Khal, noticing his chance, imbedded his feet with wind element before he rushed to the tree he anticipated that Tal would jump to. Just as Tal dodged the 3 throwing knives, he reached another tree only to see Khal with a short sword aimed at his chest. Before he could even dodge or block the attack, he felt dizziness and lost his guard for a second. When he regained his bearings, he felt his heart pierced straight through by the sword. Surprised, he grabbed the hilt of the sword with one hand and the neck of the boy with the other. He tried cladding his fist to crush the boy's neck only to find that he had no energy. He looked down to see the boy using a dagger to mercilessly stab him in the gut, completely depleting his energy source. Tal watched the boy in horror as blood oozed from his closed mouth. He fell to the floor holding the hilt of the weapon, unable to comprehend why the boy was so strong and fast. His eyes were left wide open in shock and regret as blood flowed down the sides of his mouth for the last time.

Just after using cognizance to give Khal a better chance, Bryce tried to dodge the battle axe as he used his momentum to flip over the giant. He cladded his feet to quickly jump over the 7ft giant, somehow landing behind him without the blade in hand. He knew this was the last of his tricks and his energy, if the giant man dodged his strike or somehow repelled it, they were destined to die. Bryce turned around to watch the giant standing still before falling slowly to his knees with the blade lodged at the back of his neck. Bryce panted for air as he fell to the ground, blood forming a pool around him from his chest as a deep wound could be seen from his right shoulder to the left hip. He screamed in rage and sorrow at losing most of his men as he pounded his fist on the ground. One of his soldiers rushed towards him to hold him upright while the other rushed towards Khal as he laid unconscious next to the dead Tal.

At that same moment, Nick walked over limping. He was battered and bruised and his left eye was bleeding profusely. He reported to Bryce slowly, "Reporting Ser, enemy camp found but there was another Knight level soldier in the bushes," Nick said as he dragged the dead soldier towards the other 22 dead men. "The enemy's camp has at least 500 men from what I could see. They also seemed to be guarding a captive but I couldn't recognize who from this distance. We need to report this as soon as possible!" he added.

"Take our dead and return them to the manor. They deserve to be honored for their courage. Hide the Burgans in the bushes, their camp shouldn't notice their disappearance for some time. This unit was probably supposed to guard our northern gates and prevent us from getting out. Their overconfidence allowed us to not only find their camp, but also to take one of their units out. We did good, lads. Now, let's go home," Bryce commanded as he finally fainted from his blood loss.

---

Jankins was just a commoner by birth. He had joined Tommel's manor as a guard a few weeks ago, only because he needed the coin to buy food. He was abandoned as a child and never knew his mom or dad. He had grown up in the streets of Black Barony, stealing or lying to get by. He wasn't sorry for himself though, he knew life was difficult and he learned to live with it. He had seen many people kill each other just for stale bread or a few copper coins too often to count. He considered himself one of the lucky ones, able to live to see 14 years.

The day Avery had saved him over the more experienced Brian or Richard had caused a fundamental change in him. He never understood the reason why. The man could have saved himself and continued without worrying about exposing his secret. What confused Jankins, even more, was that the man had visited him asking to keep his secret. If it was him, he would have threatened to kill to keep his secret. In fact, he would have snuck into the room while the person was still healing then kill him silently. Dead men tell no tales afterall.

Instead, the man agreed to train him, free of cost. Most people being trained were either those who could afford to go to the battle academy in Cormac or those from martial families. Jankins found that his rotten luck was about to change for the first time. If he could secure a proper trainer then his cladding could finally reach the initiate level or even 3rd class.

He knew that Avery was a mysterious man. The moment he came to the barony on Lord Tommel's carriage 10 years ago with his wife, Jankins had been on the street watching the commotion. Everyone had come out to see the baronet that would be occupying the manor to the south side of the village. He noticed that Avery was always too friendly and polite over the years, even to the commoners. Everyone knows that there was a big difference between commoners who were vassals to nobles and those who were not, but Avery didn't seem to care. He would treat both noble and commoner the same despite everything. The first red flag Jankins saw was the way Avery evaded the Baron any time the man was close.

The only people who would do such a thing were enemy of the kingdom. Jankins didn't care what secret the man had though, he was just happy he was finally able to steer his future in the right direction.

---

Sergeant Michael had left through the south gate 1 hour after Bryce's unit left. He had taken 2 soldiers with him, Clive and Lunet on the best horses the manor could offer. They were riding east towards the closest city, Ensom City, controlled by Viscount Milon. Clive and Lunet were second only to Bryce in combat and were needed if he encountered any resistance on their way towards the Viscount. The journey on horseback would take them exactly 1 day without interruptions. Using their riding skills to clad the horses, they could effectively cut down on the time but it would leave them too exhausted to fight off any possible threats.

Unfortunately, 1km away from the village, Michael could see a group of soldiers in green sitting on horseback with their arrows drawn. Before Michael could say anything, arrows were already in the sky headed in their direction. Michael could count 25 soldiers including one Knight level combatant in the group.

Michael and his men held on to their reins and forced their horses left, effectively dodging the arrows before they could hit. Clive rode his horse directly towards the Burgans before turning just at the last second. He jumped down from his horse, without slowing down, cladding his legs before taking off in the opposite direction from his horse. He withdrew twin daggers and pierced the necks of 4 archers before the others could even tell what had happened.

While Clive was busy dealing with his 4 opponents, Lunet had gripped, aimed and released 2 arrows, successfully killing two of her enemies. Michael had cladded his two-handed sword in a thick pale red color and slashed while running pass his victims. His attack cut the neck of three soldiers cleanly before the resultant shockwave claimed 2 more lives. The trio continued forwards as Lunet grabbed Clive's hands, allowing him to mount her horse behind her. It didn't take long before Clive jumped back on his moving horse as though the entire scenario had never happened.

Michael signaled for his men to turn around in perfect coordination as they returned for the remaining men's life. It was difficult to ride with arrows aimed at their backs after all. With 11 dead, the remaining soldiers began shooting wildly. The trio blocked a few arrows before they jumped down from their horses. Despite using their riding skills to clad the horses it was unable to effectively block ranged projectile. Michael knew that he had to protect the horses to prevent any stray arrow from killing them. He whistled, causing the horses to each run further along until they were out of range of the arrows. These horses were well trained by Michael's men and thus were able to follow his instructions.

Michael looked at the remaining men around him as they quickly tried to surround his crew. He couldn't waste too much time dealing with these men. The Burgans quickly but nervously inched their way closer to them, none deciding to give their life up first to bring the men down.

Clive was the first to attack as his burst speed was too much for them to handle. He slashed to his left aiming at another soldier's throat. Clinggggg! His dagger met the flat surface of a short sword cladded with a pale orange glow. Clive raised a brow then smiled as his other hand quickly cladded then grabbed the wrist of the Knight and twisted until he heard a snap. During the delay, 2 men pounced on Clive in an attempt to get rid of what they considered the most dangerous of the three, only to find an arrow with a pale orange glow embedded in their chest. Clive turned to Lunet with a slight nod before turning to another opponent.

"Well, well, well, you lot are stronger than expected," a skinny old man covered in a green hood said as he made his way through the crowd. "Sergeant Knights these days are just too full of themselves, killing my men and everything. Seems like old Commander Boegard needs to teach a little lesson," added the man as he whistled. Suddenly, 25 more men came out of hiding as they circled the trio.

Michael stepped forward, coating his sword again in the thick pale red color. "Impressive cladding lad, but it won't save you lot," provoked Boegard. He too jumped off his horse then took his ax off the strap by his waist as he coated the ax and his arm in solid rock, a 3rd class spirit arte. Michael was surprised, Elementums were among the best fighters around. Every soldier was aware that Elementums were explosive and versatile fighters. They only lost out to vulcans, but the chances of meeting a Vulcan in real life were almost zero. Therefore, Elementums were known as peak level fighters by all.

"Try nah to die too soon lad," Boegard added before he lunged at Michael. Michael tried to parry the attack but was sent flying instead. He dug his sword into the ground to reduce the force as he skidded along the dirt. "Fuck, this man is too strong," Michael admitted to himself as he wiped the blood around his lips. He cladded his feet and shot off towards the man again, this time aiming at his head. Boegard grinned as rocks covered the top of his head in defense. He formed a spiked fist at the right time then propelled it into Michael's shoulder. "Urg," groaned Michael as he took 2 steps back.

Michael's shoulder was dripping profusely with blood. Although it was a flesh wound, the loss of blood if left unattended could become problematic. Michael knew he had to keep the man engaged to prevent himself from being bombarded with elemental rocks. He quickened his pace as he swung at the man again. This time he aimed at the man's throat hoping to end it quickly before he had time to activate his defense.

Clunk! Michael's sword only found rocks. He quickly twisted his body and allowed his cladded elbow into the man's jaw, only to dislodge loose rocks from his face. Panting, Michael stepped back a few times. He knew he was running out of ideas. The man was like a fortress, barely retaliating and only watching Michael's attacks with amusement.

Boegard hadn't moved an inch since his first attack. He placed his hands behind his back as he lectured Michael, "Your movements are quick and precise lad. Those spikes were aimed at your heart. A wee more and you'd be just a stain on my shirt. That was the last of my mercy, consider it my respect for your prowess." Michael was annoyed at the man's speech. Boegard's failure to mention his attacks showed that he completely disregarded him as an opponent. If that was the case he would show the old man an attack that would make him regret his decision.

"You talk too much old timer. You were fortunate enough to be born with power. Doesn't make you stronger than me," rebutted Michael as he looked for an opening. "Oh, born with power you say? Not quite right my boy. This only a pseudo-elementum power! I took it off the last Katarian Commander I killed!"

Michael was lost for words. The only earth Elementum stationed at the Talawa Fortress was Vance Stone. Surely that man would not die to the likes of a Burgan. Michael gritted his teeth in disgust. Stealing the blood of his falling comrade was just unacceptable.

"You're just a senile old man half a foot in the grave. While the rest of us practiced day and night you were probably just flapping your lips somewhere. Watch old timer, look at what real training produces," Michael activated his cladding, only this time it happened much slower than before. Energy began surging around Michael as it began pushing on the air causing a light breeze on those around him. His sword cladded first, then his sword hand all the way to the shoulder. It didn't stop there; his head began cladding along with his left shoulder and arm. His entire body was cladded in a viscous red cloak that seemed to shrink until it was a few centimeters from his skin, a paper-thin cladding.

After his entire body was cladded, he disappeared. He charged at the man so fast that Boegard couldn't follow his movements. Boegard raised his brows as he saw Michael's skill. Cladding was considered difficult not only because of the three stages needed to produce the skill but because of the sheer focus and dedication needed to clad multiple areas of the body. Furthermore, the young sergeant had managed to compress the energy until it was like a second skin. The talent and skill needed to accomplished that were too tremendous to imagine from a backwater village. However, the old Commander was too experienced to allow that to change the outcome of the match.

"You would have been a fine Knight if you were born a Burgan," Boegard whispered while shaking his head in regret. He stamped his right foot on the floor causing a mild tremor in a 5-meter radius around him. Michael, not expecting the skill, stumbled as the ground was now littered with cracks in the dirt. Boegard smiled as he created a rock spear and sent it towards Michael's head. Suddenly, Boegard felt dizzy as he found it difficult to stand. He fell on his back while his spear shot off course. Michael descended on the man in a flash, cutting his neck off and sending it flying. The severed head flew towards the remaining soldiers as they all stopped in shock at their Commander's sudden demise.

It was too fast to register, it took 10 seconds before the anyone noticed what had happened. "He's a Kni...Knight commander!" Shouted a soldier as the fear was visible in his eyes. The soldiers began an uproar as they backed away, too scared to continue fighting. Michael fell to the floor grabbing his injured shoulder as the exertion on his body was too much to bear. It was the first time he used the full extent of his skills in battle. Training was one thing but the experience was something that could never be substituted. Clive and Lunet brought his horse towards him as they carried his weak body up to the saddle. The Burgan Knight with a mangled wrist was tied to the back of Clive's horse with his mouth tied shut.

The men in green remained with defeated looks as the trio rode away towards the direction of the Viscount. "Send word to camp, we no longer have the element of surprise," said the most senior of the soldiers.

It must be known that the highest level of a soldier in a barony was usually Sergeant level by law. Breaking this law was punishable by death. Any baron found hiding a soldier higher than that level would find himself hanged along with his entire estate. Lord Tommel was further restricted given the fact that he was a baronet. However, Tommel, after spending his entire life teaching nobles about various topics including the law, found a loophole that allowed a noble to keep any level of soldier provided that they didn't notify high command of their prowess or receive their new rank. This loophole was left unamended simply because no Knight would restrict their ranking to serve under a lesser noble. The Burgans, despite their planning, could not account for this anomaly.

---

Avery had come back towards Tommel's manor after his visit with Jankins. He was in a good mood after his conversation with the sly boy. There wasn't much that made him smile beside his son but this was a welcome change. He initially expected the boy to ask for money or for a recommendation to join Michael's training, both of which were logical choices.

Avery made his way into Khal's room expecting to find the boy meditating to increase his spirit power. Khal had strangely worked with minimal sleep for 11 days straight as though he was a madman. Avery was happy since this meant that the boy would finally stop causing mischief. Bill had spoiled the boy by teaching him how to steal from Gary's secret food stash. When Avery knocked and found no answer, he opened the door to see that nobody was in the room. Strange, what could he be up to? Avery wondered to himself as he walked out of the room.

He checked the barrack next but still, there was no sign of the boy. Avery scratched his head as he turned toward the kitchen. He was thinking of what he would say to the boy when he finally caught him red-handed in Gary's stew but when he got there, there was still no sign of him. "How strange," Avery said as he walked towards the stable. Khal had been trying to learn how to ride ever since Lord Tommel allowed him to train at the barracks. If the boy wasn't anywhere else then he must be here.

Avery stepped into the stables and noticed that most of the horses were missing. Where did everyone go? He mused to himself as he went towards his packhorse. "Khal, why do you have your old man looking all over for you," he teased as he got closer to the horse. Avery stopped and stared at the empty spot, his brain worked faster and faster as he thought of the possible places his son could be.

He activated his darkness element before disappearing. He appeared at Lord Tommel's study and knocked furiously. Lord Tommel opened his door with an annoying look on his face as he exclaimed, "Avery what has gotten into you?!" "Lord Tommel, my apologies, have you seen Khal for the afternoon?" Avery was fidgeting and panicking as he stared at his Lord. "No son, the boy must be at the barracks," Tommel said with surety. "No, my Lord, I checked everywhere for the boy, he's nowhere to be found. Furthermore, the packhorse isn't in the stables," Avery said, clearly worried for his little boy.

"Heavens, the boy must have snuck out on his own. Either he went with Bryce to Saddleback Road or with Sergeant Michael to Ensom City. If he's with Sergeant Michael I'm confident he will be safe," Tommel said, trying to comfort Avery. Avery's face drained of blood as the realization hit him, "Oh God, he's gone after Tal."