[Three years later]
In the front yard of the Baron's house, one could see a young man with platinum blond hair currently fighting against a man who was naturally older than him.
"Haah!" Kevin thrust the sword towards the man's stomach, only to have it parried and his opponent directing a punch at him
'Shit!' Kevin cursed as he tried to jump back, but he wasn't fast enough.
*THUMP*
"Guh!"
His mother, who was sitting near the entrance of the house, frowned as she complained, "Aston...what did I say about holding back?"
"It's okay, Mom." Kevin assured her as he rubbed his belly, "I need to learn a few things about swordsmanship. I can't rely solely on my weapon—the lesson I learned."
Aston chuckled, "So, are you going to stop here, son?" Aston asked as he rested the wooden sword over his shoulder.
Kevin shook his head, and clutched the sword tightly, "I won't stop unless I don't land a hit on you today. It has already been three years since I started...I need to show how much I have improved."
Aston's eyes sparkled, "That's like my son."
The duo took their stance, their swords raised as their eyes clashed for a moment, before—
*THWACK*
The wooden blades collided again, echoing through the yard. Kevin gritted his teeth, pushing forward with all his strength.
Aston didn't budge.
In a flash, Aston twisted his wrist and slid Kevin's sword aside, aiming a strike at Kevin's ribs.
Kevin bent low, the blade grazing past his shoulder.
SWISH!
He used the momentum to spin and swing at Aston's knees.
"Good move!" Aston said, hopping back just in time.
Kevin didn't let up. He rushed forward, feinting high—and then quickly thrusting low.
Aston raised his blade to block, but Kevin had already shifted his footing, turning the thrust into a wide slash.
It came close—so close it brushed Aston's shirt.
Aston caught it at the last second, twisting Kevin's blade out of line.
"Still too slow," he said with a grin.
Kevin backed off, panting slightly, sweat trailing down his jaw.
'He's still reading me too easily… I need to do something unexpected.'
He narrowed his eyes. Then—he dashed forward again, this time attacking wildly.
Left, right, up—his blade danced at random angles.
Aston blocked them all with ease, smirking. "You're rushing."
Kevin didn't answer.
He wasn't trying to hit.
He was pushing Aston toward the loose stone on the ground—the one he had noticed earlier.
'Now!'
Kevin shifted suddenly, slicing downward with all his might.
Aston stepped back—onto the uneven stone.
His balance faltered for half a second.
Kevin lunged.
THWACK!
His blade struck Aston's shoulder.
Aston blinked. "...You got me?"
Kevin lowered his sword, breathing hard. "I told you. I won't stop until I land a hit."
A moment of silence passed—and then Aston burst into laughter.
"Well done, Kevin! You set that trap from the beginning?"
Kevin gave a tired smile. "Not exactly. I saw the stone during the fight… just had to guide you there."
Kevin wiped his sweat and finally smiled at himself.
He did it! Three years of training was finally showing its effect.
Aston grinned as he ruffled his son's hair and said, "I am proud of you, son."
Virelle got up and smilingly approached them, "So, should we celebrate?" She has seen her son's effort in these months, how he has been pushing himself above his limits to reach this milestone.
That's why, she thought of throwing a celebration.
"Okay! Dad, let's go hunting!" Kevin excitedly said,
But then—
"I already brought the dinner." A familiar voice arrived from behind as they turned towards the entrance and Virelle nearly fell back down upon seeing the huge boar being carried by her younger son.
"A-Arthur?" The woman asked, her eyes slightly trembling at the sight.
The boar was at least three meters long and had long tusks with sharp claws.
She wasn't over-exaggerating.
Imagine seeing a ten-year-old child pulling a huge beast over his shoulder ..anyone would be flabbergasted.
Aston chuckled, "You hunted that within an hour?"
"Most of the time was wasted in trying to find it." Arthur heaved a sigh as he released the hoove of the beast and dropped it on the ground.
Kevin watched his brother with a sense of admiration in his eyes.
He was a kid, three years younger than him...yet he was so much better than Kevin or any other kid of his age.
His magic control, his combat knowledge, his decision-making at times of disaster...Kevin just couldn't help but think that his brother was a born fighter.
"So? Did you pass the test?" Arthur asked as he stood before his brother.
Although Kevin was older, they were almost the same height. Arthur was just growing a little unnaturally.
Kevin flashed a wide grin and showed a victory sign, "I finally landed a hit."
Arthur smiled, "Finally, you got over it."
Aston dryly chuckled, "Look at you being all casual about it while you wake up before dawn every day to train your brother."
Arthur was rendered speechless as he looked at his mother with a sense of betrayal.
Virelle showed an apologetic smile. How could she have hidden such a sweet thing from her husband?
"Arthur...." Kevin felt his heart turning heavy with emotions, and without warning, he lunged at his brother, hugging him tightly.
Arthur exhaled a long breath and patted his back, "Yeah, yeah. But now don't expect me to teach you anymore. You are on your own now."
Kevin smilingly nodded, "I will continue to grow from here and one day, I will defeat you too!"
Arthur chuckled...such enthusiasm.
The family of three soon stepped inside the house, Aston staying out to peel the skin of the beast.
Virelle told him to distribute some meat to the neighbors since there was just too much.
As they stepped inside and washed their hands, Virelle told them, "I and your father will be leaving tomorrow morning and will return a day later. Kevin, I hope you can take care of your brother in the meantime."
Kevin's eyes turned serious upon hearing those words, as he inwardly muttered,
'Tomorrow...it starts ...the pre-canon event which would affect the story later on.'
He was surely going to protect his brother, but alongside he needs to protect a certain someone as well.
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A/N:- I will try to upload daily. Leave a comment.