Are you the strongest here?

Themis interrupted a soldier who was training. He clears his throat, causing all soldiers to notice his presence. The soldiers hurriedly stood straight, displaying excellent etiquette to the king in front of them. 

"This young boy in my side-"

"I'm not young," he whispers, making Themis smile and try to suppress his laugh.

"So this boy on my side will be joining our Armed Force starting today" he went on to say. All of the troops' gazes are drawn to the Boy, who appears to be strong because of his light brown skin, red hair, and intimidating thin-almond-blue eyes. 

"I'm Zagan," he said, slightly raising his right arm. 

After Themis finished introducing Zagan to the soldier. Mike, the captain of the Armed Force, was called upon by the king to assist Zagan.

Themis exited the training camp, leaving Zagan to Mike, who was already grinning at him.

"You're quite handsome," he said.

"Thanks" he cool-headed response. Mike looked at him in incredulity.

Zagan may appear cocky, but Mike is well-prepared for this type of personality.

"Are you not going to compliment me back?" he blurted out. Hoping to be complimented back.

Zagan simply stared at him and inspected him from head to toe, while Mike awkwardly smiled, waiting for Zagan's response.

"Am I not handsome?" he questioned in a discrete, bashful tone.

"I like your muscles," he responded. 

Mike's awkward smile and fleeting hope melted in an instant.

He only wanted his handsomeness to be seen, but it was always his muscles that were noticed. 

Mike, who appeared defeated accompanied Zagan in meeting the other soldiers and explaining everything about the training. 

The soldiers welcomed Zagan. Others were surprised by his presence, and others looked at him sourly.

After strolling, Mike excused himself to Zagan, as Avra called him. While he spoke with Avra in the distance. A boy approached Zagan. 

"Hey! New kid" exclaimed a 16-year-old lad. Zagan only looked at him, uninterested.

The boy then begins to walk in his direction, while Zagan's gaze is focused somewhere as if he is looking for someone.

"Hey," he nudged him. Zagan's attention shifts to him. He stared at him from toe to head, like he was analyzing him. Zagan's actions irritate the boy.

"Are you looking down at me?" he exasperatedly stated. Looking so prideful. 

"I didn't say anything," he replied uninterestedly, prompting the boy to "tsk!" and was felt disrespected by the way Zagan presented himself. 

"You're too full of yourself; how about we spar?" he arrogantly suggested.

The king acknowledged the guy's combat abilities and he was conscious of his good qualities, which is why he was attempting to dominate the conceited Zagan. 

"Overconfidence can kill you," he responded, glaring at him with displeasure.

"Then I will show you," he sneered. Zagan, on the other hand, simply looked away and continued to search for someone with his gaze. The boy on his side begins to crack his neck and clench his fist in annoyance, feeling disrespected. 

"Found you," he muttered, smirking. He then turns back to the irritated boy and pats his shoulder, bewildered but still irritated.

"I'll go spar with someone worthy," he continued before walking away, leaving the lad stunned and enraged. 

Zagan began to go toward Mike and Avra, causing the two to stare at him.

"Done making friends?" Mike asked as Zagan appeared in front of them. Zagan didn't bother to look at Mike and instead concentrated on one individual who was looking at him, perplexed.

 "Spar with me," he stated.

Mike and Avra appear taken aback by Zagan's sudden suggestion.

"I don't think it's right to spar with a girl," Mike said slowly. He was worried.

"Are you too full of yourself?" Avra asked, smirking. She does not like the way the boy approaches them.

"Spar with me," he said again, not paying attention to the two. The girl on Avra and Mike's side stared at him and just smiled. 

"Themi- I mean the king said the strongest here is the same age as me. I just want to make sure if you are really the strongest here." He says with a sneer. looking too proudly of himself

"I think you better spar with som-" 

"Go ahead," Mike was cut off again, leading him to close his mouth after Avra spoke.

Avra was certain that this boastful lad would be crushed by her comrade.

She then looks at the girl next to her and pats her head. 

"Show him, Adira," she added, smiling proudly while looking down at Zagan. She dislikes conceited people who are overly proud of themselves. 

Mike, who was hesitant and anxious, handed them a wooden sword for safety, while Avra, who looked so proud, sat down on one of the benches. 

The two then began to move within an area with a few soldiers. They're standing, facing each other, and exchanging gazes. The two then proceeded to walk away from each other, giving them room and time to unleash their attack. 

"Is this allowed?" said the concerned Mike. Avra didn't bother to glance at him and simply ignored the anxious captain. 

Avra then began to blow the whistle she was holding, prompting the two to clash. 

Zagan dashed at her and attacked her with his sword, but Adira's quick reflection saved her, making Zagan look at her in amazement. 

Adira then begins to attack back, forcing Zagan to step back while continuing to charge in. 

"I think I mistakenly judged you," he said in his defense. He then grips his sword, shifts his stance, and strikes her back. 

But Adira had a strong defense, making it difficult for him to defeat her. 

The two drew a lot of attention as they continued to trade blows.

"Is that the new guy?"

"He got skill"

"I thought he was just too confident, but man has a skill"

"Who do you think will win?"

"New guy."

"Nah! it's Adira, just look. Her defense is just so good"

"But his attack is powerful"

The soldiers who were witnessing the fight murmured. 

On the other side, while Themis and Damayanti were walking and intended to leave the tower, they paused when they noticed the troops gathering. Their curiosity drove them to approach the spot and witness the two's outstanding sparring. 

"Are you not tired?" Zagan inquired, panting.

"I'm not," she responded, making Zagan smirk and attack her once more. 

Adira parried Zagan's blow, pushing his sword away with her own. Then she moved in and attacked him. Zagan moves aside and counter-attacks her arm. 

Adira steps back after being attacked by Zagan. She then looked at him again, not waiting for Zagan to attack like she used to.

She struck him first, and he was caught aback by her surprise attack. 

Zagan's surprised expression was imprinted on his face as Adirais leaning on him with her sword touched his neck. In sparring, this was referred to as the end of the fight. 

Adira grinned at him, aware that the victory was already hers. However, her smile faded when Zagan's astonished expression turned into a smirk. She was perplexed. 

"Look below you," he said, leading Adira to gaze down. 

She saw Zagan's sword pommel point in her stomach. it's a no-win situation. 

Someone clapped in the distance, bringing their duel to an end. As the soldiers gathered, Zagan and Adira's attention shifted to someone clapping.

It was the king!

The two began to stand straight, still chasing their breath. Themis, who was standing and watching the battle, began to walk in their direction, causing Avra to get up and Mike to become anxious. 

Mike approached, worried, saying, "Your Highness". Themis only smiled at him and patted his shoulder, making him feel relaxed. 

Themis began going to Zagan and Adira. 

"You guys are excellent!" he commented. He then touched Zagan's head and messed up his hair, causing Zagan to move away from the King, shocking all of the soldiers including Avra and Mike who were unaware of the two relationships. 

Themis laughs and presses Zagan into his body and messes his hair more, still adoring him. 

" What an unexpected move. That's so dirty" he teased the embarrassed Zagan.

" If you're in that kind of situation, you'd rather stab your attacker than shield yourself, Since I was already aware, I get stabbed" he explains. He suddenly moved away from Themis's embrace and glanced at him. 

"If I'm going to die, she's going with me," he said, referring to his previous action in the battle. 

He refuses to die alone.

The night was approaching and as the troops were dining in the cafeteria and Avra was eating with Adira, the Holy Saint was peering at them. Avra noticed that an interested Saint was looking in their direction. 

Adira looked back curiously at what Avra was staring at, and then he caught the gaze of a boy with silver hair and fair skin who resembled a doll. 

Lucius bolted, avoiding their gazes. 

"I want to be like her." He whispered to himself.

Lucius began wandering around the tower, appearing to be deep in contemplation. Many soldiers, who were about to return to their rooms to rest, witnessed the saint standing in front of the Priest's Office. Hesitant about entering. 

When Lucius was about to enter, Damayanti showed up behind him. 

"Are you okay now, Lucius?" 

He was surprised as a voice spoke from behind him. He looked at the worried priest and nodded. 

Damayanti saw the child's look, which hinted he wanted to say something. He gestured for him to come inside for a conversation. 

"Is there any problem?"

"I want..."

Lucius paused, causing Damayanti to stare at him curiously. 

He gestured for him to take a seat, but the shy and anxious saint refused to sit down. 

"So, what would you like to tell me?"

He reluctantly raised his head to face the priest, relaxing himself by rubbing his fingers on his other finger. 

" I-I..."

"...."

"...."

"I want to join them," he said anxiously, covering his face by looking down. 

Damayanti frowned his brow. He was puzzled.

"Them?"

Lucius nodded.

"The black-haired girl"

"The black-haired- you mean, Adira?" Damayanti asked, but Lucius only looked at him, confusedly not knowing or having a clue who he was referring to.

"The girl with black hair. The pretty one" he went on to say. 

"That's Adira...So, why would you want to join? You can simply stay at Magicast and learn Magic there."

"But I want to be strong like her."

After Lucius expressed his desire to join the armed forces, the room went silent.

Damayanti was contemplating what might happen to the saint. It's quite dangerous and he wouldn't want to endanger Lucius' life. 

"I cannot allow you; it's seriously dangerous." he coldly stated. 

"I'll be alright."

Lucius who was expected to appear crushed and disappointed, looked at the priest with eagerness in his eyes. He truly wanted to be strong like his father.

"Once I became strong. I'll be alright." 

"I will talk with the king about this matter."