy to have gained their trust. "Alright, then we should head to the town a few miles away. We can get there in a few minutes," he suggested.

However, Zero, eager to save time and feeling the urgency of the situation, had another idea. "We should teleport," he proposed, realizing that his abilities could be incredibly useful.

Enrique's attention was diverted by the sight of the giant beast lying in two halves and Ushin emerging from the battle, covered in blood. Ushin's cheerful remark about obtaining the creature's heart caught him off guard.

"Say what?" Enrique's confusion was evident.

Zero explained that he could gain part of a beast's power and abilities by eating its heart.

Enrique's eyes lit up with intrigue, and he asked, "That's so cool. Do you cook them?"

Zero's confusion mirrored Enrique's earlier exasperation as he asked, "What does that mean?"

Seeing the opportunity to educate Zero about more mundane matters, Enrique sighed, thinking, "It's like I'm talking to a caveman."

Enrique proceeded to explain the concept of cooking and the significance of eating food in a more refined manner.

Following the enlightening conversation, Zero was eager to know how to join the knights.

Enrique revealed that they had to sign up at one of the knight branches located in various cities and countries.

With a sense of purpose and destination, Zero agreed, saying, "Alright, then. Lead the way."

Enrique explained that they needed to head west towards a large city a couple of miles away, where they could find a knight branch to sign up.

Before embarking on their journey, Zero and Ushin enjoyed a hearty meal, devouring every last piece of the Draco's meat. Their unique appetites and peculiar dining habits did not escape Enrique's notice.

"This guy eats like a damn animal. I have to teach him how to eat like a normal person before we go to the city," he thought, amused by the curious duo.

With the meal completed, Zero suggested resting, concerned about Ushin's safety in such a dangerous area. Ushin, exhausted from their adventures, quickly fell asleep, her head nestled on her father's lap.

Enrique observed, "Well, she's a quick sleeper."

Zero gently caressed Ushin's hair, reassuring her, "You can sleep now. You're safe."

Meanwhile, Enrique prepared to rest on the ground, but Zero, with his unique body, volunteered to stay awake and keep watch.

Concerned for Zero's well-being, Enrique asked, "Don't you need sleep?"

Zero explained that he required less sleep than most people, assuring Enrique that he could stay vigilant.

As Ushin quickly fell asleep, laying her head on Zero's lap, Zero gazed at the night sky, the twinkling stars reflected in his red eyes. He reached out to the stormy clouds above, creating an orb of lightning nearly two feet in size.

Thinking about his newfound abilities, Zero spent the night practicing and honing his control over the lightning, determined to improve his skills before the break of dawn. Little did he know that his journey with Ushin and Enrique had only just begun, and more adventures awaited them on the path to becoming knights.