After having a fight with Varron, Florã was standing in a good position, her breath steady despite the intensity of their sparring. She looked down at him and, without hesitation, extended a hand to help him up. For a moment, Varron hesitated, his pride stung by his defeat, but eventually, he accepted her hand. As he rose, he couldn't hide the shock in his eyes, utterly amazed by her movements, precision, and sheer skill. He could hardly believe that someone with such talent had been hiding among them unnoticed.
Unbeknownst to them, General Cimon had been watching the entire match from a distance. His arms were crossed, and a rare look of pride was evident on his face as he observed Florã's discipline and composure. Her performance had exceeded his expectations, and it was clear to him that she had the potential to be a formidable knight.
As Florã helped Varron stand, a group of knights approached them, their laughter and teasing breaking the tension. One of them, without thinking, slung an arm around Florã's shoulders in camaraderie. She stiffened for a moment, startled by the sudden closeness, but quickly composed herself. She knew she had to remain calm—none of them could know her secret.
"That was incredible!" one of the knights exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration.
"Yeah, where did you learn to fight like that?" another chimed in, their curiosity evident.
Before Florã could respond, General Cimon's voice rang out sharply. "Enough. Release him at once. And mind your conduct—don't go draping yourselves over anyone like that."
The knights immediately stepped back, looking sheepish. But their curiosity wasn't so easily quenched. One of them glanced at Florã's simple attire and asked, "Isn't this just a commoner? Dressed like that, he can't be anyone important, right?"
Florã hesitated, the weight of their expectations pressing down on her. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and finally spoke. "I… I owe all of you an explanation. I am sorry for the deception, but I am not a commoner," she said, her voice steady despite her nerves. "I am from the palace."
The group froze, their expressions ranging from shock to disbelief. Before they could respond, Florã continued, her words carefully chosen. "I requested permission from General Cimon to train alongside you. He granted it, and soon, I hope to join your ranks officially. I'm preparing for the knight's examination."
With that, she bowed deeply, her voice softer as she added, "I apologize for hiding my identity. It was not my intention to deceive you."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, one by one, the knights spoke up, their voices full of reassurance.
"No, no, please don't bow to us!"
"You've already earned our respect."
"We'll be honored to have you fighting by our side!"
Varron, who had been watching quietly, finally broke his silence. "I'll be waiting for another sparring session," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of a challenge.
Florã straightened and met his gaze, a small but confident smile on her lips. "Of course," she replied. "I won't disappoint."
As the knights dispersed, still buzzing with excitement over Florã's revelation, she took a moment to catch her breath. The weight of her confession was heavier than she'd anticipated, but the warm acceptance from the knights eased her worries. She glanced at General Cimon, who gave her a subtle nod of approval before turning to leave. His silent support was all the encouragement she needed.
Varron, however, lingered. He crossed his arms and studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing yet unreadable. "You've got skill," he said finally, his voice quieter than before. "But don't think I'm going easy on you next time."
Florã smirked, a flicker of confidence returning to her expression. "I wouldn't expect you to. In fact, I'm counting on it."
For a brief moment, there was a shared understanding between them—two warriors recognizing the potential for something greater. Then, with a nod, Varron turned and walked away.
As the courtyard emptied, Florã stood alone, the echoes of the spar fading into silence. She looked down at her calloused hands, the hands of someone who had worked tirelessly to prove herself. The path ahead was still uncertain, but one thing was clear: she had taken a significant step toward her dream of becoming a knight.
With renewed determination, Florã tightened her grip on her practice sword and headed toward the training grounds. There was still much to learn, and she wouldn't rest until she was ready to stand among the knights—not just as an equal, but as someone they could rely on.
After completing her training, Florã returned to the palace, her muscles aching from the day's exertion. She sank into the chair in her modest yet well-furnished room, releasing a deep sigh. "Today was a tiring day," she murmured to herself, her tone a mix of exhaustion and determination. Her eyes glimmered with resolve as she added, "But I'll achieve what I want soon enough."
As she leaned back, a soft knock came at the door. Before she could respond, the maid entered, holding a sealed envelope in her hands. "Young master, this has arrived for you. It was sent by General Cimon himself," the maid said, her voice filled with quiet reverence.
Florã's heart skipped a beat, and she stood abruptly, her posture tense. "Oh—okay, give it to me," she said, attempting to mask her nervousness. The maid handed her the envelope and bowed before quietly leaving the room.
Left alone, Florã stared at the envelope in her hands. The seal of General Cimon stood out prominently—a mark of authority and importance. Her fingers trembled slightly as she broke the seal and unfolded the parchment within. Taking a deep breath, she began to read:
---
To the Esteemed Trainee,
It is with great honor that I inform you of the upcoming Knight's Examination, which has been scheduled for the 14th of the next month. The examination will take place at the Central Training Grounds, commencing promptly at 7:00 AM. All aspiring knights are required to report an hour earlier for registration and preparation.
The examination will follow the same sequence as i told you before
1. Combat Proficiency Test – To assess your mastery of weaponry and fighting techniques.
2. Tactical Evaluation – To gauge your strategic thinking and ability to adapt under pressure.
3. Character and Oath Review – To ensure you uphold the values and integrity expected of a knight of the realm.
And then for the chosen one there will a test of 20 peoples and they will have a one spar per day in the end only 10 peoples will be left then they will go into the shrine to take God 's test
I have no doubt that your determination and dedication will serve you well in these trials. Your performance thus far has been commendable, and I believe you have the potential to succeed.
Remember, the journey of a knight is not just about skill but also about honor, courage, and resilience. As you prepare, keep these virtues close to your heart.
I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor. May your efforts bring you closer to achieving your dreams.
With respect,
General Cimon
---
Florã read the letter twice, her hands steadying as a smile spread across her face. The date of the examination was set, and the path ahead was clear. Folding the letter carefully, she placed it on her desk and leaned back, her determination reigniting.
"The 14th… I still have time to prepare," she whispered. Her thoughts raced with anticipation, and despite the fatigue lingering in her body, she felt a surge of energy. "I won't let this chance slip by. I'll prove myself—no matter what."
As the moonlight filtered through her window, Florã began mapping out her training for the days ahead, her heart filled with hope and unwavering resolve.
Florã sat in silence for a moment, staring at the letter that now lay folded on her desk. Her mind replayed the words "test of 20 people… God's test". The enormity of what lay ahead was both exhilarating and daunting. The thought of being one of the ten to step into the shrine sent a shiver down her spine, not from fear, but from the weight of the responsibility it carried.
She rose from her chair, walking over to the window. The night was calm, with a silver moon casting its glow over the palace gardens. It was peaceful, but Florã's heart was anything but. Her mind was a storm of plans, strategies, and what-ifs.
"If I make it to the shrine… what kind of test will the gods have in store for me?" she mused, resting her forehead against the cool glass. "What would happen if I failed?" She shook her head, pushing the thought aside. "No. I can't think like that. I won't fail."
Her hands clenched into fists as she straightened, determination lighting up her eyes. "I've trained too hard and come too far to falter now. Whatever the gods demand, I'll be ready. I have to be."
She returned to her desk and pulled out a blank piece of parchment. Grabbing her quill, she began drafting a detailed schedule for the days leading up to the examination. Each day would be filled with training sessions, practice spars, and strategic studies.
"I'll need to work on my endurance for those consecutive spars," she muttered, jotting down notes. "And sharpen my tactical responses... Varron will be a good partner for that. I'll ask him tomorrow."
As the candle on her desk flickered, Florã glanced toward her bed. Her body ached for rest, but her mind was too alive with purpose to sleep. For now, the pain in her muscles was a reminder of her progress, a sign that she was one step closer to her goal.
"14 days to prepare," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the letter. "14 days to prove that I belong. I won't waste a single moment."
With that resolve burning in her heart, Florã set her quill aside, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her in the days to come. The moonlight continued to spill into her room, illuminating the determined figure of a warrior in the making.