As they took their stances and faced each other the crowd went silent in anticipation. This would be the first time they had seen two well trained swordsmen clash.
For the first few minutes they didn't move as their auras tested each other's defenses. It was a clash of colors above the arena. On Chronos' side a brilliant silver with tones of gray, opposite to him the captain's aura was a blend of orange and red like that of a flame.
Finally, both of them moved almost too fast for the spectators to see.
Their blades collided repeatedly, trading blows and dodging with ease. Circling each other as they looked for a weakness in the other's aura. Neither able to land the first blow.
While they fought for an advantage, Sariah noticed that Chronos was not being pushed back despite having a weaker aura. "Gregory, why is Chronos not being pushed back? His aura is weaker than the captains, isn't it?"
Hearing this question the surrounding farmers paid closer attention wanting to know the answer themselves.
"Yes, his aura is weaker, but his mastery is at an advanced level. This means that his aura will flow over his body and weapon more fluidly and with fewer weak points while the captain's mastery is only at the intermediate level. This causes the captain to have more openings and a weaker flow in his aura.
It's like how any ranch hand can dig an irrigation ditch but a farmer can dig it in a way to reach every corner of the field much more easily. The only reason the captain hasn't lost yet is because of his higher level of aura."
This made a lot of sense to the villagers nearby. While he had been explaining this the captain was being pressured by Chronos into a defensive position. Suddenly the captain's sword ignited causing flames to fly off of its edge and forcing Chronos back two meters with a wide swing,
In response Chronos used aura thrust and a quick instep to close the distance without giving his opponent time to recover. Unfortunately, the captain was ready for him and blocked his strike with ease. They both backed off just enough to keep the other in range of their blade.
"You reacted much faster than I thought you could. That thrust was much sharper than I thought it would be." He said as he checked a tear on his sleeve.
"If I hadn't closed the distance I would have lost already. Your style is very aggressive but that makes you weak on defense."
"I normally have a shield to make up for it, unfortunately it is broken right now."
"Once you get it fixed, I would like to have a rematch."
Both of them smiled, understanding that the other liked to fight just as much as they did. Their auras flared outward and then condensed as they prepared for a final clash between them. Once their body enhancement reached its peak, they charged at each other.
The captain's blade lit up with red flames as it descended in a slash aimed at Chronos' head. Chronos brought his blade up with a durable edge coating it, the flame blade was deflected to the right while Chronos' blade struck at the captain's left. The captain sidestepped this strike and once again swung, this time at Chronos' side. Chronos blocked it before stepping in to shoulder check the captain.
Boom
A small explosion surprised everyone as the captain was thrown backwards and landed on his side. By the time he recovered Chronos' sword was at his throat. "It's my victory captain."
"I admit my defeat. Was that an impact technique from your shoulder? I didn't even know that was possible."
"The impact technique is very easy to form and can be small enough to be cast through your fingers. It makes a very good surprise, even when it is not lethal."
"I agree. I'll have to practice it more from now on."
He offered his hand to help the captain up. "Come on, let me treat you to a drink."
As the two of them stepped off the stage a cheer went up from the crowd congratulating them on such a wonderful fight. Most of these villagers would struggle to reach the soldier rank so this was the first time they had seen a fight at the knight rank.
Many of the younger generation were considering going to the city to receive proper training. The battle tonight had opened their eyes to what could be achieved with hard work.
As the night wore on the captain was taken away by a young pretty woman to dance. Chronos didn't think he would see him again before morning, but Gregory and Sariah had already come over to keep him company.
"You're not going to find a dance partner?"
"No, we're too close to home. The child would be taken away or get in trouble here."
"I just meant for a dance you pervert!"
"She is really innocent isn't she Greg."
"Yes, and it can be such a hassle sometimes." He said with a sigh.
"I'm not that bad!"
"I had to rescue you twice from wandering off with a stranger already."
She looked away in embarrassment as she sipped on her drink.
"You sure that wasn't just an excuse to hold your hand, Greg?"
"Shutup!" She suddenly yelled before storming off to the carriage and erecting a barrier around it.
"Now you've done it Chronos, we will be sleeping outside tonight."
"Sorry, I couldn't help teasing her. She reacts far more than you do." Chronos laughed as she left. "We should also get some rest. The caravan will be on the move early, even with these festivities."
"Agreed."
Heading to bed they let others enjoy the party late into the night.
The next morning Chronos woke up just before sunrise, considerably later than he usually did, right next to his face was the old queen bee. She had brought out a honeycomb that was warping space within a few centimeters of itself. It was only the size of his palm, but it smelled high quality, like it had been inside the core of the hive for a long time.
"Good morning. Is this your last flight?" She buzzed in response and gestured in the direction of the rose field he had passed yesterday.
"It's not a bad spot for your final resting place. Would you like me to accompany you?" She buzzed in a lower tone before flying off on her own and leaving the honeycomb behind.
"Thank you for the food and may you rest in the goddess's fields of plenty."
Getting up Chronos began his morning training to wake up his body while thinking about what to make with this special honey.
Once Gregory and Sariah were up Chronos made some oatmeal and added the honey to it. When he took the first bite, he felt a sudden surge of energy through his body but couldn't explain where it came from.
"Did you feel that?"
"Feel what?"
"When I took a bite something changed in me. Did nothing happen for you two?"
"No"
"Maybe it's something unique to your bloodline. We know that the Beklaedning clan is unusual."
"If it is then I need to write a second letter to my father."
Continuing to eat he felt multiple surges of energy and felt like he was on the cusp of understanding something, but it was just out of his reach. Chronos was certain now that the special honey was interacting with his bloodline but didn't know why or how.
As the caravan prepared to leave Chronos wrote two letters, one to encourage the naming of the village and one to report what had happened when he ate the special honey, before going to meet the village chief for the last time.
"Hello Chief Jacob, I have the recommendation letter for your village here, I also have a second letter I would like delivered to the lord. I put my seal on both letters so the guards will let your messenger speak with someone of influence. My personal suggestion for the village's name is Himmelbi village. It has meaning in my clan's language, but I'll leave that for you to find out." He said as he smiled like a mischievous child.
"Ah, thank you. This will make the process much faster but is it fine for you to put your seal on these letters? I wouldn't want you to get in trouble when we can just wait to receive a name."
"It's fine, the clan will understand when they get here. Well I should get going before the caravan leaves without me. I wish you luck in developing your village further."
"Before you leave, take five barrels of honey mead and honey with you for trade. Your carriage looks empty, that is never a good thing for a merchant. Good luck with your travels."
With his business in the village finished Chronos rejoined the caravan, loading the carriage just before it left. As they trundled down the road Chronos remembered that yesterday there had been no creatures on the road to the village. Today would be very boring as he realized that the new hive was keeping anything dangerous away from the village.
At least for the first half of the day, if he was lucky, they might encounter something further away from the village and that hope made him smile.