Chapter 5: Proving Ground

Raven was finally standing before the mercenaries, the group of warriors that had offered to take him under their wing and teach him the ways of the warrior. He was nervous but also excited. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and he was determined to make the most of it. The leader of the group, Kargath, was a broad shouldered man with a deep voice and piercing gaze. He looked Raven up and down, sizing him up.

"So, you're the boy we rescued from those hooligans?" Kargath asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and scepticism.

"Yes, sir," Raven replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Well, let's see what you've got," Kargath said, gesturing towards one of his men.

The man, a tall and muscular warrior, stepped forward and drew his sword. Raven took a deep breath and focused on his magic. He was not yet skilled in any offensive spells, but he had been practicing his basic spells and was ready to put them to the test.

The fight was intense, the warrior and Raven exchanging blows and dodging each other's attacks. Raven was quick and nimble, but the warrior was more experienced and stronger. Raven managed to use his magic to create small illusions and evade a few attacks, but in the end, he was no match for the warrior.

The warrior disarmed Raven with a swift strike, leaving him defenseless. Raven fell to the ground, panting and sweating. The warrior stood over him, sword pointed at his throat.

"That's enough!" Kargath shouted, stepping between Raven and the warrior. "Raven, you may not have won the fight, but you've shown us determination and bravery. That's more important than raw strength and skill."

The other mercenaries nodded in agreement, some even clapping Raven on the back in congratulations. Raven got up, smiling and feeling proud of himself.

"Thank you, sir," Raven said, addressing Kargath. "I won't let you down."

"I have no doubt about that," Kargath replied with a grin. "Welcome to the cohort, Raven. Let's get you some proper training."

As Raven followed Kargath and the others, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this new opportunity. He was determined to make the most of it and become a powerful warrior, just like the men he was now surrounded by.

The next day, Raven was called into Kargath's tent for a private meeting. Kargath, the leader of the mercenary cohort, was a tall and imposing figure, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His eyes were piercing, and they seemed to look right through Raven as he approached.

"I must say I'm impressed," Kargath said, gesturing for Raven to sit across from him. "I did not expect you to last that long against one of my members without prior training. You've got some innate talent, but if you want to be a full-fledged member of this group, you'll need to train hard."

Raven nodded, taking a seat.

"You have two weeks to train," Kargath continued. "You'll receive training from each of our mercenaries, so you'll be a jack of all trades. But that's not all. I want you to focus on your magic abilities as well. Magic can be a valuable asset in combat, but you need to be able to control it."

Raven was eager to learn more about magic and how it could be used in combat. Kargath went on to explain that magic could be used to reinforce the body, increase speed and agility, and even enhance physical attacks.

"And don't forget about martial arts," Kargath added. "Martial arts and magic can complement each other. By incorporating magic into your movements, you can enhance your physical abilities and become an even more formidable fighter."

Raven was amazed at the possibilities that Kargath was describing. He felt a sense of excitement and determination as he listened, and he was eager to start training right away.

As Raven left Kargath's tent, he caught sight of Finlye, the young boy he had met the previous day. Finlye was also a trainee, and he had become something of a mentor to Raven.

"So, what did Kargath have to say?" Finlye asked, as Raven approached.

Raven smiled. "He told me I have two weeks to train, and that I'll be receiving training from each of the mercenaries."

"That's great," Finlye said, grinning. "I'm looking forward to training with you. We can push each other and see who improves the most."

Raven felt a sense of camaraderie with Finlye, and he was excited to start training with him. He was eager to see just how far he could go, and he was determined to prove himself to Kargath and the rest of the mercenary cohort.