The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Hayden realized that there were about 40 to 50 people in this caravan and it was certainly big. However, considering that they were also inviting Squires from the Dawnspire Academy, it seemed reasonable since the Academy still wanted to prioritize their safety.

With so many people protecting the caravan, they would have a better chance of survival in case the mission goes south.

"You've got to be kidding me…" Ian, one of the senior squires Hayden had defeated in the blindfold trial said as he looked at the young man who had just arrived.

Ian was definitely surprised but he was also happy to see Hayden on the mission. However, the other two had no idea about Hayden's achievement since they weren't in the Academy when he defeated Laxus.

Of course, Ian was not going to tell them.

"He's carrying the emblem of our Academy… Is he participating as well… What… They're sending babies on escort missions now?" Warren, another Squire and graduating student of Dawnspire Academy commented.

Beside him, Talia, with a rapier on her side, couldn't help but frown. "Great. We're babysitting."

"If he dies, I'm not writing the report." Warren added.

Hayden, on the other hand, ignored the two after gently nodding at Ian who nodded at him first as a greeting.

Of course, Talia and Warren didn't like this so they started questioning Ian…

As for Hayden he immediately turn to the caravan master—a rotund man with a gold-toothed smile named Silas Kegsplitter.

"You the Academy's last addition?" Silas asked while scratching his beard.

"Elite Squire Hayden Gray," Hayden said with a straightened posture.

Silas was definitely impressed after learning that he was an Elite Squire... That was certainly a guarantee that the Headmaster of the Academy acknowledged his skills. However, he couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

Merchants like them had certainly made contracts with the Academy to provide jobs to their students. However, if their students died under their care, it wouldn't look good for their business.

"You're… small." Silas softly commented.

"And skilled." Hayden said. "I don't see how my height affects my ability to stab bandits…"

The mercenaries nearby who had been listening couldn't help but let out a laugh, and even Silas chuckled at this...

He certainly liked Hayden's determination.

"Fair enough, lad. Just stay close to the others. Blackridge's crawling with cutthroats."

Hayden nodded, but his attention was already on the real professionals—the four hired warriors lingering near the lead wagon.

His Ocularis Lens actually took some time to assess them.

There was an axeman, a twin-dagger user rogue, a stoic archer with a longbow taller than Hayden, and a woman in scarred plate armor with a greatsword resting across her shoulders.

'Now this was a team worth observing.' Hayden mused as he confirmed that they were all Aura Users. In terms of Aura, they seemed to have a similar amount, but they were definitely more experienced and skilled in combat.

After some time, when everyone was getting ready to leave, the huge axeman whom Hayden was observing a while ago, stepped forward.

His massive double-bladed axe was resting casually over one shoulder and he certainly looked intimidating…

Furthermore, he was actually approaching Hayden.

This confused Hayden for a moment, but he immediately recalled why he was always being picked on.

"Listen, kid…" The man spoke slowly…

"The Blackridge Pass ain't no training yard. If you can't hold your own, you're gonna get yourself killed—or worse, get one of us killed covering for you."

The caravan had paused, and the merchants and mercenaries turned to watch the confrontation. Even Ian and the other Academy students were quite interested.

Hayden met the man's gaze without flinching. "What do you suggest?"

The man grinned at this as he lifted his axe. "You fight me… Three clean hits. If you land even one, I'll shut my mouth. If you don't… you turn around and march back to the Academy where it's safe."

A murmur ran through the crowd as they found this interesting.

Hayden then looked at Silas who was not thinking of stopping the challenge. It seemed that he also wanted to see Hayden's skills. Furthermore, he also suspected that it was Silas who had arranged this.

Realizing this, he no longer hesitated.

"Deal."

Just like that, the caravan circle widened, forming an impromptu arena in the dirt.

Palos, the axeman, rolled his shoulders, showing his muscles to the crowd. This move had also excited the crowd watching from the sides...

In the meantime, Hayden drew his sword as he looked at Palos…

"You can go first… Show me what you've got." Palos said.

"I'm not good with that. Just come at me." Hayden replied.

"Fine!"

Just like that, Palos didn't hesitate as his axe came down in a swift overhead chop. It was definitely fast for a man his size. It was as if he wasn't carrying anything at all.

Hayden knew that the sheer force of it would have split a training dummy in half very easily..

But Hayden wasn't planning to give up.

He swiftly sidestepped using the basic footwork technique that he learned in the academy. He then countered with a fast slash toward Palos's ribs.

Clang!

Palos turned, barely deflecting the strike with the haft of his axe.

His eyes widened slightly as he didn't expect the small kid to be so quick with his sword—the kid was fast.

Hayden didn't stop at this as he knew that he needed to show something more. He feinted left, then darted right, and used his blade like it was some kind of a snake chasing its target.

Palos frowned at this as he swung wide to destroy Hayden's momentum.

However, Hayden pulled back at the last second, letting the axe whistle past harmlessly before stepping in and—

Tap!

The flat of his blade smacked Palos's forearm.

"One," Hayden announced as he recalled the rules they made.

The mercenaries erupted in cheers… They just loved seeing such exciting battles. They didn't even care if Hayden was on their side or not.

Palos also chuckled at this as he started shaking out his arm. "Lucky hit."

Now irritated, Palos decided to use a bit more of his strength.

"Try this…" Palos shouted as he focused on his axe...

In the meantime, Hayden saw how Palos started taking this matter seriously.

Of course, Hayden reciprocated as he relied on his Lens this time!

He didn't block—he didn't need to, because he could see Palos' attack patterns thanks to A.I. or the Lens' gathered information.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Palos was shocked since it was almost as if every swing or slash was anticipated by Hayden!