The best Knights of humanity (1/2)

Rushing towards Jean, the demoness attacked him with a great swing of her sword, trying to disarm her opponent. Even though there weren't any energies involved or wills to kill, the swing provoked a frightening sound - as if it could cut the air in half. Receiving the blow, Jean quickly parred using a reasonable amount of energy before being sent tumbling, still managing to keep his grip on his sword.

''You should just surrender.''

''...'' Getting up from his kneeling position, Jean put some more energy into his sword before waiting for the next blow.

''Young ones are truly reckless.'' She charged her sword with energy.

''Then I shall show you the difference between us.'' Dashing at a neck-breaking speed towards him, Jean quickly replied by putting more energy in his sword as he began to block all of her attacks.

This clearly shows the advantage of physique against energy. You couldn't really judge the physical before it came hurting you - most just didn't have the experience. It was already fantastic enough that Jean only needed an exchange before understanding her strength. In opposition, all warriors were definitely experienced with energy as the latter was often more lethal. Furthermore, they could clearly see the difference between a rookie hit and an expert one.

At one point, the demoness hit Jean with a kick in his stomach, propelling him backward.

Then, with her opponent still in the air, she joined him in an instant on his right, preparing to wound him severely with her sword.

Jean calmly responded to her attack by feinting a parry with his shield before throwing some hidden balls of energy into the demoness' path. With this, even though no damages were created, Jean got to reposition himself.

''You'll soon run out of tricks. Don't test my patience any longer and give up. Even if you can hold on, you'll soon run out of energy.''

''Neither Cleppe nor its inhabitants will give up.'' Still stuck with 2 pills in his mouth, Jean spoke for the first time.

''The only reason I didn't kill you yet was that you're a Knight of Cleppe. Don't shed the blood of your men needlessly. The gap between a Peak Knight and a Master knight isn't that easy to overcome.''

'Yeah, that's right.' How couldn't he know it? This wasn't for nothing that the 2 realms were separated. But

''There will be no surrender. That's Cleppe's way of thought.''

There was a reason for him to make this fight last.

...

''Your men are still holding well, huh? Still, that won't make any difference. Even if they win - something that's not going to happen, you'll still lose.''

In a bit more than a minute, Jean used around 90 % of his energy - something that should have made this fight impossible to win.

''So?''

''You still have the chance to surrender. Fighting against a Master Knight like me on a 1vs1 is already glorious enough.''

''Then let me savor this pleasure a bit more.'' he replied sarcastically. ''I will accept your victory as long as you can block this move.''

''... Alright.''

Jean quickly looked at the Cleppe soldiers who were fighting out of the corner of his eye. Those holding back a Knight in groups of 5 were showing some slight fatigue - they would only last a few more minutes. As for the frontline, although they were holding well and hadn't fight yet, running out of ammunition was only a matter of time.

'I have around 3 minutes left.'

Thinking of the deaths that would occur, he thought. 'Was it really worth it?'

'No, this is not the time to worry about that. My path was already mapped out the moment I became a Knight at Cleppe.'

***

The position of Knight being as much a position as a proof of power, few people actually became a Knight of Cleppe. One had to show loyalty to Cleppe, and this took years of testing.

He wasn't worthy of the title until he was in his twenties.

''Jean de la Rochelle, do you wish to follow in the footsteps of your family and become a Knight of Cleppe?''

''This isn't my family choice but mine.'' he clenched his fist over his heart.

The viscountess nodded and proceeded to ask the next question.

''Do you swear loyalty to Cleppe?''

''Yes!''

''Even if this oath is made before the Gods or an artifact?''

''Proving my loyalty is my greatest pleasure!''

''Will you continue to serve Cleppe even if it means losing all of your talents, your riches, and honor? Even if it means choosing Cleppe's over your loved ones, over the empire or humanity? Even if it means living in disgrace with but regrets?''

''My loved ones will always follow Cleppe. And Cleppe will always be my home, which I'll defend no matter what. As for my honors or regrets, there's no need to fear for them as I follow Cleppe.''

''You still have time to think about it or reject. But once you go there, you'll need to become a Cleppe's Knight or...''

''I am aware ! My choice won't change !''

''Then... we may proceed with your ceremony and first mission.''

***

It was somewhat easy for a Knight to take in impure energy several times in a fight. The problem was pure energy.

At a certain level - as a hit become strong enough - one had to use pure energy to temporarily fix the impure energy around one's weapon. It wouldn't leave as long as it was busy devouring the pure energy remaining on the sword. Furthermore, you needed to keep some to protect your hand as it was quite near to the impure energy and serve as the link.

Creating pure energy in combat was a quasi-impossible feat as it would require concentration. This means, the only energy that mattered - as long as it wasn't a question of tenths of seconds, was pure energy.

Moreover, taking impure energy, again and again, would damage the person's body, or even kill them on the spot if they couldn't control it.

Taking a few breaths, Jean deposited an astronomical amount of impure energy on his sword, which he could barely control with half his pure energy. He used the other half on his hand holding the shield in a similar manner and lunged at his target.

''A good mo-'' She easily blocked the sword but didn't have time to finish her sentence when she saw Jean pull his shield aside to attack with his hand. Rushing directly at her heart, the demoness reacted with a few steps back but losing her balance.

Jean dash towards her while swallowing one of the pills. It was like a reservoir of energy that he had completely filled with pure energy but which would spread through his body without him using any time or concentration. As long as there was no overflow of energy, everything would be fine.

Slightly increasing his speed using his pure energy in his legs, he charged at the helpless demoness and attacked with his sword of a tyrannical aura. This combo had cost him at least 50% of his pure energy.

With demonic speed, she managed to parry the blow for a short while before Jean's sword threw his sword and - weakened by the shock - attacked the demoness' armor. Wasting no time, the demoness defended herself with energy shields and by focusing all her pure energy on the targeted area. This is how she managed to get out of this deadly situation. Seeing this, Jean hurriedly stepped back. Even if he hadn't injured her, the demoness would have to use her energy in a more reduced way now, and the fight might last longer and longer.

''There will never be any pity for Cleppe's enemies,'' Jean said, seeing the angry look on the demoness' face.

''So those are those we call the best Knights of Humanity? No wonder even Ludovic has come to form under you. Your lack of honor is indeed frightening as is your equipment''

''... ''

''Knight of Cleppe or not, I'll kill you.''

''Your fate is already sealed. No matter what, you'll die.''

The fight continued and stretched into minutes. Soon Jean had consumed his second pill and a good part of his pure energy.

''I did underestimate you a little after all.''

''That's the difference between a Knight and a Master Knight, between an energy creation warrior and an energy surge master. You're lacking foundation.''

''I may only be a Knight but...'' he smiles ''The only reason you're a Master Knight is that the requirements are way too laxist. Giving up your past will not do you any good, and I shall prove to you that today.''

'Pre-awakening: Amplified thoughts.'

- - -

Knowledge: Awakenings is a new stage of combat ability, not a bonus, but something ongoing. There are 2 types: The type that never deactivates allowing constant security, and the type that can be activated whenever you want. A pre-awakening is the previous phase, the use of these techniques is possible but not permanent. The concentration used is formidable.

Knowledge: Ludovic didn't choose any first name even after reaching his power. He does have one, but one only the administration knows of. His personal success makes him arrogant and he gives no respect to others, a mistake that nobles and educated people would never dare to make.