The next morning, Fred was already in the training yard. His arms still hurt from yesterday's practice, but Fred wasn't about to stop training because of that. After his Path examination, he had spent most of the day practicing with the wooden sword, with no good results. Fred needed to start somewhere if he wanted to become a swordsman He brought the wooden sword up and charged at the training dummy, adjusting his stance and attacking again. The grip on the sword was firmer this time and his movements more controlled. It wasn't exactly a good display, but Fred had improved after yesterday. "Brother Fred!" The familiar cry stopped him mid-step. Fred turned around and was met with the sight of Nalia running towards him, with Narissa and Derek not far behind. "What are you three doing here?" Nalia skidded to a halt beside him. She grabbed his arm with an intent look on her face. "Mother said we're going to the market." Derek was quick to add, "Come with us!" F

Fred woke up to a throbbing pain in almost every part of his body. His spine still ached from sleeping on a tree, his arms burned from yesterday's battles, and his legs felt as if they'd been weighed down by large boulders since the day he'd entered the forest. Fred sat up from his resting place underneath the tree and stared blankly out at the morning sky. He'd always known becoming a swordsman would be hard work. But nothing in his dreams had prepared him for this. He stood up with a groan and stretched his arms, wincing slightly as he did so. He checked his supplies, making sure there was still enough food and water for the day. Once he'd assured himself that he wasn't starving, he picked up the one thing he'd brought with him into the wilds of the forest. The metal sword was pitted and marred with the scratches and dents of yesterday's battles. These weren't enough to dull the blade, but they were proof that the weapon had actually seen some action - and that Fred

The forest was already growing dark by the time Fred and Lyra arrived at its edge. The afternoon sun was casting long shadows over the trees. Fred's body was still recovering from the fight against the Horned Bear and he moved with less confidence. The same pain twisted in his chest at the wrong movement and his arms were leaden with fatigue from the fight. He made no complaints. It was not the first time in the last three days that he had been grateful for a bit of discomfort. His sword was at his hip, cleaned as best he could manage, but with several fresh scratches marring the metal. He ran his fingers lightly over the sheath as they walked. "You really like that sword," Lyra observed. Fred glanced at her. "It's important to me," he said simply. "Because it's your first sword?" "That's part of it." Fred looked down at the weapon. "I bought it myself," he added. "Nobody else chose it for me." Lyra gave a small smile. She understood what he meant. Most thin

Three days after returning from the forest, Fred was allowed to leave his room without being told to rest. His body was much better, if only his bruises from the Horned Bear still retained their faint color. His shoulder remained sore but was otherwise mobile and normal. Of course, the first thing Fred thought of doing was to return to the training yard. His sword cut through the morning air as he practiced the same movements it had done for days. His feet moved him forward, he swung, recovered, and repeated the motion while thinking over the fight in the forest. The Horned Bear had been stronger, faster, and more durable than he. If he had fought as he had trained against wooden dummies, he would have been dead. Fred lowered his sword and thought over what he needed to improve. He needed to become better at reading his opponent, sharpening his reactions, and building his strength. Most importantly, he needed more experience. "You're training again?" Fred turned and saw Salia

The moment Fred stepped into the arena, the noise of the festival seemed to fade into the background. Hundreds of spectators surrounded the combat grounds, filling the wooden stands and crowding around the barriers. The Summer Flame Youth Combat Exhibition had attracted some of the largest crowds of the festival, especially because young fighters from different parts of Arkarin had gathered to compete. Fred looked across the arena at his opponent. A young man stood there with a spear in his hands. The faint brown glow surrounding his body identified him as a Brown Path Mage. The referee stepped between them. "This year's exhibition has sixteen registered competitors. The tournament follows a single-elimination format. The first round is the Round of Sixteen. Winners will advance to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals. The final two competitors will meet in the championship match." Fred listened carefully. He had never participated in a tournament before. One loss mean