(VI) The Test

"But, my lord!" Mikaru protested, "You heard your mother! We aren't supposed to leave the room!"

Leon ignored his complaints and grabbed the sheets, ripping them into long strands before he tied them together.

"That was just a loosely defined suggestion, trust me!" He said, wrapping the sheet rope around his bed frame before tying multiple knots together.

The young lord walked to the balcony, throwing the rope down as he leaned over the edge, ensuring it was long enough to reach the ground before smirking in satisfaction.

"Now, come on!" Leon exclaimed, turning to Mikaru and waving him over with a large grin. He hopped over the balcony railing, wrapped his legs around the rope, and slowly slid down.

He ran to the ledge, leaning over in horror, before realizing he was safe. Leon was standing on the ground below, waving up at him.

Reluctantly, Mikaru followed his lead, cursing himself inside his head as he slowly slid down, praying repeatedly he didn't die before realizing he was sitting on the ground.

The boys quickly made their way to the courtyard of the barracks, where nearly a hundred soldiers stood against one another in practice skirmishes.

They approached the commander as Leon introduced Mikaru and explained he wanted him to be trained, but was surprised by his reaction.

"…So that's how it is…" Commander Cody sighed, "I understand your point, but we can't help him. I've never heard of a Parthrak working as a servant before. You should get rid of him quickly."

"He's a very talented person! Not having him be a member of our house would be a huge loss, no matter which way you spin it!" Leon countered.

"…Listen, Milord." Cody sighed, closing his eyes as he shook his head, "Parthrak are overwhelmingly inferior to humans, so he can't possibly have any talent."

'That might be the general misconception of the people here, but I can see his abilities clearly, and it's overwhelmingly better than the others…" Leon thought as he stared at the sullen Mikaru before turning back to the commander, "Were you not here when I spoke with Darius? Do you doubt my judgment so much? Fine, why don't you test his capabilities yourself?"

"Fine…" The commander sighed, shaking his head, "If what you're saying is true, we can do a test… If we find he's talented, I'll make sure to train him myself."

"Perfect!" The young lord beamed while Mikaru stared at the soldier in awe, "Thank you!"

"The test will be simple… we'll fight in a mock battle, and if you win, you pass." Cody explained, his gaze fiercer as he glared at the young Parthrak.

"Whaaa???" Leon exclaimed, "That's hardly a fair fight! You're three times his age and it would be hard for him to fight and win against you, someone who possesses a natural talent! It isn't possible to have a fair battle, it'd be way too hard!"

"He is talented, right?" The commander asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he switched his menacing glare to Leon.

"He is, but…" Leon said, staring in shock at the commander.

"Do not misunderstand me, I will fight seriously, but with a handicap." Cody explained.

The soldiers exclaimed as they quickly formed a circle, grabbing the young lord and pulling him back as a squire rushed over, bringing two wooden swords and handing them to the commander.

Mikaru turned to Leon, asking, "Why are you doing all of this for me?"

"I believe in you, and I want you to stand beside me as I change this kingdom!" Leon said, but suddenly, his eyes widened as something dawned on him.

His face softened, and he stared into the Parthnak's eyes, asking his own question, "Do you wish to serve me?"

He smiled and nodded, "Yes, I do!"

The soldiers talked trash about Mikaru, laughing about the notion of a talented Parthrak while Leon watched on with concern.

'If it was any of the infantry soldiers, he'd stomp them no problem and could easily fight one-on-one against a captain, but the commander himself?' He thought, chewing his lip, 'That's a tall order…'

Cody grabbed both wooden swords, throwing one toward Mikaru as he took a battle stance. He glared at the young Parthrak with furious determination, "If you can get even one hit on me in three minutes, you'll win. No matter how many hits you take, you won't lose until you surrender. Do you understand?"

"Yessir." Mikaru nodded, entering his own battle stance as he returned the fierce gaze.

"I'm Commander Cody, by the way, I didn't get to hear your name." He said, "I'd like to know it if we're going to do this."

"Mikaru Steelheed." The young man replied as Cody nodded before blitzing forward. His body moved so fast it left an afterimage with each change in his direction, leaping in the air and raising his wooden sword above his head.

Mikaru instinctively leaped backward, barely dodging the attack. His eyes widened in shock as the impact from the wooden sword left a small crater in the dirt, thinking what incredible strength he had.

He leaped forward to counterattack, but the commander blocked, flinging him away with a flick of his wooden sword before dashing forward, landing three blinding attacks against his wrist and both legs.

'He's too fast!' The young man thought as he dashed forward, swinging as Cody effortlessly dodged the flurry of attacks, 'Even if I use all my strength, it won't be enough!'

"This is bad…" Leon muttered to himself, staring on in shock, "Cody is too strong and he's overwhelming Mikaru…"

"Who is that Parthnak..?" A soldier asked, staring on in shock.

"…Even if the Commander went easy on us, we would have already lost…" Another added.

"With just one hit, the sword would be knocked out of our hands and it'd be game over…" A third said in shock.

Cody dashed forward, the wooden sword raised and pointed directly at Mikaru as he jabbed him in the chest, sending him flying backward.

He spit out blood and slowly rose to his feet, glaring at the commander as he recalled Leon's question if he wanted to stand beside him, a determination rising deep from within.

"What's wrong?" Cody asked, smirking as Mikaru struggled to return to his battle pose, "I don't have any more time for this…"

"Don't hesitate any longer…" Mikaru said, standing upright as he wiped the blood from his lip on the back of his hand, raising his wooden sword toward the commander, "Finish me if you can!"