After the meeting with the king, Ares was escorted to a private chamber within the castle. The room was spacious, with a comfortable bed, a warm fireplace, and a table set with food. Despite its luxury, he couldn't relax—his mind was occupied with the trial the king had mentioned.
Ares (to himself): "A trial? What will it be? A duel against a knight? Or something entirely different?"
Before he could dwell on it further, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Guard: "You have been summoned to the training grounds. Prepare yourself."
Ares took a deep breath, stood up, and left the room.
At the Training Grounds
The grounds were bustling with soldiers and knights, each engaged in their drills. In the center, King Alric sat on an elevated platform, with Commander Regis standing beside him.
King Alric: "Ares, you claimed to seek a chance to prove yourself. Today, you shall have it."
The king gestured toward a heavily armored knight who stepped forward into the arena.
King Alric: "You will face one of my kingdom's knights in combat. If you can hold your ground, you may earn a place among us."
The knight was tall and carried a massive sword along with a sturdy shield. He was clearly not an easy opponent.
Ares (with a slight smirk): "So this is the test? Alright, let's make it interesting."
The Battle Begins
Ares took a defensive stance as the knight raised his sword and charged at him with immense force.
Ares barely dodged the first strike, feeling the sheer power of the attack as the wind pressure brushed past him.
Ares (thinking): "He's strong… I can't win with brute force alone. I need to rely on speed and technique."
He continued to evade, watching the knight's movements carefully, waiting for an opening. The spectators observed the fight intently, while King Alric remained silent, evaluating his performance.
Would Ares be able to prove himself? Or was this trial beyond his capabilities?
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End of Chapter 7.