Buffled by the lack of sense of what we heard, our faces shrank. The four of us said.
"Two years ???"
That makes her eighteen years old.
Ardran called it a night persuing us to rest, each one of us got his room, as we were one step away from being official seikens.
"Tomorrow you get your armor and your ranking, since you made it to an elite division, your rank is a bit higher," he said warmly, smiling.
"Commander Chris… I'm wondering about the rest who made it to the Seiken army." Eline said curious about the rest of us, we weren't close but still raised as siblings.
"As I heard, eight of you did not make it," he said, walking away.
Ursang replied with his hand crossed behind his back, slowly going to his room, eyes closed, "Imagine how weak they are, not achieving what you were raised for, but the army isn't a bad choice either."
Christ stood for a moment laughing, that laugh wasn't agreeing but a different one.
"You brats need to understand this is the real world now." briefly stopped turning around ninety degrees.
"By didn't make it, I mean the rescue team couldn't find the rest of their bodies," he walked away.
We looked each other in the eyes. We separated each going to his room. I couldn't guess what the other thought about it, but I could speak about myself. The carnage exam... No, the Carnage Festival wasn't a fair competition for all of us, as I already know, not everyone is gifted with magic, not everyone is lucky. Hadleigh words, stroke me. Luck is against us.
After hours of thinking about the situation, I finally managed to sleep.
A woman speaking to me, her lips moved, mumbling something, this time it was noises, not a clear voice. I couldn't see the upper part of her face. I heard the sound of a stab. Everything went black, instantly shifting to soldiers murdering old men, burning wooden houses with a cargo flipped, and a horse dead.
In that light green dress again, Blood started coming from the neck, wetting the dress.
Frames switched between black, and her standing headless; her head rolled close to my knees, she opened her eyes to my side. Staring at my shoulder this time With a look of anger, grinning her teeth, she screamed at me.
"IT IS YOUR FAULT!!!" Screams of agony tore my ears all over again. As I open my eyes, Ursang shakes me to wake up.
"Yacha… Yacha you there?" He was worried about me.
I looked at him rapidly, sitting from my bed. I grazed at him. What happened?
Upset, he said. Serious tone "You were screaming. You tell me what happened?"
Both the girls standing at the door are looking at me with sad worries in their eyes, but I can't answer; I'm clueless about this dream.
I grasped the situation, shaking my head and smiling a dumb smile. "Excited, I guess today we're getting the uniforms and the shield."
He let go of my hand, walking towards the door. "Suit yourself, yacha." Disappearing into the hallway, followed by Eline.
A gentle smile, still the sad eyes Yacha,""Speira said, adding, "Never mind, breakfast is ready."
Already!!!
After I got myself ready, I made my way to the breakfast table. I sat face-to-face with Ursang. His brow furrowed as he gazed into my eyes, as a way of him sensing the unspoken weight hidden beneath my calm exterior. The silence between us felt heavy. The other felt that looking at us silently.
Ursang smashing the table broke the silence. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet angry. "I can't take this rubbish anymore." Pointing at me, he added, "You, me outside now!"
I looked at him slowly raising my head, trying to avoid any eye contact at the same time.
"What for?" he said, full of anger at me yet worried.
I can sense this, but I don't think it's a big deal. "The four of us, despite our ages, have been through a lot. To think one of us is hiding a thing is a way of not showing trust ."
"Hoy!!!, settle it with a clean combat; you two don't bother us with your drama early in the morning!" Ardran commander said, making his way to the dining room.
A smile representing challenge formed on Ursnag's face, and I nodded a yes, which settled the matter.
Both of us said "now", with different reasons.
"Wait! You do it now?" Ardran said he was confused about how rational we are.
Both of us noded again, keeping eye contact this time.
The others who were in the room shouted,
"Yeah!!! "
As they showed their excitement, one of them said he just wanted to see our capabilities since he heard this year's newbies are different, and the other just wanted to watch, some others were just enjoying this drama.
"Oh, I forgot to say, no magic is allowed in a duel, just a weapon of your choice," Ardran said.
After we grabbed our weapons, we made our way to a green vast yard, and behold, more people were there. Squad leader Chris, along with the others from our dorm, spread the word.
heck, even Mastrata was there. He let a shout out to Ursang. "Bring the arrogant big guy," he said.
"The way he beat you?" Speira said a smirk on her face while punching her left hand to her right palm.
Chris made a stand between us, "Rules are simple; don't kill each other," as he stepped backward. Commander Ardran loudly said, "START!".
AUTHOR POV.
In the sunlit courtyard, the air was alive with the scent of freshly cut grass as Yacha gripped his spear, its needle-like tip glinting in the light, while Ursang stood across from him, the hilt of his double-edged sword steady in his grasp.
The two friends faced each other, their expressions a mix of determination and playful mischief, each ready to test their mettle in a friendly spar that promised both challenge and a bond.
With a quick nod, they began to circle one another, the sound of their footfalls muted against the soft earth. Yacha feinted first, a swift thrust aimed at Ursang's midsection, his spear slicing through the air with precision. But Ursang, anticipating the move, sidestepped gracefully, his blade arcing down in a counterattack that met the spear with a resounding clash.
The impact reverberated through their arms, igniting the thrill of competition.
As the sun climbed higher, casting a golden hue over the courtyard, they exchanged blows with a rhythm that seemed almost choreographed.
Yacha's movements were fluid and agile, his spear darting in and out like a striking serpent, each thrust designed to test Ursang's defenses. In response, Ursang wielded his sword with confidence, each swing powerful and deliberate, deflecting Yacha's attacks with a blend of strength and finesse.
"Is that all you've got?" Ursang teased.
A grin spreading across his face as he parried a particularly fierce thrust, his footwork light and nimble as he pivoted to regain his footing. Yacha's eyes sparkled with challenge, and he pressed on, his spear dancing in a flurry of strikes, each one more daring than the last.
As they pushed each other to their limits, laughter erupted between them, the sound mingling with the clashing of weapons.
For every moment Yacha overwhelmed Ursang with a series of quick thrusts, Ursang would retaliate with a powerful sweep of his sword, sending Yacha scrambling back, his balance tested.
Each exchange was a testament to their growing skills and unwavering friendship, a shared journey marked by both triumph and playful rivalry.
Time seemed to blur as they lost themselves in the spar, their competitive spirits igniting a fire within.
They grew breathless yet exhilarated, each feint and parry driving them deeper into the challenge. Finally, after what felt like hours of back-and-forth, they stepped back, panting and smiling, the camaraderie between them stronger than ever.
"I think you've finally worn me out," Yacha admitted, wiping sweat from his brow, a broad grin breaking through his earlier focus.
Ursang laughed, nodding in agreement. "Next time, let's switch it up. swords for you and a spear for me!"
A small crowd gathered around the courtyard, their eyes wide with awe as they watched the fluid movements of Yacha and Ursang, each strike and parry showcasing their impressive skills.
Gasps of admiration echoed as the two friends danced around each other, their laughter mingling with the sound of clashing weapons.
Both friends shared a moment of quiet understanding, realizing that this friendly duel was not just about skill or strength but a way to settle their problems, an affirmation of their commitment to grow stronger together.
As they lowered their weapons, the afternoon sun bathed them in warmth, marking not just the end of their spar but a final blow with every one they got respecting the rules of this duel.
"One final blow," Ursang said.
"One final blow," Yacha replied.
Both of them are worn out.
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow across the courtyard, Yacha and Ursang squared off, determination igniting their eyes. With a deep breath, Yacha lunged forward, spear glinting as he thrust it toward Ursang's midsection, while Ursang, with a swift pivot, raised his double-edged sword in a powerful arc, aiming to deflect the attack.
The air crackled with tension as they unleashed their final strikes; the spear met the sword with a resounding clash, a shockwave rippling through the ground, both combatants pouring every ounce of strength into the moment.
Time seemed to stand still; their breaths synchronized, manifesting in that breathtaking, explosive encounter.
The crowd went silent watching what they called the final blow, mummering to each other about what they had just witnessed. Were those two actually newbies questioning what commander was responsible for the orphan training this last ten years? He makes his way through the crowd. Standing tall as every hadleigh glared at them.
Both of them lay down, breathing heavily."Thank you, Ursang," Yacha said, showing his gratitude.
"Time to tell, I guess," Ursang replied.
They look up, Commander Hadleigh there, standing at the tip of their heads. Ardran joined him, making a signal about this duel being a draw.
Mastrata, on the other hand, shocked, feeling humiliated; he realized they hadn't shown everything they had back then.
Elin made her way to him, telling him gently with the angelic spirit she got within her, "MMastrata, you see what those two are capable of with no magic; we told you we understand you had to do what you had to do."
He walks away with a mix of anger and sadness on his face, fading among the crowd.
Hadleigh shows his proud gesture of what he raised to Ardran, making Ardran annoyed at the egoism shown.
Interrupted by the sudden realization of commander Hadleigh, "I forgot your official uniform and armor are here.".
Both stood, keeping eye contact.
Yacha smiled in gratitude, "Let us deal with these informalities first, and I promise I will yell at you."
Usrang happily nodded in agreement.
Following the orders, they began to walk to Seiken headquarters.
This is the beginning of their journey. This is the moment that will lead to many catastrophic events and deaths and the evolution of this glorious nation to something far more powerful and profound.