A Star Rises in the Darkness

When Ainkrad let go of the wooden stick in his left hand, the weapon immediately broke just by falling, hitting the floor.

'As I thought, the wood won't be strong, especially with the hard swing of my wooden sword. Yet, this kid was able to make it survive the spar without being crushed by taking advantage of the placement angle.

'Because the placement and way of gripping the wooden stick were good, he managed to reduce the impact by more than half of the origin's power. That's also why he didn't get blown away even when he endured my slashes.'

Ainkrad was again amazed by the way Aizen fought. He couldn't help but feel like he was fighting a veteran knight with over 20 years of experience on the battlefield.

How to take advantage of every gap and opportunity was not wasted.

'This kid is really scary. If he's able to wield Mana Aura and a real spear, I might have no chance of winning even if I put all my strength into it.'

Clap, Clap--

Suddenly, the sound of applause resounded in the practice ground room. The students, who had been listless and unexcited, were now overjoyed after seeing Ainkrad's and Aizen's stunning spar. Except for Ayduin.

Ayduin was shocked and mouth wide open, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Even when he had improved from training with a 10 kg weight on his body, he still couldn't win even if it was taken off. Instead, he would fall to the floor and be beaten hard by dozens of thrusts from the wooden stick.

He swallowed hard and broke out in cold sweat on the back of his neck. He advanced slowly toward Aizen, who was still lying on the floor.

"Are you okay? Nothing to worry about. It was a great show." Ayduin said to calm Aizen, who he thought might be upset about losing in such a close spar.

However, Aizen only chuckled, even though the traces of blood on the corners of his mouth had not been wiped away. He was a man with nearly 40 years of experience in the ups and downs of life and death.

Losing in a spar was not a painful thing. For him, it was a new thing that entered his warehouse of experience.

Training that would make him more perfect and mature for the future.

"Yeah, sure! I thought it was a good show too." Aizen replied.

Ayduin misunderstood those words and instead felt happy that he was able to make Aizen feel better. He then lifted Aizen off the floor and supported Aizen by wrapping Aizen's left arm around his shoulder.

Ainkrad saw that too, and was relieved that the other students were at least not moping anymore. He picked up the wooden stick that was broken on the floor, then turned towards the weapons cabinet to put his wooden sword.

However, his steps stopped for a moment before putting the wooden weapons back because Ayduin's voice entered his ears quickly and precisely.

"You are crazy. How dare you spar with an instructor who uses Mana Aura without removing the 20 kg weights? You are truly a monster."

Correct!

Aizen still showcased progress in speed and physical improvement in the situation of carrying the 20 kg weight.

Ainkrad, who seemed to have had an epiphany, immediately turned to Ayduin and Aizen. He ignored that fact because he was too pleased with the sparring.

'That brat!? He never ceases to amaze me.'

Ainkrad grinned from ear to ear. Aizen was indeed the most talented student he had ever met and educated. Without a doubt!

There had not been a student like Aizen in any of the classes. Even in the history of the Knight Division of Raven Academy.

The talented students from Class 1 and Class 2, who their instructor boasted about in front of him, were nowhere near a level against Aizen's fighting instincts.

Ainkrad couldn't help but imagine the sheer joy he would feel when Aizen finally showed off his remarkable abilities as a gifted knight at the event. In front of esteemed instructors and talented students from prestigious families descended from Knights or Grand Knights.

He then approached Aizen, who was being carried by Ayduin, after placing a wooden sword in the cabinet. The two students stopped, responding to him, which was getting closer.

"Say, Student Barthomelo. Are you an apprentice of a Grand Knight or a Genesis Knight? Your fighting sense is too beautiful to be called a natural talent."

Aizen knew why Ainkrad asked like that. So far, what he was shown was pure because of his fighting experience. So he could respond to every situation better and faster. He only used knight techniques when going offensive. But to defend or act before a counterattack. He only relied on wit.

And such a thing was displayed by a 20-year-old child. Of course, people with eyes would ask how did he reach such a level at such a young age. Or if it was indeed an innate natural talent.

Meanwhile, Aizen was as ready to make up nonsense to trick Ainkrad as he had lied about the Nullifier to Dante.

"I was indeed taught by a knight. If I'm not mistaken, he said his level was at the Supreme Knight."

"What!? What grade is that?" asked the bewildered Ainkrad. It was the first time he had heard of a Supreme Knight. Not Apprentice Knights, Knights, Grand Knights, or Genesis Knights. "What's his name?"

"I don't know. He never told me."

"Wow, if I could be as good as you, I would also want a master like that, even if I don't know his name. Besides, what is a Supreme Knight? Sir Instructor, do you know anything about that?" Ayduin couldn't help but open his mouth, expressing curiosity at the conversation.

However, Ainkrad found it difficult to explain because he also knew nothing of what a Supreme Knight was.

"Where is that master of yours? Where does he live? Can I see him?" He immediately threw a series of questions out of curiosity about the Supreme Knight and also how strong a master who trained students like Aizen was.

"He has been missing since my first day at Raven Academy. And I don't know where he is or where he has gone."

Ayduin and Ainkrad put on a sour expression. For the two of them, Aizen was frankly an unquestionable genius. And could be categorized as the person with the most rapid growth.

So, to meet and see the master of Aizen was the sudden euphoric wish they wanted. Unfortunately, it had been reduced to dust over Aizen's last statement.

"Alright, then you can rest at the infirmary. And you should come back after dropping off Student Barthomelo, Student Torrel."

"Yes, Sir Instructor."

Ayduin returned immediately after escorting Aizen to the infirmary. The Class 3 students continued to familiarize themselves with the stances taught by Ainkrad earlier.

The difference was, this time, they didn't give up easily even though their faces showed exhaustion and no joy. After doing the stance until it was correct, which took more than three hours, they finally started sparring between students.

Ainkrad told them to use comfortable weapons to increase the chances of not losing miserably. He also took the time to correct those students' movements that were too conspicuous and wide.

When Aizen returned to the training ground room, he wasn't told to take part in the training like the others.

Ainkrad knew that Aizen had a different foundation. So, he told Aizen to practice physical enhancement instead. That was what the student with the shortest and smallest body needed among other knight students in the class and other classes.

--- ---

The day went quickly, and the night came. Some distance from Raven Academy, in a three-story mansion with a large courtyard. Arman was sitting opposite his father in a private room.

"Don't slack off. The time for the competition festival event is approaching. You don't need to win the event. As long as you don't lose shamefully is enough. Because father, several nobles, and aristocrats from various cities of the Aslan Empire will come to watch."

"Yeah, sure~~" Arman answered while dragging his words with an irritated and bored face.

But such behavior was not considered normal by Viscount Joe. He knew his son's temper too well.

"Who annoyed you and made you unable to retaliate, so you grumbled like this in front of your father?"

Arman threw his face to the side while his mouth was mumbling. "There are some stupid kids who don't know themselves. Their backgrounds aren't that great. If I wanted, they would be begging on their knees since they are the ones that recklessly look for trouble."

"I know that. So, who keeps you from being able to retaliate?"

Arman lowered his face and spoke softly, "Em..., the fourth prince. Nathan Argust."

Viscount Joe frowned. The name could be said to be in his predictions, but at the same time, it was beyond his expectations. "That's good. There's a limit you shouldn't cross. But I know it's not enough. However for now, please endure it until the next year for your revenge."

"But, father! That son of a bitch pisses me off. And why should we be afraid of the imperial family?!"

Arman's shout made Viscount Joe's face turn solemn. And not for long, someone came out of the shadow of the room and approached Arman.

"Young Lord, what your father said is ironclad and indisputable. So, lower your voice and behave accordingly."