Five Years

In the Training Ground, a group of bruised and battered, comical-looking youths wore leather armor and iron helmets, wielding unsharpened weapons as they fought one another.

Though they were young, they struck with exceptional ferocity. The slightest carelessness meant being knocked to the ground at once. Those who could still rise immediately scrambled back up to fight, while those unable to get up had twisted limbs and were likely already suffering from broken bones!

Even as pain made their bodies tremble and sweat stream down them, every one of them clenched his teeth without letting out a single groan. Fully armed knights would soon rush in and carry them out of the Training Ground.

Within the Training Ground built from massive stones, crisp metallic clashes rang out without pause. Sweat poured like rain, Dust Flying everywhere. Dozens of youths fought with the bloody fervor of a battlefield, like a pack of fierce and savage Wolf Cubs!

When only the final five youths remained standing in the arena, a Golden-haired Youth stepped onto the raised platform.

He was a handsome youth with bright eyes and a tall, slender frame. His golden hair was simply tied behind his head, and the gentle backlight made the contours of his face seem even deeper. Then he said softly, "All right, stop."

Everyone below obediently lowered their heads and bowed respectfully.

"Good day, Young Master Arro."

If those below were all vicious Wolf Cubs, then Arro was the peerless Wolf King!

They had no choice but to submit.

For five whole years, over a thousand bouts, Arro had fought them all by himself!

Whether barehanded or armed, no matter how many tactics they devised, no matter what combined attack techniques they practiced.

Their numbers had even continued to increase afterward.

Yet the last person standing in the Training Ground was always Arro!

But only Arro himself knew how narrowly he had won those thousand-odd bouts over the past five years!

If they had not been wary of his status at the beginning.

If he had not secretly figured out every one of their methods, strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, even shamelessly adding newcomers to exploit the disadvantage of their numbers.

If his skills had not improved enormously later on.

He truly might not have been able to maintain an undefeated record.

But a win was a win!

Knocking down these youths time and again had not only stirred their fighting spirit, but also deeply etched an invincible image into their hearts. Arro himself had gained immensely as well.

Personal Attributes:

Strength: 4

Agility: 8

Nerve Reflex: 12

Endurance: 8

Constitution: 6

Personal Martial Skills:

Thrust: Advanced

Slash: Advanced

Upswing: Advanced

Block: Advanced

Cat Form Fist—Tree Climbing: Advanced

Cat Form Fist—Dash: Master (See the whole from the smallest detail)

Knight Breathing Technique: Advanced

Remaining Skill Points: 15

Personal Level: Level 16: 376/20000

Sometimes, an opponent might understand you better than you understood yourself.

Arro had fought the youths too many times. In pursuit of victory, aside from using crooked schemes, they had considered every method and investigated every scrap of information.

Precisely because he understood them, the thought that he would soon leave made Arro feel a trace of reluctance, despite having long since matured inwardly.

It felt somewhat like graduation in his previous life, when he was about to part with brothers he got along well with.

Perhaps he should bring some wine?

Then Arro thought of his own age and that of the youths below, and could not help shaking his head with a laugh.

What was he thinking?

Clatter!

"Young Master Arro, the longswords have been brought over."

Kabir's voice interrupted Arro's thoughts. He glanced at the increasingly steady Kabir and nodded slightly. "Have them come up."

While waiting, Arro Looked At the longswords on the tray. These five Knight's Longswords had no flashy decorations, but an experienced hand could tell from the grain of their blades that all five were fine swords forged through a hundred refinements. They could barely qualify for the Garner Family's collection room of treasures.

What was truly precious was not the longswords themselves, but the meaning attached to them.

Any youth who received a longsword would become a reserve Formal Knight. Once they entered the Apprentice Knight stage, they would immediately be issued a Knight Breakthrough Potion.

As usual, each time Arro handed out a longsword, he offered a word of encouragement. "Keep it up!"

But the Little Brats, who would normally be overjoyed just to receive a little red flower, were unusually subdued now. One after another, they merely accepted the longswords from Arro's hands woodenly.

Once the longswords had all been distributed, Arro wanted to say something. Yet though a thousand words churned in his heart, only one sentence ultimately came out. "You... take care!"

"Young Master Arro... take care!"

The youths below responded in scattered voices. Arro waved his hand, turned, and walked outside.

When he reached the gate, a youth's voice suddenly rang out from the Training Ground.

"Young Master Arro, can't you stay? You're so young and already this strong. Why become some sneaky wizard? Once you grow up, not even tens of millions of people might be able to hold you back. You'll definitely become an invincible general!"

Many youths immediately echoed him.

"That's right, Young Master Arro! If you become a general, we'll be your vanguard!"

"Young Master Arro, don't leave!"

Arro's Footsteps halted.

Sneaky wizards?

An invincible general?

The Little Brats who sat at the bottom of a well and watched the sky truly knew no fear.

Arro thought of the Wish Sprite he had encountered in childhood, and his heart burned even hotter.

Being a general... could that possibly be more fun than being a wizard?

The recruitment Mentor from the Wizard Academy would be arriving soon. He needed to hurry back.

With that thought, Arro no longer hesitated. Blocking out the voices behind him, he strode forward.

The moment he returned to the Castle, his even more aged Grandfather hurriedly urged him, "Arro, you're back. Go wash up quickly. Word has come from Rufus Town—the Lord Wizard is on his way here and will arrive any moment!"

"Why so soon? Didn't they say we were gathering tomorrow?"

The moment Arro heard this, he hurried toward the washroom.

"Who could guess what a Lord Wizard is thinking?" Grandfather said with a bitter smile, then turned to instruct Ms. Fana, "Go prepare a fresh set of clothes."

Arro did not dare delay. His Physical Quality was good anyway, so he simply rinsed himself with cold water, quickly dressed in the clothes Ms. Fana brought him, and then a group of Maids came forward to put various small accessories on him while carefully tending to his hair.

As the saying went, clothes made the man just as a saddle made the horse. After a frantic short while, a handsome and dashing youth dressed in dazzlingly luxurious clothes appeared.

Ms. Fana said in a low voice, "The Lord Wizard has arrived. Lord Pahez is accompanying him in the Living Room. Go quickly."

So hurried?

Arro did not dare neglect it and quickly headed for the Living Room.

Before he even drew near, he heard Grandfather's cheerful laughter.

Was it one of Grandfather's old friends?

With a trace of confusion, Arro straightened his clothes slightly, pushed open the doors, and slowly walked inside.

"Little Arro."

Arro looked up, his eyes widening blankly as he stared in astonishment at the familiar graceful figure seated in the place of honor.

"Mother?!"

Nicole wore a black Formal Wizard Robe, and her face shone with a different kind of radiance. She looked nothing like the dispirited, listless woman in Arro's memories.

"Well, handsome Little Arro? From the look on your face, you seem quite surprised?"

Arro, who had been on tenterhooks, immediately relaxed. He shrugged and looked helplessly at his mother. "How could I not be surprised by something like this?"

"Little Arro."

Arro lowered his head and saw his first teacher. He immediately performed an elegant Wizard Apprentice's salute. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Teacher Gemma."

"Likewise."

The Black Cat yawned tiredly, waved a paw, and said lazily, "To get here before the others and pick you up, Nicole and I haven't slept for two months."

Arro froze slightly, then immediately thanked them. "You've worked hard, Teacher Gemma, Mother. Thank you for what you've done."

"No need to thank us." Nicole picked up the Black Cat and explained gently, "No matter which academy it is, when recruiting new students, they must conduct a Death Test. During the Ship's voyage, they will draw enough dangers over and let the students deal with them themselves."

"This is the most dangerous stage before stepping through the gates of wizardry."

"They won't let all the students die, of course. But even under the most lenient rules, Formal Wizards may only intervene after thirty percent of the students have died."

"How could I possibly rest easy about something like that?"

"Thirty percent dead?" Arro's Eyebrows furrowed. "And that's the most lenient rule?"

Nicole nodded. "Yes. The notice we received this time stated a fifty percent fatality rate."

The Black Cat lazily opened its eyes. "You wizards are truly twisted. You recruit students, then make them go die. What a waste of time."

Grandfather Spoke Out, "That is because the Wizard Academy's main purpose in recruiting students is to scatter them across various regions to collect or guard against all manner of strange things. Naturally, the more Wizard Apprentices there are, the better. But they must all have seen blood. The Wizard Academy will not waste its time on cowards."

"Timid Arro, don't be afraid," the Black Cat comforted him. "We hurried here to pick you up so we could judge the situation. If you can pass, we'll let you study at the Wizard Academy. If you can't, your mother will protect your safety."

"Protect my safety? Then I won't be able to study wizardry?"

"Impossible, Little Arro. We cannot set up a Magic Pattern Array as comprehensive as the Wizard Academy's. When Wizard Apprentices meditate for the first time, it is far too easy for them to fall into danger. We simply cannot guard against it!"

Nicole's attitude was exceptionally firm. "Especially now, when everyone basically performs their first meditation at the Wizard Academy. Doing it in the Outside World would be even more dangerous. I will not agree to you taking such a risk."

Arro nodded calmly. "I understand."

After training for so long, Arro had more than enough confidence.

Even if all the students died, he would definitely be the last one to die, let alone when—at most—only half would die!

"You're not afraid?"

The Black Cat stood up and looked at Arro in surprise. "Half of them will die, yet you're not afraid?"

"Teacher Gemma."

Arro revealed a Gentleman's smile and spoke a line that had taken him quite some time to translate perfectly.

"Please remember this—'After three days apart, one should look upon another with new eyes'!"

Thanks to Obsessed with Chemistry for the monthly ticket!

Thanks to Netheril Legendary Lich Lavok for the recommendation vote.

Thanks to Silent Night Wanderer, Xingsheng Weizhi, and reader 20190331221713664 for once again giving recommendation votes in support!

That numerical username is too hard to make out. Good thing I have a rough impression of it ^_^