The Saint Devil

Chapter 4

["I- I! I want to become a strong man! And protect others just like he did! I... I will get stronger and-"

"No... WE will get stronger."]

Those words were our new resolve, not being able to ever forget this moment, thinking about it every day.

Even after five whole years, I and Taiyo didn't forget the day... When we lost our "brother".

In the middle of the forest near the capital city, where the silence was the predominant attribute, besides the lovely song of the birds, a soothing sound could be heard, echoing from the heart of the forest. A sound very alike with a [shishi odoshi] and still appearing so many times in such a short interval.

Even though this sound could be said to have a relaxing vibe to it... The sound came from an unexpected source. Right there, in the middle of the forest, right beside the small lovely cottage, were I and Taiyo.

I can feel my movements being as easy as the wind, after all the training we've done in the past years. The relaxing sound echoing through the forest came from our wooden swords.

Blow after blow, block after block, our bodies are refusing to give in.

"You became really good lately, Taiyo!"

"Praise me more and maybe I will let you win this time as well!"

I quickly block his attack and return one fast strike towards him.

"When did you exactly let me win by now? I've never lost since we were little!"

Blocking my strike, he repositioned and charged at me with his sword.

"This will change today though!"

He wants this to be his decisive strike... I am sorry Taiyo, but I already realised. You always do this in extended trades. With this opening I see, I am gonna finish this.

Just as I thought, I just dodged his sword easily and with a hit in the right spot, Taiyo lost the grip of his sword.

I point my sword to the defeated boy that's kneeling on the ground.

"Kill me... I don't have any honour now!"

Hearing him I quickly shouted,

"Can you stop being so dramatic after you lose for once?! I've seen this scene 645 now!"

"Stop increasing the value! It's only 644 times!"

"Fine, fine... Be it like you say." the expression on my face could be read easily. I grew bored already of seeing this scene.

"If we trained in my domain things would be different! Can we stop fighting with swords for once?!"

"Maybe after you defeat me one..." then I quickly follow up with,

"...And how do you intend to fight with knives and bows without hurting each other?"

"The wooden swords already hurt enough!"

After hearing this, I put a smile on my face while looking at Taiyo's slightly annoyed expression. I bend down and lay my hand towards him. We've been training together every day to achieve our goal, both of us being fifteen years old now.

Taiyo grasps my hand and while getting up from the ground he says,

"If you fight like this at the exam you will destroy everyone in the competition, meanwhile I have to think of a way to fight without hurting others too much."

That's true... Even though Taiyo probably can't beat me, when fighting in the way he learned to he can be a formidable foe. His fighting style involved using throwing knives, bows and crossbows to deliver lethal attack from afar. But he wouldn't be able to fight like this in the event we were getting ready for... [The Knight Selection Exam]

This was an event happening once every two years in the capital city of the Kingdom of Wanborne. Everyone could take this exam regardless the social status. This exam was our current goal--- Becoming knights and being real men, saving the weak, as Tsuki did for us. This exam will be able to be taken just a few days from now, so I and Taiyo are training more intensely than ever.

"Two days huh? We will pass for sure!" after saying this I look at Taiyo that was trying to be sneaky and get away from me,

"Now... Taiyo! Where do you think you're going?"

He turns back at me and says with teary eyes,

"I'll die before even taking the exam..."

I go to him and drag him by his collar to the training field while laughing like a maniac. Even I get scared of myself sometimes...

"God have mercy!!"

And with this final desperate request of Taiyo, the forest's quietness returned once again to the wood hitting sound of our swords.