"Okay we''ll follow you."


    Quickly they headed out of the city center, as the academy was not located in town.


    So the group of mercenaries followed the apprentice knights through the cobbled streets of Lapi, making their way between market stalls and stone houses.


    The sound of their footsteps echoed, marking the approach of this unexpected duel. Curious locals watched them, murmuring among themselves.


    The mixture of students from the purple knight academy dressed in luxurious clothes, and mercenaries dressed in pragmatic attire, was a stark contrast.


    It was a highly unusual scene in Lapi, and one that gave rise to many rumors.


    The crimson knights'' academy was situated on a hill overlooking the city, silhouetted against the horizon with its imposing towers andrge red and gold banners fluttering in the morning breeze.


    It was so well protected that it could literally serve as a fortress and outpost for Lapi.


    They passed through the heavy gates of the academy, where carefully tended gardens framed a vast cobbled courtyard.


    Lightly d apprentice knights trained here, executing precise movements under the watchful gaze of their instructors.


    The sudden arrival of mercenaries apanied by uniformed apprentices immediately drew attention.


    "What''s going on here?" growled a massive, white-haired man wearing shining armor adorned with silver roaring lion motifs.


    He was one of the academy''s masters of arms, a respected veteran named Sir ric.


    Leo stepped forward, puffing out his chest.


    "Master ric, we''ve decided to show these mercenaries the true power of an apprentice knight trained here at the Purple Knight Academy."


    Sir ric squinted, his attention focused on the mercenaries, whose posture was surprisingly rxed, as if they''de to sightsee.


    "And who will challenge my apprentice knights?"


    Andrew turned to Henry and beckoned him forward.


    Henry was perturbed; he''d heard all about this academy because it was so famous.


    He had once dreamed of joining this academy, but having been born in Baron Irut''s territory, he was destined never to be able to join.


    "I''m Henry, a former apprentice knight at Baron Irut''s entrance stage."


    A murmur ran through the crowd that had formed around the courtyard. Sir ric nodded, intrigued.


    "So be it. I want to see what you can do. Let the duel take ce before everyone''s eyes."


    A circle quickly formed, clearing a space in the center of the courtyard.


    "Tomas, go ahead, you''re at the entrance stage too," dered Leo, calmly.


    Tomas nodded and positioned himself opposite Henry.


    But Henry had a hunch that he was much stronger than Thomas.


    So he made an unusual request.


    "Leo, you cane too."


    The crowd let out a cry of surprise.


    "Does he really want to do a 1vs2?"


    "The guy''s totally oblivious..."


    "Leo is one of the top 10 best apprentice knights in3rd year while Thomas is one of the top 30 best apprentice knights in3rd year too."


    "Especially as Leo is at the stage of small sess!"


    "Between them they could even beat the top 104th year apprentice knights."


    Henry calmly drew his sword, an ordinary sword that had already seen many battles, to show he was serious.


    "Leo, ept." the firm voice of the ric instruction echoed on the spot.


    "So annoying." murmured Leo, stepping forward in spite of himself; in no life would he dare answer the knight ric, who was among the most powerful knights in the south.


    Some said he was at least in the top 10 of the most powerful knights in the kingdom.


    After all, he''d have nothing to gain from such a duel, and if he lost, he''d lose face in front of a lot of people.


    But the battle was going to take ce, whether he liked it or not.


    Tomas used a one-handed sword and shield, while Leo used a pair of daggers.


    Everyone was using real weapons, and with their physique, even if they were badly wounded, everyone could recover quickly.


    There was a tense silence, the air charged with adrenalin.


    Then Sir ric gave the signal.


    The two apprentices charged without dy, Tomas using his shield to try to destabilize Henry.


    But Henry deftly dodged, pivoting with feline precision. His de whistled and struck the edge of the shield, sending the wearer reeling backwards.


    Leo tried to take advantage of the opening to thrust his dagger in, but Henry anticipated the move.


    He parried the attack andnded a swift kick, sending his opponent crashing to the ground.


    The mercenaries weren''t particrly surprised, as these gestures were regrly practiced by Henry during training sessions.


    The crowd, however, was not at all ustomed to such gestures and was therefore stunned to see such a scene.


    Tomas, still standing, took a hesitant step backwards.


    Henry stepped forward with a piercing stare.


    "Come on, show me what the Purple Academy has to offer."


    Sir ric''s gaze, impassive but alert, followed Henry''s every move, as he now stood alone against his two adversaries.


    "This apprentice knight is doing really well, I wonder if he''d like to join our academy..."


    "Our academy really needs an apprentice knight with a powerful fighting instinct and excellent technical skills."


    ric''s face remained impassive, but no one could have imagined that a powerful knight like him would covet a mercenary in the famous purple knight academy.


    On the field, the silence was such that you could hear the wind slide over the banners.


    Leo, furious and humiliated by his fall, straightened up with feline grace, his daggers reflecting the morning light.


    "Impressive, I admit." growled Leo, clenching his teeth in shame and anger.


    In his mind, mercenaries were nothing but vulgar cannon fodder. He''d never imagined he''d be taken down by one of them one day.


    "But it''s only just begun."


    Henry, his face rxed but his muscles tense, repositioned himself, staring at his opponents.


    His gaze betrayed absolute concentration. The sword, though worn, was held with a mastery that escaped even the most incredulous onlookers.


    Tomas, slightly sweating, took a deep breath before ncing at Leo. They exchanged a brief nod.


    Sir ric squinted curiously.


    He was familiar with the silentnguage of apprentices preparing to attack together.


    In their academy, teamwork was very important and surpassed, in terms of importance, individualbat notes.


    "Let''s see how he handles this," he murmured to himself.


    Leo threw himself in first, his daggers glinting with a sharp gleam. He pounced like a feline, his movements swift and unpredictable, aiming at Henry''s left nk.


    Simultaneously, Tomas took advantage of the opening to strike with his sword towards Henry''s right shoulder. The duo hoped to throw Henry off bnce with this coordinated attack.


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    But Henry, far from being caught off guard, pivoted on his heels with startling fluidity, forcing Leo to strike into the void.


    He raised his sword to parry Tomas''s blow, the metallic shock resonating throughout the courtyard.


    In the same second, he stepped aside, pushing Tomas against Leo in a clumsy tangle.


    The stunned onlookers widened their eyes. Murmurs grew louder.


    "How does he anticipate their movements?" wondered a young man in his first year.


    Another, more experienced, replied in a dull voice:


    "It''s not just his strength, it''s his instinct."


    Not everyone was an apprentice knight at this academy.


    Generally speaking, they arrived at the academy with an ordinary physique.


    Those with excellent talent could reach the apprentice knight stage in the2nd year, while most reached it in the third.


    Leo, beside himself, charged again, his movements more aggressive, less considered.


    He feinted to the left, then charged at Henry from the right, his daggers searching for the slightest opening.


    Henry swung slightly with his right leg, narrowly dodging a de, then used the pommel of his sword to strike Leo on the wrist.


    The dagger in his right hand fell, bouncing off the cobblestones with a clear clink.


    Taking advantage of the confusion, Tomas attempted a backhand attack, but Henry, as if with eyes in the back of his head, sensed the movement and turned.


    His de met Tomas''s in a controlled sh.


    He disarmed Tomas with a swift movement, thetter''s sword whirling through the air before falling back to his feet.@@novelbin@@


    Tomas''s defeated gaze met Henry''s.


    Leo, now with only his dagger, took a few steps back, panting.


    A bitter smile contorted his features.


    "It looks like we underestimated these mercenaries.


    Henry, without arrogance, lowered his sword, the point almost touching the ground.


    "Strengthes not only from where you train, but from what you live."