The Three Knights

Ray clenched his fists as he thought about his father's condition. It hadn't worsened, but it hadn't improved either. Despite years of fighting on the front lines and protecting people, his father had been forgotten. No one in the village cared about the man who had once saved their lives. It was a bitter truth—humans rarely rewarded those who did good. This realization only fueled Ray's determination.

Today was the day of the Avrion Knight examination.

The village was more lively than usual. Knights from Avrion Academy were visiting, an event that only happened once a year. The villagers treated it as a festival. Decorations adorned the streets, and women wore their finest clothes in hopes of catching the eye of a knight.

Ray stood in the village square, watching children swing their swords in preparation. Parents looked on with hopeful eyes, whispering prayers for their children's success. He scanned the crowd, spotting Gary standing alone. There was still no sign of Amy.

Suddenly, loud cheers erupted from the southern end of the village.

"They're here," Ray muttered, a smile creeping onto his face.

Three knights entered the town, each riding a powerful steed. Their muscular frames and imposing presence commanded respect. A cloth bearing the crest of Avrion Academy draped over their horses, followed by a carriage marked with the same insignia.

These were the men who would decide Ray's fate. His hands tingled with excitement.

The knights dismounted and approached the wooden stand in the village center, commonly used for announcements. Each man carried himself differently, revealing their distinct personalities.

The knight in the middle was the tallest of the three. He had black hair, a chiseled face, and a warm smile that reminded Ray of his father.

To his left stood a stout man with a thick beard reaching his waist. He clutched an axe across his chest as if it were a dear companion.

The last knight, on the right, had curly blond hair and piercing blue eyes. His armor gleamed brilliantly, a stark contrast to the more practical gear of his companions. Everything about him exuded nobility.

The knight in the center stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

"I am Knight Wilfred of Avrion Academy. I have come today with my fellow knights, Bernardo and Delbert."

The two knights bowed as their names were called. A few young women in the crowd squealed when Delbert's name was mentioned. Wilfred continued, his voice calm but commanding.

"We are here to see if any of you have what it takes to become a knight and bear our crest with honor."

Wilfred drew his sword and drove it into the ground.

"Let the test begin."

The villagers erupted into cheers.

A group of workers emerged from the carriage, carrying wooden planks. They moved swiftly, constructing a platform in the middle of the square. Thirty minutes later, it was complete. At its center stood a wooden doll that Ray recognized instantly—it was identical to the training doll his father had given him.

Bernardo stepped onto the stage, his axe still resting in his arms.

"The rules are simple. You must defeat the doll in combat. Magic is prohibited, but you may use any weapon of your choice." His voice boomed across the square. "Who will go first?"

Many eager children raised their hands, assuming the test would be easy. If Ray hadn't trained with the doll before, he might have thought the same.

The first contestant was a young boy with an athletic build. He held a standard iron sword, likely purchased from the local blacksmith.

Bernardo moved behind the doll and spoke a single command. "Level one."

A purple light enveloped the doll as it activated.

The boy wasted no time, lunging forward with a powerful strike aimed at the doll's torso. His parents watched with pride, convinced their son had already won.

Their confidence shattered in an instant.

The doll shifted its shield, effortlessly blocking the attack. In the same motion, it swung its wooden sword, striking the boy across the face. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he collapsed onto the stage.

The once-rowdy crowd fell into stunned silence.

One by one, contestants took the test, each ending in failure. No one could best the doll.

Ray moved closer to the stage, waiting for his turn. His enhanced senses picked up a conversation between Wilfred and Delbert. Their words were as clear as if they were standing beside him.

"I told you this was a waste of time," Delbert scoffed.

"We must do our duty as the elders commanded," Wilfred responded.

"A knight should be noble, not some filthy commoner from a backwater village."

Wilfred sighed. "The land is in peril, and we must find the boy from the prophecy. We have gathered four already, but we cannot be sure if any of them are the one."

"You actually believe in that nonsense?" Delbert groaned, rubbing his temples as yet another contestant failed.

Wilfred remained silent.

As the knights debated, something unexpected happened. A contestant finally passed.

Ray looked up, seeing a familiar face standing victorious on the stage.

Gary had become the first person to pass the test.