"Uwooh! It works really well, Volgran!"
FHWOOMPH!
Volgran groaned as he struggled to keep up with Kael's ethanol flames.
Kael had created a device capable of producing fire from the gases of an ethanol-and-fuel mixture, using an electric spark to ignite them.
"Human fire so big!" Volgran exclaimed.
The giant raised his palm and unleashed his Flame Might, attempting to push back Kael's artificial flames.
FHWOOMPH!
The two flames, nearly identical in colour, collided with one another.
"HAHAHA!"
Kael laughed as he watched the sheer amount of fire his invention could produce.
The flames weren't just hot they were massive, large enough to cover Volgran's entire giant palm. By rotating the tube at the front of the device, Kael could even adjust the size and intensity of the flame.
In just a few weeks, he had managed to complete the flamethrower. The device was roughly the size of one of his mechanical shoes and had a handle at the bottom, allowing him to hold it safely without burning himself.
Whenever Kael pressed the button on the handle, an electric spark would trigger inside the device.
Then—
FWOOSH!
Flames erupted from its front.
"Come on, Volgran! Burn my flame!"
FHWOOMPH!
"Volgran tired!" the giant groaned.
With a loud THUD, Volgran sat down, causing the entire backyard to tremble slightly.
"Woah! Careful!" Kael shouted, nearly losing his balance.
Volgran's Flame Might was difficult to maintain. Producing both intense heat and light consumed a significant amount of Might Energy, making it especially exhausting for someone who rarely used the ability or possessed a smaller Might Energy pool.
"Pant... Wahh... Volgran tired!"
The giant wiped his forehead, sending droplets of sweat raining toward the ground.
"Human flame so hot... so strong!"
Volgran remained seated as he stared down at Kael's incredible invention. Despite its relatively small size, the amount of fire it produced was astonishing.
"Yeah! Of course!" Kael replied proudly, looking at his flamethrower.
"Well, I guess we're done with training, Volgran."
Volgran nodded.
"Fuhh..."
Kael placed the flamethrower on a wooden table before sitting down beside Reyvik and Brasskert to rest.
"Yoo, Humannz! Dat flame machine crazy!" Brasskert praised, enthusiastically patting Kael on the shoulder.
"HAHAHA! Crazy, right? Even I'm still learning how to control it."
Kael grabbed his toolbox and stood up once again.
"I've still got work to do."
He turned and made his way toward his vehicle machine followed by Reyvik.
.
"Awoooo... Kael? You seem relaxed. Aren't you going to make your next attempt in two days?" Reyvik asked.
"Relaxed? I'm actually a little nervous, Reyv..." Kael replied as he tightened a screw on his vehicle invention.
"But I'm also excited to show Commander Aeronis what I've got."
"If you say so, Kael..." Reyvik nodded wiggling his wolf tail
Kael continued working on his vehicle machine.
"Do ya think ya can win the badge this time, Humanz?" Brasskert asked as he helped Kael organize his tools.
"I hope so..."
And just like that, the night continued with their usual Tawan training.
Yet, deep inside, Kael remained uncertain.
Will I really be able to get the badge?
Or... will I fail again?
Kael's hands paused for a brief moment.
I will.
His expression hardened as he continued working.
I will show him.
I will prove to the Commander that he can't humiliate me again.
Not this time.
Kael continued improving his vehicle invention alongside his friends, his determination growing with every piece he assembled. His heart is waiting for the day where he will prove himself.
Then it arrived, the day Kael had been waiting for finally arrived, the day he would redeem himself after the humiliating defeat of his second attempt.
A gentle morning breeze swept across the backyard, causing the grass to sway with the wind. Above them, three suns shone brightly in the blue sky. It was a beautiful day for Kael's third attempt.
As usual, all of Kael's friends sat on the ground nearby, watching and waiting. Elvareth remained inside the house, observing them from a distance.
Standing on one side of the backyard was Commander Aeronis.
He wore his usual, iconic emerald-green armor, with a red cape flowing behind him in the wind. His massive blue sword rested on his back. Despite his relaxed appearance, he continued to maintain his Might Influence Seal, protecting those around him from being suffocated by his overwhelming presence.
On the other side stood Kael.
His improved Tactical Shirt was now thicker and bulkier. His newly upgraded gloves also got a bit thicker and more visible, same as according to the X Book , Not to mention his upgraded electrical boots that now use more electrical parts than ever. Even the pockets around his tactical shirt had been carefully rearranged according to Kael's comfort, allowing him to reach each of his inventions more easily during battle. Several inventions from his books were completely hidden beneath those pockets, ready to surprise the Commander.
Additional alloy plates were concealed beneath white fabric around his waist, back, and chest. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt with padding around his elbows, while his long pants provided similar protection around his knees.
His pants also contained several compartments, allowing him to carry his sword, flamethrower device, and the caged sphere.
Yet, despite all these improvements, some things remained unchanged.
Tesseract was still strapped to his back.
And behind him, Kael's black cape flowed gently with the morning wind.
The tension in the air between them could be felt by everyone watching.
Kael and Aeronis stared directly into each other's eyes.
This time, Kael was quieter than usual. He seemed more focused sharper and more precise than before.
Kael then broke the silence that had filled the entire backyard.
"Commander. Shall we begin our third attempt?"
Commander Aeronis nodded.
"Of course, Mikael."
Without being asked by Aeronis, Kael introduced himself. By now, it had become a part of every attempt.
"My name is Mikael Insa E— I'm the one you are testing today, Commander."
Kael bowed slightly.
Commander Aeronis remained silent, narrowing his eyes.
Once again, Kael's full name could not be heard.
The strange phenomenon had happened during the previous attempts as well. Aeronis decided to ignore it for now, just as he had before. He hoped that once the third test was over, he would finally have an opportunity to speak with Kael about it.
But at that moment, Aeronis had something else to be surprised about.
Kael stood before him without a single trace of Might.
Yet, he did not appear intimidated.
Standing calmly before a Commander of the Realm Protectors required incredible nerve. Kael maintained his composure, his expression calm and focused.
He was no longer the same person Aeronis had tested during the first two attempts.
This time, Aeronis could feel it.
Kael's determination.
His hard work.
His unwavering desire to achieve his dream of becoming a Realm Protector.
His resolve is unshakable.
CLAP!
Aeronis brought his hands together.
"Alright, Mikael. I'm Commander Aeronis Ivan Ashvale. As usual, I'm the one who will be testing you today."
His noble and composed voice filled the backyard.
"The rules remain the same."
Aeronis pointed toward the Dragon Badge he carried on his chestplate.
"Take this badge from me."
Kael nodded in understanding.
Then, Aeronis suddenly smiled and pulled a small, circular black object from his side.
"You see this, Mikael? You know what it is, don't you?"
"Yeah... Isn't that something used to measure time using sunlight and shadows?"
"Correct. I'm glad you understand."
Aeronis adjusted his stance while holding the sundial.
"For our third attempt, I noticed a small flaw in our first and second attempts."
Kael listened carefully.
"I think I gave you too much time. In reality, you may only need a few hours or perhaps even less."
Aeronis looked at Kael with a faint smile.
"So, I wanted to add a time limit to your test."
"To spice things up a little."
Kael nodded calmly.
"Sure, Commander. How much time are you giving me?"
Aeronis raised the sundial and pointed toward the number twelve.
"I'm sure you understand how this sundial functions, right, Mikael?"
"Yeah... The sunlight creates a shadow on the sundial's surface. As the position of the sun changes, the shadow moves and points toward the markings on it."
Aeronis smiled.
"Correct."
"And it tells the current time with those numbers, right, Commander?"
Aeronis nodded.
"As I expected from you, Mikael."
"Now, let me tell you how much time I am giving you for this third attempt."
Aeronis raised the sundial slightly.
"You have until twelve noon. Exactly four hours from now."
He announced it with confidence, his noble voice carrying across the backyard.
Kael gasped slightly.
Four hours...
That wasn't much time.
Yet, after a moment, his expression slowly calmed.
His heart was still racing, but he refused to let the pressure show.
"Understood, Commander. Then I shall begin the test immediately."
Kael opened his stance, lowering his body as he prepared himself for the battle.
Inside his mind, he had already established a simple plan.
The first step... is to make Commander Aeronis feel what chaos really means.
Aeronis nodded.
"Sure. We don't want to waste any more time, do we?"
"I'm ready, Mikael. Take this badge fro—"
THUMPH!
"What?!"
Aeronis' eyes widened.
Kael was already standing in front of him, his hand dangerously close to the red Dragon Badge on Aeronis' chestplate.
SWOOSH!
Aeronis immediately leaped backward while Kael remained in his position.
What is wrong with that burst of speed?! Aeronis thought.
All of Kael's friends widened their eyes in shock as the ground behind Kael exploded from the force of his sudden acceleration.
A considerable distance had already been created between them.
Aeronis' face showed genuine surprise.
But even that was nothing compared to what Kael was about to show him.
"You seem shocked, Commander?" Kael asked with a smile. "Were my Electrical Boots really that fast?"
"Oh, they are fast, Mikael. I was stunned by how quickly you moved."
Aeronis' expression became more serious.
"But if you think that is enough to surprise me... think again."
He extended his right arm.
A mist began to form around his hand.
Slowly, the mist took shape, solidifying into a long sword made entirely of ice.
"If speed is the only thing you want to show me after six months of training, then it is not enough to surprise me, Mikael."
Aeronis pointed his Ice Might Sword toward Kael.
"Of course not, Commander."
SHWING!
Kael pulled Tesseract from his back.
"Here... let me show you more!"
Kael lowered his body.
Remember step one...
His eyes sharpened.
Make chaos for him!
SWOOSH!
Kael launched himself forward, charging straight toward Aeronis.
Aeronis raised his Ice Sword with one hand, ready to block the incoming attack.
KTANGG!
Ugh!
Aeronis' eyes widened.
What?!
His arm had been pushed away by the impact.
His strength...
Without hesitation, Aeronis immediately brought his other hand onto the hilt of his Ice Sword to support it.
SKKCRRECCCT!
Ice and metal ground against each other as Tesseract clashed against the Ice Sword.
His strength... His sword skill...
Aeronis narrowed his eyes.
Is this remarkable already?
Before this third attempt, Aeronis had always used only one hand whenever he blocked Kael's sword attacks.
But this time...
He instinctively used both hands the moment he felt the force behind Kael's strike.
It's already changed...
Aeronis looked at Kael.
Six months ago, this boy had struggled just to make him take him seriously.
Today...
Aeronis was using both of his hands to hold his ice sword.... Kael sword skill and strength now is now enough to challenge him.
"HAARGHH!"
The fight continue as Kael pushed Commander Aeronis back with his sword before leaping backward.
As he landed, he split Tesseract's handle into two parts.
He placed the transparent crystal blade onto one handle, while the other held a shorter black Tesseract blade.
Now, Kael was holding two blades at once.
"Huh? Who taught you to use Dual Bilah Skill, Mikael?" Aeronis asked, confused by how naturally Kael's stance matched that of a Dual Bilah user.
"I learned it myself, Commander…" Kael answered.
"Learned it yourself, huh?" Aeronis smirked. "And you have the nerve to show that Bilah skill to me?"
"Don't make me laugh, Mikael."
He raised his Ice Sword.
"Come take this badge if you can!"
Without hesitation, Kael once again burst forward at incredible speed.
THUMMP!
SWOOSH!
The ground exploded behind him.
KTANGGG!
KTANG!
KTANGGG!
Kael's two swords collided with Aeronis' Ice Sword again and again.
But instead of holding his position between them, Kael's attack pattern had changed.
Since he was now using two shorter blades, he could attack Commander Aeronis much more rapidly.
The sword fight continued until—
SWOOSH!
Kael leaped backward after striking Aeronis' Ice Sword.
"Why, Mikael?" Aeronis taunted. "Do you finally realize that your Dual Bilah Skill is useless?"
Without a word, Kael placed his two swords on both sides of his waist.
Then he reached into one of his pockets and pulled out something...
Something Y-shaped, made of metal, with silver elastic material tied to both sides.
It was a slingshot.
Kael reached into another pocket and pulled out a metallic sphere.
It was the bomb invention he had used during his previous attempt.
"Huh? That thing again?" Aeronis said. "And now you're using a slingshot to shoot it at me?"
He pointed his Ice Sword toward Kael.
"You really think a children's toy can damage me?"
"Think again with your brain."
Ignoring his words, Kael placed the sphere onto the slingshot.
But just as he was about to fire it from a distance—
THUMMPH!
Kael suddenly jumped high into the air and launched the bomb straight toward Aeronis' chestplate.
"I told you this isn't fast enough!"
Aeronis swung his Ice Sword with one hand and accurately split the incoming sphere into two pieces.
And that's where the chaotic Kael's plan began...
The split sphere immediately exploded.
BOOOMB!
"Ugh!"
Aeronis covered his face from the explosion, momentarily distracted.
But that wasn't all.
Another shot was fired from Kael's slingshot.
This time, three projectiles at once.
With his vision already obstructed and three projectiles flying toward him from different directions, Aeronis had no way of knowing where they were coming from.
He could only parry one with his arm.
The other two struck his back and waist.
BOOMB!
BOOOMB!
But Aeronis' emerald armor did a great job protecting his body.
With the little time he had, his body automatically moved out of the explosion's range.
SWOOSSH!
As Aeronis regained his focus and vision, he noticed something.
Kael wasn't anywhere in the backyard.
Huh? Where did he g—
To be continued...Too long guys