CHAPTER 18: THE TRIAL TO EARN HIS ROBE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Trial to Earn His Robe

Kevin stared at the black robe hanging from Orion’s hand.

It was simple. Black fabric. A silver emblem stitched across the chest, the symbol of the Veil Order.

To anyone else, it might have looked ordinary.

To Kevin, it looked like everything he had spent eighteen years fighting for.

A place.

A purpose.

A chance.

He reached for it.

Orion pulled it away.

Kevin blinked. “…What?”

“You haven’t earned it.”

The words hit harder than any spell.

Kevin lowered his hand. “But you accepted me into the Veil Order.”

“I did.”

“So…”

“You were accepted.” Orion turned toward the courtyard. “That doesn’t mean you’re ready to wear the robe.”

Kevin followed his gaze.

Three people stood across the training grounds. They had been waiting.

One was a young man with messy dark hair and an expression far too excited. The moment Kevin looked at him, he grinned.

“Finally!” He cracked his knuckles. “I was starting to think Captain Orion would make me wait all day.”

“Who are they?” Kevin asked.

“Senior members of the Veil Order.”

The energetic man stepped forward. “Renn Veylor.” Lightning crackled between his fingers. “Senior Magical Knight.” His grin widened. “And hopefully the first person to knock you through that wall.”

Kevin stared.

Renn laughed. “I like you already.”

I don’t, Veyr said inside Kevin’s head.

Kevin nearly jumped. You don’t even know him.

I know enough. Anyone who introduces himself by announcing how badly he intends to beat you is either an idiot or dangerously confident.

Renn’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you staring into space?”

Kevin coughed. “No reason.”

Tell him I said he’s ugly.

I’m not telling him that.

Coward.

Orion raised a hand. “Kevin.”

“Yes, Captain?”

“To receive your robe, you will fight three senior members.”

Kevin looked at the three fighters. “All three?”

“One after another.”

Renn’s grin widened. “You don’t get much rest between fights, either.”

Kevin swallowed.

“Defeat all three,” Orion said, “and you earn your robe.”

“And if I lose?”

“You leave the training grounds without it.”

Kevin looked down at his hands. The mark on his wrist glowed faintly beneath his sleeve. He clenched his fists.

“I’ll do it.”

Renn laughed. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

* * *

The First Fight

The courtyard cleared.

Kevin stepped into the center. Renn faced him, rolling his shoulders.

“So, Riven. I heard you’re the guy who got rejected by every Captain.”

Kevin’s face tightened.

Renn noticed. “Ah.” He smiled. “Too soon?”

Kevin said nothing.

He’s trying to provoke you, Veyr said.

I know.

Excellent. Now don’t be stupid.

I won’t.

You say that as if your entire existence hasn’t been one long argument against intelligence.

Kevin sighed. “You’re really annoying.”

Renn raised an eyebrow. “Who are you talking to?”

“My guardian.”

“You have a guardian?” Renn’s smile grew. “Interesting.”

Orion raised his hand. “Begin.”

Renn vanished.

Kevin barely saw him. A flash of lightning struck his side.

BOOM!

He was hurled across the courtyard and rolled several times before stopping.

He pushed himself up. Renn stood exactly where he had been.

“Too slow.”

Kevin raised his hand. “Crimson Barrier!”

A red shield formed. Renn disappeared again.

CRACK!

The barrier shattered. Kevin staggered. Another strike. Then another. Lightning flashed from every direction. He tried to follow Renn’s movements. Left. Right. Behind.

Too fast.

A kick slammed into his back, and he crashed to the ground.

Wonderful, Veyr said.

What?

You are being beaten so efficiently that I almost feel embarrassed for you.

Helpful.

I am a dragon, not a nurse.

Kevin pushed himself up. Renn charged.

“Crimson Blade!”

The crimson weapon formed in his hand. Renn smiled. “There you are.”

Lightning wrapped around his body.

Kevin swung.

Renn vanished. The blade cut through empty air.

Then—

BANG!

A fist slammed into Kevin’s stomach. He folded over. A second strike sent him flying. He hit the ground hard.

The spectators at the edge of the courtyard murmured.

Kevin’s breathing grew heavy. Renn wasn’t merely fast. He was changing direction before Kevin could predict him.

Kevin closed his eyes.

Stop chasing him, Veyr said.

His eyes opened. What?

You keep trying to react to where he is.

Because he’s fast.

Exactly. So stop watching where he is.

Kevin frowned.

Watch where he wants to go.

Kevin looked at Renn. The lightning. The footwork. The shoulders. The direction of every attack.

Renn vanished again.

Kevin didn’t move.

The lightning came from his right.

Kevin stepped left.

Renn’s fist passed beside his face. Renn’s eyes widened.

Kevin turned. “Crimson Chain!”

The chain shot from his palm. Renn twisted away. It missed.

But Kevin smiled.

He had seen it.

Every time Renn accelerated, his left foot touched the ground first.

Kevin waited.

Renn attacked again. Left foot. Kevin moved. The lightning flashed. Kevin ducked. Renn appeared behind him. Kevin spun.

“Now!”

The Crimson Chain snapped around Renn’s ankle.

“What—?”

Kevin pulled. Renn crashed onto his back. Kevin rushed in, Crimson Blade in hand, and stopped it inches from Renn’s chest.

Silence.

Renn stared at the blade.

Then burst out laughing. “HAHA!”

Kevin lowered the sword.

Renn sat up. “You figured me out.”

Kevin panted. “You were fast.”

Renn rose. “But predictable.” His smile grew enormous. “I like you even more now.”

Wonderful, Veyr said dryly. The idiot has developed affection for you.

Kevin almost laughed.

Orion stepped forward. “Renn.”

Renn nodded. “He wins.”

Kevin’s shoulders dropped. His first victory.

But before he could celebrate—

Renn pointed behind him. “Don’t get comfortable.”

Kevin turned.

The second senior was already walking onto the courtyard.

* * *

The Second Fight

He was enormous.

Not merely tall.

Massive.

His body looked carved from stone. Thick arms. Broad shoulders. A sleeveless black uniform. Fists wrapped in reinforced gloves.

He stopped several meters from Kevin. “Bram Kain.”

Kevin stared.

Bram cracked his neck. “Reinforcement Magic.”

Kevin glanced at his own trembling hands. His body was already worn out. Renn had pushed him hard.

Bram noticed. “You look tired.”

Kevin straightened. “I can still fight.”

Bram smiled. “Good.”

Excellent, Veyr muttered. Another oversized idiot.

Please don’t start.

I am merely observing that someone appears to have mistaken muscles for a personality.

Kevin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

Bram frowned. “Something funny?”

“No.”

Coward.

Orion raised his hand. “Begin.”

Bram slammed his fist into the ground. “Reinforcement Magic: Iron Frame!”

His whole body hardened. The ground cracked beneath his feet.

Kevin’s eyes widened.

Bram charged.

“Crimson Barrier!”

BOOM!

The barrier detonated at once. Kevin flew backward and landed on one knee. Bram was already there. A fist crashed into his shoulder. Pain tore through him. He fell sideways. He tried to rise.

Another punch. Then another.

Bram wasn’t as fast as Renn.

He didn’t need to be. Every attack carried devastating force.

Kevin raised his Crimson Blade. Bram blocked with his forearm. The blade scraped across his reinforced skin.

Bram grinned. “That’s it?”

Kevin swung again. Bram caught his wrist.

“Too weak.”

He hurled Kevin across the courtyard. Kevin slammed into the ground. His chest burned. His vision blurred.

Kevin, Veyr said.

I’m fine.

No, you’re not.

Kevin forced himself upright.

Bram strode toward him. “You’ve got determination.”

Kevin raised his fists.

“But determination won’t stop my fist.”

Bram punched. Kevin blocked. The impact sent him sliding backward, his feet carving trenches in the dirt. His arms shook.

Bram attacked again. Kevin dodged. Again. Again.

Kevin couldn’t overpower him.

So he stopped trying.

He watched.

Bram’s movements were heavy. His attacks were crushing. But every time he struck with his right hand, his left side opened.

Kevin waited.

Bram swung. Kevin sidestepped.

“Crimson Chain!”

The chain coiled around Bram’s arm. Kevin pulled.

Bram barely moved.

Kevin’s eyes widened.

Bram laughed. “You thought that would work?”

He yanked the chain. Kevin was dragged toward him.

“Oh, no.”

Bram raised his fist.

Kevin released the chain and dropped beneath the punch. The fist passed over his head. He drove his palm into Bram’s side.

“Crimson Pierce!”

The spell struck the weak point beneath Bram’s ribs.

Bram staggered.

Kevin attacked again. And again. Not with greater strength.

With precision.

Bram finally dropped to one knee.

Kevin stood several meters away, gasping.

Bram looked at him. Then laughed. “Good.” He planted one hand on the ground. “Very good.”

He pushed himself upright.

Kevin’s heart sank.

He was still standing.

Bram wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. “Unfortunately…”

His body began to glow.

“…I’m not finished.”

Oh, Veyr said.

Kevin swallowed. What?

You know that moment when a person realizes they have made a terrible mistake?

Yes.

This is yours.

Bram’s reinforcement magic surged. The ground split beneath him. Kevin tightened his grip on the Codex. His breathing was ragged. Every inch of his body hurt.

He had already beaten one senior. Now he had pushed the second to his limit.

And a third was still waiting.

Bram charged.

Kevin threw up his arms.

The impact smashed him through the training wall. Stone collapsed around him.

For several seconds, he didn’t move.

Orion’s expression hardened. Renn stopped smiling. Bram stared at the rubble.

“Kevin?”

Silence.

Then—

A hand emerged from the debris.

Kevin slowly pulled himself free. Blood ran down the side of his face. His knees shook.

But he stood.

Bram’s expression changed.

Kevin looked at him. “I…” He wiped blood from his mouth. “…still have a fight left in me.”

You are either incredibly brave… Veyr said.

Kevin waited.

…or spectacularly stupid.

Kevin smiled weakly. Probably both.

For the first time, Veyr was silent.

Then he laughed.

Now you’re learning.

Kevin raised his Codex. Its pages fluttered violently in the wind.

Somewhere deep within those black pages…

Something stirred.

Kevin didn’t notice.

Not yet.

But the five-point Codex had begun to respond.

And waiting beyond Bram Kain was the one who would push Kevin farther than he had ever been pushed before.