Sparring with the Imperial Knights
Not long after the sparring matches began, already half the students were slumped on the ground, catching their breath. Their arms trembled uncontrollably, and their legs could barely support their weight. Each swing of the knights' blades, infused with divine power, carried devastating force, and the students had no choice but to absorb the horrific impacts head-on.
A few who had taken particularly hard hits were already being treated by priests summoned to the training grounds...
"Kuak!"
"Next."
In Ludenberg Lavante's eyes, another student tumbled out of the ring. On closer inspection, it was Gawin Greta. Even he, one of the top students in Ador rank, hadn't lasted long.
The four imperial knights maintained an air of utter composure, toying thoroughly with the students. Before them, distinctions like Innocence or Abyss meant little. So far, the one who'd held out longest was Evelyn Ansis, an Innocence ranker. As her family name suggested, she was Carmen Ansis's younger sister, and the moment sparring started, she'd been called over by her sibling to demonstrate her progress—subjected to even harsher treatment than the others.
"Evelyn, this won't cut it. You've grown far beyond what you were at home, sure, but you need to push further. Get up!"
"Ah... Got it."
But the moment she rose, she barely exchanged one clash before collapsing again. The accumulated shock in her body dropped her with just that single parry.
The other students had envied her upon hearing Carmen's name—realizing she had an imperial knight for a brother—but now that envy had twisted into pity.
The matches pressed on. As they continued, determination etched itself on the students' faces, while satisfaction dawned on the knights'. The students burned with the will to land even a single blow. The knights approved of these first-years' impressive skills for their age.
Amid the swirl of emotions, the next pair stepped up, and anticipation lit the students' faces.
Mion Altis. Eden Asta.
Two of the strongest Innocence rankers.
Mion Altis, whose refined and fluid swordsmanship was in a league beyond other Innocence students, despite her crushing defeat to Ashytara. Eden Asta, who wielded his three divine powers to deploy the perfect technique for every moment.
And perhaps sensing their prowess more keenly than the students did, the two knights facing them adopted serious expressions.
Before the clashes began, a brief introduction was exchanged.
"From Solemnute Adem, Knight Faculty first-year. Eden Asta. Please go easy on me."
"Imperial Knights. Tir Roland. Same to you."
"Likewise, Solemnute Adem, Knight Faculty first-year. Mion Altis."
"Imperial Knights. Maha Nadina. Let's have a good match."
The knight with radiant blond hair and the red-haired female knight exuded an overwhelming presence that could crush Eden and Mion. Yet the pair glared back undaunted, matching their aura.
The moment the spar began, Eden summoned his three divine powers at once, unleashing his signature style. Swift as wind at times, unyielding as earth at others, flowing like water in counters—his opponent, Tir Roland, could only express pure admiration.
"Impressive. Wielding three divine powers is shocking enough, but this swordplay for a first-year? It's hard to believe. I can see the traces of endless training woven in."
He parried Eden's strikes with ease, praising his form all the while.
Eden ignored the compliments, desperate to land even one solid hit on Tir. But each attempt dragged him deeper into a quagmire. He was the one attacking, so why was he slowing down, getting pulled along by his foe's blade?
Gritting his teeth, Eden thrashed to escape the trap—but it was futile. Tir's swordplay was like a swamp; the more Eden clashed, the more control he lost.
Eden had already surpassed Evelyn's record. But he wasn't satisfied.
How long I last doesn't matter. Just once. Land the attack.
As he fell back on the defensive, Eden spied his chance and went all-in. Discarding his other powers, he poured everything into Celioum divine power, pushing his speed to the limit.
A rip like tearing wind echoed as a thrust too fast for the eye hurtled toward Tir.
In that instant, Tir cloaked his blade in divine power, met Eden's strike, and twisted his wrist—deflecting the path.
Srulk.
No clash of steel rang out. Eden's Celioum-infused blade lost all momentum.
As he withdrew, Eden conceded.
"I yield."
"Well fought. Among everyone here today, you're the best, right?"
"No."
"...What?"
"I'm not the strongest first-year in the Knight Faculty right now."
Eden stated the truth plainly. Sure, he'd pulled every dirty trick to claim the top spot and drag Ludenberg down. But he wasn't a fool who denied clear facts.
Among the first-year Knight Faculty students, Ludenberg Lavante was still the strongest. Eden acknowledged it.
He knew you couldn't catch those ahead without admitting your own shortcomings.
"There's one far ahead of me."
"You're already ridiculously skilled... and someone's even better?"
"You'll see him soon enough."
Unlike Eden and Tir, whose match had ended, Mion and Maha's duel raged on beside them.
"Not bad, huh? This year's first-years are on another level. You, and the whole group—nothing to sneeze at. Last year, they'd drop after one clash with us..."
As Maha muttered, Mion poured every ounce of effort into dodging her strikes.
"Urk!"
"Nice footwork. But with a rapier, you'd do better moving even faster."
Mion hunted for any opening in Maha's guard, but found none. Her fundamentals were ironclad—a veritable fortress.
It didn't take long for Mion to fall.
But she'd outlasted everyone so far. Unlike Eden's gamble, pure endurance had carried her further.
"Good work."
Maha smiled at her, and Mion—strength drained—slumped fully and replied.
"Th-thank you..."
The spars continued, and soon Ludenberg's turn arrived.
"Next! Last one."
At Carmen's call, Ludenberg stepped forward.
Coincidentally, so did Ashytara.
The students' eyes sparkled anew. Ashytara, who'd crushed Mion in their dorm duel. Ludenberg, who dominated without divine power.
How would they fare against the imperial knights? That was the burning question.
"What do you think?"
"Even against imperial knights, it'll be tough, right?"
"Who knows... maybe?"
"Nah. Eden couldn't even touch Sir Tir."
"But Ludenberg's better than Eden..."
"What about Ashytara?"
"She'll struggle too, probably."
"Quiet. It's starting."
Such murmurs filled the air as opponents were assigned. Maha and Tir took a brief rest, replaced by the other two knights.
Ashytara faced Carmen Ansis, their guide here. Ludenberg drew the brown-haired middle-aged knight, Martin Taylor.
"It's been a while, Your Highness. Carmen here."
"Yes, Sir Carmen. Please go easy. And for this match, I'm just a Solemnute Adem student—no titles needed."
Carmen nodded.
"Understood, Ashytara. Let's see how much you've grown."
With that, Carmen summoned Celioum divine power, locking eyes on Ashytara. Wind, still until now, whipped fiercely around her.
Ashytara cloaked herself and her blade in Solem's blue flames, kicked off the ground, and charged.
* * *
As Carmen and Ashytara's duel ignited, Ludenberg eyed the unassuming middle-aged knight before him.
"Imperial Knights. Martin Taylor. Let's have a good one."
"Solemnute Adem, Knight Faculty first-year Ludenberg Lavante. Please go easy."
Knight Martin Taylor studied Ludenberg.
He's changed a lot.
In truth, Martin already knew him. Eight years ago, until Ashytara entered Solemnute Adem, he'd been her escort—and thus had glimpsed Ludenberg strolling the palace with her from afar.
Often watching from a distance, Martin knew the boy's upright, gentle nature well.
To think that kid's grown like this. In a completely different direction.
Now, he sensed ruthlessness, madness, stubborn resolve. In just a few years, much must have befallen that pure youth.
"I heard you have no divine power. True?"
"Yes."
Ludenberg answered flatly.
"I see. And you still think you can become a knight?"
"Yes."
The utter lack of hesitation revealed the source of his stubbornness: unshakeable faith in himself, that he could become a knight on pure strength alone.
"Good. Then I'll go all out. Let's see if you can...
endure." Martin summoned divine power around himself as he spoke.