《Forged by Mana》


 Chapter 1

    I caught my breath after training, my muscles aching. Sweat dripped from my hair as hurried footsteps pounded against the dirt.


    I turned to see my father rushing toward me, His black hair and sharp eyes mirrored my own. He stopped right in front of me, panting. ¡°What''s wrong, Dad?¡±


    "Soren, go to the Commander now! I saw enemy soldiers marching nearby in the forest¡ªquickly," my father ordered, "They¡­ have a rank 5 swordsman with them, this is really bad." He clenched his fists as he spoke.


    Who is planning to attack us? The kingdom of Elderat has many enemies; if they want to attack us, so be it but do they have to invade our Goldshire first?


    "I¡¯m on it." Worries gnawed at me, but I had no time for questions¡ªI had to focus on the task at hand.


    I sprinted toward the outpost, which was visible even from the Training Ground.


    Though my muscles were sore from training, I pushed on. The outpost served as a lookout tower, keeping watch over the town and housing the guards for emergencies such as this.


    Wouldn''t we even be able to defend our town? It''s not like the Commanders can handle the rank 5 swordsman.


    As I reached the outpost, I slid to a halt, swung open the wooden door, and took a moment to catch my breath, my lungs burning from running without catching my breath properly after training.


    I saw the Commander standing up, talking to a guard, and I quickly walked toward him.


    "Kid!" Commander Alex called out. "Why are you here? Is everything fine, Kid?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.


    "I''m fine, but Commander my father saw enemy troops marching nearby in the forest," I said in a worried tone, "They also have a rank 5 swordsman; I don''t think we can defend the village without reinforcements."


    "This is bad news, I''ll try to contact the royal family for aid,¡± he said as he rustled his hair, ¡°take the test for rank 1 tomorrow, we will take all the help we can get Kid, tell Reynard, I mean your Father to scout out the enemy numbers and report back to me," he instructed.


    The Commander''s jaw clenched, and his expression grew tense. Without hesitation, he turned to the guards, ordering them to prepare for action; his grim expression said it all¡ªhe knew he didn''t stand a chance against a rank 5 swordsman.


    I slumped down into a nearby chair, after a moment I trudged out of the outpost, my legs felt heavy from exhaustion.


    I noticed the bustling activity around me. Merchants waving around fabrics and trinkets at passing customers, the scent of meat and freshly baked bread through the air, making my stomach growl.


    Do these people even know what might happen to us if we do not manage to defend our town?


    Soon, I saw my house just as it always looked: a modest two-story home with a small garden. It was simple, yet it felt warm and welcoming.


    I stepped towards the front door and took a deep breath; I opened the door and walked in.


    Dad''s probably out there warning the people about the danger; I need to relay the orders Commander Alex gave me to him, alas, I can only wait.


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    Hunger gnawed at me as I headed to the kitchen. Cooking something simple was the only way to distract myself. Soon, the scent of porridge filled the air.


    After I finished cooking, I put the bowl filled with porridge on the table and began eating the food.


    I wonder when Dad will allow me to take the test so I can get my rank 1 swordsman badge and help him.


    I heard the door creak; I finished eating my food as my father walked into the kitchen; he seemed quite exhausted from his duties.


    ¡°The Commander asked you to go scout out the enemy numbers Dad,¡± I said as I stood up.


    ¡°Alright, I will go immediately,¡± he said as if he was expecting it.


    ¡°He also told me to take the test, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Meet me in the training ground; I will be there as soon as I return,¡± he said as he walked away.


    So tomorrow, I will finally be taking the test; my father had stopped me since I broke through to rank 1 six months ago.


    I heard the door open again and then close; my father had left, and now that I was left all alone at home, I went to my room and sat down on my bed; I closed my eyes and began absorbing Mana from my surroundings into my Core.


    If this attack was caused by one of the three Kingdoms, then there will be a war. I must grow stronger if I don''t want to die a useless death; I also can''t just leave behind Dad and Commander Alex.


    Even Commander Alex wouldn''t stand a chance against a rank 5 swordsman.


    When you reach a higher rank, not only does your mana core become stronger¡ªallowing you to store more mana, but your Mana Growth allows you to channel your Mana faster, as if that alone wasn''t enough, your Mana also grows stronger.


    After absorbing Mana for a few hours, I opened my eyes and stretched my body before I walked out of my house and began strolling towards the Training Ground.


    I saw my father and the Commander talking about something in the Training Ground.


    Dad''s probably telling Commander Alex about what he found out as he scouted the enemy.


    I quickly picked up my pace and reached him, Commander Alex left before he waved his hand towards me.


    "What did you find out, Dad?" I asked, curious to know what he had found.


    "They have set up a camp in the forest, most likely preparing to attack us, and the bad part is there are quite a lot of them," he didn''t seem very happy as he replied.


    Our country has many enemies, but why do they have to attack our town out of all of the places they can launch an assault, curses.


    "So, were they from the kingdom of Reinhart?" I asked as I stared at my father.


    "Yes, they were from the kingdom of Reinhart," He said with an annoyed expression on his face, "They are rallying up their troops to attack Goldshire, it will only take them at most a week to rally up, there are so many of them that even if reinforcement arrive we will still lose,¡± he said as he crossed his arms.


    The situation is worse than I thought; we all might lose our lives here.


    ¡°It seems they want to invade the entirety of the Kingdom of Elderat, it simply doesn''t make sense that they have brought three rank 5 swordsmen with them to conquer a small town such as ours¡­"


    Damn it¡­ Three rank 5 swordsmen! This is even worse than I thought before; we stand no chance, and now our only hope is the Reinforcements from the kingdom.


    My father sighed before he spoke, "Soren, spar with me if you do not even land a single hit on me, I won''t let you fight in this battle of life and death, you must escape at all cost, however, if you land a hit on me I will allow you to participate in this battle" his voice had a serious tone,


    "I won''t let you take the test if you fail to land even a single hit.¡± he grabbed a wooden sword from a nearby rack.


    ¡°Yes, Dad, I will make sure not to disappoint you.¡±


    Dad underestimates me a lot; I have been pouring blood, sweat, and tears into my training since I reached rank 1; if I can''t even land a single hit on him, then I don''t deserve to participate in the battle.


    I walked to a rack holding wooden swords; I grabbed one and walked toward my father, staying away an arm''s length.


    I held my sword up and took a deep breath. Immediately, He charged straight toward me; he swung his wooden sword, aiming for my head. I raised my sword to block his strike; the impact from the strike was straining my arms.


    Before I could retaliate. He struck at my leg. I hit the hard dirt ground before I could even react, "Focus, Soren!" He said coldly.


    Damn it, how can he expect me to keep up with him when he is a rank 3 swordsman?


    I tightened my grip on my sword and stood back up. I need to be cool-headed; I must not lose my temper. I thought before we started sparring again.


    Our swords clashed over and over. I tried to aim for his ribs, head, legs, anywhere I could land a strike, but every time, he was faster and stronger than me.


    He stepped closer towards me and swung, his sword lashing out, aiming for my head but it was a feint, he quickly moved around and struck at my legs; I barely got my sword down in time; the impact rattled my arms, and my shoulder grew heavier every second, and my breath grew uneven.


    I must Use Swift Strike now, he doesn''t know I can use it!


    I hardened my grip on the wooden sword as I used the only technique I knew¡ªSwift Strike, a technique that empowered my sword strikes. Mana surged inside my arms and legs, amplifying my speed and strength.


    I lunged forward as fast as I could, my body on the verge of collapse. I pushed aside all the pain and clenched my teeth.


    He rushed to block my strike. He barely managed to block my strike in time; the impact from the clash sent him sliding back a yard; he seemed clearly surprised as to what happened.


    This should be enough to convince him to let me join in the battle and take the test.


    "You brat, since when did you learn to use Swift Strike?" he said as he smiled.


    "I kept practicing Swift Strike after you taught me the basics of it," A smile crept on my face, clearly feeling proud, "Can I now join in the war?"


    "Fine, but get your swordsmanship license first, and during the battle, you must stay with me." He said as he walked towards me, "Let''s go back home now, it is late."


    He patted my shoulder. "Soren, you have become much stronger than I gave you credit for. good job you snobby brat," he spoke with a warm smile.


    Now I knew what I had to do. I had to become stronger, much stronger; even my father wouldn''t stand a chance against a rank 5 swordsman; he is only a rank 3 swordsman; I must become stronger for his sake. I must protect everything precious to me!

 Chapter 2

    I had prepared everything I could, wearing the leather armor my father had given me and carrying the sword he had bought for me. I left my home and made my way to the Town center where the test was being held.


    Today, I would officially become a rank 1 swordsman and help my father. I had waited for this day for a long time.


    As I reached the building, I took a deep breath and entered the giant cube-shaped building. The building was made out of concrete.


    The test center was far fancier than I had expected. Almost like a noble¡¯s mansion.


    There were a lot of applicants lining up to take the test; there were three lines, and each line correlated to the rank of the test.


    I walked toward the first line and waited for my turn.


    The test for rank 1 was simple. I just had to defeat or have a stalemate with an examiner, who was also a rank 1 swordsman. If I defeat him, I''ll even qualify to take the test for rank 2.


    I quickly got my head out of my thoughts and walked forward when it was my turn, "Name?" A frail and thin man asked, "Soren Veyrin." "Please go to the arena and wait till your name is called, NEXT,¡± he said in a moody tone.


    The man barely glanced at me before calling the next applicant. I frowned.


    He was quite an impatient man.


    The arena was a wide and open area with a lot of spectators sitting above watching the matches.


    I was surprised by the sheer size of the arena. It was much bigger than I had imagined.


    I sat down on one of the available seats. Two men clashed their swords in the ring. While a judge observed.


    The man who seemed to be taking the test had short brown hair and brown eyes, he was wearing leather armor on top of his linen clothes, while the man fighting against him was an official rank 1 swordsman, he was the examiner, he had fair skin orange hair and eyes, he seemed quite skilled from the way he fought.


    He was fast on his feet and was endlessly striking his opponent with swift yet strong strikes pushing him back; his opponent wasn''t holding out well, considering how much he was sweating, and he also seemed out of breath.


    This match is over and he doesn''t stand a chance against him.


    The examiner swung his sword with great force, aiming for the head. The brown-haired man raised his sword to block the sword, but the examiner was faster¡ªhis blade tapped his opponent''s head lightly in a decisive strike.


    "Good match," he said while smiling and offering his hand; they shook each other''s hand and left the ring.


    He is strong, I will need to give it my all if I want to have a chance of defeating him.


    After resting for a while, the examiner continued dueling against other applicants, but none managed to defeat him¡ªhe was truly strong.


    Finally, the judge called my name, I walked toward the ring and went up the stairs.


    It is time; I must not lose my nerves; I will defeat him today if I want to help my father.


    He was also wearing leather armor just like me. "Soren Veyrin, right?" He asked, smiling.


    "Yes, I''m Soren Veyrin," I said, raising my hand for a handshake.


    "I''m Corey Alder," he replied, shaking my hand and unsheathing his sword.


    I unsheathed my sword as well and took my stance.


    I should wait for him to make the first move. I need to see how he fights first.


    Corey lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air toward my head. I barely raised my blade in time, the impact sending a jolt through my arms. I gritted my teeth before I countered by swinging my sword towards his shoulder, but he twisted away with ease.


    He is really mobile on his feet.


    In an instant, his blade flashed before my head once more. I quickly parried his strike and swung at his ribs. He took a step back dodging my strike.


    He was stronger than I thought, I need to do something or I will lose at this rate. I sighed; my breath was starting to get unstable.


    I took a step forward as I swung my sword towards his head.


    "Not bad at all," he said as he charged towards me.


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    I will need to use Swift Strike if I want to defeat him. I took a deep breath and activated Swift Strike, lunging forward. The impact of our clash made my very bones feel as if they would break.


    Argh¡­ I will lose at this rate. He was too strong.


    I tightened my grip on my sword as I channeled every ounce of strength I had left before I thwarted his sword away.


    I quickly pointed my sword at his neck, not wanting to give him a chance to retaliate.


    "Match over, Soren Veyrin wins," the judge said.


    Sweat dripped down my forehead as I lowered my sword. My arms ached from the impact of our clashes, my breath ragged.


    That was a close one. I should have used Swift Strike from the start when he had his guard down¡­ at least I''m officially a rank 1 swordsman now! I smiled.


    "Soren Veyrin, Congratulations on officially becoming a rank 1 swordsman," the old judge said, waving me over. "Come and collect your badge, then you may leave."


    So he is going to give me my badge, I see; I thought he was here just to watch over the match.


    "Congratulations on winning," Corey said, gasping for air.


    "Thanks, that was a great match, Corey," I smiled at him before I went ahead and collected my badge from the judge. I lowered my head in respect before I immediately left the building. I had done it; I was officially a rank 1 swordsman.


    Finally, I can participate in the battle to defend Goldshire.


    I should head straight to the camp where my father is probably intending one of his meetings. The guards have set up a camp just outside the city.


    ***REYNARD VEYRIN***


    On the outskirts of Goldshire, there were over 20 tents, and each tent was big enough to house three men. In the middle was the tent where I was called. It served as the meeting room for the Officers.


    I wondered what it was this time.


    I walked toward the tent where the meeting was being held and went inside. I saw a round table with chairs all around; in the middle of the table was a map; Commander Alex was sitting beside a noble-men wearing full plate armor; his crimson hair stood out like a flame, and his piercing blue eyes carried the weight of a man who had commanded much. Beside him were another 2 men discussing something.


    "Ah! Reynard! You''re finally here. Come, sit," Commander Alex said, gesturing towards an empty seat. My eyes landed on the red-haired nobleman in full plate armor. "Who is that, Commander?"


    "He is Sir William from House Blaze; he will be in charge of the Battle; he is a rank 7 swordsman sent by the royal family."


    A rank 7 swordsman¡­ the Royal family isn¡¯t taking this lightly; a single swordsman of that caliber could lay waste to an entire army.


    "Nice to meet you, Sir William."


    "Likewise, now that you''re here, we will begin the meeting," He pointed his finger at the map; the map contained the location of our enemy''s camp and Goldshire; the enemy troops were in the middle of the forest while we were located just at the entrance.


    They think we will let the tragedy that happened 5 years ago happen again; if so they are sorely mistaken. I clenched my fist as I raised my head down.


    "Captain Reynard, your division role would be to handle the weaker enemy troops. Commander Alex and I, along with 2 other rank 4 swordsmen I have brought will handle the rest."


    I looked back up at Sir William. Hm, this is good; since that brat will be joining the battle and will be in my division, he will be safe.


    "I gladly accept!", I said with vigor, "But aren''t our forces a bit overkill?" I asked curiously.


    ¡°The royal family didn''t take kindly to this little maneuver by the kingdom of Reinhart. They sent me to instill a lesson into those fools,¡± he said with a grin.


    "Thank you for explaining it to me Sir William.¡±


    I wonder why the Kingdom of Reinhart even dares to send their forces into our land when they have a history of losing many wars against us.


    "This meeting is over, go and prepare for the battle; we will strike at dawn tomorrow."