The swords collided, not with the crash of metal, but with a concussive boom.

Cain lashed out with a series of straightforward slashesnonetheless, Baron Ashval was fully occupied with preventing the strikes from biting into his flesh. Unfortunately for him, their swords seemed to be magnetically drawn to each other.

The Baron stared at his sword, perplexed. Whats going on here?

Huh. Cain exhaled sharply as he jumped. He gripped his man-sized sword in both hands and slammed it down with the weight of his entire body. Baron Ashval was crushed. The sheer force of the impact drove his feet into the ground and sent a sharp pain running down his spine.

Cain smiled grimly.

One. More. Time.

This time, Cain jumped a bit higher. He added a spin at the top, augmenting the force of his attack.

Such huge moves were frowned upon in a battle between the strong1. The blatant disregard for Baron Ashval made him erupt like a volcano.

Boy! He wrenched his mana into motion. A little more focused. A little more purposeful. There was more mana in his sword than a B-Class Knight could harness. It fluctuated violently from moment to moment but bathed his sword in misty blue flames.

Aura Blade! No one knew who said it.

Cains body flopped into a far corner.

AGH Ugh. The young knight coughed bloody phlegm, wincing at his bruised innards, and smiled bitterly. I didnt expect you to reach A-Class that fast.

This is what a proper teacher gets you, rather than learning from some shady con man. Ashval sneered. If you crawl like a dog and lick my boots maybe kneel before my crotch as well2, and Ill spare your life. I might cut off a few limbs or a muscle here and there Maybe rip out an eye or two? But you wont die.

Some of the enemys knights burst out laughing as Baron Ashval thrust his hips provocatively3.

Sir Cain Charles stared at Cain anxiously.

Heuk. Cain spat a glob of blood. Ill think about it once Baron Ashval eats a few of my attacks.

See that? Thats a person who still cant tell his asshole from a hole in the ground. Ahhhh I guess Ill just have to beat it into his head. He wagged his finger at Cain. Come here. Ill make you understand how weak and worthless you are.

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Even if you didnt say anything Cain drew his body taut like a bowstring. thats exactly what I was planning on doing.

Cain barreled toward the Baron like a loose cannonball, much faster than the older man expected.

The second round did not go like the first. Their blades met with just as much explosive force, but Cain was not as wild as he was earlier. Baron Ashval realized that he wouldnt be able to snap Cains blade. Supposedly, there was nothing in the world that an Aura Blade couldnt cut, making it the ultimate weaponbut something was stopping him from unleashing its total power.

Crazy! Ashval cussed as he was sprayed with blue sparks.

A-Class was something every knight dreams of facing. You could not retreat from it. It not only persists, but it constantly presses the enemy.

It wasnt like Baron Ashvals deep blue mana. This threat was subdued but menacing. Powerful, refined, and indisputable.

It was Aura Blade. Astonishingly, the young man had proven himself to be an A-Class, just like Baron Ashval.

There was a bang, and then a shadow went bouncing across the field.

You What did youUgh! Baron Ashval puked blood. He struggled mightily but eventually collapsed to one knee.

What was it you said? Cain grinned cruelly and hefted his gigantic sword over his shoulder, reminiscent of a certain someone. Oh, right: Crawl like a dog, lick my boots, kneel before my crotch, and I might just let you live. Cutting off your limbs and eyeballs is too easy, dont you think? How about we feed it to an orc or something while youre still conscious? Like, Ill take your eyeball out and dangle it in front of you for the monsters to eat.

Baron Ashval could only grit his teeth before Cains scathing tongue. He couldnt believe it, even after seeing it with his own eyes. It took him nearly fifty years of hard work to reach this state. Fifty years were sacrificed to birth an A-Class Knight in the Deogrant family.

And this kid, barely out of puberty, was already at the same level as him. He might be thirty years old at the oldest.

Dont make me laugh! Tears of blood welled in Baron Ashvals eyes. His hoarse cry bordered on a scream laden with jealousy and envy of Cains strength. It felt as if his entire lifes work had been invalidated with one word: talent.

His very mana trembled. The air around Baron Ashval sank and rumbled until it suddenly stilled.

And then it collapsed.

UWAAAAAAAAAA!

This is bad Cain backed away with an awkward smile.

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Wha-What?

Fire! Fire!

The reed field went up in flames, obscuring the air and sending the knights into a panic.

Excellent timing. Cains grin widened. He swiped his blade one last time, capturing the weakened Baron in a flash of shadow.

Sir Sir Cain?

Cain looked over his shoulder. Very soon, the most powerful reinforcements in history will cut us an escape route. The Young Lady and everyone else needs to follow my lead.

Y-Yes! Charles was curious about the most powerful reinforcements in history, but she wasnt in a position to question him.

She got her answer soon enough.

Its the B-Black Knight!

The Dennis Rivers Black Knight!

M-M-Move!

Cain strode onto the path without hesitation.

Lets go! Knights, follow me closely and cover the flanks.

Yes!

Charless group slipped out of the encirclement into the growing flames.

Leo de Grans and the Lion King peered anxiously at the Reinhardt-Avalon border. The other Wilhelm Knights wore similar expressions.

There were 3,000 troops standing in their path.

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Why are there so many interesting people on the outskirts of Reinhardt?

This seems like a bit much. There are usually only a thousand of them; this looks like three thousand at minimum.

Ah What a pain. The Lion King rubbed his head.

Joshua stepped toward the troops.

I am Joshua Sanders, Baron of Avalon.

Someone on the other side moved to meet him. The aged knight wore a red cloak over his plate armor, identifying himself as the troops commander.

I am Count Castar. I oversee the protection of Reinhardts border. We welcome Baron Joshua Sanders, proud Master of Avalon, to his return.

The Wilhelm Knights puffed themselves up. Their king was favored, it seemed.

We have been granted the honor of escorting the pride of Avalon home.

I appreciate your hospitality.

But Count Castar peeked at the gaggle behind Joshua. I was unaware you would be accompanied by a party like this. These knights, well I wont question your relationship with them, but I must inform you that I cannot allow them to pass. Their identities are unknown. Im sorry, but I must place the security of the border before your escort.

Ah Leo sighed despondently.

It was only to be expected. Count Castars response was completely reasonableafter all, who would let a hundred unknown knights wander through the border unchecked? The responsibility fell on Count Castar alone.

The Wilhelm Knights wanted to follow the kings journey to its conclusion, but it appears they would stop here instead.

I am The Lion King was about to step forward.

Theyre my knights, Joshua said. His voice was rather quiet, almost casualbut it struck a chord deep in the Wilhelm Knights hearts.

Their fists clenched. Our king. Leos words lingered in their minds.

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Is there a problem with that? Joshua asked.