5. Iram et Lucem.

Clang!

The clash of steel rang out, sending a shower of sparks into the air, each ember flickering like a dying star. The audience fell silent, their breath stolen by the sheer intensity of the duel.

Saka's heart pounded. She was attuned to harmony, to the flow of life—not this violent symphony of metal and might. And yet… she couldn't look away. Something darkly captivating pulsed through the battlefield, an undeniable force that set her nerves alight.

Takemi swung his greatsword downward, his strike measured yet powerful. But Kitani was already moving.

With seamless precision, he shifted his grip, caught the blade with his axe, and twisted sharply—sending Takemi's sword crashing to the ground. A heartbeat later, Kitani's foot slammed down, pinning it in place.

Reivain's eyes narrowed as he watched. Is this their first time sparring? He could barely believe it.

Without hesitation, Kitani drove his pommel into Takemi's chest—hard. The impact forced the air from Takemi's lungs, a strangled gasp escaping his lips. Before he could recover, a brutal punch connected with his face.

"Ghh—!" Takemi staggered back, his balance breaking. His sword slipped from his grasp, embedding itself into the earth with a heavy clang—a sight so mythic it could have been Excalibur itself.

"[Boulder Throw]!!"

35/35 MP → 35/30 MP

Takemi barely had time to react before Kitani slammed his fist into the ground. The earth rumbled as he wrenched a massive boulder free, jagged and towering. Then, with monstrous ease, he hurled it.

The sheer force sent it barreling toward Takemi like a meteor.

Takemi's eyes widened. Tch—!

"[Shield of Light!!]"

180/180 MP → 180/170 MP

A radiant barrier flared into existence just as the boulder struck. The impact shattered it instantly, sending shards of energy and rock flying in all directions. But Takemi was already moving.

Channeling the remnants of his spell, he reformed the shield and hurled it forward. A gleaming disc of light.

Kitani, unfazed, raised his axe and struck.

Weak!

Clang!

The shield deflected, spinning back toward Takemi, who caught it effortlessly. Without hesitation, he charged—his sole focus on smashing his light shield onto Kitani.

Kitani stepped aside, but the radiant edge of the shield grazed his arm, searing his skin. He gritted his teeth, but his grin only widened.

Bastard...I will get my one up!

Takemi seized the opportunity. With a swift motion, he reclaimed his greatsword, lowering into a tight, defensive stance. But Kitani's expression darkened.

Too slow!

With a single, devastating swing, Kitani's axe came down.

Takemi's shield shattered into pieces.

Reivain watched from the sidelines, his gaze cool, analytical. The raw strength between the two fighters was undeniable. But…

They lack battlefield judgment.

They had power—tremendous, untamed. But power alone wasn't enough.

Above the arena, Takemi leapt, his greatsword raised.

"[Light Blade!!]"

His weapon ignited in a blinding burst of light, forcing onlookers to shield their eyes.

"Agh—!" Masa and Chiharu recoiled, their hair whipping back in the force of the mana surge.

CLANG!

A thunderous shockwave tore through the arena as Takemi's sword met Kitani's axe. Energy crackled between them, distorting the air. The very ground trembled beneath their feet.

The barrier surrounding the ring flickered, struggling to contain their power.

"Holy crap—!" Masa yelled, clutching her glasses before they flew off her face.

"T-This is their first match, right?!" Chiharu stammered, pale-faced.

In the corner, Kōji sulked, looking like a child who'd dropped his ice cream. "Incredible…"

"They're just kids, right?"

"I could take them… probably."

Murmurs of awe spread through the knights, but Reivain's focus remained sharp. They have all the moves, he thought. But none of the experience to make them lethal.

Kitani's grin turned feral.

"[Axe Throw!]"

With monstrous strength, he hurled his weapon.

Takemi had no time to summon another shield. Instinct took over—he twisted, bracing himself.

Clang!

The impact rattled his entire body. But before he could recover, Kitani was already upon him, charging forward like an avalanche.

Takemi gritted his teeth, readying himself—

Then, suddenly, Kitani stopped.

He slammed his foot down.

"[Stomp]!!"

The ground erupted. Tremors shot through Takemi's legs as the shockwave struck his body.

His armor cracked.

"Ghh—ahhh!!"

Takemi was sent flying, crashing into the barrier.

The impact sent spiderweb fractures through the magical field.

Then—

Shatter!

The barrier collapsed, fragments of energy dissipating like glass.

Takemi let out a slow breath, his fingers tightening around his sword. His mana flared, golden energy wrapping around him in waves.

"I see how it is…" His voice was low, dangerous. "You're going to regret that."

[Indomitable Will]

Mana pulsed around him, his strength rising. It was some sort of Limit Breaker.

Kitani let out a wild laugh.

"HAHAHAHA!! That's what I wanted to see! Rival!!"

His body tensed, muscles bulging as he activated his own skill.

[Rage]

Veins pulsed. His eyes glowed crimson with unrestrained fury. His breath came ragged, feral. The knights watching stepped back, sensing the sheer, unfiltered danger that now radiated from the arena.

Takemi rushed forward.

Kitani lunged.

Their weapons raised—

And then—

Silence.

A shadow flickered between them.

Takemi's greatsword stopped.

Kitani's axe froze in mid-swing.

Not because they hesitated. Not because of fear.

But because someone had stopped them.

With two hands.

One hand lightly gripped Takemi's sword, another palm caught Kitani's axe. The force behind their attacks simply… vanished.

Reivain stood between them, his expression unreadable.

"GRAAAAHHH!" Kitani roared, lost in rage. But before he could act—

Flick.

Reivain's middle finger moved fast.

Kitani collapsed, unconscious.

"...!"

"What…?"

"HUH?!"

The arena fell into stunned silence.

Takemi remained frozen, his breath coming fast. His hands trembled—not from exhaustion, but from realization.

This was power. True, effortless, absolute power.

Reivain merely dusted off his sleeve.

"You kids don't know how to hold back, do you?" His tone was warm, almost amused, but his presence remained overwhelming.

With a slight smirk, he turned away.

"The match is over."

With Reivain's swift intervention, the arena was spared from complete collapse, though the strain on its structure was evident. As he directed the next group of students, his gaze lingered on the damaged floor, unease creeping into his thoughts. Never before had his knights pushed the arena to such extremes—how much longer could it withstand this intensity?

Eventually, the intensity of the morning gave way to a more relaxed afternoon. The class regrouped at a lively tavern, the same one where Reivain had rallied them the day before. After their grueling training, they were ravenous, eager to replenish their strength.

"Mmm... What kind of food would Seiito like?" Saka murmured, scanning the menu with a pensive expression. "Great boar meat? Rabbit meat? O-Or… orc meat…?" A slight grimace crossed her face as she considered the peculiar delicacies of this world.

After some thought, she decided on the great boar meat, reasoning that Seiito would wake up famished. Boys their age needed plenty of sustenance, after all... especially Seiito-kun, she mused with a soft smile, nodding as she placed the order.

"One great boar meat for the thoughtful young lady," the tavern owner said with a knowing grin.

As Saka waited, Masa slid up beside her, eyes glinting with mischief. "Saka-chan, you seem a little too attentive when it comes to Seiito-san," she teased, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Saka blinked, tilting her head in that innocent, bird-like way that practically made a question mark float over her. "Eh? I'm just being considerate!"

Masa raised an eyebrow. Was Saka truly that oblivious? Her affections were painfully obvious—at least, to everyone except Seiito himself.

"Alright then, Saka-chan—what do you think I would like?" Chiharu chimed in, playing along with an expectant smirk.

Saka hummed in thought. "Mmm… Dragon snake meat!"

"Huh?" Chiharu looked both amused and mildly offended.

"And me?" Masa asked, leaning in closer with a smirk.

"Curry!" Saka declared with absolute confidence.

"C-Curry? Really?" Masa nearly choked on her drink, momentarily forgetting that her real weakness was anything sweet.

Saka's gaze wandered over to Takemi, who was quietly eating his stew in the corner. When their eyes met, he shot her a sharp glare.

"Don't even think about it," he muttered darkly.

Saka's lips curled into a grin, utterly unfazed. "Filet Mignon!"

"WRONG!" Takemi bellowed, slamming his spoon down with fiery indignation. "How could you forget?!"

As the group erupted into laughter, Reivain silently nursed his drink, watching them with a quiet sense of satisfaction. The warmth of their camaraderie eased some of the tension that had weighed on him since their arrival. These young warriors had come far from the wary, hesitant recruits they'd once been. He was proud of them… and yet, a familiar doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind.

His gaze lowered to the amber liquid swirling in his glass. A memory surfaced—one he hadn't been able to shake since their fateful meeting.

"Instruct them well, Reivain. Their success is our final hope."

King Aurelius' voice echoed in his mind, grave and steady. They had been seated across from one another in the grand council room, battle-worn maps scattered between them like relics of an uncertain future.

Reivain's fingers had tightened around the table's edge. "My lord… is it truly just, sending children to war? To fight battles that were never theirs to begin with?"

The king had been silent for a long moment before meeting Reivain's gaze, his expression as unyielding as carved stone. "If you look at it that way, no. It is not just. But Santizimo—no, the world—believes in them. And I believe in you, Reivain. Guide them well, and we may yet see victory."

Reivain took another sip, steadying his grip as the weight of those words settled upon him once more. He glanced around the table, taking in each face, each carefree laugh, each teasing smirk. These weren't just warriors. They were kids. Kids whom fate had thrust into the jaws of an impossible destiny.

His fingers tightened around the glass. Then, I will give them everything I have. For my country. For my family. He exhaled slowly. For them.

Amid the tavern's lively chatter, Kitani sat at the far end of the table, stabbing his fork into his orc meat with an air of irritation. A soft voice, as light as spring rain, gently interrupted his brooding.

"Is something bothering you, Kitani-kun?"

Otake Kiyoko's voice was as warm as the afternoon sun, her small, slender frame radiating quiet grace. Crimson eyes blinked up at him with genuine concern, her long, silky hair catching the tavern's flickering light.

"Tch. It's nothing," he muttered. But when he glanced at her, he hesitated. Her gaze was too steady, too perceptive—like she could see straight through him.

"...I just didn't get to settle things with Takemi," he admitted after a pause, rubbing his forehead and wincing at the soreness there. "And this damn bruise... Reivain-san hits like a truck."

Kiyoko's lips curved into a gentle smile. Without a word, she pulled out a small container of ointment, a remedy given to her by Reivain—crafted with care, precision, and a touch of kindness.

She dabbed the ointment onto his forehead with delicate fingers, her movements slow and deliberate. Kitani sat frozen, feeling the warmth of her hands against his skin. His face heated involuntarily.

"...Tch." He turned his head slightly, trying to play it cool. Damn it, why is she so gentle?

But Kiyoko merely continued, unfazed, her expression serene.

Kitani scowled at his plate, jabbing at the meat again.

Somehow…it didn't taste as bitter anymore.