After her conversation with General Cimon, Florã became increasingly serious about the upcoming royal examination. She had already sensed the immense power of the general and had learned enough about the examination to know its significance. Determined to be fully prepared, she dedicated herself to training, her focus unwavering as she practiced with her twin swords. Time seemed to slip away unnoticed; the sun gradually set, and before she realized it, the room was dimming and the dinner hour had arrived. Yet, Florã's mind remained fixed on one thing—revenge. She barely noticed the passing time, consumed by the thought of avenging her parents' deaths.
At that moment, a maid entered and addressed her. "Young master, the King is waiting for you. You are to have dinner with him this evening."
Florã glanced up, nodding curtly. "Alright, I'll get ready right away." She couldn't help but wonder what King Carlos wanted from her. A sigh escaped her lips as she went to change into a finer dress, hoping to make a respectable impression before the king.
As she arrived at the dining area, she was greeted by a maid standing outside the dining hall. "Young master, the King is awaiting you inside. Please, allow me to guide you." With a courteous nod, Florã followed the maid down the hallway, her thoughts racing. The door to the dining room opened, and she stepped inside.
King Carlos looked up from his seat, offering a polite smile. "Florã, I'm honored you could join me for dinner," he said.
Florã gave a respectful bow. "Your Majesty, thank you for inviting me. It's an honor to dine with you."
"Please, take a seat," the King gestured, motioning for her to relax. "I have something important to discuss with you after dinner. Please, eat comfortably."
Florã smiled faintly but thought to herself, How can I possibly relax? I'm sitting in front of the King, and he's told me he has something important to discuss. She began to eat, though her mind remained preoccupied with curiosity and tension.
After the meal, King Carlos turned to her. "Very well, Florã. Now we can discuss why you're here today. Come with me to the royal smith."
Florã raised an eyebrow, already suspecting the topic of their conversation. "Is this about my twin swords?" she asked, her voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension.
"Indeed," the King replied, rising from his seat.
They walked together to the royal smith's workshop, where the master blacksmith stood at attention as soon as they entered. "Your Majesty," he greeted, bowing deeply. "And young master , welcome. I must say, I've never seen such swords in my life."
He turned his gaze to the twin swords, examining them closely. "These swords were forged from the bones of dragons that no longer exist. They were once the stuff of fairy tales, and now... I can scarcely believe my eyes. They are unlike any weapon I've ever encountered."
The smith paused, his expression grave. "These swords are imbued with such power and pressure that not even my hammer and forge can withstand them. They are no ordinary weapons, and I can tell—these swords were not made by human hands. They have their own will. They are alive, in a sense, and they can choose their master."
Florã's eyes widened. "So... the swords have chosen me?" she asked, a mix of awe and disbelief in her voice. "I never imagined I'd find something so incredible. So, everything I heard that day wasn't a lie after all... It really is a weapon of a god."
King Carlos nodded, his face serious. "I sent some of my knights after you told me about the cave, but we've found nothing. No cave, no evidence of such a weapon. But I believe your words, Florã. Perhaps what you found is not just a weapon, but a gift... or a curse from the gods themselves. I can't say for sure, but I think the truth may be revealed in your examination. Perhaps the god who left you this weapon will appear to you there."
Florã's mind raced, and she couldn't help but ask, "And my magic... could it be related to the swords?"
The King looked thoughtful. "It's possible. Your magic may be tied to the swords in ways we don't fully understand yet. The connection between you and these weapons runs deeper than you know."
The royal smith cleared his throat, eager to add more. "If I may, Your Majesty," he said. "These swords have extraordinary abilities. The black sword has a devouring power unlike anything I've ever seen. It can consume everything in its path, turning it to nothing. And the crimson sword—it's a fire of such intensity, a fire so deep and dark it could melt even the bones of a dragon. I've never witnessed such destructive power before."
King Carlos was visibly taken aback. "Such power..." he murmured. "A weapon that devours, and fire that could burn with the fury of hell itself. Florã, you've found something incredibly dangerous."
Florã stood still, her heart pounding. "With this power, I'm one step closer to taking my revenge," she declared, her voice low but filled with determination. "I will make those who killed my parents pay for what they've done. I will take their lives. I swear it."
King Carlos met her gaze with an unsettling calm. "Florã, listen carefully. You may have the power to destroy, but you must remember that such power comes with great responsibility. Take back your swords, but don't use them to harm the innocent. If you ever choose to use them for that purpose, I will not hesitate to use my own sword to end your life."
The aura of the King's power was overwhelming, a suffocating pressure that Florã could barely withstand. She could feel the weight of his authority crushing her, and she struggled to remain composed. "I won't do that," she managed to say, her voice steady despite the aura pressing down on her. "I understand."
King Carlos smiled faintly, sensing her strength. "You have quite the will. I see that you haven't knelt before me. That's good. You're not easily broken. Now, go back to your room and rest. It's late."
Florã bowed deeply in respect and took her swords, exiting the room. As soon as she reached her quarters, she collapsed onto her bed, her body aching from the strain of the evening's events.
After a restless night, she awoke with a groan, her body sore and exhausted. His power is incredible, she thought, wincing as she tried to sit up. No wonder he is the King. I don't think I've ever felt anything like that before. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, trying to regain her strength for the days ahead, knowing that her journey was only beginning.
Florã composed herself, gathering her thoughts before getting ready for the day. After a quick breakfast, she headed to training, but the monotony of repetitive drills began to wear on her. She found herself growing bored with the constant cycle. Seeking a change, she approached her maid and asked if she could observe the knights' training. The maid replied, "Of course, young master. You are welcome to do so."
Florã considered the opportunity. "Perhaps this will allow me to gain some battle experience," she thought, "and might also help me improve my skills." She quickly made her way downstairs and climbed into the carriage that would take her to the training grounds.
Upon arriving, Florã was greeted by General Cimon, who stepped forward and respectfully addressed her. "Young master, may I inquire about the reason for your visit today? If there is anything I can assist you with, I would be glad to help."
Florã replied, "I have come to observe the knights in training. I believe this will give me a chance to enhance my own abilities."
The general nodded, "Very well. Let me explain the principles behind our training. Here, we focus not just on one aspect, but on every detail—posture, knowledge, strength, skill, and grip. Today, we are concentrating on strength. While strength can provide an advantage, it is not always the deciding factor. Experience and knowledge can diminish the importance of brute force, but even that is not foolproof. Strength, however, is crucial." He looked her over and added, "Young master, I must admit, you seem to lack the physical strength of a warrior. If an opponent were to overpower you, you might not have the means to escape."
Florã sighed inwardly. "He's right. Men generally possess greater strength than women, and though I disguise myself as a man, he is not wrong. I will need to work harder on my physique."
She nodded in agreement and said, "You are right, General. I will focus on strengthening myself."
The general bowed respectfully. "Very well, young master. If you need any further assistance, feel free to approach me." He turned to leave but paused when Florã spoke again.
"General, would it be possible for me to disguise myself as one of the knights? I believe it would allow me to blend in more easily and participate in today's session without causing discomfort for anyone."
After a thoughtful pause, General Cimon replied, "That is a reasonable request... Very well. I grant you permission to disguise yourself as a knight and join the training."
Florã's face brightened with excitement. "Thank you, General Cimon. I am most grateful."
The general smiled, bowing slightly before turning to attend to his duties. Now, fully disguised as a knight, Florã was ready to immerse herself in the training and take the next step in her journey to improve.
Florã, now fully disguised as a knight, stood in line with the other trainees, her heart racing with both excitement and nervousness. The clang of swords and the rhythmic grunts of effort filled the air as the knights sparred with each other. Determined to prove herself, Florã took her stance, mimicking the knights' movements as best she could. As the drill progressed, she could feel the strain in her muscles, but she pushed through, determined to not stand out. However, when it came time for a sparring match, the general unexpectedly called her out. "Young master," he said, his voice carrying authority, "step forward and pair with Knight Varron."
Florã's heart skipped a beat. Varron was known for his speed and ferocity in combat. She had watched him defeat multiple opponents with ease, and now she would have to face him herself. Her hand tightened around the wooden sword as she approached him, trying to steady her breath. The moment they engaged, Varron charged with all his might, his sword flashing through the air like a lightning strike. But Florã was ready. With a fluid motion, she sidestepped his first strike, her wooden blade coming down with a precise angle that knocked his sword off course.
Varron's eyes widened in surprise. Most knights struggled to evade his attacks, let alone counter them so decisively. Undeterred, he pressed on, but Florã moved with an unnatural grace, dodging his strikes and landing counterattacks that kept him on the defensive. Each swing of his sword was met with an effortless block or a swift, controlled parry. For the first time, Varron found himself at a disadvantage.
He shifted his stance, trying to regain the upper hand, but Florã was already steps ahead. She closed the distance between them with a sudden, powerful move, driving him back with a force he wasn't prepared for. Her strength was undeniable—each blow she landed was like a hammer, unyielding and precise, while her fluid movements allowed her to slip through his defenses with the skill of a seasoned warrior.
Varron's confidence began to falter. He had underestimated her. With a final, decisive feint, Florã disarmed him, sending his wooden sword clattering to the ground. The crowd of knights fell silent, watching in stunned disbelief as Varron stood there, momentarily stunned by his own defeat.
Florã stood tall, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of the fight, but her expression was calm, controlled. She locked eyes with Varron, who, now on one knee, looked up at her with a mix of admiration and wariness.
"You're... you're not who you claim to be," he muttered, still trying to catch his breath.
Florã's lips curled into a confident smile, though she said nothing. She had proven not just her skill, but that she was more than capable of holding her own—against knights, and against anyone who underestimated her.