Once again, the Meeting Hall of the Royal Palace became busy as the King and the Hero's Five Instructors gathered again.
"I expect a definite answer this time."
The King spoke with a solemn look on his face as he stared at the Instructors.
However, before anyone could start, Elira leaned forward and,
"Your Majesty, something disturbs me, and before the meeting begins, I would like to express my troubles."
Alden frowned when he heard her words. However, the determined look on Elira's face told him that she wouldn't back down, he could only give in and nod.
"It is about Hero Kael being sent to Estwyn for his mission.
Is it truly safe for a Hero, who hasn't fully grown yet to be sent to a border town? What if something happens to him?"
Yes, Kael had told her that he was fine. Elira, however, couldn't stay calm and decided to talk with the King herself.
"I am sure Marshal Therian has his reasons for doing what he is doing."
The King answered calmly, but Elira didn't back down.
"I understand that, Your Majesty, but the Hero doesn't understand the world ye—"
"And for what reason do you think I sent him there, Court Mage Elira?"
Suddenly, Marshal Therian interjected.
Elira turned towards him, and the Marshal continued,
"You say the Hero hasn't yet experienced the world. Then how do you think he is supposed to do that? By staying safe in the Royal Palace and learning magic?
The Hero's potential is high, I get that. You worry about him, I do too. He is the Hero summoned to protect my world; I'd be crazy if I were to actively try and harm him. But at the same time,
I also know I cannot be too overprotective.
The Hero needs to grow, and for that, he needs to face challenges."
The Marshal spoke with a solemn look on his face.
"In here, we can teach him to be a model warrior or a mage, but we can never teach him what experience can. That needs to be ingrained in one's body, and it cannot be done within the safety of the Palace Walls."
Elira stared at the Marshal, unable to retort to his words.
She, however, was not alone.
"Marshal Therian, while I understand your point, do not forget that the world isn't filled with good people. The Hero's summoning has definitely drawn evil eyes towards him. I do not think it is wise to send him to a border town at this time.
This isn't about the test itself; what worries me are the other factors."
Arlan spoke up, and this time, the rest of the instructors had solemn looks on their faces as well.
Seeing his brother's words had an effect, Elira chimed in as well.
"Exactly! This was what I was worried about as well! I think we should give the Hero some time to adjust to this world. Then, as he is more used to his place and has more confidence in himself, you can test him as you would like."
"So this was what you were worried about?"
Therian raised his eyebrow.
"That is an easy matter to solve. You should have said so from the beginning.
I, one of the four Marshals of the Drakthar Kingdom, swear with my title on the line that nothing will happen to the Hero during his journey to Estwyn and return."
The Marshal spoke solemnly, and in an instant, the hall turned silent.
Therian then glanced at Elira and,
"Does that ease your mind?"
"S-So you are going to protect Kael if something happens?"
"Do not misinterpret my words. I said I would ensure nothing happens to the Hero during his journey to Estwyn. Once he is there, he is all on his own."
The Marshal declared coldly.
Elira wanted to counter, but she couldn't come up with anything. She stared at her brother. Arlan, however, shook his head.
He understood that what the Marshal said was correct; this was the only way for the Hero to grow.
"Alright, we shall not discuss this topic any further."
Arlan pulled Elira back, and the two nodded as well.
"Report, how is the Hero's progress?"
The five instructors nodded, and Deren started,
"Your Majesty, as I mentioned before, the Hero's Talent is related to physical combat.
In these past two weeks, Commander Arlan and I have combined our training sessions, and we are now much more confident in our assessment. This time, we came with evidence to back our claims."
The King raised his eyebrow.
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"It is related to the abilities the Hero has awakened."
"While the Hero himself remains unaware of the nature of his Talent, this doesn't stop his talent from blooming and showing itself.
The Hero, during his training, continues to awaken strange abilities that cannot be recreated through any magic that we know of.
His first ability allows him to assess his enemy's strength, making it an essential ability that would ensure the Hero would never under or overestimate his foes."
"That hardly proves a talent in physical combat,"
"This ability is valuable to any Mage, Warrior, Tamer, or Leader. It's far too general to serve as 'evidence.' I do not see what you are trying to get at here."
The rest of the instructors nodded at her words, but then, instead of Deren, the one who answered was Arlan.
"Yes, the Court Mage is correct,
And this brings me to his second ability,
An ability that covers his arm with scales and boosts his physical strength."
Arlan then stared at Elira and,
"Does Court Mage Elira now see how this ability is related to physical combat?"
Elira's face twitched at those words. Arlan, however, didn't stop there.
"This doesn't end here, Your Majesty.
His third ability emits a petrifying roar that weakens his enemies in the middle of the battle, tilting the odds of the battle in his favor.
His fourth ability, the one he awakened two days ago, was an ability that allows him to surround himself in a sea of flames, making it almost impossible for the enemies to approach him. Those who do are severely weakened and harmed in the process."
Arlan stared at the King, his eyes shining intensely,
"In just two weeks, Your Majesty,"
"In just two weeks, this young man, who didn't even know how to throw a proper punch when he came to me, has grown enough to be able to defeat three Third Stage Warriors in under five minutes.
And these aren't just any soldiers, these soldiers know of his abilities inside out. They've trained together, they work in perfect coordination, and yet, they are now no match for him."
Arlan stared at all the instructors before turning to the King again.
"Your Majesty, considering the nature of his abilities and the rapid progress he's made, I believe it's undeniable that the Hero's talent lies in physical combat, and we should focus his training in that direction."
The Commander concluded with a confident note.