Sargon returned to Pharis and was very pleased with her progress. She did not gather enough astra for her horizon and determined it would take much longer for her since she is human. He made the training routine for Pharis. Mornings is martial training, afternoons is astra training. He would go and do his own combat training in the afternoons while Pharis gathers astra. He became familiar with the creatures of the forest. He even learned that the pig-like humanoids were called orcs. He had fought various beasts and monsters in the forest.
The local adventurers guild and its members quickly learned of him. They admired his strength, which even the strongest people in the city didn't feel confident in matching. He was offered to join the guild repeatedly but refused every time. He did not want to join any organization, they had nothing he needed nor wanted as well. He could find his own battles. The training continued every day except for Sundays for 3 months before Pharis created her horizon and first star. He taught her how to use astra with the martial arts she learned for about 2 months before Kesh received worrying news. An orc horde led by an orc lord was on a warpath towards Kesh. An orc horde numbered in the thousands and was led by a lord, the lord being a titanium level threat. Kesh was only a small city that had only a couple steel level assets. Only one asset could take on the lord and have a good chance at victory. That asset was a part of the magic guild with the rank of a wizard. His name was Dexaril Catharn, a promising young talent at the age of 29.
Viscount Ferhild Quisaman contacted Dexaril and expressed how much faith he has in his abilities. Dexaril didn't like the Viscount but still had to be a little respectful towards him because of his position. He was a respectable man who had built a great reputation for himself.
Sargon saw the horde as an opportunity for him and his squire. Such a battle would bring him substantial glory and give Pharis experience. He was confident that Pharis could easily fight orcs at her level now. Her talent has been shown to be the real deal. Her proficiency in using astra increasing at a pace only outdone by Sargon. Her martial arts became excellent since he made sure her foundations were solid. Her bow skill being the most refined of them all. Her sword wasn't anything to scoff at either, but the bow was where she became hyper-lethal. Especially when used with astra. Her aim is amazing, her infused arrows are powerful, and she has even experimented with controlling the arrows mid-flight and giving them unique properties. He has become very proud of his squire over the past 5 months.
Sargon decided to talk with Pharis, "Pharis, there is an orc horde coming to Kesh. I have decided that we will fight in this battle. I am wholly confident in your abilities. At your level, you could massacre them with arrows with relative ease." Pharis was surprised at first, "Master, are you sure I'll be alright? I know I have grown stronger, but I've never tested my strength." Sargon reassured her, "Little Pharis, I am sure. Before you were just a small girl with a weak body. Now, your body is strong and has grown. You were barely 145 centimeters when we first started, now you are 158 centimeters. You can use astra with your martial arts very well. You are stronger than most people in Kesh now. I understand that you do not know you're own power now. We will go into the forest so you can do some combat training against its creatures. This way, you can see your strength for yourself."
Pharis was excited she would get a chance to use her new abilities against her own enemies. She has had a question lingering in her mind for a while though, "Master, what is your code, your oath?" Sargon was asked this out of the blue and did not expect such a question so abruptly. He answered her slowly still, "You want to know my code and oath, then listen to closely little Pharis. I do not kill the innocent, I do not slaughter the weak, I do not abandon my allies, I do not lie, I do not retreat from evil, I do not kill women nor children, I value life above all material, this is my code. Now listen to my oath. I swear to defend the innocent, shield the helpless, seize glory against evil, uphold my honor, never betray my companions, act in virtue, and value life. This is the personal oath I follow." Pharis paid attention to his every word. Her respect for her master only grew when she heard his oath and code. She could only think how awesome of a knight he is, better than any of the stories she has ever heard.
Sargon smirked when he saw her bright smile when he finished, "Okay Pharis, it is about time for dinner now. Let us go eat, we will head to the forest tomorrow." Pharis hopped off her bed to follow him out of the inn and into the rest area. She skipped along by his side full of excitement for tomorrow.