The oldest member of the Gorbin family, Emayla's brother, Emairis Gorbin, had passed away. The man of the past was dead. It was a day of sorrow for the family.
It was before sunrise. The family members and nobles stood around his grave, and the women wiped away their tears. Raftin walked forward and stood before everyone to deliver a speech.
"Lord Emairis was the oldest member of the family. He was the brother of our Lord Emayla. Lord Emairis was a wise man. He shared his knowledge with every Cerfisian and helped us through every national problem with his vast wisdom. We have lost a man of wisdom, a man of the past. We, the people of Cerfia, wish that Emairis Gorbin reach heaven."
Raftin completed his speech and stood back in his place beside Marnis.
"Such a bland speech," Marnis whispered in Raftin's ears.
Raftin nodded in response. All the people stood there for some time and then began to leave. Felmer turned, but he felt something coming from Emairis's grave. He turned back and sat near the grave. He placed his hand on the grave, closed his eyes, and tried to focus. He felt a magical movement and suddenly, magical lights flashed inside his mind. He opened his eyes, stood up, and swiftly stepped back.
"What happened?" Melfer asked.
Felmer kept staring at the grave, and then he looked at his hands. He was feeling that magical light inside him.
"No, nothing," Felmer replied and moved his head horizontally.
Melfer looked at Felmer, and they joined their family. Melfer knew that Felmer was hiding something. But he ignored it.
The time was after sunrise. The brothers had done breakfast, and they were standing in the plains. In front of them stood General Irfika, Captain Irnik, and Lieutenant Torna.
"You three are participating in the sword competition. So you must know about it." Irnik said and paused. "In this competition, you will battle your opponents, defeat them and reach the semi-finals."
"And then finals?" Flexin asked.
"No, don't interrupt me!" Irnik cleared his throat. "Right now, there are 16 competitors, and 8 will be qualified from them. So…right now, the three of you will fight us."
"So, one of us will be qualified?" Felmer asked.
"No, it can be any number, 1 or 2 or 3." The General spoke. "Depending on your performance."
Melfer, Felmer, and Flexin nodded.
"Now, soldiers, take your stance, and…Get ready!" The captain said and took out his sword.
Felmer took out his sword and took his stance. Flexin and Melfer walked towards him.
"I will take the lieutenant, Flexin, you attack the captain, and Melfer, you will attack the general," Felmer said.
"Shouldn't I attack the lieutenant, and you attack the general?" Flexin said.
"That's what they expect. We will do the opposite. Don't worry, we will change targets." Felmer answered.
"Ok, then." Melfer said, "By the way, they are all young people, so they will be swift."
"The general as well?" Flexin was shocked.
"He is 28…" Felmer replied, but he was interrupted. In front of him stood the general.
"Soldiers shouldn't talk too much in a fight." The general said while swinging his sword.
Felmer instinctively blocked with his sword. But due to the speed of the attack, he was thrown back with immense speed. While flying, Felmer shoved his sword into the ground to reduce the speed and fell on the ground while rolling backwards. He swiftly picked up his sword and stood. The general stood in front of him.
Felmer took out his knife and grabbed it with his right hand. He gathered a large amount of magic in his feet and a small amount in his hands. He threw the knife at the general and then dashed towards the captain. Felxin then attacked the lieutenant, and Melfer rushed at the general.
The three have trained enough to understand and move with coordination. Melfer, while floating, gathered magic in his sword and attacked the general. The general moved back slightly, parried his attack, and kicked his abdomen. He fell away. Then he rushed at the general and attacked without using magic.
Flexin attacked the lieutenant, but he missed, then retreated a few steps. He sheathed his sword and took his stance. He gathered magic, swiftly drew his sword and raised the blade. The gesture summoned a blade of magic, which rushed at the lieutenant with immense speed. The lieutenant summoned his magic and blocked the attack. But when the magical air faded, Felmer stood before him. Felmer struck the lieutenant's sword with maximum force, broke it, and struck the lieutenant's spine. The lieutenant flew back and fell. He gave up.
"Good…" Lieutenant Torna clapped and coughed.
Melfer was holding against the general, but he was losing his ground slowly and was about to lose. But Felmer arrived on time and joined Melfer.
"Two against one? Doesn't seem fair." The general smirked.
"Don't worry, it won't get unfair," Melfer replied.
Felmer said and attacked the general. He moved his sword from below to the top. The general avoided it by stepping back. Felmer then attacked by moving his sword from right to left. The general avoided again. But Felmer ducked, and from above Melfer emerged. But the general was smart and hit Melfer's chin with his knee. And then he gave him a full kick. Melfer flew back, and from below, Felmer attacked the general. The general reinforced his foot with magic and was about to hit Felmer's sword, but Felmer let go of his sword and retreated to Melfer.
"You alright?" Felmer asked.
"Yeah, but I won't be able to use my magic for a while. The kick was pretty hard."
"Ok," Felmer said and took out his second knife.
He was thinking something when suddenly he heard a blast from Flexin's side. Flexin had attacked the captain with maximum power, and the captain countered with the same power. Both had lost their swords and were injured. They were out.
Now, only Felmer, Melfer, and the general remained.
Felmer looked at Melfer, who nodded, and then Felmer rushed at the general. He didn't use any magic. Felmer threw the knife and slid to the ground. He grabbed his sword and attacked the general with full force. The general parried the attack. Felmer ducked and unleashed an upward strike. The attack hit the general's arm. But as the general recovered, he saw Melfer. Melfer was gathering a great deal of magic, but as he was spotted, he attacked the general. The general manifested magic in his sword, and a pattern of devilish horns appeared on it. He shoved it into the ground, and a massive red orb of magic emerged from the ground. It spread with immense speed and neutralised the magic of both Felmer and Melfer. The match had ended.
"Well done," The general clapped. "You fought well…You two are passed."
"Thank you…Wait!" Melfer said as he breathed heavily.
"We didn't defeat you," Felmer added.
"I didn't defeat you either. I neutralised your magic, not you. You have proved yourself. I have enough reasons and observations to qualify you for the next round." The general put his sword inside the sheath. "Rest, and prepare for the round of 8."
The two brothers high-fived each other, picked up their weapons, and began to walk back home.