When the two weeks were up, I was not satisfied with my level of mastery over my speed. I couldn’t figure out just why I kept tripping, how tree roots seemingly appeared out of nowhere as I ran. I suspected that these trees were somehow sentient and were fucking with my efforts, which made me want to take my sword against these trees.

I resisted the effort to do so though, if I killed one, then the others would definitely kill me and no matter how fast I was, I couldn’t get out of the forest fast enough before they caught me. So I took a day off, just thinking about how to get better. Eventually, I dozed off, the problem still on my mind. Surprisingly, for the first time I dreamed, though it wasn’t really a dream. It was more like my mind, now freed from the stress of taking care of the body began to use all of its resources to focus on this one problem.

After what seemed to be an instant, I awoke with the answer, that my vision was too focused. My sight was trained to notice everything on the battlefield which was useful but in this situation detrimental. I focused too much, ignoring things that would normally be of little consequence, such as tree roots. With this knowledge now within my mind, I then spent the next two days and nights trying to keep my vision from focusing on anything in particular.

It was slightly disorientating as my vision split into two and then back into one. Eventually, I found a middle ground, I was able to see everything without focusing on it but not so much that my eyes began to drift apart. Once more, I tried to go at full speed, succeeding for a bit until my eyes focused and I failed to notice another tree root. But what I briefly saw confirmed my suspicions about the trees fucking with me for I saw a root appear from the ground.

I grinned inwardly, if this was a challenge then I will accept it. I decided to sprint back, once more keeping my gaze focused on everything yet nothing. This time I succeeded and I began to sprint for longer and longer distances, bobbing and weaving as if dodging invisible projectiles.

After another two days, I was satisfied with my performance, at least I wasn’t tripping up anymore but if I was going to get any better than I was now, I’d have to go to the tried-and-true forge of battle.

I left the clearing afterward, making sure to clean up all signs of my stay, even the tree which I had scratched the lines signifying the passage of days. I just took a dagger and carefully shaved the tree’s bark until the surface was level with the depth I had scratched into the tree. In time the bark would grow back, making it seem as if it was never marred.

I then sprinted back toward the guild, running for an extra three days before stopping to sleep. Once I had a quick hunt and breakfast, I was back to sprinting, reaching the guild in a mere two weeks, half the time it took for me to travel to that reclusive clearing.

I had arrived a bit early for the tournament but it shouldn’t be of too much trouble, being early was better than late. Izlir and Inaris were already at the guildhall, Varin and the others still out training. But they all arrived the next day, albeit at different times but we were together again. Since it was the day before the tournament, I gave them free leave, seeing as I was the commander.

Not surprising really, I had already proved my strength and as the one with most experience, it was automatically up to me. If we were still in the army, I would have refused such a position but in the situation we were in now, I had no choice but to take command. I just found it to be irritating, for the higher you go up in rank, the less you get to properly face enemies on the battlefield.

Besides, the battlefield did not care what rank you were, all had an equal chance to die, whether it be honorably or by being stabbed in the back. I’ve seen many men die that way, hell, I’ve even stabbed some in the back. It was a choice I had to make, either take the chance to end the battle quickly for my nation’s victory or take a risky duel that would end in more lives lost. I simply took the option that was less risky for the sake of my nation.

Hmm, it seems that drinking gets me thinking about unnecessary things, better stop that. I shouldn’t even be drinking, my commander would have my ass for that. With a bit of regret, I placed the mug down, I will resist my desires, no matter how tempting. Instead I just waited, trying to do that thing I did before in the forest, to focus on everything yet nothing.

I tried to maintain it for the remainder of the day, seeing everything in my field of vision move as clearly as if I had been focusing on it. I’ll have to hone down this ability as much as I can for this day, its real test will come in combat. Though not real combat, duels were nothing but fake combat. There is no danger, only a fear of what you imagine what would have happened if you were on the battlefield.

I may even lose because of these restrictions, after all there will probably be some rules about avoiding dismemberment and the like. Of course, that would leave a bad taste in my mouth but such was the rules of duels, made by people who are too afraid of the outcome. People know what they are getting into when they signed up for the tournament, if they didn’t then they are at the height of folly. A tournament is where you risk your life and limb, it is not some place for some cowards to run free.

The day soon passed, time passes quickly when you aren’t focused and I retired to bed. I woke, refreshed at the same time as always, going off to buy some food. I had no time to hunt today and for now, money-bought food would be best. I stopped by the tavern and ordered some meat, bread and a pint of ale. I finished the lot rather quickly, first eating the bread, then the meat and then downing the ale in one go.

With a rather astonished barkeep, I paid for the meal and walked out, asking for directions to the Hallowed Arena. Thanking the person who helped me, I went on my way, walking through the gate of the Arena, displaying my guild badge to the guards. They let me in and I immediately went to the registration line, waiting for quite awhile before it was my turn. I confirmed that my registration was indeed ready and acquired a schedule for the fights, it would magically update as the tournament progressed.

I would be the fifth fight today so I decided to watch, once more practicing on focusing on everything. I didn’t just do this to watch the fights, it was also to pass time, my name soon being called up as a participant. I stood and walked to the edge of the balcony, jumping off and into the arena. The announcer was shocked and asked that if I was Torvus. I nodded and after a few more speechless moments, she returned to announcing, casting some nervous glances my way,

“Aaaand our other contestant! Matthew Pendragon!!!! A promising knight that may have a future as a royal guard! This is his first time in the Hallowed Arena so folks, why don’t you give him a nice big welcome!”

The crowd burst into applause and cheers, the knight bowing and waving, a idiotic grin on his face. I decided to end this without my sword, this boy was not worthy of the blade. We soon stood across from each other, Matthew having bowed as the rules dictated we show respect to our opponent. I refused to bow however, my only excuse being,

“I only show respect to those that have earned it. So far this boy has yet to do so.”

The crowd booed and the boy merely glared. When the match started with the announcer/referee a safe distance away, the boy charged forward, an angry battlecry issuing from his lips. I just stepped forward, opening my palm and thrusting forward at the same time. It hit him squarely in the chest, knocking the boy out of the arena, the wall opposite now possessing a handsome crater. I snorted,

“A future in the royal guard my ass. A royal guard has to keep his calm at all times.”

I walked off the arena, the announcer shouting excitedly, “Torvus just instantly knocked Matthew out of the Arena! It seems that he purposely pissed him off to take advantage of his anger! A shame for Matthew but this is his first time! Once he comes back, I’m sure he’ll be wiser and do far better! Anyways, Torvus seems to be no amateur at this game even though it is also his first time here! But he couldn’t call himself a Gold Adventurer if he lost this round!”

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If this was the best of the competitors, then I will most likely never use my sword or my dragon regalia. I sighed, I had my hopes up for this, but then again, he was a first timer. It would be foolish to assume that all were on his level of skill.

I didn’t have another match for the day so I decided to watch the rest of the match, analyzing the fighting styles of my potential opponents. Once more, really just to pass the time, I focused on everything, noticing the man that was stuffing various bits of food in his mouth while at the same time looking to see the two opponents clash fiercely.

I was glad when the last match was over, I was really tired of seeing the various things that people did that they thought others wouldn’t notice. Really, the humans of this world are disgusting, though I suppose that could be applied to the humans of my world. But it is not of my concern, the Empire of Morsad only wishes to rule as much territory as possible, not with the disgusting habits of its citizens.

I really cannot wait to return, but it seems that for now, Morsad has deemed this world to be useless to it. But I will wait for my orders, even if it means that I will die here of old age. I have pledged my allegiance to the Emperor and until he has dismissed me, I shall not bow down to another.

It seems that my comrades have yet to do their turn as there are many applicants, so many in fact that in order for everyone to get their turn, one has to wait two weeks. SO with two weeks to kill, I did quests in the spare time,completing so many with such great speed that I was promoted to Diamond Rank. The guildmaster was quite impressed, though if I was in the army, this would only be considered mediocre.

The elite bodyguards of the Emperor were much more able than I. Even with my dragon regalia, I doubt I’d be able to fight for twenty seconds. After all, I only specialize in taking down anything vaguely related to magic such as mages, magical creatures and the like. I only managed to kill the dragon because it was already exhausted killing the rest of my division, four hundred men. Of course, it was still powerful but not so much that it could kill me.

But there were many things that were far more powerful than dragons. These are called the Blest, those who’ve received the blessing of either a god or a devil. Heroes were one such blest that would be beyond me, for they are not just magical, they were blessed by the gods. A mere mortal such as myself has no hope in standing up against them.

Would there be such warriors in this tournament? I would be glad for the chance to go all out, it has been long since I’ve last fought an opponent with my life on the line. I have heard of dragons here, perhaps I’ll fight one. All on my lonesome, just to see if I am truly worthy of the title, “Dragon Slayer”. I shook myself out of these thoughts, really now, I must be losing it. Worrying, I really need to return to the army, I’m not sure for how much longer I can retain such tight control over my mind.

But still… I’d really like to fight a dragon. To feel the exhilaration of the adrenaline pumping through your veins, to feel the heat of dragonfire, to witness the sight of its glittering, deadly magnificence as it roars thunderously… how can one not wish to see it? I want to feel alive, I NEED to feel alive. Otherwise I’ll simply become a regular human again, trying to achieve that ultimate feeling through sex and the other pleasures of life.

And by fuck will I do my best to prevent that. I am a fucking soldier and a soldier follows orders. My last order was to reconnoiter this world and that is exactly what I shall do. It may seem as if’ I’ve been fucking around but all the quests I’ve been doing were all over the place and I took my time to memorize special details about them.

For instance, the Emerald Vale is the perfect place to set the first stepping stone in the Morsadian Conquest. It’s sleepy garrison would hardly be able to put up enough resistance to keep our forces occupied until reinforcements arrived and our forces can solidify as generals and their elite bodyguards arrive. From there, Morsadian forces will be able to move on to Lord’s Hill, a good place to set up a fort and will most likely serve as the headquarters of the commanding generals and the like.

I can just imagine just how easily this world could be conquered, my hand unconsciously grasping the hilt of my sword in anticipation. Realizing what I was doing, I let go of the hilt and then looked up into the sky, turning my attention to my comm crystal. It was dull, as it had been for the entirety I have been here. I looked at it, half expecting it to light up and the voice of my commanding officer to order me to return at once.

I wished that it would happen but other than remaining dull, it did nothing. I sighed and pocketed it, no use in waiting for something that won’t come for awhile. Right now I was in the guild tavern, mulling over these thoughts over a particularly delectable dish of meat. I reminded myself to order this meal every once in awhile and continued to think, that is until someone deliberately sat next to me.

I turned my head slightly to see who it was, seeing a woman that I’ve seen a few times in the guild, an obsidian rank I think. I decided to pay more attention to her, after all she was of higher rank. I turned back to my food, asking,

“What does an obsidian rank want with me?”

She said, “Well it’s not every day someone rises to the rank of diamond in a few months. I’m here to scout you out, hopefully to become a part of my team.”

I first took a bite of meat, savoring the flavor before swallowing it.

I then said, “Sorry, already have a team.”

She replied, “They can join us as well.”

I finally turned to face her, asking, “Why should we? More people just means less cohesiveness as a whole unless you’re in the fucking army. I don’t think you guys are an army so I’d prefer to stay with my group of seven.”

I returned my attention to the meat, though the girl didn’t give up.

She said, “Seriously, it’s not every day I make an offer like this. You’ll be famous, you can get all the money and women you want.”

I chuckled, a grin on my face that didn’t reach my eyes, “I’m not like other men, I don’t desire women or money, what I want is to feel alive, to feel the adrenaline galvanize you with energy, to meet Death in the face and say, ‘Not today you fucker.’, and to feel the sublime feeling of victory. Can you give me that?”

I turned to face her at that last part, dead serious. When she was silent, I sighed and finished the last bit of meat. I paid for the meal and left, the woman calling back at me,

“You’ll regret this!”

I said continuing to walk, “I don’t feel such useless things such as regret.”

I don’t know what her purpose was approaching me like that but it was most likely not for my benefit. Even if it was, I’d still distrust it with every fiber in my being, someone never offers you help without some sort of reward afterward, whether it be monetary or just a feeling of satisfaction of helping someone.

But I suspect that this woman didn’t help me out of the goodness of her heart, perhaps it has something to do with the tournament, trying to make me give up so that I wouldn’t hurt a member of their team that may be participating. That or they just want to leech off my strength, being to weak to do anything by themselves. Too many possibilities that would not end with me benefitting, it was best for me to refuse.

I decided to take on a few more quests, it wouldn’t hurt and besides, I still had a few more days to kill. The quests were nothing of note, mostly just thinning out the local monster population or the occasional rescue of some person who was kidnapped by either monsters or bandits. These weren’t even Gold level quests but I didn’t want to take on a quest that could potentially last for months.

I checked on my schedule once the week was up, seeing that my fight would be three days from now. I shrugged and took on a few more quests, though this time I noticed that there was someone watching me. I was pretty sure that it was a member of that woman’s group, perhaps they were trying to analyze my fighting style. Of course, it wouldn’t matter, I wouldn’t use my sword until forced.

Monsters were more worthy of my blade because unlike humans, they will continue to fight even though they are filled with fear. It is very rare for a monster to run from you, it will finish its fight with you even though it is horribly outmatched. It is the only thing that they know to do and I respect them for that. To not know the meaning of retreat, to fight on even though your life is forfeit and to defy one’s fate, they are really simple creatures.

Humans do not understand them, they are simply pests to them, pests that wield weapons and could kill them. Humans are woefully ignorant about the lifestyle of these monsters, no, not ignorant, they purposefully close their eyes. Humans and monsters really aren’t that different, they both have families and both desire to expand their territory and to become the most powerful.

It is just that humanity has gained the favor of the gods, using powers that aren’t theirs to rule over all else. But I am thankful for such things, after all, the Empire of Morsad would have never been established and I would not have had the chance to slay a dragon. I would not have seen all that I have seen if not for the Emperor, the greatest warrior of all.