Company.

Three days had elapsed since the Magi assault on the community, and all the casualties had been laid to rest.

It was with great sadness they acknowledged that the majority of those lost in the battle were parents or children, eagerly anticipating their next big endeavor.

It was important to note that this world differed greatly from the gaming world that Archibald had become accustomed to.

In this world, there were no means of salvation, resurrection potions or spells, or respawning once someone had passed away.

Archibald had come to accept this bitter truth, and one had to commend him for his strength and resilience.

He was most surprised to find that, despite experiencing a devastating tragedy, many individuals still retained a glimmer of hope in their hearts.

They drew close together and made every effort to return to their normal lives. Such resilience is truly admirable.

Elden Annulus did not prepare for such a situation.

As for Archibald, he had only recently recovered from the traumatizing reality of seeing a person die.

This world was not a game or a mere movie. In order to overcome insurmountable odds, he may have to endure the feel of blood on his hands.

...

[Current Age] :: Five years old.

—Archibaldʼs current rank in all Sword Arts.

[Thunder God Art] :: Advanced

[Black Moon Art] :: Advanced

[Sky Lord Art] :: Savant

[Sword Saint Art] :: Initiate

Gadi and Archibald engaged in their usual wooden sword clash in the fields.

Their movements were quick and precise, resulting in strong gusts of wind with each strike.

Despite Gadi holding back, Archibald was able to hold his own and not be thrown off his feet.

Both individuals fought by use of the Black Moon Arts, which required precise wrist movements and high dexterity.

"Seems you still can't match my grace, you're gonna stay Advanced trash forever kid.." he smirked at Archibald right after.

Of course this wasn't anyway to act as a teacher, but Gadi's tutoring was special.

He may act pompous and self-serving most of the time, and even immature in some cases, but he was skilled. He was originally one of the Holy Knights of Ixtal Kingdom and currently ranked as Saint (7th rank) in the Thunder God Arts and Master in the other three.

The Thunder God Art was his forte.

As the two pulled back abruptly, only Archibald breathed laboriously. His master on the other hand, was completely fine. It only made sense Archibald would struggle, he was under his tutelage after all.

("So, after living in this world for five years, I've come to realize that your true power isn't just about the genes you have or the powers you practice in games like Elden Annulus. It's all about your Object Control number. If it's low, it's fucking hard to use a high grade weapon, but if it's high, the weapon becomes a feather. But hold up, there's more. Mental fortitude... especially when using the Thunder God Arts like me, the badass. Confidence is key, my friends. If you believe you can win, your strength amplifies many times over like a power up. That's why Gadi is so damn strong. He believes he can win in his mind, and then he does so in reality.")

"You know it's pretty uncool to brag like that to your student! Shouldn't you be encouraging me!" Archibald complained.

"Encourage you?"

"Well yeah, like you know... Tell me I'm doing good even if I'm not doing the best I can, that kind of stuff really gets the people motivated."

"Hahaha! So basically you want me to praise you rather than myself? That's unrealistic.."

"Should've known.."

All the while the two went back and forth in their discourse, Gadi couldn't help admiring the supposedly graceful image of his reflection.

Minutes after, they resumed their training. Much like before he was overpowering his student seemingly more fired up than in other classes.

"It'd be great if you could get this fired up during chores!"

Archibald struggled as he spoke. He tried his hardest to match the striking force of his teacher.

"Chores? Oh please, an angel like me needn't do chores.." he praised himself whilst fighting.

Coincidentally, Amara happened to appear from the window where she shouted "Gadi! Please don't forget to fetch the buckets of water afterwards!"

Since they were a tad far from the building, it was only natural she'd raise her voice.

"Yes ma'am!"

His response immediately made Archibald utter a short, yet loud burst of laughter.

"Don't laugh at me!" his voice cracked almost like he'd cry simply because Archibald laughed at his submissive response. Moments before, he bragged angelic beings like him were above menial labor.

All of a sudden, Gadi's speed with a sword increased. This made it harder for Archibald to keep up, he only did his best to parry the attempts of Gadi.

Each defensive measure displaced him further and further from his origin point. The force behind the strikes were classified as "inhuman."

"Hey! Take it easy!"

"You have to watch your opponent closely and remember how to shift your stance, if you're fast enough, then create an opening by putting them on defence and then aim for their weak point... If you can't charge fast enough, ready yourself for a counterattack using the Sky Lord Art! The feet and eyes of your opponent is key to predicting their next move.."

After every successful block Archibald made, a quick followup came that struck him in the stomach and torso. These hits were far from easy to shrug off as mere pain.

They had real damage behind them.

("Hey! What's he getting so serious for?! I only laughed!")

But that wasn't the reason Gadi had become much more ruthless in his swordplay. He simply wanted to forcefully evolve Archibald.

"Come on Archie! You can do better!" he decided to lay some little encouragement.

("Oh? Now he encourages me?!")

He was doing his best to match the sword strikes.

The air was filled with an abrupt, sharp sound, one made by their wooden armaments colliding repetitively; a sound midway between a click and a clunk.

"Try harder!"

"I'm trying!"

"More! I want more from you boy!"

"I'm doing the best I can du-- Gadi!"

He was giving it his all, until the unfortunate happened.

Archibald executed a swift maneuver, anticipating an incoming strike, and skillfully evaded it by leaping backwards. This was a remarkable feat, as he had never accomplished it before.

As if gifted with "clairvoyance," he was able to anticipate Gadi's movements before they were made.

In a flash, he dodged the next sword slash and inadvertently landed a blow to Gadi's groin. The impact was so severe that he appeared to lose all color and vitality. The force of the blow caused him to collapse to his knees, his mind momentarily rebooting from the shock.

It was universally acknowledged that no man, regardless of his swordsmanship skills, could withstand a hit to such a vital point.

("Holy Crap! I wasn't aiming for his disco stick!")

Archibald panicked, "Teach! Are you okay?!" his training weapon dropped from his hand and he attended to his Master.

"Do... I... Look okay...? Bastard!" his voice progressively rose before uttering the final words that were much louder.

"Then again, doesn't that mean I win?"

"You little monster.." he still couldn't stand up, "You really think that classifies as victory?!" both hands cradled his tarse as he cried silently. This was the first time in years he'd had his testicles manhandled.

The young boy picked his nose, "I don't know... Seems Iike a pretty solid victory to me, you weren't just strong enough Mister Graceful.."

Abruptly, his cries stopped, "Strong enough?! What'd you think my balls are made of you little bastard? Iron?!" his countenance was still a bit red, maybe as a result of the unpleasant, vibrating sensation in his ballsack.

"If it were, you'd be much more interesting my good man.." a guffaw exited Archibaldʼs mouth. He chose to laugh in a sarcastic and fancy manner so as to annoy Gadi even further.

A thought sprang forth, "Oh yeah.." he stood up like the pain was never there to begin with, "Your graduation exam is tomorrow.."

It was so abrupt Archibald was left in a state of shock. Time froze and the thought that he'd get to enjoy his time with Gadi forever, dissipated. How unfortunate.

"W-What?" was all he could muster.