Chapter 5: The Commander's Trial

Seven Years Later...

The Imperial Forest.

Clang!

A black blade flashed through the air.

Aiden Ravenhart—now fourteen and a half years old—stood alone beneath the moonlight.

His breathing remained perfectly steady.

His movements were faster...

Sharper...

More precise than ever before.

For the last seven years...

While everyone believed the Youngest Prince spent his days training like an ordinary royal...

He had been chasing something no one else in this world could even imagine.

Technology.

A hidden cave deep inside the forest...

Had become his secret workshop.

The walls were covered with blueprints.

Pieces of rare ores.

Special charcoal.

Refined steel.

Star Iron.

Black Crystal Powder.

Every material had taken years to collect.

Some had been bought secretly.

Some were exchanged through trusted blacksmiths.

Some were discovered by Aiden himself after reading hundreds of ancient records.

Tonight...

Everything was finally ready.

Aiden slowly opened a wooden chest.

Inside...

Lay a suit of pitch-black armor.

It wasn't bulky.

It wasn't heavy.

Instead...

It looked elegant.

Like a second layer of skin.

He gently touched it.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Carbon Armor – Version One.

"It isn't perfect..."

"But it's finally complete."

He put it on.

Within seconds...

The armor fit perfectly around his body.

He jumped.

Landed.

Ran.

Not once did he feel the unbearable weight that ordinary knights suffered from.

He smiled.

"It worked."

Then...

He walked toward another table.

Resting there...

Was a simple black sword.

Nothing about it looked extraordinary.

Anyone seeing it would mistake it for an ordinary short sword.

Aiden gripped the handle.

Click.

A hidden mechanism activated.

Shiiing!

The blade extended instantly.

The short sword transformed into a long, elegant weapon.

Its balance remained perfect.

Its edge reflected the moonlight like flowing water.

Aiden swung once.

The wind split apart.

A second swing.

A thick tree behind him was cut cleanly in half.

"...Success."

For the first time since arriving in this world...

Something from his previous life...

Had truly been reborn.

For the next several hours...

He tested both creations.

Running.

Jumping.

Dodging.

Sword combinations.

The Carbon Armor allowed him to move almost freely.

The expandable sword created countless unpredictable attack angles.

If used correctly...

Even veteran warriors would be caught off guard.

Aiden looked toward the stars.

"This is only the beginning."

The next morning...

The peaceful atmosphere inside the palace suddenly disappeared.

A royal messenger rushed through the corridors.

"His Highness!"

"His Majesty is summoning every member of the Imperial Family immediately!"

Aiden frowned.

Something important had happened.

Inside the Imperial Throne Hall...

The Emperor sat upon the throne.

Beside him stood Crown Prince Arthur.

Both Empresses.

The Empire's greatest generals.

The ministers.

Every important figure had gathered.

The Emperor's voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Last night..."

"The Blackthorn Empire sent its reply."

Everyone became silent.

"The border kingdom of Valen is without a ruler."

"Both Empires wish to claim it."

"But neither side desires an all-out war."

One general nodded.

If the two greatest Human Empires fought directly...

Millions would die.

The Beast Kingdom would take advantage.

The Demons within the Labyrinth would become a greater threat.

The balance of the continent would collapse.

"So..."

The Emperor continued.

"We have reached an agreement."

"The Crown Prince of each Empire will lead an expedition."

"The victor shall gain the right to rule Valen."

The hall erupted with excitement.

This would be the first campaign personally led by Crown Prince Arthur.

Arthur stepped forward confidently.

"I will not disappoint the Empire."

The Emperor smiled proudly.

Then...

A calm voice interrupted the celebration.

"Your Majesty."

Everyone turned.

Aiden stepped into the center of the hall.

His eyes were calm.

His back perfectly straight.

"I request permission..."

"...to join this campaign."

The ministers smiled.

One even laughed.

"A child wants to watch a war?"

But Aiden continued.

"I do not wish to watch."

"I wish to lead."

Silence.

Even Arthur widened his eyes.

The Emperor narrowed his gaze.

"...Lead?"

"Yes."

"I request permission to serve as one of the campaign's Commanders."

The laughter inside the hall became even louder.

"A fourteen-year-old Commander?"

"Impossible!"

"Nonsense!"

Aiden ignored every voice.

His eyes never left the Emperor.

Finally...

The Emperor slowly rose from his throne.

His powerful gaze locked onto Aiden.

"You wish to become a Commander..."

"...then prove that you possess the ability."

He raised his hand.

"The Imperial Trial will begin tomorrow."

"If you pass..."

"I shall personally grant your request."

The entire hall froze.

No one had expected the Emperor...

To actually give him a chance.

Aiden smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Tomorrow...

His true test would begin.

To be Continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***