Zerlan very carefully put a bandage on the old man's body. He didn't want the man to feel pain due to his carelessness in closing the wound.

He was already like an experienced doctor, but actually this was all thanks to the injuries he often received during the training. He must be able to take care of himself, as a man who lives alone.

“You are quite proficient in this kind of treatment!” Praise was given to Zerlan in gratitude for the comfortable sensation he got after all his wounds were bandaged.

"No, I'm used to concocting medicine to treat wounds, it's all thanks to me always doing strenuous training!"

"Exercise?" The old man was silent as he stared at Zerlan's body, a very muscular body. Indeed, there are some scratch marks on Zerlan's body which are proof that what is said is true. “Actually, what kind of training are you doing? And what made you train so hard?”

Zerlan was pensive, he looked seriously at the old man. “Why this old man? So many questions!” Zerlan was a little annoyed with every word the old man uttered. “I have to train hard to become the greatest sword knight. Of course, the training I have to do can't just be half-hearted. As a first step, I will go to enlist as a soldier in Zorua Kingdom.” Zerlan explained his purpose with enthusiasm, but that didn't mean he had to use harsh words to make it look more convincing.

Hearing Zerlan's words, the old man was quite surprised. "I see! Why do you want to be a sword knight?” While asking a question, his pupils dilated slightly.

"Huh?" Zerlan was increasingly surprised by the old man, there were always questions asked of him.

“No, I was only inspired by the legendary knight named Adora! Legend has said he could bring peace across the land, then he was able to defeat all the other knights.”

“So you know about Adora's story! That's how it looks!” The man looked at Zerlan very sharply, the look in his eyes like he was watching Zerlan's soul.

"What is it?" Zerlan certainly felt disturbed by that gaze.

"No, I think you're dreaming too big!"

"Huh?" Zerlan felt irritated after hearing the old man's words that seemed to belittle what he said. "What do you mean?" His eyes became very sharp indicating emotions were churning in them.

“Ohh… great, this young man has really good eyes! Strong ambition shone in his eyes!” The old man pondered, with a faint smile on his face.

"What are you laughing at?"

“Sorry… I just felt really amused. You want to become the greatest sword knight, but you don't understand what it means to be a knight!”

So clear the old man's words indicated that Zerlan might be the kid from yesterday afternoon who had too big a dream.

“Yeah, maybe you're right! For now I still don't understand what it means to be a knight, but it will all be proven as time goes on! Experience will be the best teacher for me!”

"Ugh!" Again the old man was surprised by Zerlan's words. “Hohohoho… what a very ambitious young man!” A condescending horror laugh escaped the old man's mouth.

Zerlan was starting to run out of patience, it was enough for him to feel humiliated by the old man. “Huh…!” However, Zerlan chose to remain calm, if controlled by emotions he would not prove anything.

"What is it? Don't you want to be angry with me?" The old man deliberately used mocking words to see Zerlan's reaction.

"No, I don't need to be angry with an old man like you!" Zerlan said in a heavy tone indicating that he was still in an emotional state. Although he felt a little hurt, he didn't want to hurt others with his words.

Zerlan already heard many words that always looked down on him, as a result he had a fairly strong mentality.

"Listen! Oh before that I want to know what is your name?”

“My name is Zerlan Nestrayel.”

“Zerlan, let me explain! To be a knight you must have a strong soul like a blazing fire, but with a calm mind like river water. If you have those two things, then you will become an invincible man!”

"Huh? Why is this old man speaking like he is a knight!” Zerlan was surprised, he got advice from an old man who didn't look like a great knight in, just a long white dress with a white beard.

Indeed, from the appearance of the old man it could be seen that he was not an ordinary person, but Zerlan couldn't understand why the old man could speak so wisely. "Old man, who are you really?"

"My name is Shira!"

"S-Shira!" Zerlan was very surprised. An old man in front of him was one of the great knights who had become a legend that was remembered by the people's memory.

“Uh… I see!” Zerlan wiped a surprised face so as not to give the impression that he was a man who was easily deceived by others.

“Oh… why aren't you even more shocked?” Shira hoped that Zerlan was surprised by his gaping mouth and drooling because of shock when hearing his name, then his eyes bulged like wanted to jump out like a stuffed toy.

“Huh… I am not a child who would be surprised by something like that!” Even though he had to act cool, he was actually surprised by the old man's words. Zerlan just covered it up by remaining calm.

“Zerlan, do you want to try fighting me?”

"Why should I do that?" Zerlan wanted to know the motive of Shira's words.

“I still see the doubt in your eyes. You seem to think I'm just an old man lying!"

Zerlan had to admit that he did doubt Shira's words, but he also had to believe that if what he said was the truth, it would surely make him ashamed if he didn't believe what the man said.

"OK!"

***

Zerlan and Shira then prepared in front of the house. They were each equipped with a wooden sword. Of course wood was the most suitable material for practicing, if using a real sword would definitely result in a huge damage, in the end one of them would have to suffer.

Even if it's just a practice test, the consequences must be taken.

They stared at each other, each of them already firmly gripping the sword. The wind blew gently, gently brushing their cheeks.

Whoosh!

Zerlan started the movement, he came very quickly. One attack launched by Zerlan in a piercing motion towards Shira. It's easy for Shira to dodge it, just takes a little sideways movement.

"Uh!"

At that moment Shira swung his sword to Zerlan's waist. Zerlan noticed the arrival of Shira's wooden sword.

Zerlan had been anticipating Shira's attack. Zerlan spontaneously moved the sword to the side, parallel to the body. Because doing that he was able to avoid the attack, but he had to be pushed quite far, his feet even leaving marks on the grass

"Damn it! This old man is so strong!” Zerlan blocked the attack using all the strength, but his body still wasn't strong enough to withstand Shira's attack. "Just one slash of his sword has made it hard for me to breathe like this!" Zerlan's eyes then widened with the hairs on his neck standing up. “Uh…!”

At this time Zerlan had seen a strange apparition that appeared from Shira's body. Shira seemed to be enveloped in a white flow of energy.

His right hand held the sword very firmly, then his left hand was placed in front of his chest.

This position is the stance of Shira to bring down his opponent. He looked at Zerlan very sharply then he quickly moved.

Zerlan's eyes bulged.

__To Be Continued__