Tired and breathing heavily a group of three youngsters reached a shining gate, They were feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as they entered inside, it was bright enough that their eyes were entirely blind for a moment.
They entered the magic gate and looked at the things that were in front of them, it took them a moment while their eyes got used to the brightness of the surrounding.
It was different from what they had seen a few moments ago, earlier they were in a gloomy place but this new level was different.
Training ground second had magical vibes to it because it was just beautiful and peaceful, Birds were chatting with each other as if they were discussing some important topic, leaves on trees were making rustling sounds as the wind passed through them, and the sun was setting up in the sky, coming out of the darkness it looked like the sun had fought a battle with the darkness for its existence.
Rivers, mountains, and lakes all of them were giving a colourful vibe, and all of the things around them felt as if someone had painted a beautiful painting, Unable to resist the urge, Sasha spoke while widening her beautiful black eyes and baby face: Guys what is that, do you think this level is some illusion too? no way that it is all true and I don't sense a single magical beast or anything except a few birds and small harmless animals, it is weird.
Arcus gave the same look of surprise and said hesitantly: Yeah it is weird Previous year, they also had the same surroundings back year and we had to fight some soldiers, who gave us a hard time I was able to pass the exam in the second stage but for some reason, they declared me a failure and kicked me out;
: Maybe they did not like the idea of you barely passing the exam, you should have knocked out your opponent more fiercely;
: No way Sasha, that dude let me pass by him because he felt like I was worthy of joining the army, I was barely standing while he looked like he had the fun of his life toying with me; Arcus felt a chill down his spine as he remembered his experience.
All of them kept talking to ease their nervousness before facing another danger of this trial, and the path they were walking had a nice vibe to it, with the wind passing by the trees and the smell of summer making their bodies relaxed.
; Wow that is spooky, I hope I meet some nice opponent today, not that kind of freak; Fairy Sasha speaks just as she makes a crying face, as she flies by the trees.
Feeling a little flustered by the sudden cute crying face of her childhood friend, Arcus avoids looking directly into her eyes and says: what are you a kid, don't make that face, are not you joining forces to fight some strong monsters;
: I do but still, I am more scared of a violent man than violent monsters, I don't like it when people get angry at me, I am pretty weak and emotionally sob; Sasha clears her tears along with telling her feelings to the guys, it seems she had some trauma in past that is making her fear violent people.
Feeling sad for his childhood friend Arcus felt sorry, Even though both of them were fighting most of the time but still, they were still pretty close to each other, thinking and getting worried about her, he tried to calm her down to show how important of a friend he is to her.
But his plan was ruined by Luke, he was watching them talking for a while and he saw the worries and emotions Sasha felt, so he could not handle his urge to help her because he had seen many younger soldiers losing the urge to go on because of the deadly scene of the battlefield, he knew what trauma can do to the person.
He gets near to crying Sasha and pats her head with warmth and a genuine smile and speaks; Don't worry Sasha you have us, If you feel like someone is saying harsh things to you just come to us complaining, we will handle those bastards;
Due to sudden insurance from one of the guys, and the charming smile of Luke, she felt hot in the head, Wait what was that? OK, if you say that I will, be ready to get annoyed;
Arcus was speechless by the turn of events, not only did Luke take his lines but his overwhelming charming smile made her friend shy, Realizing that his chance was gone, he tried to come back by ensuring what Luke had said: Sure why not, I mean I have been protecting you for a long time have not I?;
Hu? When did that happen buddy, I don't remember, most of the people in this town are pretty nice to me, I have never felt danger since coming here with my parents, don't lie, I challenge you to tell me one thing;
Due to the sudden challenge by his friend, Arcus gave hard thinking and said; I saved you from the local dog when we were small, one time from the snake, oh yeah forgot about that big ass spider, I can count more but I am sure you will not like it.
; OK ok enough I got it you are a hero, just shut up your mouth I will be depending on you guys because I am going to face those scary and rude guys more and more from now on, but don't worry I will be getting out of my trauma as soon as possible I can not keep this thing affecting my life forever; Sasha speaks with determination in her voice simultainlesly looking at both of them with her child-like a smirk.
All three of them smiled at each other, Luke was getting used to these new people more and more, he had met many nice people and every time he learned something from them, like just a moment ago, he saw a person trying to come out of fears, and her determination is admirable for sure.
Luke thinks about his regret of losing his hometown and friends but what has gone is gone and he knows that but still his feelings are attached to the past, the more he tries to run away from them more they come to haunt him.
Looking forward he sees the same age of young people as him smiling but he could never smile like them, he can mostly fake it because the memory of his friends comes to his mind, as if asking Luke Why are you smiling when we all are dead, what is so happy thing about it.
Thinking about his weakness for being attached to the past, he heard a sudden call from Arcus, dude you are smooth I am sure you have dated a lot of beautiful flowers, your smile was killing back there;
Curiously Sasha also joined his friend: Luke is that true? No doubt I sense a mature aura from you, unlike someone else who does not know the meaning of maturity;
: Hey do you have a single good point to say about your childhood friend, Dam, You used to be such a good girl, I think puberty is hitting you hard;
: No way it is you who is changed into a different guy after being a teenager, you go out with girls and cheat them and change them, like they are used clothes.;
Luke was enjoying their fighting, he was getting used to it now, Even though they fought they seemed to care about each other, moments ago When they were fighting that ice bull, Arcus was about to be hit by the sudden magic attack from the bull, fairy noticed it and stand in from of him risking her life, used her barrier magic in time, it was risky move one mistake and she might have turned into ice.
Their friendship is something out of the ordinary, much greater than strong emotions such as love and hate, thinking about them, he remembers that fateful day he lost his friend and how that girl in his dream with a familiar aura asked him to find her, I will find you; Luke thinks in his mind.
''Relaxed'', after a stressful run due to the extreme weather in Snowland, now they were enjoying talking with each other and sharing jokes along with their hidden fears and worries, their group started to become easy to fit in, even for a stranger like Luke.
But their happiness was not meant for long because after walking for a mile or so, they saw three people standing as they talked with each other.
One guy has a cut on his face he has a scary vibe and even though he was smiling with his companions, his smile did not feel genuine at all, Luke scanned all body movements of his opponents in the hope of getting to know them better, one is a fairy with armour, a cat girl with little to much of revelling skin and a guy in good body shape and armour.
Seeing that people are reaching out to them, new folks stopped talking and looked at their future playmates, they have the eyes of a hungry predator their fight for hunger is clear in their eyes.
: Oh welcome young ones, It is great to see that you are happy and healthy, you guys are quite great back there I am so proud to see such a young talent who wants to join our army; says a man in his thirties with a fakest expression of happiness.
Nice to meet you, sir, great to see you again; Arcus spouts this line with breaking words, he was super afraid of this guy, enough to make him sweet.
What happened arcus, Do you know him, Don't tell me he is that psycho; Sasha whispered in his ear.
: Yeah you better stay away from him, he does not discriminate between men and women, If he chooses you for to one-on-one fight, you are done for, dont worry Both of us try to be his opponent if possible; Arcus speaks in a fairly convincing manner.
Sasha realized the situation and after saying thank you to both of them, she got behind them to avoid him if possible.
Hu you brat from the previous year, did not I let you pass by me because you were determined to fight till the end, so how come you lost in the final round? Do not tell me that stupid Galiyard has been failing all of my students on purpose.
Yes sir, not sure about on purpose thing but the reason he said is that I have left my teammates behind so I failed;
: Not again that teamwork bullshit, when will he grow up, ok leave him, let me tell you guys rules then all of us introduce ourselves before we start your trial; a guy with a cut speaks.
He explained the rules and conditions of the match to his new subjects, It is simple to fight is going to be on one, no attacking with a life-threatening attack, and a little bit of cut and brush is valid but above that is illegal, if done then match will end there.
No other big rules, you can defend if you want or use whatever type of attack you want, without giving a fatal blow to your opponent.
And for weapons, it depends upon the agreement between opponents, that is suitable for both of them.
At the end of the explanation, the scary guy looked at Luke and the other two and said: Hey nice to meet you, I am Reivant Aldihard, just a normal soldier of one of the shields; listening to the word normal out of Rievant's mouth both of the girls started to laugh like they have a heard hilarious joke from him.
Luke and Sasha both were confused but Arcus was neither laughing nor confused: no way this old fellow is normal in any condition; he comments while sweating because of his fear.
: And this cute fairy is Elsa and as for this furious lady Carolina, be aware of her animal instinct she might eat you; Rievant introduces her coworkers, along with their pros and cons.
Hey do not make me some kind of villain, What if they give up before fighting me; Carolina shows her unusual worry, her armour covers only important parts of her body, showing all of her curves from top to bottom, it seems she is more into then fighting then wearing proper cloths.
Fewer clothes mean easy for her to move with her animal instincts, she does not think about safety much, which explains her cut and brushes all over her body, especially a big one near her navel.
Elsa did not seem to mind her cute comment given by Reivant, but she did not seem happy about it either
Luke replied to the Reivant with a serious tone, as a proper soldier should do: I am Luke Heinar, I hope I will get proper guidance to fighting with experienced people like you;
: Yeah you beat, No way I am gonna let you fight anyone else, your last attack had quite a juicy force to it, and your overall movements were not pretty bad too, Count me your opponent; Reivant replies to Luke in a welcoming manner.
Luke did not respond with anything but both Luke and Arcus had relief that Sasha did not have to face such a fierce opponent.
Unable to resist, Carolina also spoke with a little excitement: OK then I think that brown-haired guy is for me, I dont wanna fight some fairy with magic either, give me a good fight that can make me satisfied, like a man to woman.
Arcus did not understand what she meant by man to woman but he answered her with a lot of energy: sure madam, I am Arcus who is going to become great soldier Arcania has ever seen, so count on me for a rememberable fight;
After his reply Carolina started to wage her tail in excitement, Her face had an expression of Come at me, what are you waiting for?
Hu, then I guess that another fairy is for me, Well, is not that interesting to fight one of my kind once in a while, but looking forward to it: Elsa scanned her opponent as she was talking with herself, her golden hair were floating in her as She is flying in the air, her armour has solid safety because every part of her body is covered by it,
A silence fell for a few moments as all of the opponents were looking at each other before the real fight started, they were preparing for a fight at a mental level, especially Luke's team because they had the pressure of passing the exam
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