"My luck ability is super hearing—I can hear things most people can't. It's at the intermediate level, so I can't hear too far, only within a certain range. But my sword skills are at an advanced level. And yes, I failed my Fate Trial."
"Wait… what about your swordsmanship skills, then?"
"Really? You don't remember that either?" She turned to Daylan, her face masked with disbelief.
"You motivated me to train," she smiled. "I used to rely on my royal blood to get everything I wanted until that day I saved you. You didn't care about that—actually, you hated me, even after I helped you. I liked that. So, I started coming around to see you from time to time. And sometimes, when I did, you'd be training in a vast field at the far end of the city."
The expression on her face told Daylan everything he needed to know. He was far behind being half the person he was.
"All those times, you barely spoke to me… I mean, you only talked to me after I saved you from Mr. Enzo. I started training because of you."
Astara said with a smile, climbing into the carriage. Daylan followed suit.
As the carriage rolled away, Daylan began asking Astara questions—simple, yet subtly manipulative—hoping to learn more about her, and about the person he used to be.
Before the hours slipped into evening, they arrived at the monastery. Astara motioned for Daylan to follow her to the infirmary. As they passed, Enyo and his crew glared at Daylan with rage, spitting at his feet as he walked by.
As soon as they reached the infirmary entrance, Astara excused herself, leaving Daylan behind—but not before asking him to meet her at the training center.
Daylan had already spent an hour of the time left to complete his penalty, so like it or not, he had no choice but to head to the training center.
"Thank you." Daylan bowed his head and left the infirmary, making his way to the training center.
Must they stare at me all the time? I mean, they can befriend her if they want.
Though he walked alone, the hostile glances never stopped—it was as if they despised his very existence.
Enduring their intense glances and mocking chuckles, he made his way to the training ground. The door was slightly ajar; he pushed it open to find Astara, clad in a vest and trousers, locked in intense sword training.
Daylan smirked, stepped inside, and quietly closed the door behind him.
Not wanting to disturb her, he took off his torn uniform and shirt, then began stretching in preparation for his penalty.
Astara stopped and turned to him. "Are you ready for your training?"
Daylan smirked. "Yeah… but give me a minute." Astara smiled and continued her training.
Without hesitation, Daylan dropped to the floor and began his push-ups. He knew his body could handle the effort with a bit of sweat, but the real question was: could he endure the pain?
The first twenty push-ups came easily, but after that, his body began to tremble, and sweat poured from him. He had no idea what would happen if he paused, but he wasn't about to throw away his effort. His teeth were clenched, sweat dripping everywhere, yet he kept pushing on.
Astara paused her training and watched him as he trembled, as though carrying a mountain on his back.
After what felt like an eternity, Daylan finally gave in to the pain, collapsing to the floor, half-dead. He breathed heavily, his hands stretched out before him.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[100 push-ups] completed.
Reminder: [100 squats and 30 minutes shadowboxing] still pending. Please complete the task soon.
[1 hour, 17 minutes]: Task deadline approaching.
"You're quite impressive, Day," Astara said, watching Daylan die on the floor.
"It's almost time. I need to finish this," he muttered.
Daylan pressed his hand to his chest, trembling as his mind urged him to give up.
Barely holding his ground, Daylan began his squats. He knew he had only forty minutes left to finish, so he pushed forward. Astara stood by, cheering him on and teasing him.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[100 squats] completed.
Reminder: [30 minutes shadowboxing] still pending. Please complete the task soon.
[41 minutes]: Task deadline approaching.
Daylan dropped to the floor, his hands bracing against it as his head tilted upward.
"Are you sure you can train with me?" Astara wore a concerned expression.
With great effort, Daylan raised his hand and gave her a thumbs up. He slowly got to his feet, his movements sluggish.
He raised his guard and held his stance, preparing himself for the inevitable. At that moment, he realized he had no idea how to practice shadowboxing.
"Can you teach me?… shadowboxing?" He muttered.
She smiled and gave a firm nod.
Pushing through the agony, he followed Astara's lead, mimicking her techniques and adapting a few approaches that suited him better.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Congratulations, you have completed your penalty.
As soon as it was confirmed, Daylan sat on the floor, followed by Astara.
"I don't think I necessarily motivated you to train. Sure, I might have lifted your spirits a bit, but you have your reasons for enduring this torture, don't you?"
Astara tilted her head back, her eyes flickering as she gazed intently at the ceiling.
"Don't you think you've rested enough?" She rose to her feet. "Get up and let's spar."
Daylan remained seated.
"I am your captain, you know?… I don't think ignoring my orders is a good idea."
She held Daylan's hands and pulled him up.
Daylan smiled.
Before Daylan could react, he was slammed to the floor. Astara's expression was more intense than ever. As Daylan struggled to rise, she dashed forward and delivered a crushing strike to his neck, sending him crashing back to the ground.
Daylan's body screamed in agony as he could barely get up.
"This will come to an end after you've proven your strength to me… get up."
Did I somehow piss her off with the question?
Daylan got to his feet and assumed his stance. In that instant, Astara dashed forward and struck. Daylan barely dodged, but another blow slammed into his ribcage, sending him crashing to the floor.
I must figure out a way to fight back, otherwise she will kill me.
Daylan got to his feet and dashed forward, landing a strike that she effortlessly blocked with a smirk. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly delivered four more blows, sending her crashing to the floor.
Astara smiled, wiping her nose. "He can strike harder, huh?"
Without hesitation, she charged at Daylan, unleashing a flurry of strikes. He blocked as best as he could but was forced to slide backward on his feet. Before he could react, Astara leaped toward him, driving her knee into his cheek.
Daylan spat on the floor.
He sprinted forward, and before he could attempt his real strike, he feinted perfectly. Using the feint to build momentum, he landed a devastating blow to Astara's cheek, narrowly avoiding snapping her neck.
I knew the body could pull it off.
Astara reached for her neck and gave Daylan a thumbs up. "You've passed." She smiled.
Already on his knees, Daylan collapsed completely to the floor.
Astara sat beside him. ''There's a tournament in the city in two weeks.'' She leaned back on the floor. ''It's deadly—though not as lethal as those in other cities—but deadly in the eyes of the people of Honor.''
Daylan turned to her. "Do you want to participate?"
"This isn't about me, but as Honor Chivalries, we must honor the citizens with our presence. So, participation is mandatory for all of us—except for you."
She turned to Daylan. "I spoke with Lieutenant Bruce about your participation, but he said you're still a trainee… You have less than two weeks to become a certified chivalry because I want you to win the tournament."
Daylan gazed carefully at the ceiling.
"The reward is forty gold coins. You can pay off your loan with it if you win."
Daylan smiled, knowing full well that the tournament would be about more than just strength. With such a hefty reward at stake, he would have to face opponents far greater than those in the ring.
However, an opportunity to free his mother was one he couldn't afford to pass up.
"Sure… count me in."
Astara smirked. "That is hard to believe… but seriously, you know your shabby training routine won't cut it, right?"
"Let me guess, you are going to break my bones until I become a certified chivalry."
"You bet!"
Daylan let out a sigh. He knew that if he didn't win the tournament, he would have wasted three weeks, leaving him with barely a week to gather twenty-two gold coins. It was a tough risk, but given his situation, it seemed like the safest option.
Even if I can't win for myself, I must win it for those who believe in me.