Swordsmanship Tournament
The excitement of the crowd gathered in the palace courtyard on the day of the tournament was at its peak. Nobles, palace officials and villagers were lined up around the large arena set up in the middle of the courtyard. The king's golden throne was on a high platform overlooking the arena, and princess Lyria was sitting right next to her father. When Kael saw the princess among the crowd, his heart started pounding.
There were 16 competitors in the tournament. The participants were the most talented children of the palace; most were the sons of nobles or students of famous instructors. Kael felt a little frightened as he watched them, but he pulled himself together. "I didn't come here just to watch," he thought. "I'm here to fight!"
First Match: Agility Wins
Kael's first opponent was a tall and strong boy. It was obvious that he came from a family of swordsmen; His movements were firm and powerful. However, Kael managed to surprise his opponent by using his agility and speed. He was expertly dodging his blows and counterattacking whenever he had the opportunity. At the end of this intense struggle, which lasted several minutes, Kael's sword knocked the wooden sword out of his opponent's hand and knocked him to the ground.
The crowd applauded, but a few of the nobles still shook their heads disdainfully at him. Kael, on the other hand, boosted his morale with this victory. He got his first win!
Second Match: The Weight of War
Kael's second opponent was an armored boy. This boy was using the advantage of his armor to slow down his opponents and defeat them with his strength. Kael had difficulty resisting his attacks, his sword shaking every time from his opponent's heavy blows. However, he overcame this challenge using his speed and strategy. He waited for his opponent to tire and eventually broke through his defense by making his move at the right time.
When Kael won, his knees were shaking. This match was very challenging physically, but his determination allowed him to win once again.
Semi-Final: Battle of Mind and Power
His opponent in the semi-finals was one of the favorites of the tournament. Moreover, this opponent had a very condescending attitude towards Kael. "It's a miracle that a village boy made it this far, but it ends here," he said before the match started.
Kael paid no heed to these words. When the fight started, he had difficulty in the face of his opponent's planned and technical moves. However, Kael showed his stubbornness as always. Over time, he managed to read his opponent's moves and use this advantage to counter him. Finally, he caught his opponent's gap and struck.
Kael was torn between pride and exhaustion as he emerged victorious to the applause of the audience. But there was one more match ahead of him: the final.
Final Match: On the Edge of Victory
Kael's final opponent was a boy known as the most skilled swordsman in the palace. This boy was the inheritor of a noble family and his fighting skills were excellent. Before the fight began, Kael took a deep breath. His eyes searched for princess Lyria. When he saw the princess looking at him, the excitement in his heart suddenly turned into courage.
When the match started, the audience held their breath. Both fighters fought with incredible speed and finesse. When his opponent's blow comes, Kael defends himself at the last moment; When he made his own move, his opponent responded with equal skill. The fight had become both a physical and mental battle.
Kael did everything he could. However, at the last moment, his opponent caught a gap and pointed his sword at Kael's chest. Kael fell to his knees; was defeated.
However, there was a deep silence in the arena. A few seconds later, the audience began to applaud Kael's brave fight. The king stood up and spoke in a loud voice:
> "Although Kael was not the winner of this tournament, he taught us all a lesson with his courage and determination. You deserved to be second, but what you really earned is the respect of this palace and the people!"
Kael was proud despite his defeat as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. When he saw Princess Lyria smiling, he felt like he had accomplished something more important than winning for the moment. He found his own identity and became a respected individual.
"A Student's War"
A Memory from Kael's Training Days
At that time, Kael was only a student, sweating in the palace's training area. While his hands, which could barely hold the sword, were trying to resist every move of his master, the orders raining down on him were putting him under even more pressure.
"Hit harder, Kael! If you don't make a move that will make your opponent fall, you will be the first to fall on the battlefield!" his teacher shouted.
Rolling on the ground and dropping his sword, Kael tried to sit up in shame. His eyes shifted to the smiles of the students in the other training area. He wanted to do more, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't be strong enough.
Just then, he noticed someone watching him at the edge of the training area. The Princess... She stood silently, carrying a book in her hand, watching Kael. Kael was surprised by this situation and did not know what to do.
The princess approached him, smiling slightly. "Why are you in such a hurry? "Everyone makes mistakes, Kael," she said.
Kael lowered his head and muttered in a low voice, "If I fail… I can't stay here." The military training of the palace was quite difficult and those who failed had to return.
The princess picked up the sword that had fallen from Kael's hand and handed it to him. "No one is born perfect. But you're here because you want to be strong, right? "The important thing is not to fall down, but to get up again."
Those words were the turning point for Kael. It was the first time someone had seen his effort and believed him. From that day on, Kael vowed to use his sword not only to fight better, but also to one day protect the princess who believed in him.
AFTER YEARS...
Episode: "Rise Between Swords"
After long and tiring years spent in the training area of Eldoria Palace, Kael was finally faced with an opportunity to prove himself. The "Trial of Swords", in which young military candidates of the palace participated, was a tournament organized for the most talented warriors to be promoted to guard. This was not only a test, but also a moment that could change the fate of an ordinary person like Kael.
Tournament Day
The palace square was filled with young warrior candidates. They were wearing thin armor, swords in their hands... There was either pride or anxiety on everyone's face. Kael was waiting in the crowd, with a simpler but more determined stance than the others.
"Kael!" someone called out. When he turned, he saw his old teacher Ustad Loric approaching him. Despite his age, Loric still stood tall.
"So you are here today. "If you want to show that there's a point to all that hard work, now is the time," he said sternly.
Kael nodded. "I won't lose, Master."
Loric smiled. "Don't be afraid of losing. But no matter what, don't give up."
First Fights
The tournament had three stages: In the first stage, young candidates competed against their opponents in one-on-one fights. Kael's heart was pounding as he raised his sword in front of his first opponent. His opponent was bigger and stronger than him; Everyone thought that Kael would be defeated at the first moment.
When the battle started, his opponent went on the offensive. Kael avoided his opponent's sword blows with light and quick steps. Then he remembered the words the princess had said many years ago: "Strength is not just about striking a blow, sometimes waiting for the right moment is also a strength."
When Kael noticed his opponent's fatigue, he threw off his balance with one move and put his sword to his opponent's throat. The silence that filled the field was broken by the referee's voice declaring Kael's victory.
Final Exam: Fighting Commanders
Kael had successfully passed the first two stages. Now, in the final stage, he would fight against one of the experienced guards of the palace. This was a test not only of talent but also of courage for a young candidate. He had to win the fight; otherwise, all his labor would be in vain.
The person standing before him was a huge man with years of experience in warfare: Commander Aldric. The crowd filling the area was waiting with bated breath.
"I will not underestimate you, young man," said Aldric, drawing his sword. "But know that it won't be easy."
Kael took a deep breath and raised his sword. When the battle began, Aldric immediately attacked with his massive sword. Kael was on the defensive, watching his moves. The sword blows were so strong that Kael's hands began to shake.
But Kael realized something: he could use Aldric's speed and strength to leave him exhausted. Kael moved constantly, chasing Aldric, negating his moves and continuing to defend. Those watching from the edge of the field were stunned by Kael's effort.
When Aldric finally tired, Kael took advantage of the moment and disarmed him by swinging Aldric's sword into the air with his sword. Kael's sword was now pointed at the commander's chest.
"Enough!" shouted the referee. "Winner: Kael!"
Enthusiastic applause rose from the crowd filling the square. Kael fell to his knees and took a deep breath. Finally… finally he had done it.
Promotion to Guard
A big ceremony was held in the palace that evening. King Armand of Eldoria summoned Kael and presented him with the symbolic cloak of the palace guard.
"Your courage and intelligence have shown that the court deserves you," said King Armand. "From this day forward, you are a guardian of Eldoria."
Kael bowed his head and placed the cloak around his shoulders. That moment was the turning point of his life. The promise he made for the princess gained even more meaning with this victory.
And now Kael was not just a student, but an honored guardian of Eldoria.