General Behind Me #2 Concentrate

Light was barely peeking through before the start of dawn. Weak orange streak were fighting to gain power over the sky. The outlines of the arena are becoming clearer and even the seats surround me seems more white than gray, dawn is here for sure.

The land surround me was barren with just granite covering all without any cracks or scratches on it's reflective surface. Above were stepping up rows of seats, no sign of being worn over time, it was polished and perfect white. The whole circumference of the arena is the Palava’s Flag, Eternal glory accompanied with the Elites flag – a roaring lion head.

I remembered 4 years ago when I first step into this arena. I was breathless, dizzy, and claustrophobic. It makes no sense; this is a large open space. But it was too perfect, too clean, too barren, and too new. It felt like the seats are like judging eyes, watching every move, the wall listen to every sound I make. It was alive, and angry; any mistake done and the ground can just open up and gobble me.

Until now, I still don’t like this place. No marks of battle were made, Hundreds and thousands combat has been fought, yet all the scar of losses and marks of winning was completely erased by magic to the original state. All knows, even the birds know, this place is as ancient as it can be.

I stood at the middle of the circle, struggling to focus on my training, trying to conjure up three layer of defensive shield. I was stuck in a dilemma, if I were to conjure three layers, it is clumsy and poorly woven between the shields; if I were to construct the shield into a hard shield, I was only able to make two layers. I was mad at myself that I don’t seem to improve since an hour ago. I had the theory right; ever since I see the High Elites conjure in their test combat few days ago, just a day before mine, I was practicing it in my head over and over. Now! I don’t even know what’s wrong!

“Kiddo, if you countinue being this mad making a shield, you might burn yourself off.” A voice startled me.

I search for a figure beyond the red conjure I’m holding up. Red lines and illegible letters were all around me but then I saw the owner of the voice. I immediately dropped my shield and straighten myself up.

The approaching man was into his mid-fifties now, but standing tall with a well-toned and muscular tanned body, his fine physique was widely known, and still fired the envy of many younger man. Covering his face was a thick, groomed beard, it was black with white streak as well as his hair that was tied back.

“Congratulation on your performance last week, you have improved far greater than the others. In fact, your first day showed us an impressive battle. That boy might look strong, but he is still bitter inside till this day.” Sir Clifton complimented me while a carefree smile.

“Hmm.”

“Maybe a word of thanks would actually suffice.”

“Thanks.”

“…or two.” He signed. “I saw you just now, trying to make a triple shield? That is very impressive. Far beyond your age. Why am I even surprised? You always master skills ahead of everyone your class.” He mumbled last few sentence.

I passively watched him as he gets into a ready stance. “Remember, a shield does not measure its strength by how many layers. Because no matter how thick the shield is it is still one layer; every layer is connected. So, instead of making a new layer, split them.” He then gracefully turned his palm out and created a thick layer of shield, then with a hard push of the palm. The shield spilt apart into three and eventually reconnect to make three layers knitted closely together. “Now, your turn.”

I readied myself and easily created a single layer. I imagine that I was in a quiet room and there was a straw dummy in front. I stood up and took out my sword, cleanly and swiftly slice the straw dummy into three equal part,  it float midair and slowly hit the floor. I open my eyes and took a deep breath. Tiredness was nagging at the corner of my mind, but I push it away. I took another deep breath, I manage to split it into three, three uneven layers.

“Good, now. Practice some more until you are able to split it evenly.” He gave me a thumb up.

I shake my hands to relax and tried again. “Stop.” Sir Clifton interrupted me. I immediately put down my arms. “What goes around in that tiny head of yours? You have this permanent brow that could scare me away.” He walked toward me and raised his hand intending to poke at my forehead.

Instinct washed over me as I raised my arm to block hardly of his threat of touching me.

I moved before I even realize what was happening.

“Sorry!” I panicky step backward, not knowing what else to do and said, I bowed hashly and dashed off to the exit. My footsteps rang loudly across this deafening silence. Leaving a flabbergasted frozen knight behind.

My father would hear of it.