Alex went towards the woods, he had just had another day of serving customers at the bar and his arms were aching from carrying the mugs. He had no choice but to work for Zank, other places would not accept his white hair. Luckily, Zank knew about Alex's problems from young and needed a helping hand in the bar.

Alex looked at the coins in his hands, he was almost there, almost enough coins to achieve his dreams. He went to the usual spot where he practiced his swordsmanship. He picked up the stick and started swinging it at the tree.

"Relax your shoulders a little. " Someone had said behind him.

Alex whirled around and swung his stick, it was not intentional, but the person that spoke surprised him. The stick made contact with the person's face and knocked him sideways. Alex hurried up to him, "You okay? I swear it wasn't intentional! "

The stranger hopped back onto his feet like nothing happened, in fact, his wounds already healed. He told Alex, "Not to worry, I'm perfectly fine. "

Alex breathe normally again, he was so worried about the person he completely ignored the fact that he healed instantly. 

"Why practice at such a weird place? Not at the stadium? " The stranger asked.

"The stadium is only for nobles and royalty. I'm just a commoner. Besides, I'm not good enough. " Alex replied, feeling insulted.

"But you already have instincts better than those nobles you speak of. " The stranger said then seemed to get an idea, "I can give you unlimited power, how about that? "

Alex felt tempted, he almost said yes, but he rethought the idea. If he became a royal knight, it would not be with his power but with this stranger's one instead. Was that what he really wanted? What would happen to Zank's bar if he left?

Alex politely declined, and got on his way home. He did not want power, he just wanted to help others when he became a knight. At his home, he checked his pouch of coins, he was close, tantalizingly close. he looked around the little shack he had built in the jungle, it would all be worth it soon enough.

END