Pride of the Imperial Knights

"What?"

Justin went limp. The spirit energy that welled up within him diminished at that instant.

"It's our bet. Did you forget?"

"..."

Ayensi looked at him with a calm face, slightly smiling. Both the Guardian of Spirit and Shiena fully expected this.

Furthermore, knowing these Imperial Knights, Spirit predicted what would happen next.

Justin, in the middle of all eyes, was speechless.

'Is this really it? I will get a missing tooth?'

He trembled from imagining himself picking out a girl. Then he would use his killer smile but it had one missing tooth.

'Ew~!'

The girl replied in his head. This instantly killed Justin's soul.

"No! Wait!"

He was about to retreat. Unfortunately, he screamed and opened his mouth.

Pluck*

"AHHH--!!!"

Justin's shout reverberated in the training ground. Good thing for him, they entered when there are no people around, or else, the image of the Imperial Knights would've been slightly tarnished.

The other Imperial Knights had darkened faces. Meanwhile, Justin screamed not just from the physical pain but from losing his future of being a promising and handsome youth.

He is now only a promising youth.

Justin then saw his tooth, filled soaked in blood thrown onto the ground while Ayensi cleaned the tip of his fingers with slight disgust. However, he was more satisfied than disgusted.

"You-!"

At this moment, the spirit energy went back to Justin.

Spiritist could be compared to a berserker. The more they are filled with resolution and determination, the more they got stronger. Resolution and determination can be changed into anger and other emotions as well.

As a prideful youth, who became an Imperial Knight for the greatest Empire on Ressuim, he can not just stop now with defeat.

He had to move forward!

"One more try!"

Justin shouted with blood on his lips. He then took another sword from his waist. His demeanor cooled after his frantic screams. He became like a hero that doesn't fall before the great adversities.

"Are you sure? I only took the tooth on the back."

"..."

Justin paused and felt where the pain in his mouth.

'... he's right...'

He assumed that Ayensi will take a tooth at the front since that is the easiest to get.

'Wait... how did he even pluck my tooth before I can even react, I thought he only has great defense?'

But Justin shook his head. That is a question for later. What matters now was that he is in his cool pose. As if he is ready to take on the challenge once more.

He fell into a dilemma...

'If I lost again, what if he targeted my front teeth? Should I back out now? But I already said, one more try!'

Justin's spirit wavered.

However, after remembering that all eyes were at him. He couldn't back out now.

Therefore, he had three more tries again. Thinking all things motivating. Thinking how he was shamed by Ayensi. Thinking that he could talk to that lady with one-in-a-billion beautiful face at the back if he turns out victorious at the end.

'You may have won the first battle, but I will win the war!'

Justin waved his sword without restraint!

...

"OUCH--!!"

Justin rolled on the ground while tears, snot, and blood were smeared all over his face. He looked so pathetic if compared before.

As he screamed, it could be seen that no teeth were left in his mouth.

"Take him..." Captain Gragan pitied Justin. However, that was his own fault for being arrogant and a braggart.

Captain Gragan felt second-hand embarrassment when he remembered how Justin confidently used his most basic attack on the first round.

Now, after dozens of matches, Justin had no more teeth to spare.

No one stopped him. How can they stop the fervor that amassed within their colleague? If they stopped the release of his spirit energy, it may take a toll on his potential.

They are Spiritists before they are Imperial Knights.

Furthermore, Justin had been obnoxious since day one. The number one victim of this was the female Imperial Knight.

She could be considered pretty even though she had a small scar below her eyes and on the top right of her forehead.

But even with those scars, she was always Justin's target of flirting when he had nothing to do.

That's why when she saw his pitiful state, she looked down on him and thought.

'Finally, got what you deserved.'

"Did I pass?"

On the other side, Ayensi innocently asked which Captain Gragan answered with a frown.

"You definitely passed with flying colors. However, if you don't mind, can we ask you to continue to see what is the limit of your defense?"

"Sure, would you like to still keep the bet?"

"That depends..." the captain then glanced at the other two Imperial Knights.

They immediately understood his gesture. The female Imperial Knight stepped forward.

"I will continue the test and keep the bet on. Consider this as revenge for my colleague."

"Anya!" Justin cried and sobbed, "I wii give you mor op ma time after thhi. I hihn't know yu laf mi this mash!"

Anya, the female Imperial Knight just looked at him with scorn. Even though Justin could only speak barely intelligible words, Anya got the gist of it.

'What the fuck is this dumbshit talking about? I only said that as an excuse to keep up the bet. If I don't accept the bet, I will be seen as scared. But if I do accept it without any reason, I will be seen as weird!'

However, she didn't say any of that but instead, she replied.

"It is natural for the Knights of Mealma to be courageous and value their comrades. Don't think much of it. I am just doing what must be done."

Justin stared at Anya after her chivalrous words.

'Lame...' he internally commented.

However, the third Imperial Knight felt his heart skip.

"Anya," he called as he stretched his arm to stop her.

"We can't let a lady lost her teeth. I'll go next."

The third Imperial Knight named Berdan said with a caring tone. That was why he had no idea why Anya reacted with-

"HAH!?"