Shield River City. The Fifth Legion’s garrison.
Thunder rumbled through the lead-gray clouds as heavy raindrops hammered down with a torrential roar, threatening to submerge the entire camp.
Through the dim curtain of rain, one could barely make out the scattered flames of torches flickering throughout the camp, stubbornly fighting against the boundless dark and damp cold.
Yet even in this torrential downpour, the ceaseless clang of metal on metal rang out from the training grounds.
Every so often, a brilliant burst of sparks would flare in the gloom, briefly tearing through the rain to illuminate two silhouettes clashing at high speed.
CLANG!
The figures clashed again. The Knight’s Sword in Calvin’s hand snapped in half, the broken piece of the blade spinning through the air before embedding itself deep in the muddy ground some distance away.
Standing opposite him was the same terrifyingly steady figure: Lid.
But unlike the past few days, he now held a Rapier, its blade reflecting the cold light in the rain.
Lid looked at Calvin leaning on his broken sword in the downpour, chest heaving as he gasped for air. Lid made no effort to hide the surprise in his voice.
"So this is a Grey Eagle Knight, the former pride of the Fourth Legion. You certainly have your merits."
"But it’s not the inherited power of the Gray Eagle Clan that surprises me, Calvin. It’s you."
’To think that after just a few days of targeted training, he can already force me to draw my sword and parry... His talent for combat and the speed of his growth are truly terrifying.’
’If Calvin hadn’t left the Knight Order because of that incident, the man standing before me would likely already be a true Extraordinary.’
Calvin silently walked over to a nearby weapon rack and pulled out another standard-issue Knight’s Sword.
He stared intently at Lid and asked in a heavy voice, "So, how do I compare to Arthur?"
Lid slowly shook his head, rain tracing a path down his stoic face. "Calvin, you’re too focused on winning and losing."
Calvin instantly understood his meaning. A defiant stubbornness welled up inside him, and with a low growl, he raised his sword and charged once more.
This time, however, a flash of light so brilliant it seemed to slice through the rain itself cut through the downpour.
WHAM!
Before Calvin could even get close to Lid, he was sent flying as if struck by an invisible sledgehammer, landing hard in the cold, muddy water.
The duel was clearly over.
Only then did the Knights who had been watching anxiously from the sidelines dare to step forward.
Arthur walked over in silence and helped the mud-caked Calvin to his feet.
Meanwhile, a very young female Knight hurried over to Lid and said with concern, "Teacher, it looks like this rain is going to last a while. You should go inside and warm up by the fire so you don’t catch a cold."
"Alright." Lid nodded. Although his voice betrayed little emotion, his attitude toward the young Knight was clearly much gentler than it was toward others.
...
Inside a dry wooden hut in the camp, a bonfire burned brightly, its orange-red flames chasing away the damp chill that seeped in from outside.
They were gathered around the fire, warming themselves, while Glen leisurely turned a spit skewering a plump pigeon nearby. Grease dripped into the flames, making an enticing SIZZLE.
Lid, having already cleaned up and changed into a set of dry, plain clothes, led the young female Knight over to Arthur and Calvin.
"Anna, come meet two of the Legion’s veterans, Arthur and Calvin."
The young Knight named Anna seemed nervous. She quickly stepped forward and bowed somewhat hastily. "Anna Bates, a formal Knight of the Fifth Legion. It’s an honor to meet you both, sirs!"
Calvin, who had just picked up a wineskin from the table, raised an eyebrow at her words. He sized her up with a glance before turning to Lid. "Your student?"
"Her personality is nothing like yours."
Lid was a cold, hard stone, while this girl was like an easily startled fawn.
Arthur merely nodded, responding in a hoarse voice, "Hello, Knight Anna."
Lid didn’t seem to mind their somewhat cool reception. In fact, he smiled.
"The girl has talent, but she’s still a bit timid. I hope she can learn from veterans like you in the future."
Anna nodded quickly, saying in a quiet but determined voice, "I will do my best!"
Glen, who was still roasting the pigeon, paused in thought. Suddenly, a look of surprise crossed his face.
"Anna Bates... and a female Knight..." He searched his memory. "Are you the Knight who took first place at the Kingdom Knight training assembly last year?"
"You’re from the Snow Clan in the northern territories, aren’t you? I remember hearing your clan is said to have Dwarven blood. Most of your people are rather... well, burly and robust. How come you’re..."
He studied Anna more closely. The female Knight’s skin was fair and smooth, completely lacking the weathered roughness common to northern Knights who were constantly exposed to the elements.
Moreover, she was quite slender and tall. Aside from her dazzling, flame-red short hair, there was nothing to suggest she came from the Snow Clan, which was renowned for its strength and endurance.
Anna flushed under his scrutiny and shyly lowered her head.
Lid reached out, patting her gently on the head as he explained for her. "Her mother is from a noble family in Fey City Smaragdum. They are a traditional Aineir Clan, whose people are mostly scholars who study Magic, and are gentler in temperament."