novelnext Chapter 134 The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (13)
Chapter 134 The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (13)
Chapter 134 The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (13)
Lady Vivis aide, Gerald, and the captain of the guard, Fenril, observed the training session of the first-year Combat Department from a suitable distance, their figures sheathed in robes.
Are you looking for an immediate power asset?
At Fenrils query, Gerald shook his head. Had that been the case, they couldve easily picked any fourth-year student. What they sought was an assessment of Damians capabilities.
This is merely a formality.
Whether Damians skills were exceptional or woefully inadequate did not matter. If anything, Vivi would be pleased with his incompetence, using it as a pretext for emotional retribution.
The idea was to assign him menial tasks such as washing feet or cleaning shoes to humiliate him due to inadequacy.
Knowing what was likely to unfold, Gerald was not particularly keen on this duty.
Of course, some level of proficiency assessment was necessary. The journey towards the principality was not entirely safe. One had to be at least capable enough to preserve their life in an emergency scenario.
Soon, Associate Professor Gale spoke up in the training ground.
Starting today and for the next week, you shall battle this monster. If you fail to land a meaningful hit during this time, its the lowest score for you.
The students grimaced and let out almost weeping objections.
Captain Fenril glanced at the creature and commented,
Thats a Kiraklo, isnt it? I wonder how you managed to transport such a ferocious beast from the North.
Hook-like claws, thick teeth, and a stinger that could penetrate any ordinary armor in a single strike.
A normal human caught by it would be torn to shreds without even a chance for last words.
Of course, all hazardous elements had been thoroughly removed, leaving the Kiraklo with only the formidable power of its bull-like legs and its agility.
Now, do we have any volunteers to go first?
The first to step forward would be volunteering as a test subject, providing combat hints to the others.
Gale scowled as if displeased and gestured to an assistant, and a lottery box was placed before her.
Without fussing, Gale plunged her hand in and immediately drew out a piece of paper.
Pecorino! Come forth and choose your weapon.
All eyes suddenly focused on a boy, who closed his eyes tight like a man facing execution, then stepped forward.
While the boy chose his weapon, Gale and an assistant released the Kiraklo.
Once the cage was open, it burst forth with terrifying speed.
Ah, Aaack!
Witnessing this, Pecorino jumped back in shock, landing on his backside.
But no one laughed; the rest of the students were just as startled.
Pecorino, with a face twisted as if suffering toothache, picked up a spear and stepped before Gale.
Why did you choose the spear? Is it your primary weapon?
Its not, but it has the longest reach. To aim for its weaknesses
Gale cut him off and gave him a shove.
Alright, youve got five minutes.
The student was pushed into the fight without a moment to prepare mentally or otherwise.
Step out of the arena and its a permanent fail. Remember that.
Ah, ah
Clutching the spear in both hands, Pecorino hunkered down like a frightened mouse, trying to probe his opponent.
After several tentative thrusts without even coming close to the Kiraklo, he spent two minutes merely irritating the beast.
Gale shouted in frustration,
If you dont fight properly, we will release its constraints.
Almost on cue, the chains restraining the Kiraklos hind legs were loosened further.
The monster surged forward with a thunderous rumble,
Incapable of defending himself, Pecorino was knocked over.
Ugh! Aah! Save me!
With the Kiraklo scratching furiously at him, the boy would have been dismembered if its claw-like nails had still been intact. Now, only blunt limbs roughed him up.
Gale approached with a special artifact, causing the Kiraklo to skitter back into its cage, leaving Pecorino behind.
Gale hauled him out by the scruff, the boy nearly unconscious.
Half the students cringed in disgust, while the other half blanched. It would have been a commendable fight against a mere beast, but the repugnant form of the Kiraklo amplified their revulsion.
Gerald inquired,
What rank is that student?
He stabbed the monsters abdomen, delivering a severe blow but not a fatal one.
Desperately, the Kiraklo slammed its hind end down in a reflexive attempt to sting with its last ounce of strength.
Victor, struck several times on the thigh, would have been doomed if the stinger hadnt been removed.
He pulled out the sword, plunged it in again, rolled out, and the Kiraklo collapsed into the cage, spurting fluids and ultimately motionless.
Gale nodded for the first time, somewhat satisfied.
Not bad at all.
Panting, Victor dusted off the dirt.
Thank you.
Your judgment to strike the front legs first was excellent, but going under the belly wasnt wise. It could deliver a lethal blow to the enemy, but it put your own life in danger. Work on that.
Even from a distance, Fenril gave his approval.
Hes daring and perceptive for his age.
Victor had recharged the monotonous practice with a renewed vigor.
The problem was, having displayed such excellent battle prowess, hed set the bar high for the next in line, inevitably drawing comparisons.
As aides removed the Kiraklos corpse and prepared the next monster, Gale drew the next name.
Damian! Youre up next.
Upon hearing his name, Gerald stopped his paperwork and lifted his head.
Damian. He was the reason Gerald had come here.
Then, from amidst those waiting, a brown-haired youth strode forward.
With features better suited for a theatre stage than a dusty training ground, he thought,
This boy is Silveryns apprentice
Records indicated that among the upper echelons of the Combat Department, his performance was on the lower end.
The freshly prepared Kiraklo burst from its cage. Starved for days, it clawed the restraints taut at the sight of prey.
Its large size and quick movements, coupled with a more savage demeanor, heightened the intimidation.
Fenril clicked his tongue, pitying the unfortunate youth.
Oh dear, its going to be a nightmarish day for that fine-looking boy.
Damians role might well just be to tire out the Kiraklo for the next contender to shine.
Without much contemplation, Damian reached forth and grabbed a shortswordopposite of the long-reach weapons chosen by all previous contestants, breaking the expectation mold.
His approach to the fight was an enigma.
Damian stepped into the ring, his blade trailing the ground, circling clockwise while facing the Kiraklo in an apparent standoff.
What struck Gerald was the look in Damians eyes.
The relentlessness sensed in the taut chains, the creature scraping the ground, eager to pounce at its prey.
Was it an illusion?
Meeting the beast, ten steps apart, a vicious intensity swirled in Damians gaze.
For a fleeting moment, that venom was visible, then smoothly concealed by a facade of composure and tranquility.
Gale signaled the start,
Fight however you wish.
And with the end of the instruction, Damian, who had stood stolidly, swung his arm grandly.
The sword sliced through the air, sparkling as it flew.
It lodged itself in one of the Kiraklos eyes.
In utter disbelief at the sight, a piercing scream from the Kiraklo filled the arena, its movements halting abruptly as if time had stopped.
Then, with a thud, it collapsed, stirring up dust.
The entire vicinity was enveloped in silence.
Just as everyone presumed it over, movement returned to the Kiraklos legs.
With a sword still stuck in one eye, it slowly rose, body twitching in pain, yet clearly alive and capable of motion.
Damian, as if surrendering, raised his hands and backed away, signaling an aversion to get filthy in the skirmish.
This is as far as I go.
Gale narrowed his eyes at Damian.
A proper strike had been dealt but lacked the finality; with the sword discarded, the end remained unseen.
It wasnt outright misdone, but rather an ambiguous performance that was excellent in parts yet also a risky gamble.