The Path of Freedom

The tension in the wide room was palpable as Mixarnt stood face-to-face with Lunar Eclipse, her black armor and solar eclipse eyes radiating an aura of cold, unyielding authority. Despite the overwhelming pressure, Mixarnt grinned, his usual carefree demeanor intact. "Hello, uhm... Eclipse's twin!" he said, his tone playful and irreverent.

Lunar Eclipse, however, was not amused. She stared at him with icy detachment, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Participant Mixarnt, you are an adventurer. However, being a knight means turning away from your life as an adventurer and swearing loyalty to the kingdom. Are you prepared to leave your previous life as an adventurer and become a knight?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and loaded. Everyone watching—his friends, the audience, the current and former generals in the grand hall—expected Mixarnt to choose the path of a knight. After all, he had participated in the trials, fought through countless challenges, and proven his strength and determination. Surely, he would embrace the title of Aether Knight.

Even Orion, the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild, was fuming on the plaza of Aetherlight. "How dare they give Mixarnt such a choice!?" he roared, his fists clenched in frustration.

Elara, standing beside him, rolled her eyes. "Uh... Guild Master, it's the Aether Knight trials. Of course, he joined because he wanted to be a knight. And, aren't you the one who told him to join?" she said, her hands on her hips as she scolded him.

Orion stammered, his face red. "Gah... er... W-well, making him leave his adventurer life is still unacceptable!" he retorted, though his argument was weak. Kara, Poppy, Misa, Nessa and Jenna are all worried as they watch.

Back in the wide room, Mixarnt's response shocked everyone. He smiled, his expression calm and resolute. "Nope! I won't obey any kingdoms. Hehe," he said, his tone light but firm.

Lunar Eclipse's eyes sharpened, her gaze piercing through him, her eyes could see that he isn't lying. The mere idea of not swearing loyalty to a kingdom was unacceptable for a knight. "Failure," she declared, her voice cold and unyielding. "You dare participate in the Aether Knight Trials and expect to not swear fealty to a kingdom nor be loyal. You fail the exam. You are not worthy of being an Aether Knight."

With those words, Lunar Eclipse plucked her sword from the ground, her aura exploding with intensity. The only way for Mixarnt to pass now was to acquire the shining crystal 2 meters behind her. But to do so, he would have to face her in combat—a seemingly impossible task.

Mixarnt took a deep breath, his grin never wavering. He drew his wooden sword, the familiar weight comforting in his hands. He knew he couldn't beat Lunar Eclipse in his current state, so he made a bold decision. With a swift motion, he cut the two mana anklets he had been wearing, releasing the stored mana in a sudden, explosive surge. His power skyrocketed, his aura flaring to match Lunar Eclipse's.

In the grand hall, the generals and former generals were stunned by Mixarnt's decision. Gundrik, Lancelot, Sunshine, and even Eclipse herself were taken aback. "Hahaha! I knew this would happen," Arthur said with a grin, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" Lancelot asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"He was given titles by the kingdom of Naeva because of his achievements back then, even making him a noble, but he rejected them. He doesn't want to be tied down by a kingdom," Arthur explained, his tone amused as he grins.

"Then why did he join the trial!?" Lancelot asked, his concern evident.

"Sigh, it's because he wanted to 'try his luck.' Pretty stupid reason if you ask me, but that's the only thing I could think of, rather, that's what he said the first time he went to my tavern." Gundrik said with a sigh, he doesn't know if he will be disappointed or not.

Eclipse, her arms crossed, frowned thoughtfully. "He wanted to see how far he could get. But why the trial?"

"It's because the trial is full of strong people who would help him grow. Or maybe he's just stupid," Sunshine said with a sigh, though there was a hint of fondness in her voice.

Back in the wide room, Mixarnt charged at Lunar Eclipse, his wooden sword glowing with the overflow of mana. Lunar Eclipse retaliated with her Lunar Swordsmanship, her movements precise and deadly. However, Mixarnt's sudden surge in power gave him an edge, his speed and strength exceeding her expectations.

Mixarnt fought with his usual grin, his movements fluid and unpredictable. He had joined the trials not for the title of Aether Knight but to test his limits and grow stronger. He also had a deeper goal: to change the stigma surrounding adventurers. He wanted to prove that adventurers weren't just criminals or petty mercenaries but capable, honorable individuals.

"Mana Wave!" Mixarnt shouted, unleashing a powerful blast of mana toward Lunar Eclipse. The attack forced her to retreat, her expression unreadable but her stance unwavering.

Outside the enclosed dome, Mixarnt's friends were in shock. "That cheeky brat," Aaron muttered, his usual disdain for Mixarnt overshadowed by disbelief. Despite their rivalry, even Aaron couldn't believe Mixarnt was daring to fight Lunar Eclipse.

"Mixarnt..." Liva whispered, her voice filled with confusion and concern. She couldn't understand why he had chosen this path.

Razen, however, smiled. "Sigh... Well, that's part of his charm, I guess," she said, her tone affectionate.

"Go, Mixarnt! Haha!" Rise cheered, his usual enthusiasm undimmed.

Mitchel, ever the voice of reason, turned to the others. "What are you guys spacing out for? Let's cheer for him. It doesn't matter if he becomes an Aether Knight or not—that's his choice. As his comrade and friend, I will support him."

Her words sparked a wave of determination among the group. Liva, Ewan, Tessa, Mara, Lina, Valentia, May, Julls, and the others who had passed the trials, along with John and Erenesto joined in, their voices rising in unison. "Go, Mixarnt! You can do it!"

The cheers echoed through the colosseum, a testament to the bonds Mixarnt had forged and the respect he had earned. Whether he won or lost, he had already proven himself in their eyes. And as he faced Lunar Eclipse, his grin never faltered, his spirit unbroken.