Just a while before Ascalon and his friends had been attacked for the first time, the javelin thrower had received his orders.

“So you want us to go all out, even when they’re doing the test for a D-rank Guild?” He asked through his communication device, his voice ringing with unease and doubt, and Kain’s voice replied from within.

“Yes, you better not underestimate this group.” The Canidae replied in a serious tone, causing the masked man to raise an eyebrow with both interest and surprise.

“I see. We’ll see to it, then.” The man assured, and Kain disconnected the call.

“Weird.” The javelin thrower said to the group around him. “But orders are orders…” He added, shugging. Just then, another voice chimed in.

“Are you going by yourself?” A taller, bulkier man asked.

“Of course.” No matter what Mr. Kain said, they’re D-Rank.” The masked man stated confidently, and left amidst knowing chuckles.

Back in the present, the same man watched from above in confusion. He had attacked the group before, alongside a multitude of distinctive clones created by his [Shinobi Army] skill. Though reluctant, he had gone all out as instructed, and was left speechless by the examinees’ response.

How could they be applying for a D-Rank Guild? The man wondered as he witnessed his clones being defeated once more. The blonde man alone could probably go toe-to-toe with an A-Rank Guild leader, and the other two, while not as powerful, were holding their own with remarkable skill.

“It makes no sense…! Ugh, I’ll need help after all…” He muttered as he fled, his clones vanquished once more. It was time for him to get assistance from the Academy.

__________________________________________________________

Ascalon and his friends continued traveling through the dimly-lit streets, slightly more tired but alert and ready. They had battled again with the masked ambushers, defeating them with a bit more ease than the first time as they had learned about their strategies.

While the men aimed to overwhelm them with numbers, Lilithra and Selorien had made sure to fight side by side, covering each other and alternating their attacks. When Selorien went into Stealth, Lilithra defended herself, and when he reemerged, she would join him in a joint assault.

Ascalon simply protected the box and avoided both javelins and sword slashes, his trusty shield always ready—not only for blocking, but also for bashing! Simultaneously, he admired how much his friends were growing, a familiar sense of pride surging from within. They had even leveled up, which added to their own confidence!

After another short rest and a bathroom stop at a nearby gas station, the group had now crossed the outskirts of the Southern District. Lilithra, leading the way, raised a fist in the air as she spoke.

“We’re getting closer!” She smiled with relief, with Selorien chuckling at her side.

“Still a bit more to go, but yeah.” He replied before yawning, his eyes narrowing in tiredness. “Can’t wait to finish this quest and go to sleep.” He added with a half-smile, causing Lilithra to yawn too.

“Yeah…” She muttered, while Ascalon chuckled. Perhaps he should train them to stay awake for longer, he thought—though they had no real need for that, since they weren’t heading into a war or a crusade anytime soon. Sighing at his own battlefield memories, Ascalon perked up as a presence approached.

After the sun had set, it had become easier to predict incoming attacks, since most people were already in their homes—but it was impossible to mistake this one with a mere passerby. Ascalon looked straight ahead, as a tall, lean man emerged from the shadows.

Both Lilithra and Selorien raised their guards, while Ascalon carefully examined the newcomer. He was wearing the same clothes as the earlier attackers, his silky black robe fluttering slightly as he walked. His stride exuded confidence, with his hands clasped behind his back, standing tall and proud. His short, white hair shimmered faintly under the street lights, and his red eyes reminded Ascalon of Escarlata.

But the most striking part about him, aside from his partly-masked face, was his arms—adorned with golden scales that covered him from wrists to shoulders. As soon as Lilithra caught sight of that, her eyes widened as she blurted out.

“No way…! A Draconidean!” Lilithra gasped as she squirmed, clearly excited about the sight. Selorien too was taken aback, his mouth slightly agape as he chimed in.

“Isn’t that… Farkael?!” The elf let out a most astonished voice, his earlier sleepiness completely gone.

Ascalon raised an eyebrow in curiosity at their words, casting a side glance toward Lilithra to urge her to explain what they knew. But she was too enraptured by the sight to notice his pleading eye, so he sighed in resignation. Just then, the stranger stopped his advance at an adequate distance.

“Greetings.” He said in a calm, respectful voice, bowing slightly. With that gesture, Ascalon noticed that the man had a set of small protuberances amidst his hair—four dark horns, to be exact. The sight reminded him of the dragons from Excadia, and the term ‘Draconidean’ suddenly made more sense. He wondered if they shared any similarities. After all, in his world, the more horns a dragon had, the stronger they tended to be—and this one’s presence was certainly imposing.

“H-Hello!” Lilithra replied, nodding awkwardly, while Selorien mimicked her nod but didn’t speak, likely wary. Ascalon, as the paragon of politeness, spoke up.

“Well met, stranger. My name is Ascalon Rendland—to whom am I speaking?” Ascalon introduced himself with a clear voice, garnering a stare from the man. The knight noticed the mask wrinkling on the so-called ‘Farkael’s face, likely a smile forming beneath it.

“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Ascalon. I go by Farkael in these lands.” Farkael replied, his eyes drifting to Lilithra and Selorien, urging them to join the introductions. Meanwhile, Ascalon mulled over the man’s words.

“Uhm, I’m Lilithra!” She exclaimed shyly, still fascinated by the rare sight. At her side, Selorien narrowed his eyes slightly and replied with a slightly bothered tone.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Selorien.” The elf stated his name straightforwardly, though Farkael seemed pleased nonetheless.

“In these lands?” Ascalon questioned with curiosity. “Do you have a true name?” He added, and the supposed ‘dragon’ blinked in surprise before nodding.

“What a slip-up… But yes, I do.” Farkael replied with a bit of wariness in his voice. “But I’m surprised—not many from across the sea know about this. Was certainly not expecting it right now.” He mused as he tilted his head in clear intrigue.

“Hmm… I see.” Ascalon answered, pondering about the matter while his friends looked at him with clear confusion. Back in Excadia, dragons also concealed their true names, as they held an otherworldly power over them. Knowing their true name meant they could strike at their weakness, control them, or even bring them eternal death.

But that wasn’t important at the moment. “Are you here to test us, too?” Ascalon questioned, and the man promptly nodded.

“Yes, I’ve been asked for help.” He began, the air around him growing heavier. “But I will not focus on the box—rather, I simply want to fight.” Farkael stated, his mask wrinkling again as he smiled underneath.

Lilithra and Selorien exchanged glances, and their weapons slowly materialized in their hands. At their readiness, the Draconidean spoke up.

“Hmm, not bad.” Farkael said in an impressed tone. “You can come at me all at once if you’d like.” He added with clear confidence, causing Selorien to chuckle as he glanced at Ascalon—their opponent would likely regret those words! As the elf considered the thought, the knight spoke.

“Pardon me for being wary, but I shall stay back to protect the box.” Ascalon explained with a half-smile, and his friends nodded in understanding.

Ascalon couldn’t simply trust the stranger’s words—about not targeting the box—so he wanted to see how things would develop from afar. Farkael, sensing his intentions, nodded in the distance, as if acknowledging his choice. Just then, Selorien took the initiative, vanishing into the shadows with his usual skill.

Urged by her friend, Lilithra exclaimed. “Be brave!” After activating her skill, she held her weapon with both hands, pointing the blunt end toward her opponent. Farkael raised an eyebrow in suspicion, likely wondering why she wasn’t using the spear end of her banner—but he had no time to ponder the matter.

Suddenly, Lilithra burst in a dash, charging toward Farkael with her [Charge Forth] skill. As her figure darted rapidly through the street, Selorien emerged from stealth right behind Farkael, aiming both of his daggers at him. It still felt awkward for the elf not to use the blade to strike, but he had no other choice if he meant to avoid harming the examiner.

However, his worries were proved unfounded with what happened next.

Farkael gracefully side-stepped to the right, his gentle motions making it seem as if he were moving in a slow, time defying manner. As he dodged, a trace of flickering afterimages followed in his wake—a clear testament to his uncanny speed and mastery over his body.

Selorien helplessly struck at the air and stumbled forward, unable to stop his momentum now that his target had vanished. He quickly regained his balance and fixed his gaze on the Draconidean, just as he felt a powerful blow on his stomach.

“Huh?!” He groaned as he was sent backward, landing painfully on the ground at a good distance. Selorien felt utterly shocked as he clutched his pulsating stomach, realizing he hadn’t even noticed the man move to attack. Alert signals rang in his mind, but it was too late to warn Lilithra.

She charged at Farkael with hesitant thoughts, having witnessed what had happened to Selorien. The Draconidean had dodged, and then hit the elf with a kick so fast she had barely perceived it as a blur. But even if she wanted to reconsider her attack, stopping her momentum was nearly impossible—the only choice was to go all out!

With a surge of determination, she activated [Battlefield Cadence], boosting her stats and focus. Her speed suddenly increased as she leapt in the air, and, drawing her arms forward with all her strength, she thrusted her banner with Farkael’s torso as the objective.

But even then, it wasn’t enough. Farkael stepped in and leaned to the side, his motions precise, flowing like water. In that split moment, he raised his right hand and caught the side of the banner with the palm, striking it and diverting its course.

Lilithra gasped as her attack was redirected, and planned on to stop gradually, and then turn around and strike once more. But even before her thoughts had finished, she felt a fierce blow land on her stomach, raising her in the air effortlessly. She felt the force rippling through her muscles, the air being forced out of her lungs due to the shockwave that encompassed her entire frame. She finally landed on the floor with a loud thud.

Her banner clattered in the ground at her side, and she winced in pain “Augh!” She clutched her stomach just like Selorien, her blurry sight focused on Farkael, who towered over her.

“Hmm…” He muttered, reflecting on the brief encounter. “Well, not as bad as I expected.” Farkael claimed, nodding to himself. Both Selorien and Lilithra wondered if they should feel good or bad about the comment while the Draconidean spoke again.

“Would you like to join now?” Farkael asked toward Ascalon, who had witnessed the entire thing with an impressed stare.

“Hmm… very well.” Ascalon answered, frowning with resolution. He then approached Selorien, and carefully placed the box at his side. “Please, protect it for a moment.” The knight pleaded, and Selorien sighed in resignation as he nodded.

At the same time, Lilithra sat on the floor, recomposing herself. “Ow.” She whined as she rubbed her stomach, while Ascalon walked past her. “Be careful!” Lilithra warned, her ever-caring attitude causing Ascalon to smile confidently.

“No worries.” He declared, standing in front of Farkael as both sized each other up from close range.

In the next moment, a thunderous sound echoed through the empty streets, followed by a powerful shockwave that made the very ground rumble. Lilithra was pushed back, while Selorien was forced to clutch the box just before it was sent flying.

Both friends watched as Farkael struggled, with one of his legs firmly pressed against Ascalon’s arms, who had blocked successfully. The Draconidean had struck with a sweeping, horizontal kick, with a speed that had left even Ascalon in awe. Yet the knight had managed to block, causing Farkael to narrow his eyes in seriousness.

“I see… it all makes sense now, yes.” The Draconidean pondered aloud as he withdrew his leg—but in the next moment, he kicked again, this time unleashing a barrage of blows that reverberated furiously through the air.

Ascalon met every attack head-on, blocking with his left arm as he drew the other back. While under the unrelenting attack of precise, methodical kicks, he unleashed a straight punch toward his opponent, aiming at his face.

Surprisingly, Farkael turned and ducked with lightning-fast reflexes, his whole body twisting into a spin and ending with a roundhouse-kick targeted toward Ascalon’s head. The knight raised his arm just in time to block the powerful attack, the intense impact pushing him back slightly.

The air around them crackled as the ground rumbled, as if protesting under the immense pressure that emanated from their exchange. Ascalon smiled with both confidence and eagerness as he prepared to continue, feeling a rush of excitement wash over him.

Without missing a beat, the knight stepped in with a burst of speed, arching his head forward in a powerful headbutt. Farkael placed both palms in the way and leaned to the side, aiming to redirect the hit’s momentum. However, the moment their moves connected, Farkael immediately realized the incoming attack was too strong to fully redirect.

With astonishing adaptability, Farkael quickly bent his legs to anchor himself to the ground, bracing for the brunt of the attack. The impact forced him back, his feet dragging across the ground and leaving a notable mark in their wake—yet his composure remained unshaken.

“You have great potential for martial arts.” Farkael declared as he brushed off some dust from his clothes. Then, he crouched slightly, lowering his body onto a proper stance, one fist pointed straight at Ascalon while the other rested at his side.

Ascalon admired the strange posture, and nodded at what he interpreted as a compliment from Farkael. He raised his arms into a guard position, at the sides of his head. He had never learned any particular fighting style—only how to block and punch. After all, he relied on his armament—spear and shield—to fight, not his fists. Basically, when unarmed, he was just a brawler!

As they sized each other up once again, the air between them grew tense. Their fighting spirit was unleashed, warping the space around them under the strain of their might made manifest.