On the upper floor of the Hove Tower, there is a room that is not particularly large. Several figures are gathering here. Three or four of them stood, the last one sitting in a chair that was extremely unpretentious by elven standards.

"This is the report just now, and Prince Ashrufat seems to have passed the first test. ”

"There's nothing strange about that. According to the news from Ireber, Prince Ashrufat had killed the enemy's generals on the battlefield. He must have been a fighter who was good at using weapons. It's normal for that level of test to be difficult for him. But next time it will be difficult, we are looking for a real master among the students, which should be able to dispel this idea. ”

"It's not that simple, said Fianor, and he said that the prince's fighting skills are beyond imagination, and they are by no means comparable to ordinary sword masters. If in the normal way, he would have earned the title of Juggernaut without much effort. When the time comes, he will make demands in accordance with tradition, and we cannot refuse. ”

"Ferno, oh, it's the one who is known for his severe trials...... If he says so, then ......"

"Why don't you let me meet this Prince Ashrufat. The one sitting in the chair said suddenly. He didn't say anything during the discussion.

"Master, but...... He should also be tested once, and the last ......"

"Didn't you just say that Prince Ashrufat is a martial artist and will definitely pass the test. Since old Fino has this conclusion, then I believe that in the second exam, no matter which one of the cadets is chosen as his opponent, he will win. ”

The rest of the discussants were silent.

"So we might as well not waste our time, and let me fight the prince directly. If even I lose, then we must admit that he has lost his strength. ”

"But Prince Ashrufat's real purpose is for us to join him on his expedition. We don't have enough manpower right now to carry out that kind of adventure! The Phoenix King's front line is treacherous, in case our evil cousins ...... We must prioritize the Phoenix King's side...... And we must leave the strength of self-defense......"

"Although the prince is taking risks, in a sense, he is also sharing the pressure of the front line for the Phoenix King. The elf, known to others as "The Master," said. "If he can really defeat me, I believe in his strength, and I believe that his expedition does have a good chance of winning. So let's decide. ”

......

The efficiency of the elves is really not high. Although the instructor said that he could immediately participate in the next stage of training by "going through the formalities", in fact, Ashrufat had been left to the rest area and had not returned for a long time.

Maybe there was already a certain rumor, or maybe his performance just now was too eye-catching, so the other students who were resting were far away and didn't dare to approach him. But that's fine, Ashruphat slowly recalled the feeling he felt when he cut the dummy just now.

Although Carrie said that he was very physically strong, but the feeling just now, or that was the real fighting skill. It is necessary to firmly control the strength of your body, relax, exert force, explode, relax...... The real trick is in that moment......

If it weren't for Carrie, it would probably take him months of training to master this technique. It is necessary to go through countless failures before you can gradually understand the mystery and the key. But Carrie was able to directly turn these complex teaching things from language and movement instruction directly into physical experience. That's why he can experience the mystery in a short time.

"Master, this is also because you have extremely good talents and hobbies. In her mind, Carrie whispered.

"Prince Ashrufat?" a voice pulled him back from this contemplation and aftertaste, not the instructor just now, but another. However, it can be seen from the demeanor of his clothes that this one is also an instructor.

"It's me. ”

"Your Royal Highness, please come with me. ”

Ashrufat followed him away. They quickly left the training area for the new cadets and walked up a long aisle. After a few turns and a few of the same training areas, Ashrufat was taken to a special room. The room was not very large, but it was empty, with no bits and pieces of furniture except for a weapon rack on one side. An elf with a two-handed sword was in the center of the room, and in a corner of the distance, several other elves were standing.

"This is ......" Ashrufat looked at it, this place didn't seem to be the place for the "next stage of training".

"Your Royal Highness. The elf standing in the middle of the field noticed Ashrufat's hesitation. "Your instructor, Fino has told me about your performance, etc. It is a blessing for a good warrior like you to want to learn the path of the Juggernaut. Although my generation has the name of the Sword Master, and has practiced all his life to pursue the highest level of swordsmanship and martial arts, I also know that we are not the only pursuers. I wonder where His Royal Highness the Prince used to be?"

"An exceptional mentor. The prince hesitated, then replied. "But please forgive me for not being able to tell him his name. His name is also not known to the world. An inexplicable intuition told him that there was something different about the Juggernaut (presumably a Juggernaut) who spoke to him.

"A hermit. The elf, or rather, the Juggernaut, nodded. "But Your Highness the Prince, in fact, we have already understood your intentions. Please come in. ”

Only then did Ashruphat find himself still standing in the doorway, and he walked in until he came to the front of the Sword Master, and the two sides stood face to face, a distance of ten paces or so.

"I believe that His Royal Highness the Prince will be able to understand the hardships of our waiting. Many princes, and even the Phoenix King himself, see us as warriors, and do not want to understand our true pursuits. What we seek, even physically and spiritually, is not to kill indiscriminately on the battlefield. For us, the battle is a ladder to the highest realm, not the end. ”

"Do you know what he means?" Ashruphat asked Carrie in his mind. His elven language is the level of temporary training, and daily communication is no problem, but when it comes to this kind of literary conversation, it seems a little insufficient.

What he meant was that the Juggernaut was a group of monks, not a group of warriors. Carrie replied. "Although they do not averse to fighting, and they are willing to fight, they do not see it as an end in itself, but as a means to test themselves. ”

"Why did His Royal Highness the Prince launch this expedition?" Suddenly, the Swordmaster changed the subject. "Accomplish your own deeds, resolve the immediate crisis for the Azul clan, or is it because of the hatred in your heart?"

"Neither. Ashrufat was starting to feel a little tired. What the hell is this for? a procedure necessary for a higher level of training, like the kind of ritual that is necessary for humans to be canonized as knights?

"Well, it is not because of hatred and desire, and it must not be blinded by hatred and desire. In this way, Fang is the right way of the sword. Juggernaut continued. "Your Royal Highness, I hope you will do what you say. My name is Finrod, the master of swordsmanship in the Tower of Hove. I'm your last test. ”

"The last ......"

"If you defeat me, then I believe in the purity and wisdom of His Royal Highness's heart, and in your strength to lead the expeditionary force on the road to victory. In this way, we are willing to follow the prince on an expedition to a foreign land. ”

Finrod gestured with his hand to the weapon rack in the distance. "Your Royal Highness, please feel free to choose the right weapon. ”

Ashrufat noticed that the weapons on the racks were not training items, but actual sharp blades.

"What do you mean......"

"Defeat me with your sword. Finrod smiled. "One side admits defeat or falls to the ground and the winner is decided. ”

"Injuries and ...... What about death?"

"If you fall to the ground, you will decide the winner. Finrod repeated. "Nothing else matters. ”

Ashrufat picked up a two-handed longsword from the weapon rack and returned to Finrod.

"This is a ......" Ashrufat was actually a little hesitant, what did this mean in the end? Kill this Sword Master, or like the slashing dummy just now, there is some meaning behind it.

"Your Royal Highness, are you ready? Finrod said, and then he suddenly raised his sword.

Ashruphat instantly felt the murderous intent coming from the side of his body. He immediately instinctively jumped out of the way, avoiding the sneak attack and preparing to counterattack...... Then he found that there were no enemies on the flanks. He jerked his head back, only to see that Finrod was still holding his sword and not moving, only with a slight smile on his face.

What's going on? Too nervous, so delusional? Ashrufat himself was a little incredulous. At this time, he once again clearly felt the killing opportunity in the rear. It's not an ear hearing something special, it's an instinct, a keen instinct cultivated in countless battles.

Ashruphat dodged again. But as before, there weren't any sneak attackers behind him. Finrod, on the other hand, remained in the posture of raising his sword, but did not take the initiative to attack.

What's going on...... Magic, or something else?, but before he could comprehend, he immediately felt the resurgence of murder behind him.

Once again, Ashrufat chose to avoid it. Of course, there was nothing behind him.

"Master, what's wrong with you?" asked Carrie in surprise.

Sure enough, Carrie couldn't feel it, Ashrufat stood firm, this time distancing himself from Finrod and carefully observing his surroundings. There weren't any lurkers nearby, and his instincts were wrong. Too nervous?

No, it's not wrong!!!

"Your Royal Highness, although I don't know who your mentor is, the combat skills you have learned are a vein of pursuing the tempering of skills in actual combat. Fighting to the death can really sharpen a warrior and give you the instincts of a beast to avoid most dangers. However, the intuition itself is a gap that can be exploited. ”