From Blade To Spell

Luna smirked. "Captain, didn't you always complain that nobles look at you with lustful eyes? So… maybe there's something different about Lord Aaron? Like… maybe he prefers boys?"

Thwack!

Melina knocked her on the head. "Don't talk nonsense."

Still, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

If Aaron had overheard them, he might've jokingly invited them to stay the night just to prove his orientation.

But right now, he was too immersed in power to care.

Romance could wait. Strength came first.

-----

Starfall City

Duke Alaric's Study Room

Duke Alaric sat behind his grand oak desk, his gaze cold and sharp. He looked at the man kneeling before him.

"Why have you come to see me now?" he asked, his tone laced with frost.

It was clear, this was not a meeting of equals. The power dynamic was unmistakable.

Viscount Rudolf knelt on one knee, his head bowed.

"Lord Alaric, I've encountered a serious problem. I humbly seek your guidance."

Alaric turned his eyes toward the window. The sun was high, noon. Time for lunch.

He sighed. "What kind of mess have you created this time?"

Rudolf took a deep breath. "Lord Alaric, my elite unit, led by Captain Fodo and composed of knights and knight-apprentices, was completely wiped out. It happened just three days' march from my territory."

Alaric's interest piqued. He turned back, eyes narrowing. "Continue."

Rudolf gritted his teeth, then pulled out a small ornate box, placing it gently on the desk.

"This potion," he said, "Can help a late-stage Knight break through to the Great Knight realm."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get this?"

He extended a hand. "Bring it here."

Rudolf stood and handed it over. "It was given to me by Lord Gloden. He tasked me with using it…to eliminate Lord Aaron."

Alaric, now holding the potion, allowed a flicker of surprise to cross his otherwise calm face.

"You're not suggesting…that Aaron wiped out your entire elite force?"

Rudolf nodded, his face pale. "Yes, Lord Alaric. The scout's report was clear, it wasn't a battle. It was a slaughter."

"Each corpse had only a single arrow wound. Even Captain Fodo, a late-stage Knight, was killed instantly."

Alaric's expression remained composed, but inside, a chill crept through him.

He remembered the day he'd dismissed Aaron, mocked him, even.

He hadn't imagined the boy was hiding such terrifying strength.

His voice dropped, eyes narrowing.

"Are you certain it was Aaron?"

Rudolf nodded solemnly.

"There are only two routes to Green Fort. One passes through Cotton Town and crosses the Black River. I had soldiers stationed there, they reported no movement except for my own troops."

"The other route is by sea. My scouts found burnt wood along the shoreline. And I confirmed that Aaron took a ship to Green Fort."

"There's no one else with that kind of archery skill. It had to be him."

Duke Alaric rubbed his forehead, a rare sign of unease crossing his face.

If Aaron was truly as powerful as Viscount Rudolf claimed, then he was in deep trouble.

He needed to make plans, and quickly.

He turned to Rudolf. "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Rudolf shook his head. "No, Lord Alaric. That is all."

Alaric waved his hand. "You may leave."

Rudolf bowed deeply, then turned and exited the study.

As he walked down the corridor, a troubling thought gnawed at him.

"How did Aaron know about the elite team I sent? There were no spies in my territory… I'm sure of it."

He shook his head.

"No point dwelling on it. If Aaron is that dangerous, then Duke Alaric has far more to worry about than I do."

Back in the study, Alaric sat in silence, his fingers tapping the armrest.

Minutes passed.

Then, with a sharp breath, he made a decision.

He would send a small group, posing as traders, to Green Fort, to gather intelligence on Aaron.

He rang a bell.

Moments later, the door opened, and an elderly man with a calm demeanor entered.

Grandpa Moria, his most trusted aide.

" Grandpa Moria," Alaric said,

"I need you to select a few discreet individuals. They'll pose as merchants and head to Green Fort. Their task is simple, observe, gather information, and report back."

Moria bowed. "Understood, my lord. I'll begin preparations immediately."

-----

Green Village

Next Morning – 8 AM

More than 100 villagers, both men and women, gathered outside the east gate, faces filled with anticipation and nerves.

Aaron stood before them, his voice loud and commanding.

"Quiet. Now, the people whose names I call will step forward."

He turned to Kelly. "Give me the names of those who outperformed during yesterday's selection."

Kelly quickly pulled out the report and handed it to him.

Aaron scanned the list. "Jake, Blake, Jumba, Humba, Lilith, Rose, Nilu, Kathy, Lily, step forward."

The selected individuals moved ahead, their expressions slightly tense.

Aaron noticed two of the girls looked particularly young.

He turned to Kelly.

"What are their names and ages?"

Kelly replied, "One is Kathy, my sister. The other is Nilu, an orphan from the village. Both are twelve years old."

Aaron nodded.

"Jake, Blake, Jumba, Humba, you'll each form a team. There are 60 men remaining. Each of you will choose 15 members."

The men began selecting their groups.

Then Aaron turned to the girls.

"Kathy, Lilith, Rose, Nilu, Kilu, you'll also form teams. There are 60 women left. Each of you will choose 12 members."

Within minutes, nine teams stood assembled.

Aaron surveyed them, then addressed Kelly.

"Now that the teams are formed, go and record their names. No changes will be allowed afterward."

Kelly nodded and began writing.

It took her half an hour to complete the list.

Once she returned, Aaron stepped forward again.

"Now that the teams are set, it's time to tell you something important."

"You still have time to quit. You can return to an ordinary life. But once you commit, there will be no turning back. You may even lose your life in the process."

He paused, letting the silence settle.

The crowd was tense. But no one stepped back.

They had endured too much. They had come to grow stronger. Aaron's warning only steeled their resolve.

Melina and her team watched from a distance,

their eyes filled with curiosity and interest.