Charles went over to the wooden weapon racks, there were rows for almost every kind of weapon, but they didn't seem well maintained as there are some scratch marks on there and the wood was slowly losing its original color. The swords, axes, spears, and daggers were all made out of wood, and most of them seemed to have been used regularly with chips and scratches on the surface of them. Charles looked around and saw kids around his age also picking a weapon for themselves.

They had the same black hair and eyes as Charles and wore the same clothing as him, they were wearing dirty tunics and pants made out of hemp that looked like they haven't been washed in weeks. "Looks like every kid is having the same problem as you right now," Janko commented as Charles was looking at the other kids. Charles nodded as he looked at the different weapons. "Should I follow Robert and pick a longsword? Or should I try something like Ogg and use two swords? That way I can deal twice the damage! A greatsword is too big for me anyway, and a spear sounds interesting though."

"Remember that every weapon has a flaw in them, for example, swords are diverse, but if the user is not good enough with the weapon, then he will die a quick death. Spears are great weapons for distancing oneself from the opponent while giving immense pressure but if one fails to intimidate the opponent and fails to figure out the opponent's movement, then one will surely fall quickly. Dual wielding seems great in basic theory but when it comes down to a true fight if the opponent is smart finding an opening to kill you is simple!" Janko told Charles.

"If every weapon has a flaw then how in the world am I going to choose one?! I'll have a chance of dying for every single one of them!" Charles angry replied, how is he going to survive when this old man said that every single weapon sucks. "This is when martial art comes in! To counter these weapons deficiencies, we use a martial art to counter these flaws! For example, dual wielding seems like a certain death weapon, but if used correctly it could turn someone from a bumbling idiot to an expert!" Janko explained.

So martial art seals the gaps in the cracks of weapons?" Charles asks "Precisely! So to find one suited to you one must also have a martial art in mind! What I want you is to imagine yourself fighting someone. Pick any weapon you like as your weapon. Now the first problem is what do you do now that you're in a battle with your opponent? Do you move forward to face your opponent head on and not allow him any room to breathe? Or do you stand your ground and see what the opponent does first and react?"

Charles thinks about this for a minute or 2 as his eyes start glowing slightly orange. "Depending on the weapon and moves I use I would be at a loss in one of them! So my best bet is to use something that I can use to defend yet attack at the same time..." Charles looks around and spots a small round piece of wood that's labeled under the shield section though it seems no one has touched it. He picks one up and straps it to his arm; it feels rather nice to wear it. "Now to find something to attack. If I use a spear that would limit my movement. This thing is already weighing me down since the sword is considered diverse I shall take one!" Charles walks over to take a short sword and nods in satisfaction

"Alright I'm ready to answer but what would the opponent be using?" Charles asks "Let's say his using a longsword; most people use a sword anyway." Janko replied. Charles nodded and begun to think. "If the opponent is using a longsword I won't know if the other person is an aggressive person or a passive one. I can't just sit and wait for the opponent to get the upper hand on me so I must go on the offense!" Charles replied

"It seems the skill is doing wonders for you, so you rushed up to the enemy, so he swings his sword down at you, what do you do now?" Janko asks "Since his swinging his sword down and can bring my wooden circle up to protect my head as I move to his right and slash his side with my sword, with him bleeding out I can drag out the fight till his low on blood, and I can easily finish him off! How did I do?" Charles replies as he rubbed his head, for some odd reason he felt exhausted after thinking of that scenario.

"Mhm good you pass, looks like the skill is working perfectly!" Janko replied with glee "You still haven't told me what that skill you gave me was!" But before Janko could reply a boy with a larger size than Charles pushed Charles to the ground and started talking proudly "Hey guys look at this new guy! His so scared his already talking to himself!" The boy started laughing as the boys behind him started praising the large boy "The new guy is so weak! He wouldn't even stand a single blow with Leon!" "Ha! I don't think he can even look at the great Leon for a minute before fainting at Leon's greatness!" "Don't even compare Leon to such a weak guy! it's like comparing a mountain to an ant hill!

The constant barrages of insults coming at Charles made him extremely angry; He grabbed his sword and shield as he stood up and eyed Leon. Leon was 5 inches taller than him and was much more muscular than Charles. What in the world did he eat?! "Hey new kid, you dare stare at me? Looks like at least have some guts. Do you want to live here? Join my gang!" Leon's face filled with pride and arrogance with a smirk so big it could probably use as a weapon. I want to punch this guy's face in! "Gang? I think I'll pass so leave me alone!"

"Hey did that new kid refuse Leon?! Is he dumb?!" "On the bright side we get to watch another one-sided beating, it'll release the stress we've been having!" What were those guys behind Leon talking about, the seven people were standing behind Leon looked normal with the same physique as Charles, they were a bit on the skinny side but had no muscles, unlike Charles who had some due to all the farm work.

Though they were taller than Charles by an inch or two. Plus they had pale skin while Charles and Leon had Tanned skin. Charles then realized that his height is quite short in comparison to everybody around him. Their clothes were odd compared to other fighters around them though. Unlike Charles and the others who wore dirty hemp clothing, Leon and his gang wore clean hemp clothing, and they didn't smell like piss and shit like everyone else!

"So you refusing to join my gang?" Leon said as his eyebrows immediately shot down into a frown.

"Yes now leave me alone! I just want to keep to myself!" Charles was starting to get annoyed with Leon. Why in the world would I want to join your gang?! I don't even know you! But as soon as Charles refused the invitation, Leon shouted at the top of his lungs:"HUH?! YAH WANNA FIGHT THEN COME ON THEN! LET'S SETTLE THIS IN THE ARENA; GUARDS HELP THIS GUY WANTS TO DUEL ME!"

Everyone in the stopped turned around. The people in the sand pits fighting had stopped their fighting and turned to look at Charles and Leon with a serious expression as the sand around them that were kicked around started to settle. The people on the side discussing battle tactics turned to look with the same serious look. While Robert, Rock, Ogg, and Pike looked at Charles from a distance with total shock. "I told you not to duel anyone so what happened?!" Robert screamed in his head.

Charles frowned as he looked at the situation he was in "What in the world did you do?!" he stared at Leon fiercely. "Making you an example for new guys that come along, that refusing an invitation to my gang means death. See you tomorrow in the arena dumbass" Leon laughs as he leaves with his gang members smiling at Charles as though they were looking at a chicken they were gonna cook later.

"Attention all! Due to a duel being announced in the lower rank, all lower rank fighters are to view the duel between fighter Leon and fighter Charles! The fight will be held tomorrow at noon!" A guard that was wearing clean leather armor announced: "it's a full leather armor guard, weren't the top elite guards only able to wear that?" "Well wasn't one of them Leon? His the top prospect of the younger division here after all." "That other kid probably didn't know what he got himself in."

Top prospect of the younger division? When did arrogant, smug guys like that become strong? Isn't life a little bit unfair?! I didn't want to join your small boy band how could refusing you resort to a life or death duel?! Leon what did I do to piss you off?! Please tell me!!