After expressing my thoughts, a heavy silence took over the room. Ester stared at me, his brows furrowed, as if struggling to believe what he had just heard. Luc, on the other hand, seemed both shocked and confused, lost in his own thoughts. As for Pery, he said nothing upon noticing my decision. He could advise me, but he could not disobey my orders.
— For now, that's not the focus of our visit, I said, turning my gaze to Luc, still deep in his thoughts.
At the sound of my words, he snapped out of his reverie and opened a briefcase filled with documents.
He handed me Ester's papers, containing all his information: date of birth, place of origin… and one particular detail caught my attention.
— You were found alone in the middle of a street? I asked, narrowing my eyes. What kind of person would abandon a child like that?
— Yes.
His response was brief, his tone emotionless. He seemed neither troubled nor affected. I quickly scanned the information before handing the documents to Sery to keep.
— Do you have a training room? I asked Luc.
— Yes, of course. It's on the third floor. Let me show you.
We followed Luc to the training room. A vast arena, equipped with the latest nanotechnology. I invited Ester to join me in the center of the arena. The others settled around to watch.
— Choose a weapon, or not. It doesn't matter.
I briefly explained the level system: Novice, Aspirant, Elite, Master, Primarch, and Unmatched. I already knew he was at the top of the Novice rank. Impressive for someone without training.
Ester chose a wooden sword. I picked a spear. At that moment, a frown spread across the room.
— Young master, if my memory serves me right, you are a sword user, Ester said. Are you underestimating me?
— We won't be able to judge you properly unless you give it your all, young master, added Sery, slightly irritated.
Raphael nodded in agreement. Pery remained silent, watching the scene with an impassive face.
— I'm not underestimating you.
My tone left no room for doubt. I called Zeyone to arbitrate the duel and intervene if necessary.
— Ester, give it your all, I ordered.
Without waiting, he charged at me. His first move was a sweeping strike at my left shin, aiming to throw me off balance. A smart move.
My balance faltered, and taking advantage of the opening, he swung his sword at my head. He probably thought he had me trapped.
However, this weakness became my strength. As I fell, I dodged his strike and, with a fluid motion, sent the tip of my spear into his chest.
A sound of pain escaped his lips. But he didn't retreat. He immediately followed up with a series of quick strikes. I intercepted each blow. Our exchanges became a dance. Mine was fluid, methodical, almost elegant. His was raw, wild, but deadly effective.
I executed a jump, landing on the tip of my spear stuck in the ground. Ester immediately jumped after me, giving me no chance to gain the advantage from the height.
My father always said that a fight reveals the true nature of a man. He was right. As I clashed with Ester, I understood him better. A fighter. A strategist. But perhaps too cerebral in his approach.
A person who refuses to bow to anyone.
I dodged another of his strikes, but a searing pain exploded at the back of my head. What? Did he hit me? How?
Ester was looking at me, a sinister smile on his lips. Proud. Satisfied. He had done the impossible.
A chill ran down my spine. I hadn't realized it, but a wild grin stretched across my own face.
My blood was boiling. My primal energy coursed through my body. I was no longer on the defensive. I was ready to counterattack.
Ester took advantage of the moment to deliver several vicious blows, hitting my ribs and arm. My muscles screamed. I could feel the internal damage. My breath quickened. Excitement? Maybe.
With a circular movement of his right leg, he kicked up a cloud of dust, temporarily blinding me. A second later, his blade cut through the air in a horizontal swing.
I blocked the attack with the center of my spear.
In my excitement, I said, "Yes, that's it, Ester, surprise me," and a laugh of amusement escaped my lips. I was genuinely enjoying myself.
Ester didn't realize it, but his strikes already carried the essence of the primordial energy, which meant he already had all the qualities to advance to the Aspirant level.
With nothing more to watch, I tightened my grip on my spear and began practicing an Imperial Zeta combat style. A dance that resembled a dragon's roar.
The air grew slightly warmer over the next five seconds, and I struck him with twenty blows across various parts of his body. I gave him a small preview of what's to come.
My muscles ached. I had only practiced the first movement, but it caused some internal damage. I needed to train more.
I raised my head to the sky and exhaled. Ester had collapsed to his knees, his body trembling. Facing an Aspirant as a Novice was impressive, considering he had managed to use his primordial energy.
Honestly, he surprised me. He had all the qualities to become my knight. Father wouldn't be able to say anything about that.
Zeyone stepped between us and stopped the fight. I approached the defeated Ester and extended my hand to him. Just like five years ago when I asked him to be my teammate. Ester took my hand, though irritated; this outcome was in line with his expectations.
Before he could fully rise, I spoke loudly for everyone to hear.
— Ester, will you become my second knight?