Five days after the grueling physical training, the soldiers had recovered from their wounds and were now ready for the power training. In the military cafeteria, Zenia sat lost in thought, wondering how he would pass the power training. He had no special abilities, no powers, no magic. It seemed as though he had nothing.
Scott, sitting across from him, tried to get his attention. "Zenia, Zenia, Zenia!" he called out, but Zenia didn't respond. Finally, Scott hit Zenia with a spoon, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Scott asked, concerned.
Zenia shook his head, not wanting to reveal his doubts. "Nothing."
Scott began telling Zenia about his own abilities, how he excelled in agility, strength, speed, and keen senses. "I'm an elf, so I guess that's why I'm good at those things," Scott said with a chuckle.
Zenia nodded. "Yeah, elves are known for that."
Scott looked curious. "What about you? What are you? I've never asked you, and I can't tell by your eyes because I've never seen anything like them."
Zenia shrugged, taking a bite of his loaf. "I don't know anything myself."
Just then, Robert cried out from across the room, where he sat with his village gang. "Let's see how you'll perform in this power training, Zenia!" Robert laughed with his gang.
Zenia felt embarrassed and bent his head on the table. "I'm fucked," he whispered.
Scott looked at him, confused. "What's happening?"
But before Scott could ask more questions, the power training began.
As the power training commenced, the soldiers eagerly showcased their extraordinary abilities. The air was electric with anticipation, and the officials watched with keen eyes, taking note of each soldier's unique talents.
First up was a young woman named Elara a warlock, who possessed the power of telekinesis. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a nearby boulder flying across the courtyard, striking a target with precision. The officials nodded in approval, impressed by her control and accuracy.
Next was a giant named Thorne, who wielded the power of superhuman strength. With a mighty roar, he lifted a massive stone pillar and held it aloft, his muscles bulging beneath his skin. The officials watched in awe as he effortlessly held the pillar for several seconds before setting it down.
Then, a lithe and agile soldier named Lyra a witch demonstrated her power of shadow manipulation. With a swift motion, she created a dark illusion that seemed to swallow her whole, only to reappear behind the officials, startling them. They laughed in delight, impressed by her cunning and stealth.
But the most breathtaking display came from a dragon rider named kita. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a ball of flame that erupted into a magnificent dragon, its scales glinting in the sunlight. Kita leapt onto the dragon's back and rode it around the barracks, performing daring acrobatic stunts and leaving the officials gasping in wonder.
As the demonstrations continued, Zenia grew increasingly anxious. He had no powers to speak of, no special abilities to showcase. He felt like an outcast, a mere mortal among gods.
When it was Zenia's turn, he walked up and cried out to the officials, "I don't have any powers at all!"
The officials were shocked, and the whole crowd started laughing, except for Scott. He looked at Zenia with concern and confusion, wondering why his friend was so different from the others.
The sun was high overhead, casting a golden glow over the great plain of Stantot. Captain Jameson, astride his majestic black stallion, surveyed the enemy lines before him. The trolls, a formidable force of one thousand five hundred, sneered and snarled, their cruel eyes glinting with malice.
"Today, we fight for our homeland," Captain Jameson declared, his voice ringing out across the plain. "Today, we show these beasts the mettle of our army!"
His one thousand soldiers cheered, their armor glinting in the sunlight. They formed a tight phalanx, shields locked, swords at the ready.
The trolls, undaunted by the stantot's army bravery, charged forward with a deafening roar. Their massive clubs and cruel swords swung through the air, seeking to crush the stantot's army beneath their heel.
Captain Jameson raised his hand, and a hail of fire created by witches stroke at the trolls lines, striking true and finding their mark in the trolls' ranks. The trolls stumbled, momentarily halted, but their sheer numbers still hold, and they pressed forward once more.
The stantot's army stood firm, shields locked, swords flashing in the sunlight. The trolls crashed against them, their clubs shattering on the shields, their swords glancing off the armor.
"Fall back to the second line!" Captain Jameson shouted, as the trolls began to gain ground.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
The stantot's army retreated, reforming their lines, and launching a devastating counterattack. The trolls stumbled, their ranks wavering, as the stantot's struck with precision and skill.
But the trolls were far from defeated. They regrouped, their leader, a towering monstrosity, urging them forward with a wave of his massive club.
The battle raged on, the two armies clashing in a frenzy of steel and shield. The Stantot's fought with strategy and strength, but the trolls had numbers on their side.
Just when it seemed the trolls would overwhelm the Stantot's army, Captain Jameson led a daring charge. He spurred his horse forward, its hooves pounding the earth, as he struck down troll after troll. His men followed close behind, their swords and shields at the ready.
"For Stantot!" Captain Jameson shouted, his voice ringing out across the battlefield. "For our homes, our families, our freedom!"
The Stantot's army surged forward, their bravery and determination driving them forward. They clashed with the trolls, their swords ringing out as they fought for their lives.
To the left, Sir Edward fell, his sword slipping from his grasp as a troll's club crushed his helmet. His men rallied around him, fighting off the trolls as they tried to reach their fallen comrade.
To the right, Lady Isabella fought as she struck down troll after troll. Her armor was dented and battered, but she refused to yield.
Captain Jameson fought his way through the troll lines, his sword slicing through their ranks. He reached the troll leader, a towering monstrosity, and engaged him in single combat.
"You are a monster," Captain Jameson spat. "You will never leave this battlefield alive."
The troll leader snarled, its club swinging through the air. Captain Jameson dodged, his sword striking true as he aimed for the troll's heart.
The troll stumbled, its club falling from its grasp. Captain Jameson struck again, his sword slicing through the troll's neck.
The trolls wavered, their lines breaking, as the Stantot's army surged forward. The battle was fierce, the outcome far from certain, but in the end, it was the Stantot's army who emerged victorious
As the dust settled, Captain Jameson surveyed the battlefield, his chest heaving with exhaustion. The trolls lay defeated, their army broken.
"Well done, men," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Today, we have saved our homeland."
The stantot's cheered, their armor battered, their swords weary, but their hearts full of triumph.
But as they celebrated their victory, a huge army of trolls more than the first came charging towards them.
Zenia sat down beside a river, his eyes fixed on the flowing water. He was lost in thought, still trying to process the events of the day. Scott came and sat beside him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, Zenia, it's okay," Scott said. "We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. You'll find your place."
Zenia nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Scott. Scott stood up and left, leaving Zenia alone once again as he thought Zenia needed an alone time.
Just as Zenia was starting to feel itchy to go back inside, Captain Ortega appeared beside him. Zenia immediately stood up to salute, but Ortega stopped him.
"It's alright, Zenia, you don't have to salute me now," Ortega said with a smile. "Please, sit down."
Zenia sat back down, feeling a sense of curiosity. What did Captain Ortega want to talk to him about?
"Zenia, I know you're struggling with your lack of powers," Ortega said, his eyes serious. "But I want you to know that I don't have any powers either."
Zenia's eyes widened in shock. "Really, sir? But how did you become so strong?"
Ortega chuckled. "It's a long story, but I'll tell you if you want to hear it. You see, I created a fighting technique called the KI technique. It's used by vampires, werewolves, and every mythical creature that cannot use their powers."
Zenia's eyes were wide with excitement. "What is it, sir?"
Ortega leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "The KI technique harnesses a primordial force within every creature, gathering strength from the whole body and moving it in one direction, like the legs and hands. It also makes the rest of the body very agile and fast. With the KI technique, the four senses are heightened."
Zenia's mind was racing. This was exactly what he needed to learn.
"Captain Ortega, can you teach me?" Zenia asked, his voice filled with hope.
Ortega took a minute, considering Zenia's request. Then, he nodded.
"Alright, Zenia. I'll teach you the KI technique. But it won't be easy. You'll have to work hard and dedicate yourself fully."
Zenia grinned, feeling a sense of joy and relief. With the KI technique, he could finally pass the match training which is coming up in six days and prove himself.
"Thank you, Captain Ortega!" Zenia exclaimed. "I won't let you down!"
Zenia woke up before dawn, his bunkmates still fast asleep. He quickly got dressed and snuck out of the barracks, making his way to the mountain where Captain Ortega was waiting for him.
"Ah, Zenia, you're eager to learn, I see," Ortega said, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Very well, let's begin your training."
Ortega led Zenia to a clearing, where he explained the first step of the KI technique: centering one's energy.
"You must focus your mind and body, Zenia," Ortega said. "Feel the energy within you, and direct it to your core."
Zenia nodded, taking a deep breath as he attempted to center his energy. Ortega watched him, offering guidance and corrections as needed.
Once Zenia had mastered the first step, Ortega moved on to the second: channeling energy to specific parts of the body.
"Now, Zenia, you must learn to direct your energy to your limbs," Ortega said. "This will increase your strength and speed."
Zenia practiced, his body glowing with a soft, blue light as he channeled his energy. Ortega watched, impressed with Zenia's quick progress.
But their training was soon interrupted by a group of monsters, who emerged from the forest, snarling and snapping.
"Time to practice your skills, Zenia," Ortega said, drawing his sword.
Zenia nodded, his heart racing with excitement. He charged forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he fought the monsters , Zenia felt a huge change in his pyshique as he was faster, stronger, and all his senses where all heightened. Ortega fought alongside him, offering guidance and support.
For four days, Zenia trained with Ortega, practicing the KI technique and fighting monsters without rest. His body grew stronger, his senses heightened, and his swordsmanship improved dramatically.
"I'm proud of you, Zenia," Ortega said on the fourth day, as they sat on a rocky outcropping, catching their breath. "You've made tremendous progress. But there's still much to learn."
Zenia nodded, his eyes shining with determination. "I won't stop until I've mastered the KI technique, Captain."
Ortega smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. "I know you won't, Zenia. You have the heart of a true warrior . And remember you should not use the KI technique for more than thirty minutes."
"Why sir", zenia asked.
" It would cause fatal internal wounds that could lead to you being paralyzed", Captain Ortega said.
" Roger that sir ", zenia said as Ortega smiled at zenia and went off.