When both teams stepped out, they looked at the stands and the people around them in amazement. Shy Osgar hid behind his two friends—or at least tried to, considering he was the tallest in the team.
"Wow, I didn't expect there to be this many people, and yet this is the youth tournament," Osgar thought to himself, a hint of nervousness on his face as they stepped onto the battlefield.
"So this is what the arena looks like, ha-ha, so this is where my story begins," Desimir said, admiring the stands filled with spectators.
The teams moved to opposite corners of the arena, fifty meters apart. The ground was dry dirt; it hadn't rained for days. Dust rose with every step. It was early autumn, still warm, and the late summer sun shone bright. The air was dry, and yellow-green leaves slowly fell from the trees, filling the arena as the trees in the corners cast light shadows. The clouds had parted, leaving a clear blue sky. Nastja was in the stands, cheering for Desimir.
"Come on, Desimir, show them what you've got!"
"Ah, there's Nastja. I can see she's shouting something, but honestly, I can't hear her over all these people," he thought. In the end, he just gave her a thumbs-up and smiled.
The teams were now in their positions. The first team had three tall guys wearing full metal armor; two wielded maces, and one had a sword. Weapons were chosen upon entering the arena. On the other side, Ervin and Desimir wore only light armor and wrist guards, armed with swords. Osgar had removed his heavier armor upon entering the arena. Feeling the warmth, he realized it was pointless to wear full armor, so he now wore leather pants and a chainmail chest piece, wielding a spear.
The referee announced they had one minute to discuss strategy, then the match would begin.
"We have to tire them out. In that armor, they'll get exhausted quickly in this weather, and then we can finish them off," Osgar suggested.
He wasn't particularly strong or skilled in combat, but he had tactical talent.
"Excellent plan, captain," Desimir added jokingly.
At that moment, the referee struck a wooden drum, signaling the start of the match. Desimir and Ervin immediately charged and attacked the opponents. Just as Osgar predicted, their opponents couldn't move as freely or quickly. Desimir and Ervin struck, then dodged to tire them out.
Swords in the youth category were blunt—not lethal but capable of causing injury, stunning, or knocking out an opponent. Maces could inflict heavier damage, but these two moved exceptionally well. Osgar's tactic worked, but the strikes from Desimir and Ervin barely harmed the heavily armored opponents.
As Desimir and Ervin avoided flying maces, Osgar pondered a new plan while standing at a distance.
"Our attacks aren't affecting them at all. Their armor is too thick. No matter how much we tire them, if we don't strike critically, we'll tire ourselves soon too. Think, Osgar, think," he reflected, eventually coming to a conclusion.
At that moment, Ervin stumbled and fell backward, seeing an opponent swing a sword above him and thought it was over. Suddenly, Osgar moved swiftly behind the opponent.
"You need to hit them harder, guys!" he shouted.
He jabbed the blunt end of his spear into Ervin's opponent's neck, knocking him out. Osgar helped Ervin to his feet.
"Now it's three against two. We need to hit them on the back of the head; that's the only way to knock them out, or we have to crush their air," he told Ervin.
The crowd cheered loudly for Osgar's move, while Desimir continued to fight the remaining two members of Team One. It was more of a dodge-and-train exercise than an actual fight. From the stands, officers from the eighth, ninth, and tenth divisions observed in civilian clothing, as they were off-duty.
"This year, we have some good candidates, wouldn't you agree?" said the captain of the ninth division.
"This is just the first match. I wouldn't rush to conclusions," replied the captain of the eighth division, taking a large gulp from his wooden mug.
"Hey, no time to rest!" Desimir shouted as he dodged maces flying toward him, leaping back and shifting his body left and right.
Ervin and Osgar came to his aid. Both members of the first team swung their maces simultaneously, missing Desimir, whose smile widened. Their maces embedded into the ground.
"Just where I wanted you," Desimir thought, noticing the soil was softer there, causing the maces to stick.
"Bravo, Desimir! I can't believe he noticed that spot in the arena," Osgar thought.
From behind, Osgar and Ervin attacked and knocked out their opponents with strikes to the back of the head.
"Let's move on!" the three shouted, realizing they had won.
The referee struck the drum again, signaling the end of the first match. The crowd applauded loudly. Teams Three, Six, and Seven also won their matches. Now only four teams and twelve participants remained.
The semifinals began shortly after, with Team Two facing Team Six. This time, the opponents were slightly better equipped, all wearing light armor—one with a sword, one with a katana, and one with a spear.
"They wear the same armor as us. This time we have to win with pure skill and willpower," Desimir said.
"This is the round to show who the real swordsman is!" Ervin shouted confidently, and the three turned toward their opponents.
The referee signaled the start. A spear flew toward Desimir, which he barely dodged by leaning to the right at the last moment, embedding it into the ground. Sweat ran down his face as Ervin and Osgar charged their opponents.
"Ha-ha, interesting. Let's go." Desimir said, full of excitement.
In the center, Ervin clashed swords with the opponent wielding a katana, while Osgar attacked the one who had thrown the spear at Desimir and was now unarmed. Sparks flew as sword met katana; neither fighter moved an inch. Ervin swung from the right, which was blocked, and the opponent immediately countered. Ervin dodged.
"You're a very skilled swordsman. What's your name?" Ervin shouted as he stepped back quickly.
"If you beat me, you'll find out."
"Great answer! I've been waiting to test my technique for a long time!" Ervin exclaimed.
He thrust his sword toward him and grabbed his swords handle with both hands. The ground trembled lightly around Ervin, dust rising. But his opponent attacked fiercely, which Ervin noticed.
"Too bad, but no matter. I'll gather energy while moving. I still need a bit more to strike," he thought as he evaded attacks.
"You're not just going to run away,are you?. I thought you wanted to know my name." The katana-wielder taunted, which slightly annoyed Ervin, but he had a trick up his sleeve. He planted his feet and prepared for the next attack, blocking it easily without moving an inch.
"Impossible… it's like he cemented his feet into the ground. I felt like I hit a wall," thought the young samurai, stepping back.
"I realized he's gathering some energy, but he's on a high level. I underestimated him; I must focus before he attacks."
"Probably what you're thinking now—but it's too late. I've already gathered enough energy to end this duel."
Full of confidence, Ervin stepped forward, shaking the ground. His opponent raised his weapon to defend, but Ervin appeared right in front of him.
"Damn, I didn't gather enough energy to defend properly. With this much, I can only soften the blow. Guess this is my defeat." he thought, a wry smile on his face.
The entire audience gasped. Ervin struck his opponent's katana, breaking it into pieces and sending the man flying into the arena wall, which cracked on impact. Dust rose as he flew. Everyone watched, except Desimir and Osgar, who seized the opportunity to defeat their opponents.
The referee struck the drum, signaling the end. Everyone stood and cheered. Ervin went to the opponent leaning against the wall and offered his hand.
"My name is Naitu Ujiyoshi, and you're a good swordsman," he said, as Ervin helped him up and out of the arena.
The finals would take place the next day, with Team Two facing Team Three. Until then, all participants had time to rest.
"I'm glad we made it to the finals," Osgar said, sweaty in the locker room.
"Of course we did. All that remains is to win," Ervin replied, changing clothes.
"Exactly. Rest well for tomorrow. See you then," Desimir added, leaving. The other participants left the locker room as well.
After four hours of battles, the city was crowded again. People gathered on the streets; shops reopened. Rulers of the remaining three kingdoms arrived. The tournament was held in Luganor's capital, Tlum. The city gates were open, and guards lined up as the rulers' carriages and their guards arrived.
First entered King Jin Gishic of Ganalor with his wife in their carriage, accompanied by six horsemen in full metal armor with long swords at their belts. The first two carried banners with Ganalor's crest—alternating shades of blue with a silver wave above, a white wind blowing. Ocean elements are depicted in the background, symbolizing the people's oceanic traditions. Next came Emperor Togashi Toshimizu II on horseback, carrying a long katana on his back, accompanied by four riders wearing yoroi armor with katanas at their waists. The first two riders carried a banner showing a golden sun with eight rays on a red-yellow-orange field.
Finally arrived Ailred Vinjeon, ruler of Tolan, accompanied by his guard, recognizable by light armor protecting only the wrists and leather vests with green sleeves, featuring Tolan's crest with golden wheat bending over a blue river on a green field. His guards carried two short swords on their belts. All citizens of Tlum greeted them with applause and cheers, while trumpets sounded.
King Anir Anilu invited them all to dinner. In Tlum stood the royal castle, with outer walls made of solid gray stone, 15 meters high, crowned with watchtowers. Inner walls rose 8 meters, featuring 7 observation towers. Entry was only through the front wooden gate, 5 meters high, lifted by a gear mechanism. The interior consisted of a labyrinth of stone walls with lanterns for nighttime illumination, portraits of the Anilu family, and past ruling dynasties.
At the banquet, four kings sat at a long beech table, conversing while musicians played violins and lutes. Guarding them was Captain Kjaran Brin, a medium height, lean, muscular but not large man with long black hair and a short beard covering the lower part of his pale face and dark eyes. At thirty, he was the youngest captain in the history of the first division, recognized for his talent after winning a knights' tournament at seventeen. Alongside him were one guard from each king, in their distinctive attire.
"I get a strange feeling just standing here," thought Captain Brin, who disliked royal affairs but never hesitated to protect his king.
The dining hall was decorated with paintings of Luganor and various treasures King Anilu had received over the years.
"I hope you are enjoying the dinner, gentlemen," subtly asked Anir.
The table was laden with food from all parts of the kingdom. Luganor, being coastal, offered a variety of seafood—baked fish with tomato or mushroom sauces, lobster, both white and red. Only the blue lobster, a specialty reserved for grand feasts, was missing. Alongside seafood were poultry and meat dishes, filling the hall with aroma.
"Rina must have been very busy today. I don't remember her ever making something like this for me," Kjaran thought of the head cook he had known for years, who began working in the royal kitchen at sixteen, shortly after he joined the royal divisions.
"The food is excellent, my friend," Jin said, taking a sip of beer. Toshimizu and Ailred nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad to hear that. I have a question: would you like to attend the finals of our youth tournament? I know you usually come only for the knights' duels, but this time we have some exceptional young fighters."
"Of course I would. It's always fun to see young talent. But please excuse me—I'm tired and will retire to my chambers," Toshimicu replied, leaving with his guard.
"I'll come too," added Ailred.
"I'll pass. My wife isn't feeling well after the journey, and I'd like to stay with her," said Jin.
"No problem, my friend. That explains why she didn't attend dinner. Would you like the royal doctor to examine her?" Anir offered.
"I'd appreciate that. On the way here, ten forest goblin bandits attacked us. Thanks to my guards, we quickly dealt with them, but my wife sustained a minor knife wound. Nothing serious, but she should rest."
"Why didn't you say earlier? I'll send the doctor immediately, Kjaran!" Anir said, looking at his captain, who nodded and went to fetch the doctor.
Jin thanked him and went to his chambers, after which dinner soon concluded. Kjaran accompanied Anir on the way.
"You don't need to shadow my every step, Kjaran."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I don't like what Jin Gishic said at dinner. I don't fully trust him," Kjaran said, slightly uneasy.
"Do you think anyone wants me dead, my friend?" Anir stopped, looked Kjaran in the eyes, and continued, "If my time has come, let them kill me. If it's my fate, let them kill me."
"I won't allow that," Kjaran responded proudly. "I'll never forget what you did for me fifteen years ago."
Anir placed a hand on his shoulder and laughed.
"Thank you, my friend. Now go get some rest. Tomorrow, the tournament awaits," said the king, entering his room. Two guards stood outside.
"Keep your eyes open. I don't like this visit from the kings," Kjaran said, leaving.
"Yes, sir," the guards responded as night slowly fell and the moon rose into the sky.