Among the men running for a jog around town, there is one woman falling behind. Colon was surprised at her weak performance. The others have begun to mock her even without that context. At the end of their run, they’re rested at the barrack’s training ground.

*Pant *Pant

“Heh, women.”

“I don’t get why she’s with us though.”

“Yeah, I’ve been training for years to be a solider, and they wouldn’t even let me be a guard til I’m fourteen!”

*Pant *Pant

Veins pops out of her forehead, ‘Shut the fuck up, you damn kids!’

Colon knelt to match her sitting, “What’s wrong, miss Siola? Last night too. You did great on matching orders, but you were lagging way behind the others in physical activities.”

“Huff, I just… don’t have much stamina.”

“Hah, see that, Colon, sir? She can’t even run that far, so why is she even here? Isn’t a guard supposed to run to someone in danger? Can she even do that?”

“Alright, stop. The next assessment is combat, so choose your weapon and line up.”

Colon thoughts, ‘I can’t bring this kind of result to the captain, but…’ looking at Siola who is aware of her performance to have such a calm expression, ‘Or maybe I don’t have to worry.’

“Okay, hold on to your wooden sword properly, I don’t want any loose hand.”

“You’ll be fighting me, and I’ll be the judge if you are fit enough to be a guard, so don’t hold back. Ken, you’re first.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two stands against each other.

“Haaaaah!”

With determination, he charged at Colon and swings his sword. The exchange slashes against each’s wooden blade, but Colon was not impressed by what he’s seeing.

‘Amateurish, as expected of his age.’

But then he pulls over a maneuver that even surprises him.

Though it was met with him losing his sword, “Good attempts. Next.”

More up-and-coming guards continues on, and then, it’s Siola’s turn.

“I saw you were using mace, are you fine with a sword?”

“Yes.”

They went into a stance, but Colon was shocked to see the odd stance that Siola has and she is wielding her sword with her left hand.

“Bwahahaha, what is that?” the young up-and-coming guards laughing.

“She can’t even hold a sword properly.”

“Show her how it’s done, sir Colon!”

“Sir Colon! Sir Colon!”

Colon on the other hand notices that Siola is unfazed by them.

They’re waiting for the other to make the first move. And Siola decided to go first. Quickly dashing with a swing.

‘Hm, an amateur I see.’

When Colon moves to block it, Siola pulls her sword and thrust it straight in between her sword as it aims to Colon’s eye. He dodged it mere moment before it hits.

Unknowingly, his teeth clenched as he looks at Siola now with a widened eye.

‘Th-That was—.’

Siola slowly moving sideways, closing in on him swiftly as the kids suddenly gone quiet.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Colon tries to keep his distance. He noticed that she hasn’t blink, and when he does, another thrust in his line of sight. He dodges once again.

“Hrmmph.”

His heart racing. What they are holding is mere wooden blade, but a thrust to the eye would still prove fatal.

“Impressive, I forgot to ask, but do you remember how old you are, miss Siola?”

Switching the sword to her right hand, “I’m 21.”

“Oh? That’s unexpected, you are older than me.”

She smiles, “Preparing an excuse for when you lose?”

“Ahaha.”

Although he tries to brush it off, he’s a nervous wreck. Especially now that Siola has changed her stance.

“Go, sir Colon! Go!”

Hearing the kids shouted his name, he grows confidence. He decided to take his chance. Advancing at Siola while swinging her sword high, but she effortlessly dodges it alongside the following attack. They exchange clashes upon clashes, reminiscing of previous battle.

But none of his attacks are close to even hit her, when he swings as hard as he could.

*Bam*

A sword flies away. He was surprised by it himself, the fact that he won the duel.

“Yeeeeaaaaaah!”

“That’s how it’s done!”

“Sir Colon! Sir Colon!”

It felt different than the previous battles with the kids, it felt like he achieved something, but upon looking back at his opponent. Siola is there with a satisfied expression. He realized that the win he had may not be something he accomplished but one he was given.

Oklam sits in the office, writing his report on a piece of parchment.

*Knock *Knock *Knock

“Sir, it’s Colon.”

“Colon. Come in.”

“So, how was the new recruits?”

“…”

He noticed the silence. Looking at Colon, his mood seems to be down.

“Well?”

“They’re fine sir. Promising young guards.”

“Mm, and what of that one?”

“Um, she’s struggling with endurance assessment. Lagging behind others, but today we held a combat assessment afterwards.”

“As expected from what we’ve seen of her. You didn’t say she failed though.”

“No, sir. She managed to reach the barrack at the end and conduct the combat assessment.”

“Mm, and what of the result of that?”

“She has this… weird technique where she uses her left hand and thrusts instead slashing.”

“Fencing? Only nobles use it, but it’s rare for one to use their left hand.”

“There has been no record of a Mithra family so she must’ve come from a foreign land.”

“But the question is, did she pass, Colon?”

“I’m… ashamed to admit it but it felt like she gave me the win, sir.”

“You, Colon? Haha.”

“Okay, you did say that she was struggling in the endurance test.”

“Yes, she mentioned that she doesn’t have much stamina, sir.”

“Hmm, not suitable for long range expedition then. No wait, hold on. If she can still pass, which means…”

“Alright, I’ll assign her a stationary position for now. Go and gather the recruits.”

“Yes, sir.”

All ten of them shows up. Oklam assess them and announced that they all have become passed to the tests to become a guard. When the noon comes, they are all outfitted with the color and badge of Lorkhan. Red accent, black drawing of a wolf.

Siola was given an iron sword and has been stationed alone in the market close the canal. It is not as crowded as the other part of town.

‘Finally. A moment of peace to myself.’

‘One, two, … 14 stalls selling goods and they send only me here without a supervisor. I guess it’s because I told Colon my age, they assumed that I know what to do when something happens.’

‘Yet the security was tight on the gate, I wonder what’s up.’

She notices a large statue with an old man tending to it, “Magnificent, isn’t it?”

Angelic being with an incredible bust.

“The first goddess, Armalia.”

‘The goddess ruling the Divine Order.’

‘Although in the past I started out with worshipping her as part of the Priest Class beginner guide. I’ve grown attached to her big personalities. Her compassion, her idea of love and order.’

‘It’s unfortunate that I’ve been won over by one of the End Kings. No matter how skillful I am, absolute powers rule all when this was a game. I wonder if it’s the same now.’

“I thought a statue like this is only kept in churches.”

“Yes, but none cares to maintain such an old statue full of moss.”

“None, but you, sir. You’ve done her a good service.”

He chuckles, “How I wish I could do more.”

“Back when I was a lad, I was in a dark place. And the lady pulled me out of it. I saw her in a dream, how she showed me the path forward.”

“I will never forget.”

He starts praying.

‘I don’t know how I come to this world. The death of me was certain, and I was at peace.’

‘But now that I’m here. After all that happened, and with what may yet to come. It might not be so wrong to have faith in something.’

She holds her palm together.

“O Brilliant Light, I beseech thee, forgive thy servant, for she hath sinned against thee. From this moment forth, she shall strive to carry thy name with grace.”

Light shines through the hand of the statue. Golden light particles descend, swirling her.

! {Faith Restored}

As if time bends, the world turns black and white. The sky turns golden.

“I recognized you, child. Go forth. You have my blessing.”

The world’s color shifts back to normal and time marches on.

! {Blessing Received}

* Illuminate / Tier 1 / Cast to create arcane light

* Restore Vitality / Tier 1 / Cast Sign to recover lost HP and SP

* Heal / Tier 1 / Chant miracles to restore HP

* Turn Undead / Tier 1 / Chant miracles to set dead beings on fire and blind them

* Dark Protection (Passive) / Tier 1 / Slightly reduced incoming dark magic attack

* Sacred Flame / Tier 1 / Cast to conjure holy-fire

Her eyes opened, ‘It really does lift quite a heavy load off my shoulder.’

“I didn’t know that I was in a presence of another servant of the Order. Good day to you.”

A slight bow and Siola returns it before he left.

She returns to her station, and the day was slow to her. But the safety of the walls and the weapon she wields alongside her new abilities have further reassured her of the upcoming days.