Year- 830
Month- May 1st, Monday Morning
Ryder had spent years training the sword and his Spirit Beast Imitation stance, with his masters guidance and the book with all the basics he eventually became adequate with any form of weapon recorded in [Parabellum].
Time flew by quickly, each day it was wake up, eat, train, sleep. Of course he had breaks over the weekends where he spent most his time studying with Celestia as his tutor or with Kaylee running around the castle enjoying themselves.
It had been a hard 3 years however the entrance test to Apex Academy was coming up soon! This academy had been one of the most prestigious academies on the continent of dreams.
However Ryder had much bigger problems at the moment. He is currently sitting in a medical bath cultivating his Soul Force before finally a sudden outburst of wind caused the water to spill a little as he opened his eyes with a grin.
"Finally! I broke through to Bronze Rank 5!"
He seemed happy at his achievement but a little afterwards he let out a little sigh. He went back to stabilizing his foundation as he absorbed the medicinal properties from the medical bath.
'3 years… it took me 3 years to finally hit Bronze rank 5… it's too slow… if it wasn't for this pup I could possibly be in the silver rank or maybe even more!'
During the 3 years of training he had only gotten a portion of all the Soul Force he absorbed! About 80 percent of all his energy he trained would go to the wolf pup leaving him with the scraps.
However his physical body was much stronger then his Soul Force, though his soul cultivation was slow his training had pushed his physical limits giving him the power to rival a 3 star Silver rank martial artist.
Of course this wasn't counting for his technique's that usually gave him an edge in combat. Now wasn't the time to think about ways to improve further, with the final spar coming up he got out of the bath to prepare.
He had finally been allowed to remove his training suit, his whole body felt lighter then a feather the moment he took it off, underneath was the body of a well trained lean male. Though the boy was only 12 turning 13 he had very defined muscles giving him a more masculine look.
This was the moment Ryder was waiting for, he quickly pulled out a set of new white cultivator robes his master had gotten created for his 12th birthday. However he was told not to wear it until his last duel with Evan before being sent to the academy.
Every year since meeting Evan he had showed up, at the same time and place as the last time to check up on Ryder's progress.
This time Ryder felt confident he could land a hit even without using his unique stance. He quickly put on his robes before slipping on his clawed gauntlets & greaves, just to attach his sword to his hip.
The boy now had the look of a true cultivator armed with his weapons and treasures. He immediately opened the door to see a smiling old man and a girl slightly shorter then Ryder smiling next to him.
"Well boy, it's finally time. You ready for your final test before heading off with Kaylee to Apex?"
"Yes master, I feel confident I wish pass this test and prove my loyalty to the princess"
"Hey! Didn't I tell you just to call me Kaylee!"
She huffed a little looking away with her arms crossed. However she couldn't help but sneak glances at Ryder in his new clothes.
'He looks good… wait why am I thinking about that? I should be mad at him!'
Her face blushed a little after examining him a little more as she tries to ignore him.
"K-Kaylee you know I can't just call you by your name especially in the castle… otherwise your mother would probably kill me…"
Though he had been in the castle for 3 years he hadn't met any of the other royals. Though the king and queen had 8 kids in total he had only seen 2 his entire time here.
He never had the chance to meet the king or queen either, he just knew what Kaylee had told him in the past.
This Dynasty wasn't ruled strictly by a king but a queen instead. The king had married into the star family becoming a Royal which meant she had more power over the king.
Though neither of them had the time recently to show themselves before the public. With the attack on Elmwood having been reported talks of a potential war had been going around between the Cosmos Dynasty and the Sanctus Kingdom.
Even now there were fights breaking out for territory. These fights usually were over mines or hunting zones. Spiritual beasts had been a resource many cultivators relied on after all.
Ryder had stepped out of his room prepared for the fight as he followed Sirius with Kaylee at his side still sneaking glances at him.
"Now boy listen up, Evan will not be messing around this time. Though he had been limiting himself for the last 2 years now is going to be the real deal. He has already reach 5 star gold rank… however I've forced him to only use the strength of a 5 star silver rank, give it your best shot"
Ryder only nodded to Sirius as he mentally prepared himself for what's to come.
Kaylee didn't bother him this time, she knew how important it was to pass this trail. Especially if she wanted Ryder to stay by her side he needed to pass this test and many more in the future.
With anxiety and nervousness filling her thoughts and her heart she didn't act like the outgoing tomboy like girl from before instead she was quiet. She watched Ryder's every step as he started to walk ahead opening the door to head outside.
However what Kaylee saw was different from everyone else. She saw her knight, a man the same age as her, she had spent so much time with glowing with a golden radiance under the suns light.
Her emotions kept fluctuating one moment she became worried while the other side of her kept making her heart flutter. She didn't understand what this feeling was but seeing his confident smile and his powerful steps made her fall deeper into that feeling.
'What is this… I've seen him lots of time… I've even held him before… but this, this feels strange but… in a good way'
She was having trouble sorting out her feelings before Sirius and Ryder started to walk off making her quickly run up to catch up.
Outside, the arena had been surrounded by the knights in training. Each of them waiting for something before Ryder finally came out. Some of the men couldn't help but smile, others had been taking bets while only a few had continued training ignoring the show that's about to start.
Each of them had stepped to the side letting Ryder through before a familiar man stood before the boy a gentle smile on his face.
"Are you ready Ryder? This will be your final chance to prove to me you are worthy of my sister!"
"I'm ready, I will try my best if it means staying with her and master a little longer!"
He drew his sword before taking a stance not to much different from his Spirit Beast Imitation stance. Though he was just lower to the ground using 3 of his limbs to hold him up as the forth held tightly onto the handle of his weapon.
"Start the countdown"
Evan took a couple steps back giving Ryder some space as he reached for something attached to his back.
Quickly Evan had drew a large sword needing 2 hands to wield though he seemed to be carrying it with ease. He didn't take a second longer to get into his stance before surrounding his body in Soul Force giving him a light blue aura.
Immediately Ryder released his Soul Force coating his body in a golden light however it was clearly weaker then Evan's
'Oh? You broke through to 5 star bronze rank huh? You sure know how to surprise your master boy'
Sirius chuckled to himself examining the fight from above. He was standing on air with Kaylee on his lap sitting on his granddaughter as they watch the match.
"Who do you think is going to win Kaylee?"
"Ryder of course. He must win, if he wants to achieve his goals… he will win no matter what"
She began to blush again as she thought about him.
'You must win… for me please win!'
As the crowd began to count down from 5 both fighters readied themselves each ready to pounce on the other in a moments notice!
5
4
3
2
1
"Fight!"
'Show me what you got boy!'
'I will win no matter what!'
Everyone yelled out the count down before finally screaming the last word as both fighters jumped at each other clashing once more!