Warrior Training System

Cassian's instincts screamed danger as he sensed movement behind him and ahead. His grip on the hilt of his sword tightened as two fairies emerged from the dense foliage, their sharp wooden spears glinting in the faint light filtering through the canopy. One lunged at him from the front, its spear thrusting upward with precision, while the other attacked from behind, aiming a downward strike at his back.

The attack was coordinated, designed to trap him with no escape, but Cassian's body moved before his mind fully registered the danger. He ducked, his movements swift and fluid, lowering himself just enough to avoid both spears. The weapons sailed past him, missing their intended target.

But the fairies weren't as fortunate. Their own momentum betrayed them as their spears continued on their path, impaling each other. The one behind him drove its weapon deep into the chest of the fairy in front, while the front attacker's spear struck the chest of the one behind.

Cassian straightened, his eyes narrowing as he watched the aftermath unfold. Green, viscous blood oozed from their wounds, dripping down the shafts of the spears. Their mouths opened in silent cries of pain, but no sound escaped, only the gurgling of their final breaths.

Their delicate, translucent wings, which had been fluttering frantically, began to slow. The shimmering light that danced across their surfaces dimmed as their strength faded. Finally, the wings stopped altogether, their fragile beauty now a stark contrast to the brutal scene.

Cassian took a cautious step back, his gaze unwavering as both fairies collapsed to the forest floor. Their bodies landed with dull thuds, lifeless and still, their spears still lodged in each other's chests.

"That was so cool!" A boy, around Cassian's age, emerged from the shadows, his face lit up with excitement and awe. He carried two short swords strapped to his back, their hilts glinting faintly in the dim light. This was Larick Keun, the only other examinee Cassian had come across in the vast and treacherous expanse of the Den of Fairies over the last twelve hours.

Larick looked every bit as inexperienced as his wide-eyed enthusiasm suggested. Though he lacked the hardened edge of someone familiar with the world's harsher realities, he wasn't entirely unskilled. He, too, had unlocked his domain and had shown himself to be a capable fighter, despite his youth and relative naivety.

Cassian, though not one to bask in flattery, found himself appreciating Larick's genuine praise. It wasn't the empty kind meant to butter him up or stroke his ego. There was no hidden agenda behind Larick's words—just honest admiration.

Being the same age, Cassian found it easy to get along with Larick. Sliding his sword back into its sheath, Cassian flashed a confident smile. "That wasn't anything special," he said with a hint of playful arrogance. "Next time, watch me handle three of them at once."

The gloating grin on his face didn't betray his age—after all, Cassian was still a kid. And like any kid, he wasn't above enjoying a bit of praise or basking in the glory of his accomplishments.

Larick grinned, his excitement undiminished. "I mean, two fairies at once! And you didn't even flinch! How do you stay so calm? If that were me, I'd be panicking like crazy!"

"Just don't be afraid of getting hurt, and you'll be fine," Cassian said as the two of them resumed their cautious trek through the dense forest. Larick nodded earnestly, taking Cassian's words to heart.

What Larick didn't realize, though, was how different Cassian truly was. Even if Cassian got hurt, he wouldn't feel the pain, and his wounds would heal rapidly thanks to his unique abilities. Larick, on the other hand, had powers of his own, but they were nothing like Cassian's. His strengths lay elsewhere, and though he didn't yet grasp the full extent of Cassian's resilience, Larick's determination to keep up with him remained unwavering.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As they walked through the seemingly endless forest, their conversation flowed easily, making the otherwise torturous journey more bearable. Cassian found himself enjoying Larick's company—his youthful energy and chatter helped distract from the monotony of the place.

At one point, Larick grinned mischievously and asked, "Hey, do you have a girlfriend?"

Cassian was momentarily taken aback by the question. It wasn't something he expected to come up in this setting, but Larick's innocent curiosity made him chuckle. His thoughts drifted as he mentally sorted through his past relationships and flings.

'Katherine?' She was definitely someone he consider as his lady, though things between them were complicated.

'Lucy?' Just a friend, nothing romantic there.

'Laureen?' They'd never had anything close to a fling, so she was out of the question.

'Russela?' That was more about helping her, and her way of repaying him didn't feel like a relationship.

Then there was Lumine. A smile crept onto his face as he thought of her. If anyone could be considered his girlfriend, it was her.

"Yeah," Cassian finally nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "I have one."

Larick's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? How'd you manage that?"

"I just did..." Cassian smirked, countering with, "What about you? Got one?"

Larick shook his head enthusiastically, a mix of embarrassment and determination on his face. "Nope! I tried asking a girl out once, but she rejected me." then with same enthusiam continuing, "how did you mange to get her to say yes..."

Cassian chuckled at Larick's genuine curiosity. "Well," he began, "it's not something you 'manage.' It just happens. You meet someone, your vibes match, and the rest falls into place."

And honestly, as far as Cassian could recall, that's exactly how it had gone for him. Sure, there had been other moments, little twists and turns in their story, but in the end, it all came down to how naturally they connected. That's what made them boyfriend and girlfriend.

Larick groaned dramatically, throwing his hands up. "Ugh, that's so vague! I need real details, man! Teach me your ways!"

Cassian rolled his eyes with a grin. "Just don't try too hard. It's not a battle to win, Larick. Let it come naturally."

"Nah, you've got to have some kind of trick up your sleeve… It's not as easy as you're making it sound," Larick said, his expression tinged with doubt.

Cassian shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I'm telling you, it's just how it worked out for me. Maybe I'm just lucky."

Larick raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "Lucky, huh? Must be nice. For the rest of us, it's a whole lot harder than you're making it seem."

Cassian couldn't argue with that. While things had come naturally for him, he understood it wasn't the same for everyone. "Maybe," he admitted with a chuckle. "or maybay learn how to massage it worked for me...."

Larick looked confused for a moment, about to reply, when a sudden sharp pain shot through his foot. He winced, his face scrunching up as he quickly unsheathed his swords. Cassian, his expression calm and unreadable, was already in position, scanning their surroundings.

"I didn't see anything," Cassian muttered, his voice low and cautious.

Then, out of nowhere, a faint buzzing sound reached their ears. Both of them tensed as the noise grew louder. Shadows flitted across their faces, and when they looked up, their nervous chuckles escaped almost simultaneously.

"Well, what a surprise," Larick said, his tone a mix of forced humor and growing tension. "Cassian, looks like you've got a chance to show me how you handle three at once."

Hovering above them were five fairies, their sharp spears glinting ominously as they looked down like predators eyeing prey.

Cassian didn't reply, his grip on his sword tightening as his gaze darted between the attackers.

Before Larick could say anything more, another buzzing sound came from their left, followed by another from their right. Larick groaned dramatically, trying to mask his growing unease. "Actually, scratch that—how about handling four? Or wait… maybe three, two times?"

Cassian's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Guess we'll find out," he said, his voice steady, as the fairies began their descent.

The buzzing grew louder as the fairies dove toward them, their wings blurring into a hum of menace. Cassian moved first, stepping forward with practiced precision, his sword gleaming with a faint green hue.

"Stay sharp, Larick," Cassian called, his voice steady despite the tension.

One of the fairies darted in, thrusting its wooden spear straight at Cassian's chest. He sidestepped smoothly, slashing upward in the same motion. His blade sliced through the fairy's torso, green blood spraying in a fine mist as its lifeless body fell to the ground.

"Got it!" Larick shouted, raising his twin swords just in time to block an incoming spear. The impact jarred his arms, but he twisted his body, swinging his left sword in a wide arc. The blade nicked the fairy's wing, sending it spiraling to the ground with a shriek.

"Nice hit," Cassian said, ducking as another spear whizzed past his head. He spun on his heel, his sword cutting through the air and catching a second fairy mid-flight. It let out a strangled cry before crashing to the ground.

Larick wasn't as graceful but held his ground. Two fairies came at him simultaneously, their movements quick and erratic. He gritted his teeth, focusing on one and dodging the other's attack at the last second. His swords danced clumsily but effectively, landing a blow on one fairy's leg.

"Little help here!" Larick yelled, stumbling as the second fairy's spear grazed his shoulder.

Cassian didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant. With one swift strike, he cleaved the fairy attacking Larick in two.

"You're welcome," Cassian said with a smirk, stepping back to survey the remaining enemies.

"Show-off," Larick muttered, though his grin betrayed his admiration.

The final fairy hesitated, its sharp eyes darting between the two boys. Cassian and Larick stood shoulder to shoulder now, both ready for the next attack.

"You want to do the honors?" Cassian asked, nodding toward the last fairy.

Larick nodded, gripping his swords tightly. "Don't mind if I do."

With a burst of speed, Larick lunged forward, feinting to the left before slashing upward with his right sword. The fairy tried to dodge, but Larick's second blade was already there, slicing cleanly through its torso.

As the fairy fell to the ground, its wings fluttering weakly, the forest grew quiet once more. Both boys stood there, catching their breath.

"Not bad," Cassian said, clapping Larick on the shoulder.

Larick grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Not bad? I just saved your life."

Cassian laughed, sheathing his sword. "Sure, let's go with that."