THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

June stepped forward calmly, She held her sword firmly. "Let's have a good match," she said, her voice steady.

The fourth knight smiled and wasted no time and charged towards her. June's reflexes kicked in as she swiftly raised her sword, blocking the incoming strike with precision. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, and with a fluid motion, June parried the attack, forcing the knight to step back.

June pointed her free hand forward, chanting, "Frost Lance!" A shard of glimmering ice magic materialized and shot toward the knight.

The fourth knight reacted instantly, raising her weapon to block the magical attack. The lance shattered on impact, sending frost fragments scattering around them.

The knight, impressed by how quickly June cast her magic, gave a small nod of approval. She stepped back and began chanting, "Faster than the breeze, let my steps take the lead!" A glowing aura surrounded her as her speed increased dramatically.

Without wasting a moment, the fourth knight dashed toward June with blinding speed. She swung her sword down with immense force, and as June tried to block, her weapon shattered under the impact.

June stared in shock as her weapon shattered, leaving her completely vulnerable. Her guard faltered, and the knight seized the opportunity, landing a powerful kick that sent her stumbling backward. Struggling to regain her footing, June looked up to see the knight charging at her again weapon raised for another strike.

June desperately channeled her magic. "Frost Lance!" she cried, conjuring the spell not to attack but to defend. The icy lance formed in her hands, but something was different streaks of black energy swirled within it, making it glow with a darker color.

As the knight's weapon came down, June raised her Frost Lance to meet the strike. The clash resonated with a sharp crack and to everyone's surprise, the knight's weapon splintered and broke under the power of June's strengthened lance.

The fourth knight stood completely bewildered staring at her shattered weapon. The unexpected turn of events left her stunned, her guard completely down seizing the opportunity, June quickly chanted, "Chill Pulse!"

The air around them grew colder as frost spread rapidly across the ground. The knight attempting to step back found herself unable to move. Glancing down she realized her feet were frozen in place encased in thick ice. She snapped her gaze back toward June, but it was too late.

June closed the distance in a flash and landed a solid punch to the knight's face, sending her reeling backward.

Without wasting a moment June hastily cast another Frost Lance. The icy spear materialized in her hands and with a quick motion, she hurled it at the knight. The lance struck with precision pinning the knight to the ground and pinning her in place.

June stood over her, catching her breath. "This is my win" she said confidently, her voice steady despite the intensity of the fight.

Moments after securing her victory June's body gave way to the intense strain and she collapsed to the ground, completely drained from the battle. Dylan, seeing her fall immediately rushed forward to catch her

He reached her just in time, catching her in his arms before she hit the ground. "June!" he called out his voice filled with concern as he gently lowered her to the floor checking for any signs of injury. The battle had taken its toll and her exhaustion was evident.

The second knight approached Dylan and June, observing the situation with a calm expression. "Don't worry, Dylan," he said his tone reassuring. "She's collapsed from mana exhaustion. This is what happens when you overuse your mana without thinking." He crouched down beside them, nodding toward June. "She'll be fine after some rest. Just give her time to recover."

Axel and Alisan quickly made their way over to Dylan with Axel speaking up first. "Dylan, let me take her to the royal doctor" he said, gently nudging Dylan aside. "You still haven't had your fight right? Don't worry about her, she'll be fine after a rest. Just focus and give your all in the sparring." Axel's words were confident meant to reassure Dylan and help him focus on the match ahead.

Alisan nodded in agreement, her expression serious yet supportive. "You've got this, Dylan. We'll take care of June."

Dylan gave a determined nod his usual carefree vibe replaced by a focused intensity. "Thanks, guys. Take care of her," he said looking to Axel and Alisan. Then he turned to the second knight, "It's my turn now," A challenging smile crossing his face as he showed the knight he was ready for the fight.

The second knight nodded with a serious expression. "Alright" he said drawing his sword with practiced ease. "Take your weapon and let's start." He took a ready stance his eyes locked on Dylan, waiting for the fight to begin.

Dylan grabbed his weapon mirroring the knight's fighting stance with a grin on his face. "Alright, I'm ready. Let's make this fun, sir," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

Without wasting a moment Dylan made the first move, swinging his weapon directly at the knight. But just as he reached the knight, he feinted, shifting his swing to a side slash instead. The second knight, however was quick to react blocking the strike effortlessly, as he had expected the move.

The knight smirked slightly impressed by Dylan's attempt but ready for whatever came next.

Dylan a bit frustrated that his feint hadn't worked quickly stepped back to reassess the situation. He grinned, deciding to switch things up. With a burst of speed he charged at the knight again. This time he feinted a slash but instead of following through with the attack, he casted. " GRAND JAVELIN!"

However something went wrong. The spell fizzled in the air not taking form as expected. The knight raised an eyebrow, sensing Dylan's struggle. "Seems like your magic isn't quite ready yet," he commented, staying alert. Dylan muttered "awh i thought that would work it seems i gotta say the correct name for it."

The knight momentarily confused by Dylan's failed spell quickly dashed forward attempting to catch him off guard with a swift attack. However, Dylan was ready. He anticipated the knight's movement sidestepping just in time to avoid the strike.

With a quick thinking, Dylan countered and chanted, "Bolt of lightning, guide my hand. Strike with precision, as I command."

The knight sensing the magic, reacted immediately charging at Dylan with the intent to intercept the spell. However, as the knight closed in the Lightning Javelin materialized. Dylan knew the spell would explode upon summoning, so he braced himself, closing his eyes just as the magic detonated.

The flash of blinding light momentarily filling the entire training ground. The knight caught off guard by the sudden explosion was thrown off balance while Dylan already prepared, remained unaffected by the dazzling light.

With the knight blinded by the backfire of the spell Dylan quickly channeled the remaining magic into his weapon. With a precise and powerful strike he swung his weapon toward the knight, landing a hit before the knight could recover. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the area, and the knight struggled to regain his footing visibly impressed by Dylan's resilience and adaptability.

Dylan breathing heavily and clearly exhausted from the backfire of his own spell. Sweat trickled down his face as he took a few shaky steps forward his weapon still gripped tightly in his hand. His gaze remained focused, unwilling to back down. The battle had taken a toll on him but he was determined to push through.

Despite the strain, Dylan's confidence never wavered. He knew he had to finish this fight and he wasn't about to let the knight's strength overwhelm him now.

The knight rising to his feet with surprising ease despite the earlier strike dusted himself off and looked at Dylan with a respectful smile. "That was impressive, Dylan," he said his voice steady. "If I were a regular knight, I would've lost right there. You've got some great planning and a keen sense of timing. You did great."

The knight's words were genuine and despite the intensity of the spar there was a hint of admiration in his tone. He took a moment to catch his breath acknowledging Dylan's effort with a nod. "You've earned my respect."

Dylan still panting and clearly frustrated by how his plan had failed looked at the knight with disbelief. "Ah, I'm done for. I'm cooked," he muttered to himself. He straightened up trying to shake off his exhaustion, and took a stance, ready to fight back.

Despite his fatigue, Dylan's competitive spirit flared, and he wasn't about to give up easily. His grip on his weapon tightened as he prepared for whatever the knight had left.

The knight noticing Dylan's exhaustion and the weariness in his movements couldn't help but smile. With a respectful nod, he lowered his weapon and raised his hand in surrender. "I surrender. You win this match," he said, his voice calm and appreciative.

Dylan blinked in surprise, still catching his breath, but the knight's words settled in. It took a moment for him to process, but he finally grinned, his competitive fire still burning despite his fatigue. "Hah, really? Guess I got lucky winning again, huh?" he said, a hint of a chuckle in his voice.

As Dylan collapsed to the ground his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths he muttered to himself, "This is harder than I thought... It's not like in the game." His body ached his mind spinning from the exhaustion.

He glanced around at the others realizing just how real everything had become. There were no respawns, no easy retries this was the real deal. It was a far cry from the virtual world he was used to, and the weight of that hit him harder than he expected

Caius approached Dylan with a raised eyebrow concern in his voice. "You alright buddy?" He knelt down beside him offering a hand. "That was impressive planning. You're really unpredictable, you know that?"

Dylan, still catching his breath looked up at him with a grin. "Yeah, well, guess I've got to keep things interesting. Not used to this much real pain, though," he joked weakly, accepting Caius's help to get back on his feet.

The second knight walked back to his teammates shaking his head in admiration. "That kid" he began "he's strong. Great adaptability, and unpredictable with what he plans. What's really impressive is that I never managed to land a single hit on him. Instead he wore himself down with his own strategy knocking himself out from exhaustion."

His fellow knights exchanged glances clearly impressed by Dylan's determination even if it had cost him physically. "That's one tough kid," one of them muttered acknowledging the challenge Dylan had presented.

The fifth knight called out his tone confident and challenging. "Cauis, kid it's only you and me left. Show me what you've got. I heard you've got the Aetherglow. Show me what it's capable of would you?"

Cauis replied with a respectful tone a smirk at the corner of his lips. "Yes, sir, I'll give it my all too. I'm not letting my friends have all the spotlight," he said laughing lightly.

He then assumed his stance, his aura subtly glowing as the Aetherglow began to manifest around him ready to face the knight with everything he had.

The fifth knight sensing the surge of mana around Cauis muttered under his breath, "Oh? He hasn't even fully mastered the Aetherglow yet but it's overflowing around him... No wonder the king told us to take Cauis seriously if we ever spar with him."

The knight eyed Cauis with a mix of curiosity and respect understanding the true depth of the young hero's potential.

Cauis with a swift and calculated move, dashed toward the fifth knight. Mid dash he suddenly stopped a confident smirk crossing his face as he shouted "Celestial Strike!" The fifth knight expecting an attack, reacted too late falling for the feint.

Seizing the opening Cauis charged forward, swinging his sword with precision aiming to strike the knight. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the training grounds as their blades met but Cauis' strike landed with more force than the knight anticipated.

The fifth knight grinne, a hint of admiration in his eyes as he muttered "What a monstrous strength this kid has." With a swift motion he parried Cauis attack easily redirecting the strike.

Before Cauis could react the knight slammed his foot into the ground, chanting, "Earth Mud!" The earth beneath Cauis feet began to shift the ground turning into a viscous, quicksand Cauis grunted in frustration as the earth pulled at his legs but his resolve remained unshaken. With a quick thinking he summoned his magic. "Celestial Strike!" as he shouted, his blade glowing with divine energy. He swung the sword in a wide arc around him releasing the full force of the celestial power embedded in his strike. The burst of energy shattered the earth around him, breaking the bind and freeing him from the mud.like substance that began to swallow his feet threatening to trap him. Cauis struggled to maintain his balance his focus now divided between freeing himself and keeping up with the knight's relentless pace.

The fifth knight clearly impressed by Cauis' quick thinking muttered to himself "This kid is quick on his feet too. He truly deserves the title of a hero." Without hesitation he charged at Cauis, sword raised high, aiming for a direct strike.

Cauis quickly raised a barrier of mana to block the incoming strike but the sheer force of the fifth knight's attack shattered the barrier before it could fully protect him. The blow landed with a brutal impact sending Cauis stumbling back pain shooting through his body.

Cauis gasped for air still reeling from the previous strike but before he could fully recover the fifth knight was already charging at him again. His attack came swiftly, a downward slash aimed straight for Cauis.

Thinking quickly Cauis barely managed to raise his sword in time to intercept the strike. The two blades clashed with a loud metallic ring, sending a shockwave through Cauis arms. He gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the pressure of the knight's strength. The force was immense, and Cauis could feel his sword beginning to bend under the weight of the clash.

The fifth knight taunted Cauis, his voice filled with mockery. "IS THIS ALL YOU'VE YOU GOT?, ARENT YOU SUPPOSE TO BE A HERO OF THIS WORLD?" He pressed harder on Cauis' sword forcing him back step by step his words meant to get under Cauis' skin.

Cauis struggling to maintain his footing felt the weight of the knight's challenge. His heart raced but he refused to give in. "I am the hero," Cauis gritted out through clenched teeth. "But even heroes have their limits. And I'm not done yet."

The surge of mana coursing through Cauis' body was like a tidal wave, pushing away the exhaustion and pain that had begun to take hold. His grip on his sword tightened as the power surged filling him with renewed strength. The air around him shimmered with the energy of his Aetherglow, his mana resonating with a celestial force.

With a determined shout, Cauis pushed the fifth knight's sword away his own blade crackling with radiant energy. The fifth knight momentarily taken off guard by the sudden boost in power staggered back.

The fifth knight visibly stunned by Cauis sudden surge of power, took a step back, his eyes widening in disbelief. He lowered his sword, his stance shifting to one of respect rather than confrontation.

"I surrender" he said, his voice laced with both admiration and acknowledgment. "You've proven your strength Cauis. It seems you're more than just a hero by title."

Cauis, still panting from the intense battle slowly lowered his blade, his mana gradually settling. A sense of relief washed over him but he couldn't let his guard down completely. He nodded respectfully toward the fifth knight showing gratitude for the knight's acknowledgement.

"Thank you" Cauis said his voice steady. "That was a good fight."

The training grounds fell silent for a moment, everyone watching as the fifth knight stepped back, conceding defeat to Cauis, the hero who had truly earned his title through strength and determination.