The courtyard of the Phenex estate had become something of a warzone over the past year. Once a symbol of aristocratic serenity, its white marble tiles were now scorched black in streaks, cratered and cracked from relentless training. Thunderstruck stone lay broken, molten lines still glowed faintly from magical residue, and remnants of past duels scarred the land like stories etched in ancient ruins.
It was a battlefield one forged not by war, but by resolve.
And today, it was Daryun's turn.
The tall black knight stood motionless in the center of the arena, his temporary halberd resting lightly in his grip. Clad in matte black armor trimmed with crimson, he looked like a fortress carved from midnight. Every muscle was taut, a coiled spring beneath serene control.
Across from him stood Thalia, lightning dancing along her fingertips, a savage grin pulling at her lips. "You sure you don't want a warm up, big guy?" she teased, bouncing on her heels. "I've been itching for a rematch."
Beside her, Artoria raised Excalibur Morgan in a silent salute, violet energy hissing from its cursed edge. Her golden hair was tied back, her stance regal but deadly. "Do not hold back," she said coldly. "We fight to grow."
Riser leaned against the archway at the arena's edge, arms folded, watching intently. "Let's see how our knight holds against divine fury and corrupted royalty."
Beside him, Milim let out a snort. "Pfft. No pressure or anything. He's only fighting the psycho thunder girl and the dark saber queen."
Kaijin, hunched over a notepad, barely looked up as he sketched. "Observing stress thresholds. Very good. Need to reinforce the weapon's haft if he wants it to survive both their power surges."
Merlin smiled lazily. "He's not flashy like Milim or arrogant like Artoria. He's precision like the last breath before the battlefield falls silent."
The signal was given.
Artoria moved first, crossing the distance with a slash bathed in ominous violet light. Her blade roared with cursed mana as it cleaved horizontally.
But Daryun was already moving.
A single pivot, a half step, and the halberd's shaft caught the blow with a resounding clang. Sparks burst, but Daryun didn't flinch. The ground cracked beneath him from the force yet he stood firm.
Thalia followed instantly, her body enveloped in crackling divine lightning. She zipped forward, aiming a devastating knee toward his ribs, only for Daryun to twist his torso and intercept her with the blunt end of the halberd.
"Wow, he's fast," Milim muttered, her eyes wide.
"It's not just speed," Riser said, his voice calm. "He's precise. Every step calculated. Every strike measured."
The clash continued, rapid and brutal.
Artoria came from above, her blade a violet arc of ruin. Daryun shifted and caught the edge with the reinforced spike of his halberd's head. Thunder exploded as Thalia landed behind him, her palm glowing white hot with power.
"Electric Eraser!"
The bolt struck like a cannon but Daryun spun mid block, his cape burning off in the blast, and swung the halberd low, sweeping Thalia off her feet. She twisted midair, landing cat like, hurling another bolt.
He blocked it with the flat of the halberd, though the sheer force slid him back two meters, gouging the ground.
Artoria and Thalia converged again, but Daryun didn't falter. He met Artoria's strike with a rising parry, ducked under Thalia's kick, and with a single step closed the gap between all three of them.
"YAAAAH!"
With a clean, surgical motion, his halberd stopped just inches from Artoria's throat, the blade humming with restrained power.
The arena fell silent.
Artoria exhaled, lowering her sword. "You fight like a war forged shadow"
Thalia let out a long whistle, shaking sparks from her fingertips. "Damn, alright! Alright! You win this round, big guy."
Daryun didn't speak. He simply lowered the weapon and offered a respectful bow.
From the edge of the arena, Riser clapped slowly. "You've all grown. Every strike, every movement you're more than just warriors now. You're family."
He stepped forward. "And we're not finished yet."
Kaijin closed his notebook. "Then it's time," he said, voice gruff. "The knight deserves his weapon."
Kaijin's Forge Beneath the Phenex Estate
The forge chamber beneath the estate was a furnace of ancient power.
Rivers of molten lava flowed through carved stone channels, illuminating centuries old enchantment runes. The air was thick with heat and magic, heavy with purpose. Sparks danced in the air like fireflies made of starlight.
Kaijin stood before the anvil, sweat pouring down his forehead despite the enchantments keeping him cool. Before him rested a slab of blackened metal, etched with glowing runes.
Riser, Daryun, Merlin, and Milim stood silently as Kaijin turned to them.
"I call this weapon Karvana, Oath of the Fallen Star."
The dwarf gestured to the massive halberd lying on the anvil.
It was a thing of beauty six feet of obsidian and divine silver, layered with Phenex ash, runed coresteel, and wrapped in dragonhide. The blade itself shimmered with a dark red edge, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
"A weapon forged with divine intent, reforged in the heat of a dying star," Kaijin explained. "It will not accept just anyone."
Riser stepped forward and reached for the weapon.
He Smiled. "It's heavy."
Kaijin chuckled. "Because you're not meant to wield it. This is Daryun's alone."
The black knight stepped forward. He looked down at the halberd, then reached out.
As his fingers closed around the grip, a low hum filled the forge. The runes blazed with light, and the weapon pulsed once.
Merlin smiled. "It's accepted him."
Kaijin nodded. "It will drink the blood of any if wielded true."
Then he turned to the sorceress. "And for you, lady witch"
He opened a long velvet case, revealing a silver staff inlaid with shifting stars. Atop it sat a crystal orb swirling with galaxies.
Merlin's eyes lit up. "You remembered my specifications?"
"You said 'elegant,'" Kaijin grunted. "I made something elegant. That just so happens to double as a siege weapon."
She twirled it in her fingers, smiling mischievously. "I love it."
Kaijin nodded. "Then my work here is done for now. Still need to add some runes for that electric Menace"
From the other side of the forge, Thalia yelled, "I HEARD THAT!"
Milim cackled. "You're totally a menace."
Artoria rolled her eyes. "She's not totally a menace. Just partially."
The forge echoed with laughter.
Later that evening Phenex Estate Balcony
The moonlight bathed the estate in a soft glow. The training grounds below shimmered with enchantments, and the distant sound of Kaijin hammering metal echoed faintly through the night air.
Riser stood on the balcony, hands resting on the railing. Daryun stood beside him, the new halberd strapped to his back.
"You've given me purpose," Daryun said quietly, his voice low like thunder before a storm.
Riser glanced at him, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "And you've given me strength. More than any sword or spell ever could."
Below them, laughter rang out Thalia was trying to snatch food from Milim's plate. Merlin was sipping wine while teasing Artoria about her new habit of staring at Riser when she thought no one was looking. Kaijin barked at everyone to "stay the hell out of the forge unless you want to be turned into armor polish!"
Riser looked up at the stars.
"I'm going to reshape this world," he whispered. "Not just for power. Not for revenge. But for all of you. So none of you will ever be alone again."
Daryun said nothing.
He didn't need to.
He simply stood, a silent shadow, loyal and unyielding as all great knights are.