Harbinger: The Four Knights

New Training Method

Abel’s attack sent a shockwave on the ground that can be felt from the adventurer’s lounge that made the other adventurers think what exactly is happening  in the testing room. “Nero! Are you alright?” the guild leader shouted but as soon as the dust cleared, Nero appears to remain standing with loads of injuries all over his body. “Huff! Huff! This kid is not kidding at all. That was some intense fire power, I’m surprise where a monster like you came from.” He managed to show a smile and then suddenly fell on the ground, exhausted after using most of his mana to reinforce his body from taking any heavy injuries.

               “To think that you will be able to raise a shield in that short amount of time. I have to applaud you for speed but if this was a real fight then I guess I would be the winner.” Abel stood in front of the fallen adventurer who is considerably weakened. “Well, I guess that would be the outcome. Right, Curio?” he said with a smile on his face that it was already too late when Abel realized that the one with him is missing. [How did he bypass my field sense?-!] Curio’s sword is already flying swiftly towards Abel’s back by the time he looks behind him. “Let’s see if you can heal deep wounds that fast-!”

               BING!!!

               Curio and Nero were shocked when the other kid, Amon appeared behind Abel and blocked his attack with his arm. “Hey guild leader, I thought this was going to be a 1v1. How come that person butt in on their fight? That’s quite underhanded if you ask me.” Marcus muttered with a stern and cold tone. “No one said that it would be a 1v1, and to be honest, if they really are as skilled as you say they are then this should not pose as a problem to them right?” the guild leader said with such confidence and yet he is breaking a lot of sweat on his forehead.

               [What nonsense are you talking about? I am more worried about your men’s lives than those two. I have seen far enough situations that I no longer have to worry about them.] Marcus thought to himself as he flashed a wicked smile. “If that’s what is going on then you will not hold them accountable if your men get’s thrashed right?” Marcus said with a huge grin on his face as the guild leader turns to him with a surprised expression. “What are you talking about-!”

               BOOM!

               They all then turned their attention to the person that got slammed on the wall, the guild leader and his assistant eyes drowned in despair after seeing Nero’s figure with marks of fists all around his body made with a punch in a twisting motion. Nero fell on his knees with blood overflowing and foam overflowing from his mouth and with eyes rolled back the instant he fainted. [In an instant?!] the guild leader turned to Amon only to see an expression that a person with immense strength would make. “Sorry about that, I reacted too fast that I had a hard time adjusting my strength but I made sure to keep him alive. Punctured all of his joints after all.” Amon said with a cold and piercing tone.

               Abel felt that the blunder was his fault so he apologized to Amon who did not take apology and instead told him that it was his fault. “I apologize for my fault young master.” Abel bows his head and kneels in front of his young master but Amon told him to stand up. “Stand up Abel, if your duty is to protect me then that goes for me as well. My duty is to protect you too, they did not sat that it was not a 1v1 in the first place so I apologize for letting you step in alone. Now let me handle this since that one is incapacitated.” Amon said as he extends his hand and a sword flew in his hands a few seconds later.

               FWOOOOP!

               Marcus felt a little uneasy so he searched around the area and saw that Amon left the bracers on the ground and began to count them. “One, two, three- four-!” Marcus yelled that startled both the guild leader and his assistant and wondered what was the problem. “What is wrong with him boss?” his assistant asked but the guild leader shook his head and just focused his eyes on the ones fighting after he gives Nero a healing potion.

               BING! CLAK! CHING! CHING! CHING!

               [What the hell is this kid? He is trading blows with me with the strength of an adult?-!] he ducked and evaded one of Amon’s attack and backs away immediately but Amon did not give him the chance to move away from him. “KEUK!” Curio felt a sudden sharp pain on his sides only to find out that he is already bleeding. “Eh? Where did I get this?-! “ a punch flew straight for his chest that sent him flying to the wall.

               BAM! KABOOM!

               “KEUK! The fxck is with that brutish strength and speed? Are you even a kid at all-? Kuah!” he exclaimed as he pits off blood on the ground. “Unbelievable- to be able to take Curio out and best him in any aspects, who are these guys?!” the assistant cried after seeing some of their best men get taken down by a bunch of kids.

               Curio is one of the super rookies of the guild that just joined 2 years ago while Nero on the other hand is a veteran adventurer who had joined the guild for moreover 25 years and has more  the experience than most of the people inside the training room which is why the guild leader and the assistant could not believe what they are both seeing in front of them considering that the two are not weak by any means.

               “Does the guild have no funding to get nicer weapons? The weapons here could not even last that much long in my hands.” Amon ask as he looks at the already worn down sword and pointed it towards Curio who no longer has the will to fight. “Then I’ll take this as you concede defeat. Will that be enough to confirm big brother’s claim?” Amon turned and ask the guild leader who hesitantly nods his head along with a deep sigh.

               “That’s enough Amon, we don’t want to attract much attention than we have to. Its not good thing for us so if you may be so kind to keep this unto yourselves guild leader, this was all your fault from the very beginning after all.” Marcus asked the guild leader who had no choice but to comply to the demands of the young ones but then their eyes turned to Nero who doesn’t look like he is getting any better after drinking the healing potion.

               “What? The healing potion is not working?!” the assistant exclaimed but Abel immediately healed him in an instant before they can bat an eye and when they turned to Curio, he is already healed as well. [Impossible, a healer of that level is only just a kid?! To be able to heal Nero’s injuries that a healing potion could not even heal is beyond belief. If we have that kid within our guild then we can do even more dangerous expeditions without losing a single member in the future.] she thought to herself.

               “Now that the problem has been taken care of, guild leader I believe that we should proceed to the sole reason for us coming all the way here to the guild.” Marcus said as he gave the guild leader a gesture not to stray away from the point, the guild leader then followed and walked passed Marcus telling him to follow him to his office. “Kayla, prepare the things that we prepared in advance. We will be giving them the tags in my office. It would be a big trouble if they are seen in the lounge with those tags after all.” The guild leader ordered as the assistant immediately move as her boss gave the order.  

               A few moments later

               The three are now waiting in the guild leader’s office anxiously and then suddenly, the door unlocks and the assistant comes inside with three special looking small boxes. [Huh? What is with those fancy boxes? I thought we are only getting a tag along with the privilege to join the future expeditions so why are we getting something like that? I have a bad feeling about this.” He told to himself as he strain his eyes while looking at the boxes that the assistant puts on the table.

               “Here are the tags that you want, but be careful not to show this around outside. Most of the adventurers would immediately notice it and complain seeing three kids with these tags.-“ the guild leader said but then Amon cut in saying that they should just show them what they are made of since it would be the easy way to show them that they are fit to have hose tags. Everyone inside the room was astonished of his remark except for Abel who absolutely agrees with every word that Amon said.

               The guild leader shook his head saying that it is not always the case for every adventurer. “That will only make complications, the best thing to do is avoid quarrel and keep quiet about it. There is nothing more better to do, I get it that you are strong but there are boundaries that you should not cross. There are limits that everyone should be aware of themselves.” the guild leader suggested. “What he says is true Amon, we shouldn’t attract too much attention if we can help it. Just as I said earlier, it will not benefit us in any way. It will only hinder our plans in the future.” Marcus added which made Amon obey his older brother’s suggestion.

                The three then proceeded to open the boxes only to be surprised of what is inside, a glittering blue accent tag with their name engraved on it. “That is the diamond tag, three of the seven existing ones. Only people with immense strength has such tags like yours, and just like what I suggested. The other owners are hiding those tags away and even troubled themselves by joining the guild once again to be evaluated to an even lesser eye catching tag. I advise you three to do that as well or you can do nothing and just hide it and if anyone wants to see what kind of tag you have, you are not to show them your tags since I have a rule that tags can only be seen by the owner and no one else.” He suggested and advised them the things that they wanted to do to remain invisible but the three did not want to have more troubles and just followed the latter.

               They were preparing to leave the guild when all of the sudden Marcus remembered about the kind of monsters that the guild always face and ask for information about those monsters. “Can I get a detailed report about the monster?” Marcus ask the assistant but before she can answer, she turns to the guild leader who nods his head. “Yes I can but what are you going to use it for.” She asked in return. “We want to learn their characteristics and all if we want to survive. Expeditions are dangerous after all.” Marcus gave a definite and simple answer that the assistant totally agrees. “Well, I will give you a copy, should I send it to the lord’s residence in the next days? It will be hard to do it right away because of the problems within the guild so it will take a few days before I can send it to you.” She told Marcus who immediately accepted the reason of the delay.

               “Then I will be counting on you miss, thank you very much for today. We will not take our leave.” The three of them bow their heads before getting out of the office. “Phew! Where the hell did those guys came from? They don’t feel like they are kids at all. Its like I am dealing with adults the entire time. What do you think about them Kayla?” the guild leader turned to his assistant and saw the same expression that he might be making. “They don’t seem to be kids at all just like you said boss, especially that one that took down Nero and Curio. Amon was it? I can tell that that kid is not normal by any means, the aura that he is leaking out earlier doesn’t feel human.” She agreed as she rubs her shoulders.

               “That is normal for people having that feeling for the first time. I have been there in the past when I saw the knights in action, they don’t resemble a human at all, just like those kids. But they, they are way more mind breaking than the previous knights.” The guild leader said as he sits comfortably at his chair then his assistant ask him if everything will be fine with those kids having tags most adventurers are only dreaming of having. “That young master of the Saber family is quite perceptive. With him on their group, I doubt they will encounter any problems at all. Except if they manage to piss someone of but I doubt that will ever happen. Let’s just observe for now and if something like that happens, we must intervene. I release those tags after all, that means I will be partially responsible for what is going to happen in the future.”  He said as he ordered his assistant to get some of his men to monitor the three’s movements and report to him immediately if they encounter some trouble that would affect the guild as well.

               All of them arrived at the residence and found that Mark went around the land wandering around the area, with his father preoccupied. Marcus and Amon went to have training for the remaining days until the records of the monsters arrive for them to study.

               Three days passed by and the three spent their entire time training, due to Amon’s strength. The training got harsher and harsher but due to Marcus’ adaptability, he is able to withstand all of Amon’s punches with the bracers on, until they reached the limit on how strong Amon can produce with the bracers on. They all decided to call it a day and read the contents of the records while they rest.

               They soon found out that there are not much monsters that are dangerous where the guild are doing their expeditions but even so, they all decided to read all of the unconfirmed monsters that have been seen in the past. It took them the entire day reading everything , after taking notes of everything they have learned so far. They think of their strengths, the only thing that can make a difference if they were to face the unconfirmed monsters from the records.

               “Now that we finished reading all the records, I think the only ones we can get decent cores are from the dangerous classes ones, don’t get me wrong. The other ones have quite decent cores but if we want to go in an expedition. We might as well take on the dangerous ones while were at it.” Marcus said trying to convince the other two who are a little hesitant of his proposal since they no longer need to widen their mana pool because they are demons from the beginning but Amon’s greed to fight strong monsters get the best of him.      

               “If we work together, we can take down a single dangerous monster with a few scratches. It would be a great training as well.” Amon said with a slightly bothered tone as Marcus proposed a new idea. “And with that in mind, I have thought of something. You may call me insane and I won’t deny that but if we are going to need a person who can take a few hits or smashes then I will need to train with you without your bracers.” Amon immediately slams his hands on the table expressing his disbelief and disagreement.

               BAM!

               “I will have disagree with you big brother, I agreed the first time since I thought it would help your ability grow but your proposal right now is just outrageous! There is no way I will agree to something like that. Hurting one of the person that I value is one of the things that I do not want to do ever.” Amon said as he turns his head away but Abel stops him. “I don’t think it is a bad idea young master. If we are to face monsters of great danger levels then we must be properly geared. Wasting our lives in something that we did not even prepared properly is a blunder. I sure disagree with what he wants to do, I, too don’t like that idea as well but as you know, that is the only thing we can do right now. Our bodies have not matured yet to be carrying such huge loads unlike his, he is already showing that his body is different from ours that why we need to empower him as long and as much as we can.” Abel explained the advantages if Marcus were to reach the limits of his ability

               The plan to train without Amon’s ability was pondered over for a few times considering the power punch that Amon can give without the bracers but their talk was interrupted when the head merchant, Lee visited the residence precisely for them.

               “How are you all, I received a tip that you want me to do something for you.” He said the instant he entered the mansion. “Good day head merchant.” Amon greeted as he bows his head. “Marcus said he wants to do something so he left that task for us.” Abel added as Amon hands over the ring. “We want you to donate the content of this ring to uncle Mark for the food center.” Amon said but Lee tilts his head in confusion but then realize that they want him to act as the donator in their stead. “Oh! So that’s what your plan is. I was wondering why the young master had to tell me to come here. That’s not a problem, I have donated to fund the food center myself in the past. The lord will not suspect a thing, I give you my word.” He said as he hid the ring in his pocket.

               Abel offered the head merchant tea but Lee, refused saying that he had already drank tea before he came to the residence. “I will just have to go straight to the point. When are you going to do some hunting again? To be honest some of the merchants that got a hold of your goods says that the quality was outstanding and they want more. So I second reason for coming here was because of that. Could you perhaps tell me when is your group going to hunt again?” Lee said as Amon and Abel looks at each other.

               “We don’t really have an idea when we are going to hunt again since we are preparing ourselves for the next expedition that the guild is going to conduct in the next few months. We are aiming to get some experiences for years before we enroll at the academy.” Amon said as the head merchant nodded his head but then realized that the three are planning to enroll at the academy. “Eh? You want to enroll at the academy? But with that kind of skill, you can just go hunt and make a hefty amount of money for the rest of your lives so why enroll at the academy?” the head merchant almost jumped off the chair in surprise. “Well, one of the reasons I was sent here is to learn how common sense work and uncle Mark suggested that it would be effective if I learn from the academy.” Lee could still not believe what he heard from the kid that is innocently looking at him.

               [Well, it really would be effective to learn from the academy but it would be such a waste. If they are studying at the academy then I will not be able to get that much great goods.]  he thought to himself as he ponders on what to do but Marcus made his entrance by telling the head merchant that they will occasionally go hunt from time to time which made the head merchant a little relieved.

               “Is that so? Phew! I thought I was going to lose my valuable assets haha!” he let out a cry as he rubs his chest in fear. “Well, that was what we planned since we are planning to buy a land of our own so that we can train as much as we want without disturbing some people. We need a good amount of money to reach t hat goal so don’t worry Mr. Lee.” Marcus appearance made Abel and Amon felt relief because they are slowly running out of things to say to the head merchant.

               “That was good to hear, not this old man has to leave. I might be disturbing your training for the expedition so I will keep my visits to a minimum. Good luck at your training, all of you.” The head merchant immediately left after his agenda had been dealt with. Marcus turned to the other two with a smile on his face. “I am ready, I will take on your hits that I will be title ‘Invincible’ or something.” Abel immediately showed his disbelief towards Marcus’ words.

               “So you plan to use the young master for your own gains huh? What a really disgusting yet dependable person. I don’t know if I should call you a snake or a human but one thing is for sure, you can be both.” Abel said with a displeased tone. Marcus lets out a laugh as he proposed the new training method. “The new training method will be a spar. Starting today, Amon and I will be able to attack each other, that way. Our senses will be honed and our skills will improve.” He said with a smile as he opens the door to the training room.