Our second world- Book two: War is coming

Chapter 19

~Haren~

After giving the five teens a few minutes to prepare, he sent Aien and Radelia with Mary to the far end of the field while Silver, Aimar, and Asashi stayed with him.

"So, why did you split us up?" Asashi asked.

"We're testing you all individually now, and it'll be faster to split you up." Haren shrugged," Now, who wants to go first?"

Aimars' hand shot up at the same time as Asashis'. The siblings looked at each other, then at Haren, back at each other, and laughed.

"Alright, Aimar goes first," He said," Rules are: you have twenty minutes. We'll be going off the rules of six point during that time. It is just a test, but I want you to do your best. Don't worry about holding back. Come at me with intent to harm. I'm more experienced with this than you are so I can handle it."

"Yes sir!" Aimar grinned and took a ready stance while Asashi and Silver sat nearby to watch.

"Shadowblight." This was the first time he'd summoned the sword since August returned, but it felt comfortably familiar in his hands. He raised the black sword and took a few test swings before taking his own ready stance.

"Oh right," he walked over to Silver, pulled up the stopwatch app on his phone and handed the device to the boy," keep time for us."

"O-ok. How?"

"Push the green button when we start and wait for the left spot to have a two in it before pushing the button again," Haren explained, moving back to his ready stance across from Aimar.

"Ok. Ready? Go!"

All through the 20 minutes, Haren didn't see anything he wasn't expecting from Aimar. His skill with a sword was better than that of the average soldier, but that was to be expected since the five teens were said to have been the top of their class at the academy. The only thing Haren made a comment on was his stamina. He noticed during the fight that Aimar would use more energy behind a swing than was necessary and burned his energy faster. Other than that, he had a good amount of stamina. When Haren told him he could rest, Aimar didn't hesitate to accept and promptly flopped down by his sister.

Asashi was next. During her test, she proved Harens suspicions correct. She was considerably better with a spear than a sword, and would only need to make a few minor adjustments to her style of fighting. The blonde practically screeched with joy when Haren praised her for how well she did. While she was just as exhausted as her brother, the fatigue was forgotten in her excitement.

Bouncing happily over to her brother, she plopped down and switched places with Silver after he showed her how to work the stop watch.

"Are you ready, Silver?" Haren asked, taking a ready stance.

"As ready as I'll ever be. I guess," Silver muttered, raising his sword in front of him.

"On your marks? Go!"

While both boys jumped into battle, the cheers from Asashi as she watched eagerly could barely be heard over the loud clashing of metal every time the two swords met.

Each time their swords connected, it was with enough force to send small jolts up bob fighters arms. During their battle, Haren was also proven right about Silver. With a lighter sword, Silver was able to move at a much greater speed. While Haren was impressed that it exceeded his expectations, he was still faster by far. However, he was holding back a considerable amount, so Silver just about matched his speed.

By the time the 20 minutes was up, both boys were panting and covered in sweat.

"Nice work Silver. I definitely think that rapier is a much better fit for you." Haren sprawled our on his back in the dirt as he praised the boy," you noticed how much faster you were too, right?"

When he glanced over, Silver didn't seem to have heard a word of what had been said to him. Instead, he was staring intently at the thin sword in his hands with a frown.

"Silver?" Haren sat up and brushed dirt from his hair," hey, Silver!" The black haired boy snapped from his daze and looked over," did you even hear a word I just said?"

"Something about being faster?" He guessed as he walked over to where the other two were sitting.

"Well, you got the idea." He stood and dusted off his pants," Anyway, that was all I wanted to do with you today so you're free to— actually!" He pulled six rolls of parchment from the pocket of his jacket he discarded before they started," I got your room assignments." He tossed the scrolls to Silver.

"Thanks."

"Have fun exploring." He yawned. Three back to back fights having to hold back so much made him tired. Especially after not sleeping well the past few nights.

"I vote we check out the baths!" Asashi Said," I'm all sweaty so I could use one."

"I'd like to find my room first," Silver Said, holding the papers out of her reach. It wasn't hard since he had a good few inches on her.

"Mmmm. Fine!" She grumbled," but then baths after."

"Sure, whatever." Silver sighed.

He picked up his bag and passed out the room assignments when the others came over with Mary.

Talking excitedly, the five of them hurried back to the main building. Haren and Mary stayed behind to take their time cleaning up the mess of weapons lying on the ground.

"You know," Mary began as she retrieved their coats," I think a bath sounds good. Want to join me after lunch?"

"Sure. I'll be in the lounge so come find me when you're done and ready." Haren replied, letting her hop up on his back for a piggyback back to the building.