It has been two years since Rai’s training had started. In the Throne Room, the King was sitting on the Throne. The King let out a sigh and said “Marcus, How long till Rai’s training is finished?”

About five steps down the Throne and 3 meters away, there was a man standing there. The man’s clothing was simple, looking like in his thirties, about 5’11 ft tall, wearing a pale yellow shirt, with a very neat and beautiful robe. He had Silver hair hanging halfway down to his shoulders, facial feature considered handsome. His eyes had the color of the Ocean. Standing there with pride and absolute belief in the King.

Marcus with a slight laugh replied “It seems that Your Majesty is bored without Sir Rai. Your Highness has been asking the same question since the day Sir Rai left for training. Does your Highness has something in mind for Sir Rai?”

The King with a faint smile replied “Perhaps...”

Marcus attracted by the King’s reply asked “Your Highness, May I be so bold to ask, what have you in store for the young Hero?”

The King replied “Yes... but for my plan to work Rai has to get some higher social standing. What do you think we should do for that Marcus?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Marcus moved his right hand towards his neck, and right forefinger against his cheek, and started thinking. After thinking for a while, he replied “Milord can award Sir Rai with a Title.”

The King replied, “Yes, that is indeed the easiest way, but I can’t just give Rai a title without him achieving anything or it would cause dissension in other nobles.”

Marcus replied “Indeed that would happen, How about we send him to defeat some kind of Monster which is endangering the lives of the people? That will give us the reason to grant him a title and he will be a Hero to the general public as well. And the other nobles won't be able to voice their opposition.”

The King eagerly replied, “Yes that would be perfect... But is there a Monster strong enough that matches all those requirements?”

Marcus with a frown replied, “Milord don’t worry about them, most of them are just greedy for money, but their aides and alike would know so it would be fine.”

The King laughed and said, “That isn’t something you should say so lightly, Marcus.” The King with a smile continued “So is there any Monster nearby, that we can ask for Rai to kill?”

Marcus went into deep thinking and within few minutes he got the answer, he excitedly said “Milord, I have got it!”

The King surprised by the sudden burst of excitement from Marcus said “You have got what?!”

Marcus calmed down and replied “Erm…The Monster which would be perfect for Sir Rai to kill, and which would also prove his skills as well.”

The King leaned forward and said “Oh? And what’s this said Monster called?”

Marcus replied “It lives at the bank of the rivers of Morning Dew Forest, and as you know that river also connects to the fields of the Nobles, so they would be pleased if Sir Rai defeats this monster. The name of the Monster is The White Serpent. Its kind is that of an Anaconda, its primary habitat is Water, it can only stay for 5 minutes above water. Its skin is rumored to be as strong as steel. And as the name suggests its skin is pure White. The rumors say that it's 130 meters long. It is ferocious and it's said that it doesn't possess poison but rather its sprays boiling hot water with enough pressure to blow a man’s face off in an instant.”

The King replied with surprise “Oh… Yes, that indeed is a Monster that everybody wished for to be slain. But wouldn't it be too dangerous for Rai?”

Marcus smiled and replied “Yes but doesn't it make it all the better? He can show what he is capable of as well. Now we just have to wait for Sir Rai to come back, and your Highness please do think about the Title you will be giving Sir Rai. It should clearly tell your intentions for him to everyone in the court. I shall make all the necessary arrangements for it.”

The King smirked and said, “Oh don’t you worry Marcus, I have just the title for him.”

At the same time;

You could see a man walking in the forest towards a lake. This man was wearing a black simple cloak, looking like in his late teens, about 5’10 ft tall, wearing a pale black shirt, very neat. Around the left side of his waist a Black Blade inset with ten pieces of red gems, black hair hanging halfway down to his shoulders, facial features considered really handsome.

Upon reaching the riverbank, the young man smirked and said “Let’s get started shall we.” While saying that the young man unsheathed his sword with his right hand, holding it perfectly while pointing it towards the middle of the river, and said “Come out Little Snake!”

Yes, this man was one and only Rai looking more handsome than ever, with a really good build and broad shoulder. Brimming with confidence, he had come here to beat the rumored White Serpent, as the last challenge he had given himself for the completion of his training, at this time he did not know of the Kings plan and hadn't received any orders either.

At that time there was a bubble rising up from the middle of the river where Rai was pointing his sword at.

SPLASH

The White Serpent made its appearance. Half its body was out of the water the rest still inside. It had Dark Blue eyes. With pure white scales, it looked Majestic.

HISS--

More than half of the serpent’s body stood upright, directly confronting Rai.

A pair of enormous snake eyes stared fixedly at Rai, a snake tongue flickering, dense green mist spreading all around.

Rai seemed to be ready, facing upwards to roar at the sky, right hand clenching his sword, suddenly swinging his sword with full might, a lightning bolt suddenly streaked towards White Serpent.

It didn’t try to dodge but gaped and sprayed out a thick blue fog. Lowering its head, it unexpectedly used only his own body to resist Rai’s attack.

HISS--

With an enormous explosion, the lightning spread from the White Serpent’s head to its tail, making its enormous body stiffen. But only stiffen.

Rai stretched out his right hand and silently jumped into the air, pointing his sword towards the sky, then slashed it towards the White Serpent, the Rai’s wind slash collided with the White Serpent’s blue fog and dispersed it.

The enormous White Serpent suddenly moved, unexpectedly launching its seemingly cumbersome body into the air, chasing after Rai with a wide-open mouth.

Rai in midair, suddenly moved his sword swiftly sideways, stretching out to collide his sword with the White Serpent’s Fangs. One Serpent and one Human battled fiercely in the air.

The more they fought the more White Serpent became apprehensive, he discovered that this young human could actually suppress him.

HISS --

The White Serpent clearly felt that this young human was weaker than him, but with his superior agility and intellect, he seemed even more passive. Furthermore, Rai was extremely nimble, and relying on his sharp Black Blade he was moving constantly as the White Serpent attacked.

THONG--, the thick as a water barrel serpent tail struck heavily on Rai’s Black Blade, and he was sent flying into the Forest. But he stood back up.

Seeing this, White Serpent’s enormous snake body flickered, lashing out with his serpent tail. But with his agile body dodging this was easy for Rai and he leaped up in the sky slashing the White Serpent head like the autumn

wind cutting through grass.

SCREECH--

The head of the White Serpent fell onto the ground, while the rest of its body dropped down back into the river. Exhausted by the fight he sat on the grass, panting continuously. With a big smile looking at the sky the beautiful stars were shining brightly. While panting he said, “Finally, I will be going back to the Castle.”

Right now Rai appeared a little different, the Black Blade on the ground near him having undergone a bizarre change compared to before. It was still the same size, but the originally red gems on the Black Blade had now become a deep red color, and on the deep red surface were arrays of white circular patterns, as if a white decorative design, making Black Blade appear, colored and dazzling.

Rai exhausted by the fight closed his eyes and immediately slept. Because of this fight, he had learned what actually takes to fight something stronger and powerful which sent chills down to your very last bone. This experience was tiring but indeed useful for his future.

Yet he did not know what was awaiting him back at the Castle.