Mock Battle

Claire hugged Cedrick very tightly after not being able to sense and see him for just a couple of days. Even if it was short time he was gone, Claire was always filled anxiety and worry on what might happen to him as she could tell that he was being very reckless after coming in this world.

Seing him safely returned, happiness filled her heart after confirming he was safe. She wanted to kiss him but she remembered they were not on a relationship.

She felt her face is burning up as she was embarrassed but she still didn't release her hug as she finally felt the comfort she was longing for the following days after he had gone to his journey.

Cedrick who looked at her reaction, confirmed that she has feelings for him. If it were his previous self before his personality assimilated with his trait and formed his dragon pride, he might brush it off as a nonsense. But now he had analyzed everything from her. Starting from her reaction, gesture and the tears he confirmed they were genuine.

He was also confident in his senses and instinct after becoming a dragon so he didn't doubt his speculation. He just observed her as he was curious of something. After observing her for a while he mumbled.

'Troublesome.'

He got annoyed seing her that she has no intention of releasing him as he felt his freedom was sealed or stolen. He just waited for her to release him with an expressionless face. Like she had snapped out of daze, her face was becoming very red as she can't believe how bold she became is.

Cedrick thought that she was cute for a while looking at her interesting reactions and then ignored her behavior as he didn't want her to be even more embarrassed than she currently was and focused on what he would do today as for him, it would be more interesting.

He then called out Edward and Josh which the duo immediately and gladly appeared in front of him. Both of them bowed to Cedrick and greeted the children. Both of them felt something from the three kids as Edward was the Barbarian King, he was naturally sensitive and was interested in them.

He had doubts as they all felt something similar or familiar to his son but he didn't know how he should explain it.

Josh on other hand felt something, he felt something very comfortable as he was in his bed in a morning. A resonance which the three of them felt and a notification appeared in front of the four of them.

[The Four Knights of the Apocalypse has united. Synergy effect has activated.]

[All stats will rise by 75%. Mana consumption and skill cooldown reduce by 30%.]

[Darkness will consume you.]

[You have resisted.]

The four were stunned after seing the notifications and look at each other. They instantly knew who they were. The four were silent for a while as they were in deep thought

The four kids smiled simultaneously in a mischievously way which Edward didn't miss. He felt a bit creepy of how those kids can smile mischievously.

It was the beginning of the journey of the Four Knights of the Apocalypse that will cause havoc and chaos to the whole world.

Cedrick on the other hand told Edward to give a test to the Barbarians which makes the latter smiled as he immediately agreed which surprised Cedrick as he coincided that today is their schedule for a mock exam.

****

A huge number of barbarians could be seen making their way to Kunlon's forest region in the early hours of the morning (4 A.M).

Looking at them, Cedrick almost couldn't believe how much they had improved. They had much discipline and strength compared to their previous appearances. They all have upright postures, sturdy physique, and unwavering determination.

Laurence and his brothers looked at them with amazement seing the Barbarians military might. Josh was proud seeing their reaction as all of them were his army.

As the group move, their footsteps were so light that one would think they were assasins instead of warriors. Edward who had learned everything from the information Cedrick gave him, taught them the importance of camouflage and the element of surprise to the enemy.

Knights fought proudly and with pride in this world of swords and magic. They all liked to flaunt their dazzling moves and demonstrate their strength and power. They believed that sneaking around was a sign of cowardice and a lack of strength.

However, Edward now disagreed. He realized that the actual strength in warfare is discovering the simplest and safest means to annihilate your opponent while saving your comrades. He now believed, the less casualties the better.

Edward had actually taught the barbarians how to set up booby traps and devise various strategies. He taught them how to knock someone out by striking all of their pressure points, particularly the back of the neck or nape.

They'd have to use their hands and wits because swords weren't allowed in the first phase of the exam. Edward also taught them a new set of martial arts and self-defense techniques that all of the barbarians enjoyed and mixed with their own to improve their martial arts.

Edward had discovered three mini hills in a short distance from Kunlon two days earlier. Each hill was surrounded by trees and a dense bush, making it ideal for setting traps and camouflaging. There were even sand pits and streams in certain areas, making it perfect.

For the upcoming exam, Edward had provided them a miniature hill as a foundation and instructed them to construct their own base with wooden sheds and booby traps.

Despite the fact that he did not reveal the exam's details, they all realized that each team would be matched against the other in the upcoming exam.

Cedrick was pleased when he saw the barbarians lined up in four rows as they came. They now looked and acted like soldiers of earth.

"The exam will be divided into two phases: phase one will contain strategy and infiltration, and phase two will include weapon mastery; today we will only cover phase one, and phase two will be covered tomorrow," Edward stated loudly.

A commander under him and a general placed boxes in front of each team while he spoke.

"The boxes in front of you contain each team's headband, ropes, and flag; Alfred's team will wear the red headband, Christian's team will wear the yellow headband, and Reynold's team will wear the purple headband; there are also 500 ropes for tying up the prisoners; and each team should have 5 flags that are the same color as the team's headband. Your headbands can be worn wherever you want as long as it is in your body. Now put on your headbands!!"

The team captains carried the boxes swiftly and distributed each headbands. Cedrick was impressed by the men's patience as they didn't break up their lines and waited for their captain to hand them the headbands. Some people put their legs on, while others put their waste and arms on, and so on. Nobody put anything on their heads. Cedrick smirked.

'They are smart.'

The so called headbands were just pieces of clothes cut from ragged clothes. Once Edward saw they were done, he continued.

"Each squad should develop defensive and offensive strategies. You must collect at least one enemy flag and 150 enemy headbands to complete the mission. I will not offer any tips or assistance on how to hide your flags and fight. Do you understand me?"

They hurriedly give a military salute and yelled loudly. "Sir, yes, Sir!"

"Good," Edward replied. "During the exam, Lord Cedrick and I will observe you guys in the shadow, and everyone will be graded at the end."

They were filled with determination to prove themselves to their Monarch and King after hearing that they would be watched.

"The use of any weapons, such as swords or knives, is prohibited during the exam. To disarm your opponent, you can only utilize martial arts or self-defense. Finally, knocking out your opponents is prohibited."

All barbarians listened carefully as they were all afraid they would miss a single detail would result them to fail the exam.

"Those who lose their headbands will be considered dead; if you are captured and your headband is taken from you, you will be considered dead; if you lose your headband even by accident, you will be considered dead. Once dead, you cannot and should not continue the battle; assisting your team even after pronounced dead will be a serious crime in today's exam."

Edward looked at them with a cold aura and which made their spines shivered.

"Anyone who breaks the rules will face a month of severe punishment, which will make you regret breaking the rules at the end of the exam. As a result, do not defy commands. After all, a dead man tells no tales and should have no influence on the exam."

Everyone felt their headbands were worth all the treasures in the world. They secretly asked themselves if they had secured enough and hidden from the enemies.

"Furthermore, the examination will last two hours. Regardless of whether or not you passed the exam, you must all return here once the timer has expired. Failure to do so will result in a week of punishment for all soldiers, regardless of team affiliation."

They were all taken aback. So if someone else was late, they would be penalised as well. The mere thought of that made them all shiver.

In fact, Edward did this to ensure that his knights worked together. He desired that they all become their brothers' keepers.

"Good luck men, Your exam starts now!" Edward yelled excitedly.

Cedrick grinned as he was amazed by Edward's creativity for these exam. Claire and the kids were also the same. All of them looked with anticipation on what would be the result.

Cedrick grinned as he finally found something that very interested him.

"This is exhilarating."