Days passed by at Crystal Lake, with Sir Elias and Oasis dedicating themselves to training day in and day out.
They sparred tirelessly, pushing each other to new heights, until two months had elapsed.
"Lad, you have made a lot of progress, more than I could have imagined,"
Sir Elias praised Oasis one morning as they concluded their two-month sparring sessions, marking the end of their eight-month training period at Crystal Lake.
"And within these two months of sparring, you have already reached the fourth layer of the Foetal realm. Truly, you are a genius."
Sir Elias's words carried a tone of genuine admiration and pride as he acknowledged Oasis's remarkable development.
The atmosphere of Crystal Lake seemed to echo his sentiments, with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft murmurs of the nearby stream adding to the sense of tranquility.
Oasis, though visibly fatigued from their rigorous training, couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction and accomplishment at Sir Elias's words.
The countless hours of dedication and hard work had paid off, propelling him to new heights of skill and mastery.
As they stood by the lake, basking in the glow of the morning sun, Oasis couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude towards Sir Elias.
His Master's guidance and unwavering support had been instrumental in his growth as a practitioner.
"It's time to go. We need to hurry to the capital. You need to attend the preliminary exams within a week's time, so we will be moving a bit swifter."
"Since you now know how to use wind magic, it will take us about five days to reach the capital," Sir Elias said to Oasis.
Oasis didn't ask many questions. Without hesitation, he prepared to move.
Sir Elias undid the barrier surrounding Crystal Lake, and without wasting any time, they set off through the Great Forest.
The Great Forest was a sprawling expanse of trees and dense undergrowth.
The sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
The air was fresh and filled with the earthy scent of leaves and moss.
Birds chirped from the treetops, and the occasional rustle in the underbrush hinted at the presence of wildlife.
As they moved swiftly through the forest, Oasis used his wind magic to enhance their speed, gliding effortlessly over the uneven terrain.
Sir Elias, experienced and agile, kept pace with him. Their journey was silent but purposeful, each step bringing them closer to their destination.
After two days and nights of moving, during the third day.
Just as they emerged from the forest, they heard the clash of swords and the crackle of magic on the nearby road leading to the capital of Verdantia, Sylvaneth.
Reaching the scene, they observed a chaotic battle.
A carriage, mounted to two mystic beasts known as Equinores.
D-rank magical creatures resembling horses with shimmering blue manes and glowing eyes, was under attack by a group of bandits.
The carriage itself was a high-tier artifact, its surfaces etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly, indicating its enchanted nature.
The carriage was guarded by four formidable guards, all clad in high-grade armor and wearing cloaks that signified their noble allegiance.
The leader of the guards, wielding a grimoire and using earth magic, had taken it upon himself to confront the bandits.
He commanded the other three guards to stay back and protect the caravan.
His spells, including "Earthen Spikes," "Rock Fortress" and "Rock Crush," were brutally effective, piercing and slicing through the bandits with deadly precision.
Heads and limbs rolled as the battlefield grew increasingly bloody.
The bandit group consisted of ten roughly armored men, with their leader being the strongest among them.
The guard leader's earth magic created a scene of sheer carnage.
The ground littered with the bodies of fallen bandits, limbs scattered, and the earth soaked with blood.
As Sir Elias and Oasis arrived, Sir Elias immediately assessed the strength of everyone involved in the battle.
From his perspective, the leader of the guards was at the Awakened realm, Beginner Stage, first layer.
"While the three guards behind him were at the peak of the Tabula-Rasa realm.
The bandit leader was at the peak of the Tabula-Rasa realm, with two of his henchmen at the first layer of the Tabula-Rasa realm and the other henchmen all in the Newborn realm.
Oasis and Sir Elias watched the bloody, one-sided battle unfold.
The leader of the guards, using his earth magic alone, was overpowering the bandits with ease.
The ground shook as Earthen Spikes erupted from below, impaling the bandits, while Rock Crush turned others into a gruesome mess of flesh and bone.
The Rock fortress spell rendered the guard leader nearly invulnerable, as he moved through the bandits like a force of nature.
Oasis, witnessing the ease with which lives were taken, felt a chill run down his spine.
He had never seen such a brutal display of power and death before, but he managed to keep his cool, observing the battle with a mix of horror and fascination.
The battlefield was a gruesome sight.
The earth was torn and bloodied, bodies of bandits lay sprawled in grotesque positions, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and the sounds of combat.
The Equinores, sensing the danger, stamped their hooves nervously but stayed obediently by the carriage.
The guard leader, relentless and efficient, continued his assault, reducing the bandit numbers swiftly.
His face was a mask of grim determination, each spell cast with precision and deadly intent.
The remaining bandits, realizing the futility of their assault, tried to retreat, but the guard leader gave them no quarter.
With a final, powerful Rock Crush, he decimated the last of the attackers, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.
Sir Elias, observing the aftermath, felt a mix of respect and caution.
"Oasis," he said quietly, "this is the reality of the world we live in. Power determines fate, and strength dictates survival."
"Remember this lesson well." Oasis nodded, his eyes lingering on the bloody scene, understanding the gravity of his master's words.