Vandelion stepped forward, brushing the slight dust off his cloak while rolling his shoulders in a slow, almost bored rotation. He rested one hand on his hip and let out a casual yawn, like a man who'd just woken up from a nap.
"Well? Come on, kid." His voice echoed across the entire courtyard, sharp and mocking, bouncing off the stone like a blade scraping steel. "I'll not even raise my sword at you at first. Give me your best, try to land a strike on me."
Laughter erupted around them. A ripple of amused scoffs and whispers rolled through the circle of knights, like hyenas circling fresh meat.
One of them muttered, "He'll snap the brat in half, lol."
Ethan swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing, sweat rolling in fat droplets down the sides of his face. His heart was pounding so loud it almost drowned out the jeering voices.
Alright. Just one strike… it's just one strike. I definitely can pull this off. I just have to tag him once… somehow.
His shaking fingers flicked open his system window.
[Name: Ethan Graves] [Race: Human]
[Class: Overlord (SSS-Class)] [Level: 5]
[Health: 100/100] [Mana: 120/120]
[Strength: C+] [Agility: C-]
[Endurance: C+] [Intellect: B-]
[Charisma: B] [Luck: B-]
[Dominion Points: 0] [Potential Rating: SSS]
[Harem Slots: 0/10] [Stat Points: 15]
His eyes locked onto the flashing stat points as if they were the only thing keeping him tethered to the ground. His breath came ragged and shallow.
Fuck it all… all of them into agility.
His finger jabbed the stat window with shaky urgency.
[Agility upgraded: C- → B]
A surge of invisible energy pulsed through his veins, like a shot of ice water down his spine. His limbs felt lighter, sharper. He could almost hear the wind whispering secrets to his ears.
He clenched the wooden sword so tightly his knuckles turned bone-white. His palms were slick with sweat, making the grain of the wood bite into his skin.
Alright. Let's try this. I can do this now. At least… I have a little hope.
Ethan sprang forward, legs coiling and releasing like steel springs, his sword slicing through the air, aimed right at Vandelion's ribs.
But Vandelion merely tilted his body aside, graceful as a drifting leaf. A wry grin curled across his face.
"You're too slow, brat."
Then came the blur of movement—so fast it barely registered—before a massive palm slammed across Ethan's cheek.
CRACK.
Stars exploded across Ethan's vision. The world tilted as he went airborne, crashing into the dirt with a thud that rattled his bones.
Copper filled his mouth, the metallic tang of his own blood flooding his tongue. He'd never tasted blood like this before.
"Fucking hell… I messed up real bad…" he gasped out, every breath scraping raw across his throat.
His limbs twitched as he tried to rise, dirt sticking to his sweat-slick skin. His vision swam in a haze of red and white.
"I told you," Vandelion said, his voice steady and eerily calm, like a patient sculptor chiseling marble. "You're not ready to be a knight yet, boy."
Ethan spat blood to the side, watching the crimson droplets soak into the dirt. His chest heaved as he stared at the ground, eyes burning with unshed fury.
Like hell I'm gonna give this up. I'll win this and complete my quest.
He forced himself to his feet, legs shaking, breath ragged. His ribs felt like cracked glass, but he gripped the sword once more, knuckles raw and bleeding.
He lunged at Vandelion again.
Vandelion sidestepped, fluid as water, and drove his fist into Ethan's gut.
A shockwave of pain radiated through Ethan's torso. Air exploded from his lungs in a strangled wheeze.
He staggered sideways, gasping—until suddenly, a calm, metallic voice filled his ears.
[Dominion Warlord Trait Active – Battle Focus]
+20% Speed and Perception for 10 seconds.
Time warped.
The laughter and whispers around him stretched and distorted, like echoes in a cavern. Ethan's eyes widened as the world slowed into perfect clarity.
He saw it all—the subtle shift of Vandelion's left foot before every strike, the micro-twitch in his shoulder, the flex of sinew along his wrist.
I can see everything… His left foot always moves before he swings…
His pupils narrowed into slits as he clenched his jaw.
Feint left. Go right for the hit… and then… boom.
He darted left, blade low, then twisted violently to the right, bringing the wooden sword slashing upward in a vicious arc.
CRACK!
The wood slammed into Vandelion's chest with a loud, resonant thud that echoed across the courtyard.
For a heartbeat, the world held its breath.
Gasps rippled through the knights like a sudden wind. Vandelion blinked, his brows rising as if he'd just glimpsed something utterly unexpected.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
[Knight's Trial Complete.]
[Class Obtained: Knight.]
[Hybrid Path: Dominion Warlord Unlocked.]
Ethan staggered forward, his chest heaving as sweat and blood trickled down his chin. A shaky grin curled across his lips, raw and triumphant.
He dropped to his knees, exhausted muscles finally giving out. His voice broke into a trembling whisper.
"I… fucking did it…"
Around him, the knights exchanged stunned whispers, eyes wide, respect dawning where mockery once lingered.
Vandelion straightened, crossing his arms, face unreadable—but there was a glimmer in his eyes, a flicker of pride that he hadn't shown any other recruit.
"Good strike, boy," he said gruffly, voice echoing across the silent courtyard. "You had me there. Welcome to the Empire's ranks… Ethan Graves."
Ethan forced himself upright, legs trembling, blood dripping steadily from his torn knuckles.
But his grin—it shone like sunlight splitting through storm clouds.
Finally… I have the knight class. Part one… check.
He clenched his fists, staring into the sky as if daring the heavens to challenge him.
Now… it's time to get the Dark Mage class.
He glanced at his system window, eyes burning with fierce resolve.
And somewhere deep in his chest, the echo of victory pounded like a war drum.