Orin Alpheratz (15 years old) Location: Solaris  Date: Year 873 / Wolf Cycle (2) / Hermit's Day (3)

Orin awoke that morning with a current of excitement coursing through his body.

It was already the second cycle of the year, the Wolf Cycle, when Solaris began to shift into the colder season. No golden sunlight filtered through the windows, and no cheerful birdsong greeted the dawn. Only a dull, overcast sky loomed beyond the glass, heavy with distant storm clouds.

Still, Orin felt unusually light. Today marked three days since Hector had challenged him, and he was finally heading to the training camp to face his childhood friend once more.

As he checked over his gear one last time, tightening straps and adjusting the fit of his uniform, a knock came at the door. Sirius and Eridus stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

“You ready?” Eridus asked, taking in the sight of Orin's almost-complete outfit.

Orin nodded, fastening the last piece of his armor. But something in Sirius's face caught his attention. His usual carefree expression was missing, replaced with a flicker of unease. He looked distracted, as if carrying news he wasn't sure how to deliver.

“...Is something wrong?” Orin asked.

His two friends exchanged a glance. Sirius gave a faint, apologetic smile, as if to admit he wasn't hiding it very well. Eridus let out a sigh, then folded his arms.

“I guess there's no use hiding it, you're going to find out sooner or later,” he said. “Word got out about your fight with Hector. A lot of students are already at the training grounds waiting to watch.”

Orin blinked.

He looked from Eridus to Sirius, stunned. Facing Hector was already a challenge in itself. But now, knowing there would be an audience? That was a different kind of pressure entirely.

“Don't worry about it... Think of it as practice for the Hero's Trial,” Sirius said, trying to sound encouraging. “When you face Hector and Perseus in the final round, it'll be in front of the whole academy and probably the higher-ups of Solaris too.”

“You're right,” Orin replied, steadying himself. Regardless of the audience or the pressure, today was the day he would prove his worth as a knight, especially to Hector. “We should get going. No point in being late.”

The others nodded, and the three of them left the dormitory together. Their boots echoed softly against the stone path, lined with trees beginning to lose their leaves in the cool Wolf Cycle breeze.

Soon, they reached the training field, a wide open space surrounded by worn-out weapons racks and battered wooden shields. And just as Eridus had warned, a crowd had already gathered, forming a ring around the field.

In the center stood Hector, Professor Schedar... and Perseus?

Orin blinked in surprise. He walked closer, unsure of what he was seeing, but Professor Schedar addressed him before he could ask.

“Ah, Orin. You've arrived,” the professor said in a grave tone. “There's been a slight change in plans. Perseus has requested to join the bout as well. I've decided this would be a good opportunity to simulate the final conditions of the Hero's Trial. Naturally, I'll oversee the match myself.”

Orin's eyes flicked to Hector, who stood still with his arms crossed and eyes closed, as if indifferent to the outcome. Then to Perseus, whose clenched fists and tense posture betrayed barely-contained anticipation. The fire in his eyes said it all, he'd been waiting for this chance.

Recalling what Hector had told him about Perseus just days before, Orin nodded slowly.

“Fine by me. Let it be the three of us,” he said as he walked toward the weapons rack. “Doesn't change a thing, because today, I'm going to show Hector exactly why I belong in the knight's course.”

He selected a standard-issue training sword and shield, adjusting his grip with a familiar ease. Hector and Perseus were already waiting at the center of the field, fully prepared. Without hesitation, Orin stepped into position alongside them.

Professor Schedar surveyed the trio with a sharp gaze. "Are all three of you ready?"

None of them answered with words, but the silence spoke volumes.

"Very well," Schedar said, raising his hand. "Begin the match!"

At once, the air on the battlefield grew heavier with tension. Hector, calm and composed, raised his shield and shifted into a defensive stance, eyes watching both opponents carefully, calculating.

Orin kept close to Perseus, eyeing Hector with wary focus, but before he could make a decision, Perseus leaned slightly toward him and said in a low but clear voice:

"Orin, you and I might not get along, but I think we both agree on one thing: Hector needs to be taken down a peg, don't you think?" Perseus said with an unexpected smirk, casting a sideways glance at their common rival. "How about we work together to take him out first? Once he's down, you and I can settle things fair and square."

Orin blinked, caught off guard. Perseus, who had always treated him with open disdain, was suggesting an alliance? The idea was strange, but not unwelcome. And he couldn't deny the logic.

"All right," Orin said with a small grin. "We take him down together. Then it's just you and me."

Across from them, Hector chuckled quietly, shaking his head.

"Perfect," he said, raising his sword. "Working together to cover your flaws. Smart. But even so, it won't be enough."

His expression sharpened as he took a single step forward, the weight of his presence like a surge of pressure on the field.

"I suppose it's time I show you both... what a true knight is capable of."

Orin tightened his grip on his sword, eyes locked on Hector. He stole a quick glance at Perseus, who gave him a short nod.

"You handle the offense," Perseus said firmly. "I'll cover the defense. Go all in, Orin!"

"Understood!" Orin shouted, charging forward just as Perseus launched in from the opposite side.

Orin aimed for Hector's shielded flank. If he could damage or break the shield like before, they'd gain a major advantage. Meanwhile, Perseus moved swiftly to strike from the opposite side, targeting Hector's sword arm.

Hector, watching them approach from both sides, remained unmoving, utterly calm, as if reading the entire fight before it even started. Then, at the exact moment the two attackers closed in—

“ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Total Defense!” Hector called out, his voice cutting through the clash of boots and wind.

In an instant, ethereal shields materialized around him, surrounding his body in a shimmering dome of ghostly steel. Both Orin and Perseus found themselves caught off guard, the protective wall erupting mere feet in front of them.

Professor Schedar, standing just outside the battlefield, narrowed his eyes in surprise. His voice rang out with admiration.

“Incredible, Hector. To time your skill so precisely at the very moment of impact... that level of judgment alone multiplies a Knight Skill's effectiveness tenfold. Outstanding.”

And it was true. The sudden conjuring of shields had disrupted Orin and Perseus completely. The momentum of their coordinated attack collapsed. With no choice but to react, Orin twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding a collision, while Perseus was forced to backpedal to avoid the wall of phantom shields.

Their formation was broken in a heartbeat, and Hector hadn't even moved a step.

Seizing the moment, Hector instantly dispelled his defensive skill and shifted into an aggressive stance. With explosive speed, he charged toward Perseus, sword raised high above his head.

Perseus braced himself, raising his shield to block the incoming strike, but it was a feint.

Instead of bringing down his blade, Hector twisted his body mid-step and drove a powerful kick into Perseus's midsection. The impact sent Perseus crashing backward, the air knocked clean out of him.

Orin, having already regained his footing, launched into motion. With lightning-quick steps, he closed the distance in a blur. His sword came down in a clean arc, and Hector barely managed to deflect it with a twist of his own blade.

But Orin wasn't done.

“ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Solar Sword!” he shouted, his voice rising above the clamor.

The edge of his weapon blazed with radiant golden light, the heat rolling off it so intense the very air shimmered. Flames curled from the steel as the blade threatened to melt through anything in its path.

But Hector was ready.

“ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Solar Shield!” he called out just in time, and a fiery glow enveloped his shield, the metal responding to Orin's assault with equal force.

Sword met shield in a brilliant clash, sparks flying and flames dancing at the point of impact. The heat between them seared the ground beneath their feet, neither one giving an inch.

Perseus, already rising, charged back into the fray with grit in his eyes. Watching Orin lock Hector down, he knew this was his moment.

“Orin, keep the pressure on!” he shouted, sprinting toward the unguarded side. “ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Solar Shield!”

His own shield ignited with divine energy, radiating a brilliant heat as he prepared to ram it into Hector's flank. With Hector distracted, there was no way he could block both—

But just as Perseus was about to land the blow with his shield, Hector's voice cut through the noise.

“ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Solar Sword!”

The blade in his hand flared with solar power, and in one swift movement, he twisted and intercepted Perseus's attack. His sword clashing against the glowing shield with explosive force.

The crowd erupted with cheers and gasps. Even among seasoned students, this was beyond expectation.

“Incredible...” Professor Schedar murmured, eyes wide. “Two advanced skills activated at once, and perfectly synchronized... At his age, this is nothing short of extraordinary. Hector truly is a prodigy.”

After their failed assault, both Orin and Perseus took several steps back, panting and wide-eyed. The force they had just encountered was unlike anything they'd faced before.

Hector raised his sword, the golden glow still pulsating from its edge. A calm yet intense fire burned in his eyes.

"Surprised already? We're only just getting started," he said, a confident smirk curling his lips. "If this is all you've got, then this won't even be a warm-up."

On the edge of the field, murmurs erupted among the onlookers. A group of first-years couldn't hold back their curiosity and turned to Professor Schedar, who stood nearby, watching with intense focus.

“Professor! How can he use two Knight Skills at once? Isn't that... impossible?”

Schedar stroked his beard, nodding sagely. “It's certainly not something just anyone can do. Activating two skills simultaneously requires precise skill control and perfect timing. It's a hallmark of seasoned knights.”

He paused before adding, voice tinged with excitement, “In fact, there are advanced techniques known as Combo Skills, which demand three or more skills activated at once. I'd say it's still beyond the reach of any student here... but if Hector continues at this pace, he may well be the first in his generation to unlock that potential.”

Back on the battlefield, Orin narrowed his eyes, scanning for an opening in Hector's stance, but there were none. It was like staring at a fortress.

"Orin," Perseus said quickly, not taking his eyes off Hector, "I'll attack from the front. Use that chance to flank him. If you see an opening, don't hesitate, use Solar Sword if you have to."

"I got it," Orin replied with a nod.

Perseus rushed forward, his sword slicing through the air with precision. Sparks flew as he engaged Hector in a fierce exchange, steel clashing with steel in a rapid flurry of strikes.

At the same time, Orin dashed around, using the chaos of the duel to slip behind Hector undetected. With a surge of momentum, he raised his blade and prepared to strike—

—but before he could even swing, Hector's shield twisted behind him with unnatural speed, catching Orin's blade cleanly.

What—? Orin's eyes widened. He blocked it without even looking!?

Hector remained completely composed, his movements fluid and exact. With one arm, he kept Perseus's attacks at bay, and with the other, he effortlessly deflected Orin's strike from behind.

There was no way around it, every time Orin activated Solar Sword, Hector countered instantly with Solar Shield. No matter how precise or fast Orin's strikes were, Hector remained one step ahead.

Then, without warning, Hector's stance shifted.

"I think it's time to show you something interesting," he said with a calm yet ominous voice.

Orin braced himself as Hector deflected his incoming blow with his shield and countered with a simple horizontal slash. Orin dodged it easily, stepping back, but then—

"ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Longsword!"

In a flash, Hector's sword extended, its blade elongating like a spectral weapon, nearly doubling in length. The gleaming arc of steel struck Orin before he could react, sending his shield flying into the air.

"Wha—!?" Orin gasped, stumbling back as his ruined shield clattered to the ground.

"What is that?" both he and Perseus muttered at once.

From the sidelines, Professor Schedar's eyes lit up with exhilaration.

"Incredible...! So Hector really is one of those rare cases. Someone capable of developing unique skills on his own. Longsword... I’ve never seen anything like it from a second-year!"

While Orin was still reeling, Hector spun toward Perseus, slashing with the ghostly blade. Perseus managed to raise his shield and activate Solar Shield just in time. The impact sent him sliding back across the dirt, but he held his ground.

In the center of the battlefield, Hector stood like a war god, his enormous blade radiating with quiet power. The crowd watched in stunned silence.

Orin's eyes shifted to the shattered remains of his shield nearby. For the first time, doubt crept in. How can we beat him...?

But then, Perseus raised his voice.

"Orin, now's your chance! You don't need a shield. Counterattack!"

Orin blinked in surprise. Perseus... telling me to fight without a shield? That wasn't just uncharacteristic, it was unheard of. But before Orin could respond, Perseus took it a step further.

With a sharp nod, he gripped his sword and hurled it across the field.

Orin caught it mid-air, eyes wide. Now wielding two swords, he locked eyes with Hector. For the first time, the prodigy knight looked genuinely caught off guard.

"So that's your plan..." Hector muttered, spinning his Longsword into a ready stance. "Then I just have to break both swords. Once that's done... it's over."

"We'll see about that!" Orin shouted back, confidence returning to his voice.

A bold thought sparked in his mind. Reckless, maybe, but worth a try. Without hesitation, he called out:

"ACTIVATE KNIGHT SKILL: Solar Sword!"

The moment the words left his lips, both blades in his hands ignited with golden radiance. The air around him shimmered with heat. Power surged through his arms.

Two Solar Swords, burning in unison.

The crowd gasped.

Even Hector's eyes narrowed.

Orin stood, both blades blazing in his hands, ready to strike with everything he had left.