Chapter 8 – The Tenth Year, The Hardest Test (Part 1)

The age of ten is not just a number in the Argwager family. It is a time of affirmation—a ritual that distinguishes ordinary children from the heirs of the northern bloodline. But what not everyone knows is that the tests given to the children of this family are not uniform. Each test is tailored. Assessed. Measured. The greater your potential, the higher the expectations... and the harder your test will be.

And I—Alex Argwager, was judged to be the most promising child in the family's history. Of course i do, im not an ordinary kid, inside, im a full grown adult with all of my memories and my knowledge.

Instead, I feel like I'm being cheating in this life, both in terms of family struggles, and other misunderstandings. Well, everything thanks to whatever creature up there who gave me this second chance at life.

...

That morning, the northern sky hung heavy, as if witnessing the test that was about to begin. Snow fell softly, but the wind bit at the skin like a fine whip. In the palace's backyard, the training arena was transformed into a testing ground. There were no carpets of honor. No music. Just hard, half-frozen ground, rows of wooden swords, stone pillars, and three towering figures standing, awaiting me. Among them: Master Orvin, my physical and combat tactics instructor. Beside him, Halger—a family knight with over three hundred victories. And the third... a black-haired man with sharp eyes like obsidian. The Empire's shadow knight. His name was not mentioned, but all guards knew him as "the silent ghost."

My first test: survive three consecutive fights. "You know the rules of this test," Orvin said in his deep voice, "three opponents, three different styles. No mercy, no breaks. Stand until the end, and you pass." I nodded. The wooden sword in my hand felt heavier than usual. Not because of its mass, but because of the weight of expectation. I knew this wasn't just a tradition. It was a decision of whether I deserved to be an heir. And this test... it wasn't a standard test.

"Master Orvin, who is the first opponent?" I asked. Orvin merely gestured. Halger stepped forward. His body was like a fortress. The shield in his left hand was as tall as my chest. His spear—two meters long. I had trained with him before. But today wasn't practice. Today was the test. And there was no room for error.

Halger attacked faster than I expected. I jumped sideways, dodging. But the tip of his spear swept towards my stomach. Almost. I raised my sword to parry. The clang made my palms hot. I retreated, then advanced. One attack. Two attacks. I tried to strike his wrist—a weak point in heavy-based fighting styles. But he anticipated. Swung his shield and struck my body. I was thrown two meters back. My back hit the frozen ground. My breath caught. But I got up. "You won't win, but you must survive," I muttered. I looked at him. My breathing was heavy. My hands trembled. But I knew this was just the beginning. I couldn't expend all my energy here. I changed strategy. Instead of attacking, I lured him. Pretended to falter. Made him approach. And as he attacked with a horizontal swing, I rolled under his body and struck the back of his knee. He didn't fall. But he staggered back.

"Enough," Orvin said. Halger retreated, and I could only stand still, suppressing the nausea. "Second opponent: Elrad." The man in the black cloak appeared from behind a stone pillar. No sound came from him. His steps were light. He carried no weapon. But I knew: he was a master of unarmed combat techniques who had once defeated a platoon of soldiers in special training. He moved fast. Very fast. I tried to strike. Failed. My punch was parried with a single finger. Then... the attack came. My body was slammed to the ground. My head rang. But I endured.

A second attack came. I spun backward and struck the side of his stomach. It barely grazed him. But it was enough to make him look at me seriously. "Almost," he said softly. The next attack was heavier. My knee was hit. I fell, but I pulled his robe and brought him down with me. We rolled, grappling. But he was faster, and I was thrown to the ground with his elbow on my chest. "Stop!" Orvin yelled. My body trembled. Blood trickled from my lips. But I stood. I stood.

"Passed... stage two."

Third opponent: Orvin himself. I looked at him. "Are you serious?" He didn't answer. Just raised his gigantic wooden sword. I raised my sword. This wasn't a fight to win. This was a fight to engrave determination.

Orvin attacked. Once. Twice. I could only defend. But every slash was a mental test. I didn't attack. I defended. Even as his foot hit my shin. Even as my shoulder bruised. "Why aren't you attacking, boy?!" he roared. I shouted. Not out of anger, but out of conviction. "Because I'm not strong enough to win! But stubborn enough to endure!" I shout, then the attack is continued for like forever.

I keep standing, even if my legs are trembling, I can't give up.

And then... His attacks stopped. He looked at me. Then he put down his sword. "Passed."

I fell. But I didn't faint. I smiled in my exhaustion. Aurelia ran towards me. She hugged me tightly. Her hands trembled. "That wasn't an ordinary test..." she whispered. "Because I'm not an ordinary child," I replied with a smile. And I knew, that day... I was truly acknowledged.

---

This sense of pride, was truly blinding, all the feelings of victory after completing the exam had slightly blinded me. because after everything was over, I was able to think calmly and realize that, there was no way they, the 5th circle in terms of strength, could not defeat me in the blink of an eye.

If it was a real fight, I am 100 percent sure, I would have died. Haha, wake up, you feel arrogant and that's when you lose.

With this, i realize that controlling myself is very important. especially for me, where all the facilities and support that can blind me at any time. Because i am a male, a man, and i am not someone who will fall because of arrogance.