The fight between Aizel and Soren was so captivating that the other matches paled in comparison. The majority of the mages were uninterested in close combat, so they ignored the rest.
They were focused on honing their magical abilities and mastering high-level spells to improve their skills and prowess, with only a few devoted to honing their close combat techniques.
The professor led the students into the hall, where he demonstrated various battle scenarios and weapon techniques, imparting knowledge on how to apply them in various situations.
As the class ended, the professor left, and the mages headed towards a hall that appeared to be a dining area.
"It's like a canteen," Aizel thought.
Hazel and Aizel were walking together while Seraphine followed them from behind.
"Aizel, you are so good in close combat. I wish I could be that good." Hazel sighed.
"You will get there" he assured her.
Hazel led the way to an empty spot where they could sit and eat as they grabbed some meat and bread.
While they were enjoying their meal, a stranger approached and sat silently beside Aizel.
"Why are you here?" Aizel asked.
"You deserve to eat with me," Soren replied.
"What the fuck is the problem with this dude?" Aizel thought. He was a little annoyed by Soren. He quickly checked his shoulder and found it to be back to normal. "He must have used some high-grade healing potion." He concluded.
The group ate in silence for the rest of the meal, which made Hazel uncomfortable. She fidgeted as if she needed to fill the silence with chatter.
*****
In the western part of the Felgura kingdom, a small village could be seen in the distance, populated by ordinary folks who worked hard to hunt and gather for their daily sustenance.
Amidst the village, a festive atmosphere filled the air as the villagers bustled about and engaged in preparations. Joyous laughter echoed through the streets as they cooked and set up tables, while large wooden boxes resembling musical instruments were being arranged in the center.
Katherine and David had joined the village residents in lending a helping hand, completely immersed in the festivities.
Despite having fled their past, they found refuge in this small village and decided to make it their safe haven. David, a skilled swordsman, offered his services as a hunter to help provide food to the village.
Katherine, on the other hand, was skilled with mana, but her pregnancy was beginning to show with a small bump on her belly.
Amidst the joyful preparations, a group unexpectedly appeared in the village, putting everyone on high alert. David instructed Katherine to quickly go with some of the ladies and hide with a signal from his eyes.
The men in cloaks approached the village, putting everyone on alert. The village chief decided to confront them.
"What do you gentlemen seek in my humble village?"
"We are not here to cause trouble; in fact, we are here to help." The men in cloaks stood in front of the village, their faces hidden in shadows. They slowly drew their hoods back, revealing the weathered faces of seasoned hunters.
The man in the center of the group, on the other hand, exuded a different kind of energy.
"Help? How?"
"You guys might not be aware, but we have formed a small community within every small village and town who have been facing issues with their daily lives.
"We are making a statement against the nobles and royal families so they can see we are not to be ignored.
"We are making demands for better education so more people who had a chance of becoming mages can become one. We are seeking to officially publicize the potions and artifacts to make our lives easier.
"T... this, how can we help you with that? We are not fighters." The village chief replied.
"You guys are not the fighters; we need only support when the time comes, and besides, there is someone here who will need our help more." The man gave David a glance.
David took a step forward, his movements controlled and steady, and positioned himself in front of the experienced hunters.
"How do you know about me?" he asked.
"David Rosewell, the embarrassment of the noble family, had been used and thrown around like a dog his whole life.
"Recently, he left his family and ran away with his fiancé to live a normal life. I hope I did not miss anything, did I?"
David didn't respond but stared deeply into the man's eyes.
"Woah, I am not here for a fight; I am here to help. You see, David, we have all lost more than you can imagine, and we don't have anything against you for being noble.
"Besides, we consider you a comrade of ours. Here, take this." The man handed over a crystal ball to David, who took it cautiously.
"Contact us when you feel like you need our help or have something for us; we will be there for you. And be careful, David, things are about to get tough."
The group departed from the village, leaving David with the crystal ball, while some of the villagers watched with concern. Katherine hurried over to him; her face etched with worry.
"Is it safe to have this with you?" she asked.
"Yeah, I have already heard about them and the riots they have been causing with the help of ordinary folks all around the kingdom. And besides, we have nothing to provide them with.
"Forget about them for now; let's enjoy the festival. Let's go, guys. Bring some booze and meat."
The villagers accepted David and Katherine and joined them in the festival, enjoying the food and drink. Laughter and song filled the air as they all celebrated together, their worries temporarily forgotten.
A roaring fire blazed in the center, casting a flickering light over the delighted crowd as they twirled and swayed in rhythm, circling the flames.
As the villagers danced in circles around the bonfire, the flames flickered brightly in the night sky. David and Katherine joined in the fun, holding each other close and swaying to the beat of the music.
"What should we keep our child's name, David?" Katherine asked.
"If it's a girl, then you name it; but if it's a boy, then Thomas," he replied with a smile. "...Katherine?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think we will be able to escape from everything?" David asked, with worry.
"If we die, we die together; our souls will never be apart; we will meet again in another life. Nothing, not even death can keep us away, David. We will always be with each other, forever."
