Not familiar with each other battle strategy, Will and Asher began the fight circling around the stage. Seeing that Asher was as hesitant as Will, gave Will an added ounce of initiative. Will immediately cast [rock armor] and enhanced his sword. Seeing Will take the initiative Asher immediately ran to close the distance, unlike Samuel, Asher did not excel in speed or dexterity. Asher possessed a survivalist will and had above average sword technique. Growing up on the outskirts of the kingdom, Asher lived in a small village. Every day and night were a struggle to survive from either beast or bandit attacks. Asher trained in the village from an injured veteran solider. Years of combat tempered his spirit and sword skill. Asher notoriety came from earning the last place in the entrance exam, but he didn't care. As long as Asher got excepted, that was all that mattered. The constant harassment from other students, especially nobles, only cemented his survival instinct at the academy.

Fighting against Asher, Will could feel that survival instinct through every sword strike and parry. Asher grunted loudly when he swung. Asher was pushed backwards; his grunting and swings grow stronger. Will kept hammering at Asher, showing his sword finesse that his master had taught him. Will's katana tore through Asher's defense. Will's strikes tore through his clothes, created lines of blood across his body, and ripped ligaments. Asher looked like he was slowly walking through a blender. To Asher fighting Will, was like fighting a master spirit beast. Feeling the tide of the battle, Asher knew this was his defeat. After only 10 minutes Asher found himself on the edge of the arena about to thrown out and suffer his second loss. Asher felt he had no choice but trade pain for survival.

Asher dropped his sword, accepting the sword strokes he slowly walked towards Will. Asher body continued to received cut after cut, blood spewed down like droplets of rain. Will was shocked, this was Asher's strategy? He didn't want to continue this onslaught, but he had no choice if Asher didn't admit defeat. Will stopped backing up as Asher approached and stood his grown. As Asher approached Will, he threw a single punch at Will's face, the only part of Will's body not covered in rock and fainted. Asher spent all his mana to throw the single punch at Will's face. Will felt a light trickle a blood fall from his lips. Will looked at the stage where Asher was stretched out on the stage, unconscious, lying a pool of his blood, breathing heavy. Will admired Asher's fierce determination, even at the expense of losing Asher fought until his last iota of strength.

As a few hours it was Will's turn to battle again, in the waiting room he learned, he was matched against Sarah. Sarah approached Will, glowing red and asked Will to fight to win. Sarah was afraid Will would withdraw or not fight fiercely because they worked together. Even though Sarah missed seeing Will at the Guardian Guild's room in the pagoda, she understood he had a once in a lifetime opportunity. In Sarah's heart, this only led to her liking him more. She was happy to see Will, and too embarrassed to approach him before, but now that they were matched against each other. This gave her the courage she lacked to talk to him before the bout.

Sitting down on a bench the duo caught up. Sarah told him about how the Quartermaster's post and come alive after he left. The other commanders sent people regularly to ask weapons, items, and lodging when they went on quests. There was a consensus amongst guild members that the revamped Quartermaster post was very helpful and improved the guild overall. She told Will how she and Grace and received several compliments from guild members for their help. Moreover, the number of supplies and lodging request increased each month due to the ease of requesting and receiving goods and services. In fact, Sarah said she had also received compliments from the Blacksmith and Apothecary Guilds for making it easier to keep track of request and streamline payments.

Overall, Will's accomplishments as Quartermaster had increased his reputation in the guild. Furthermore, Sarah told him his accomplishments had reach the ears of the Fermion's Guardian Guild Headquarter in the capital. Sarah told Will there is a good chance he'll be placed in the Fermion Quartermaster Command Post after graduation for his mandatory years of service. He may even be promoted to deputy among graduation. Will was stunned, wasn't this just a little too quick. He never once though his reforms would garner this much praise. To Marshall Rolf's credit, Will was building his credibility. Now if only he could capitalize on it.

Hearing Marshall Wolf announce Vincent as the winner, Will knew it was his and Sarah's turn to take the stage. Both of them walked out together hearing the roar of the crowd. The mages had just finished cleaning the blood off the stage. As Will and Sarah walked to the stage, they saw Grace being carted off. Her face and body were damaged to such a sever degree that she was not able to swallow the recovery pill and required an operation. Seeing Vincent's smug grin passing him, as will walked up the steps onto the stage.

After preforming battle etiquette, Will cast [rock armor] and enhanced his sword. As the bell range, Will immediately went on the attack, but Sarah would use here flexibility and dexterity to increase the space between them. Sarah had the body of a ballerina dance, tall, slim, athletic, and flexible. Sarah danced around the stage, never giving Will a firm target to strike. The two fighters could not be more diametrically opposed. Whereas Sarah fought as a gymnast with her body movements, Will's sword forms were more gymnastic. To picture the fight, it looked like shark fighting a tuna. Will's sword strokes were fast, resilient and deadly, but also graceful and elegant. Sarah's sword strikes were formidable, rapid, and undulating, but also fluid and dynamic.

The match between Sarah and Will lasted just under an hour due to Sarah's evasive strategy. Whenever their swords met, sparks would fly. When Will would press Sarah, she would feint and increase the distance. Sarah's strike and move; or feint and move, strategy was similar to Samuel's cat and mouse, but Sarah didn't hide in the shadows, she danced away from him on the stage. Hesitating to use mana, Will though of way to resolve this match without Sarah getting to hurt, but agree to yield. Will finally came up with a strategy, inspired by Asher. Will fought Sarah into a corner, when Sarah realized she was cornered she feinted, not fooling Will he dove his sword through her body enhancements into her thigh. Sarah feeling the impact, tried harder to get out of the corner, but with her thigh injured her range of motion was limited. Limiting her range of movement now, Will removed his sword, parried her repeated blows, holstering his sword, he used his rock armor to hug Sarah and get to admit her lost or be squeezed unconscious. However, for Sarah, when Will hugged her, she blushed and unconsciously dropped her sword. Now weaponless, and hearing Will's ultimatum she announced her defeat.

After taking the recovery pill, Sarah thanked Will for not taking it easy on him. Will and Sarah walked back to the waiting room to hear the final results and see with six people would make it to the semi-finals. Marshall Rolf walked into the waiting room, informing the cadet that the judges were piling the scores and the winner would be announced shortly after the last match. While the judges and deliberated and the crowd discussed their favorite fight or fighter; the cadets in the waiting room sat quietly. The crow, this was an entertaining; but for the student this was their midyear exam. The place in the ranking affected the number of points they would earn towards graduation, the number of pills and herbs they would receive; and attract a potential master to study under. Moreover, the cadets who were in guilds could also receive guild points. These rankings were going to be affect the rest of their lives at the academy, at least until the end of term exam.

Second year student would tell them, that midyear exams were child's play compared to the end of term exam. Reason being the end of term exams required actual combat. The second-year students regaled them with horror stories about fighting beast and spirit beast. Last year the second-year students went to Death Valley to clear a beast horde. But unknowingly there were also spirit beast. The second-year students said, a few students die every year, but death during end of term exams were common. According to the academy, fighting beast prepares students for the realities of war.

Death Valley got its name due to the amount of solider that die when Fermion and Albania war. Death Valley separate Fermion from Albania. Every other decade it seems Fermion and Albania decide to go to war. The valley makes a perfect staging ground. With hills to the east and west and flat land running north to south. During times of war, Fermion would stage their troops to the north and Albania would camp to the south. Death Valley was Fermions most southern point, and the Kingdom of Fermion housed a garrison of soldiers. As a part of the horror story, the second-year student camped inside the Death Valley fort and fought hordes of beast. Since wars were fought in the valley, the king did not want his soldiers dying to beast attack, so the academy would send their students to practice while also reducing the beast numbers. It was suitable location to train, because the fort was adjunct to the river that cut north and south across the valley. In fact, northern Albania needed that river, since northern Albania had a very arid climate. Unlike others, Will took this horror story with a grain of salt. Knowing how people tend to embellish when trying to frighten others.

Not long after the last match ended, Marshall Rolf returned. "The six schedule to fight tomorrow are Mark, Evan, Chole, Vincent, Samuel, and Will. Congratulations," he said with no emotion. "Okay, you six can leave and return afternoon to fight. For the second-round matches will be assigned by your instructors. To advance tomorrow, you have to win two out of three matches. If one person wins all three matches in a row, they'll be the champion. This is unlikely, so the day after will be single elimination," he said. "Now, for those of you who names I did not call, you battle in the morning to figure out your place in the ranking. Now everyone get a full meal and good rest. I'll see you tomorrow," he finished.

After leaving the coliseum, I saw Elder Thaddeus speaking with crowd of people. Archimedes was resting on his shoulder, but immediately raised his head when he saw Will. Shivers ran down Will's spine. He questioned if that cat really a person or may a spirit beast. "Surely neither both…even magic can't turn a person into a cat. And the academy would never allow a spirit beast on campus, and what spirit beast would look like a house cat. Right?" Will's doubt made him begin to question his reality.

"Well done, boy," Elder Thaddeus patted Will's back with glee.

"Thank you, I did my best despite the fierce competition" Will replied

"So humble and mild tempered. You do have a good disciple Thaddeus," said a person in regal purple robes with intricate gold embroidery.

"And handsome," said an elder woman wearing violet, red robe with an emblem of a woman wearing a winged helmet on the top right-hand breast place. In addition, there were rows and rows of commendation pins.

"I won't speak to his handsomeness Commander Cameron; ah yes, Cornelius, he is the disciple I was waiting for, for all these years," responded Elder Thaddeus

"He's a fine cadet, industrious and brainy! Just want this kingdom need! I'm glad he joined the Guardians, he's a patriot and true noble," shouted a militaristic man, who resembled a gruffier and more stoic Marshall Rolf.

"Yes, Commander Stewart he is very intelligent and clever," sighed Elder Thaddeus. Will could tell his master did not particularly care for or admire this man. Will felt he was beginning to understand his personality and mannerisms.

"Alas, we must leave and get Will fed and rested. He has another long day tomorrow please excuse us," Elder Thaddeus said in his polite elderly voice.

As the group of elders sent him off with pleasantries and salutations, the two left the Knight Academy and made their way across the street to the Mage Academy, around the windy path to Elder Thaddeus home.

"Will do you know any of those people?" Elder Thaddeus quizzed his disciple,

"No master I do not," Will replied honestly.

"Mage Cornelius is the royal magician to this majesty. Commander Cameron is the Guild Master for the Valkyrie and Commander Stewart is the Fermion Guardian Guild Master. These are all important people you should know. Especially, that imbecilic, senseless, oaf of a Guild Master of yours," Elder Thaddeus stated. Continuing he said, "Just before you came out Commander Raymond of the Golden Knights left with Mark" he finished.

"Thank you master I said," tiredly

"Listen Will, Commander Raymond now sees you as threat to Mark's first place victory. Pay attention to Mark in your next round. Tomorrow after morning exercise we'll discuss strategy, okay? Remind me Archimedes," he said

"…" Will's eyes widened

After this discussion, Will quickly ate and fell asleep.