In the training grounds Eden had asked all her soldiers to dress in their full armor because she didn't know how things would work out. They were ready for a boss fight, except it was Eden's dragon. Arthur was in his new gear and asked, "Commander, how did you know you would be able to make the dragon submit to you?" Eden laughed a little and then replied,
"I had a dream the night before. These were words of a book I hold very close to my heart. In my dream I was told to recite the words when faced with a dragon and not to fear for God is with me."
Arthur felt like he might have come across something similar, but he couldn't remember. Then he noticed that the lycans showed up, except Oscar. He asked Eden if they were also going to participate. Eden nodded and said, "I need all able bodies that can go with me to battle to take this challenge. Another tall figure arrived that neither of the other Generals expected to see since he mainly kept to himself and followed his job description to the tee without stepping outside of his role. He had wide soldiers, a tall body, muscles, short silver hair and green eyes. He was dressed in white armor with gold lining on it. It was the Wall General, Maximilian. Eden had gone to him personally to invite him to take the challenge.
Sylvie got a whiff of his scent and her eyes flickered with a light. The other lycans also reacted curiously. Kane mindlink Sylvie, "a magical creature that has the scent of the forest. What should we do?" Sylvie responded to him knowing the rest were listening as well, "we stay on guard and near Eden." The rest nodded in agreement. They were not the only ones who felt the uneasiness of this turn of event. Arthur looked at the rest of the Generals who were waiting for his response. He then said, "stay near." But before he could finish his sentence, Eden cut him off and said,
"Do you think Erza would allow someone with a treacherous heart within the walls of my castle and accomplish their motive? The incident from the server war was already ordained before it came to pass. The Lycans would not be here had Erza not allowed them to walk away. Don't worry yourselves over the details. I am well protected."
Even though her words meant to deter their suspicious feelings, they all felt an instinct to protect. It was because Maximilian's race was rarely seen and understood. He was an elf that was captured and placed in the same position as the lycans. Eden said,
"Since you all are so eager to see his resolve, let's have Maximilian take the first trial." Then she turned to look at Maximilian and said, "today, you will show me whether you are fit to protect my castle and my people. I have been using the protective shield to keep everyone safe so far. This dragon has not seen battle and wishes to see it. If you succeed in gaining his trust to be his rider, I will promote to you an attack general and replace your position with another able General. In battle you will be by my side defending me and assisting to help the rest here progress. The alternative choice is to walk away from this challenge, but by doing so I will no longer need your services. You may return and find a new monarch to contract you. I don't have space for someone who won't fight as if their life depended on it to protect my people. If you look around, there are more than willing able bodies here who can do your job as the main wall general."
General Maximilian kneeled before Eden and lowered his head, "I will show you I can be this dragon's rider, but I wish to stay as your main wall general. There is no other here who can defend our home as fiercely as I can. My life is at your disposal. I deeply apologize to the dragon for refusing to leave my position." Eden took in a deep breath because that was the best outcome she could have hoped for. She was unaware of Maximilian's race, but she knew he wasn't human. Then she said, "Begin."
The flaps of the dragon's wings were heard as Ikarus got closer. Maximilian turned to face the beast and walked to the center. Then before Ikarus could descend from the sky to strike Maximilian, something was already traveling like a bullet to the dragon leaving a thundering sound as it left the ground. It was Maximilian who made the first move. He pierced Ikarus left wing with his sword making him fall down. Ikarus blew fire in the path he was traveling and the fire hit his wounded wing that he spread out. The wound closed and Ikarus was able to glide down. Then Ikarus turned to look up to find Maximilian already dropping in his direction. Ikarus let out a large fire blast towards the sky that covered the arena. Then he flipped his tail in the last known direction of Maximilian. When his tail whipped the first time, it split the fire and Maximilian had his shield in front of him that prevented him from getting burned. Then the next whip of Ikarus' tail managed to hit Maximilian to the ground. There was a crowd beginning to accumulate on the outside of the arena because they heard the Generals and the mages would be fighting a Dragon. They arrived to watch Maximilian take off to the sky. He bent his knees, then it looked like he powered up and left behind. The vibrations ricochet on the walls and ears of the onlookers. They had high hopes for Maximilian, until they saw him get swatted like a fly to the ground.
Then Maximilian moved as quick as he landed towards Ikarus. But Ikarus was waiting for him and he let out another fire blast towards him. Maximilian leaped in the air and tossed his sword at Ikarus quickly. It made a whistling sound headed straight towards the dragon's head. Then Eden said, "Erza." Erza took off at lightning speed and appeared before Ikarus' eyes. Then with a simple look at the sword it stopped mid air. She examined it and let it drop to the ground. Maximilian landed graciously and kneeled towards Eden. Erza spoke, "the sword's trajectory was headed towards Ikarus' right eye. It would not have killed him, but give Maximilian enough time to get close and bind him to the ground or end him if wished." Then Eden clapped. The crowd bursted in cheer and clapped as well. Eden looked at Ikarus, who was livid at his quick loss. Eden said, "Four moves, that's how many it would have taken him." Ikarus wanted to get into battle mode with Maximilan, but he wouldn't want a second loss in less than four moves.
Then Sylvie stepped forward, "I'll do it in less than three." Ikarus got furious at the challenge that if it wasn't for Erza standing in front of him, he would have tried to bite the head off of Sylvie. He wasn't a practice dragon. He was the real thing. His memories were locked, but he sensed that he could be better. Then Eden said, " Erza, can you use a healing potion on him to restore his injury? He deserves to be in top condition for each challenger." Then Erza gave a healing potion to the dragon to drink by pouring it into his mouth.