Knighted.

"You're telling me, that slave is beating you in a duel?" Khazad said as he sat on his big chair.

"Beating me isn't the right word, my lord, but he did win," Hidar said as he bowed his head.

Khazad hummed and rested his hands on the arms chair. "Is he really that good?" Khazad asked as if he didn't believe what he heard.

Hidar looked out the window and stared at the training ground and barracks. "He's not just talented but he has the mentality of a knight. He dares to risk his life to achieve his purpose, he didn't hesitate to sacrifice his arm so that he could throw a deadly blow at me. We need someone like him, my lord." Hidar said as he looked at Khazad.

Khazad closed his eyes and nodded with understanding. "I see, if that's what you believe, Hidar, I believe he's really a talented kid then," Khazad said. "You may leave, Hidar." Khazad continued as he looked at Hidar.

Hidar bowed his head and left Khazad's office.

"Is this it?" Khazad asked as he stared at the hooded guy who had been silently listening to the conversation.

"I'm uncertain, your grace..." The hooded guy replied. "But, by listening to the information from Hidar, his sudden change and development do feel like he had been through a lot in his past lives." The hooded guy continued as he glanced at Khazad.

Khazad sighed and nodded. "Then is it wrong if I have hope for the future?" Khazad asked as he stared at the hooded guy from the corner of his eyes.

"I cannot answer that, your grace..." The hooded guy replied hesitantly.

Khazad took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. "You may leave as well, I have other things to do right now."

The hooded guy stood up and bowed his head then he left the room.

A few days had passed since Ares's duel with Hidar, the rumor had spread throughout the whole manor of Archduke Valtris. Everyone couldn't believe it but the knights who saw the duel convinced everyone that it was the truth and there was no reason for them to lie because they would only endanger themselves by spreading lies especially if it involved Hidar.

Ares was in his room recovering from the injury he had with Hidar and he didn't know that he had become famous amongst the commoner.

"Kid, the young lady is calling you," A soldier said behind the door.

Ares stood up and walked toward the door. "I'm ready..."

The knight opened the door and Ares just smirked at him mockingly while the knight couldn't do anything about it but felt annoyed and irritated by Ares's mockery.

Ares walked into the mansion with the knight and escorted him to the living room. Ares looked at the young maids that were the same age or even a year or two older than him were staring at him. Ares gently smiled at them and they were all blushing and giggling while they were continuing their work.

Ares knocked on the door in front of him. "My lady, I'm coming in..."

Ares opened the door and it surprised him that it wasn't just Alexandria in the room but also Khazad. He immediately lowered his head as he walked inside the room while both of them were staring at him with sharp gazes.

"Ares Trasven..." Khazad said.

"Yes, my lord?" Ares replied with his head lowered.

"If I talk to you, you look me in the eyes," Khazad said.

Ares immediately lifted his head and stared at Khazad with no fear in his eyes. "Yes, my lord."

"I have heard everything from Commander Hidar that you won against him. I also heard that it was your idea and told her that you wanted to become a knight, and she promised you that you will become a knight if you win against the opponent that she chose." Khazad said. "Now that you have proven yourself worthy of being a knight, is there a specific reason why you want to be a knight?" Khazad continued as he leaned on the chair.

"I want to protect the lady, my lord," Ares replied without hesitation and Alexandria felt a bit disgusted when she heard it.

Khazad scoffed. "If you want to become a knight just to protect here, I can't grant your wish because you will only waste your talent by standing by her side," Khazad said. "But, if you really want to become a knight, I can grant you that wish in exchange that you have to serve me as a knight of Valtris," Khazad continued. "So, what's your choice? Become a knight or keep yourself become a useless slave?" Khazad asked as he glared at Ares.

Alexandria was surprised and immediately jolted from her seat and glared at Khazad. "What?! You can't take him from me! He's mine! You gave it to me!" Alexandria yelled at Khazad.

Khazad glanced at Alexandria. "Who are you to dare to raise your voice in my place?"

Alexandria trembled and immediately lowered her head in fear.

"What's your answer, kid?" Khazad asked and turned his head toward Ares.

Ares stole a glance at Alexandria who just stood there and lowered her head, he could see that she was so angry about it but she couldn't do anything.

"I want to be a knight, my lord..." Ares replied without hesitation and Alexandria immediately turned her head toward Ares and glared at him furiously.

Khazad chuckled and smirked. "Good, you made the right decision. I know that you're smart enough to know that your future can be as bright as you wish as long as you serve me." Khazad sarcastically said while he glanced at Alexandria. "Tonight, come to the audience hall, Ares." Khazad continued. "We will be having a knighting ceremony for you," Khazad said as he walked past Ares. "Don't be late," Khazad said as he looked at Ares from the corner of his eyes.

"Yes, my lord," Ares replied.

Khazad left the room and left Ares alone with Alexandria, before he could look at Alexandira, she threw the cup of tea at Ares and hit his face.

"You! You betrayed me!" Alexandria screamed and yelled at Ares with her reddened face.

Ares stared at Alexandria and smiled gently at her. "My lady, I have to do this so I can protect you in the future."

"Stop the nonsense! I know that you don't want to be my slave and used me so you can become a knight!" Alexandria yelled with her voice trembling.

Ares sat on his knee and looked up at Alexandria. "I swear with my life that I would never lie to you, my lady. I want to become a knight and the only reason is that I want to protect you and nothing else. If I lie, my lady can kill me and I will be happy to die by your hands but before that, let me prove it to you first," Ares said as he looked at Alexandria with a serious expression. "My lady will always be my master until the end of my life," Ares continued while Alexandria kept glaring at him with hatred.

"I don't care!" Alexandria screamed at him and stormed out of the room then slammed the door behind her.

Ares closed his eyes on his knee and didn't move a muscle.

The night came and as Khazad promised, he and all the knights including Hidar were there in the audience room and stood in line as they watched Ares walk toward Khazad. Ares looked around and he didn't see Alexandria anywhere in the room but it didn't bother him.

Khazad unsheathed his sword and Ares immediately went down on his knee. Khazad then used the sword to touch both Ares's shoulders in order. "I, Khazad Valtris, the Archduke of the Eurel Empire, do hereby you, Ares Trasven, may your courage and devotion become a shining example to the people of the Empire," Khazad said.

Ares bowed his head. "I offer my services to Lord Khazad Valtris. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New," Ares replied.

Khazad pulled his sword and sheathed it back into the scabbard. "You may rise, Knight Ares Trasven..." Khazad said.

Ares stood up and all the knights immediately gave him loud applause, every one of them seemed to be happy to have him as a knight, especially Hidar. Ares turned around and looked at them with a huge smile on his face and then a hooded guy approached him with a sword in both of his hands.

"Knight Ares Trasven here is your sword, this sword will accompany you and will be the only thing that will help you on the battlefield. Take a good care of this sword as if it's your own life." The hooded guy said as he offered the sword to Ares.

Ares grabbed it and unsheathed the sword then he looked at the sword from top to bottom. He then turned around and looked at Khazad. "I will use this sword to protect Lord Khazad and everyone who lives under your name!" Ares said with confidence.