“Captain! I-it’s all the kids’ fault! I tried to stop them, b-but they didn’t listen!” Sergeant Craven fumbled weakly on his knees in front of a man donning his armor.

“What’s done is done, Craven. You’ve disappointed me, just wait here quietly and receive your punishment once I return.” He put on his helmet and strapped on his sword belt. “As for the rest of you, I request that all of you return back to the academy. I’ll formally submit a follow-up investigation once I’ve handled everything over here.”

“But, Captain!” Sergeant Craven’s face paled by another few shades.

“Shut up!” Captain Kale shouted and left. We all followed behind; all the other students were afraid of drawing the captain’s anger.

“Wait. I’m coming with you.” I shouted out.

The captain paused and turned around, the intimidating air around him frightened the other students.

“Will…” Sophia tugged on my sleeve.

“Don’t worry, I can handle myself.” I reassured her and walked over to the captain, “It was partially my fault this happened. No matter what you say, I’m coming too.”

“You will just be in the way.” Captain Kale answered back.

Angered, I swiftly drew out my sword and pointed it at his neck.

“Will!”

“William?!”

Alec and Sophia both yelled in shock. However, the captain didn’t react at all until after he felt my sword on his neck.

The captain smiled and said, “You’re not a simple kid. Alright, you can come along. Everyone else, return home.” The captain called out and organized three squads to follow him into the dungeon.

I followed the soldiers as we hastily sped through the memorized path to the core room. When we arrived, the sound of battle still rang out, which gave me hope. We haven’t gone longer than 20 minutes, and there were still survivors. The captain didn’t pause to investigate the situation and barged through the entrance into the dungeon core room.

“C-captain!” Sergeant Davis struggled to stand on his feet. A quick look around the room, and it was clear to see that the two squads have been massacred. Sergeant Davis was the last person alive; he had lost an arm and sustained injuries all over his body.

“KWEEEEEE!” The griffon let out a playful shriek as it tossed Sergeant Davis aside. The loud noise as he made an impact with the wall made a few soldiers wince and shake in their boots.

“Get into formation! Pull forward and maintain a perimeter around the beast!” Captain Kale issued orders and drew out his sword. A blade shot out just in time to parry the incoming attack of the griffon.

I also followed the captain’s action and drew my sword. While the griffon was distracted, I dashed into its flank and attempted to injure its leg. For such agile monsters like this, immobilizing it was a priority. However, my attempt failed. The beast spun around and blew me away with a flourish of its wings.

“Be careful, Kid.” The captain moved in a practiced fashion. I could tell that he wasn’t like Sergeant Craven. He probably had gone through his fair share of battles. I watched as Captain Kale brushed aside the beast’s talons and attacked the opening left behind.

“RAAAH!” The griffon breathed out a flame in an attempt to pull away. The captain grunted in pain as he rolled away.

“That burns!” The heat from the flames singed his hair, releasing a bad odor in the room.

“Hup!” I chopped at the beast’s exposed back. It hit! However, it was only a light wound. The griffon’s fur was thick and sturdy, even with my rank B strength, I hardly did any damage. While I was momentarily stunned by this realization, I failed to pay attention to the griffon’s response.

“KUAHHH!” The griffon turned around, and its tail tripped me up before its front legs slammed into my chest.

“Kuh!” I flew back a few meters. I quickly stood up and checked my injury. “It’s only a scratch!” I called out to the captain. I managed to move away in time to avoid the griffon’s talons.

“Good!” The captain answered and looked around. I could see that the soldiers finally finished surrounding the beast. “Everyone! Intermittent attacks in clockwise order! Attack!” The soldiers began jabbing at the griffon, taking turns to run a few steps forward and stabbing their spears out before backing off.

“KUAHH!” The griffon fell into confusion and tried to attack a soldier, only to have another couple of soldiers attack from another direction. It spun around, thrashing around to intimidate the soldiers. It was at this time that I saw the captain dash forward and inflict a deep wound on its side.

“Good! Keep it going!” He ordered as he ducked under the griffon’s wing.

I also made use of the confusion and attacked. My blade bit down on the back legs of the griffon, eliciting a painful howl. Now if only things could continue on like this, it would be great. However, nothing ever goes as planned.

“RAAAAAHHHH!” In a panic, the griffon started spewing out flames, it was as if a fire hydrant was knocked over, except instead of water, flames were spat out.

“GUAAAH!”

“Fire! I’m on FIRE! HELP! AUUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!”

“Captain!”

The soldiers flew into pandemonium as the formation crumbled. The soldiers fell down and started rolling on the ground to put out the flames that were cooking them alive in their armors. I had managed to duck behind a metal mine cart in time and avoided the fire. The captain was also sharper than the rest and hid. Finally, after shooting out its flames, the griffon regained its composure and got up. The injuries it had sustained now made it more furious than ever.

“Kid, go help my men. I’ll distract the beast!” Captain Kale commanded and dashed off.

I wasn’t too helpful in these situations, but I did what I could. When I ran up to the closest man, I saw burns severe enough to be categorized as third-degree burns on his face and arms. His cheeks were burnt deep enough that I saw his teeth and gums underneath. His breath was ragged, and I could hear a gurgling noise every time he breathed out. What’s worst of all was the smell of burnt flesh that was reminiscent of pork. The graphic image and smell nearly made me vomit.

“This one is a goner,” I concluded and moved on.

The next soldier was more fortunate. When I ran over to him, he managed to put out the flames already but was groaning in pain. I quickly stuffed my hand into my waist pouch and pulled out a few healing potions. With my meager resources, I could only afford the basic ones so they can only stop the bleeding and close the wound.

“Here. Take these and help others.” I stuffed a few bottles into his arms and opened up a bottle and poured it over his wound on his side. The murky liquid that flowed out reminded me of wine. A sizzling sound could be heard when the health potion made contact with the wound.

“Augh!” The soldier grunted. “Thanks.” He nodded and hobbled to his comrade. I also did the same, and at the fastest speed possible, we started treating the injuries.

Meanwhile, Captain Kale was busily running circles around the griffon. His sword flashed from time to time, signaling his attempts at fighting back. Suddenly, the griffon stretched out its wings.

*WHOOOSH!*

Captain Kale was briefly knocked off balance by the gust of wind. The griffon took the opportunity and shot a pillar of flame.

“GAH!” Captain Kale dived to avoid the flames but didn’t make it in time. He was struck squarely on the chest and was blown back a few meters. The griffon was worthy of its reputation as a relentless hunter. It didn’t give any respite for Captain Kale and leaped at the downed captain.

“Oh, no!” I ran forward and intercepted the beast, forcing it to defend itself. “Are you alright?!” I shouted behind me.

“Kuh… Just about…” Captain Kale said. A brief glance at his condition told me otherwise. The captain may be more robust than the ordinary soldier, but even willpower cannot overcome the severe burns all over his arms and chest. His arm was shaking with the effort to hold his sword.

“No, you’re not,” I concluded and faced forward. “I’ll handle it from here. Get yourself treated first.”

No matter the captain’s opinion, I’m probably the only person left that’s able to defeat the griffon. I may not be as skillful as the captain, but my strength should still be on par with his.

“Kuaaah!” The griffon shrieked, signaling his attack.

I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the front paw. I tried to strike at its exposed side, but the griffon has wisened to my tactics; it whipped its tail around, forcing me to defend myself. Our exchanged happened in only a split second, but I had already understood the amount of pressure the captain shouldered. My respect for that man has grown much in this small time frame.

The griffon also seemed to understand that I was weaker than the captain and was now filled with confidence. I watched as it strutted around confidently, which irritated me that much more.

“This bird brain dares act cocky in front of me?” I grumbled. This behavior reminded me of a particular man with silver hair. My blood burned hot when I imagine his condescending attitude. Are the gods mocking me?

When the griffon attacked once more, this time, instead of dodging, I charged in. Maybe it wasn’t expecting such a reckless attack because I managed to get inside its guard.

“HAAAH!” I stabbed with all my might, imaging that the wall of fur was that man.

“KWEEEE!” The griffon fell back with a sharp cry. I held onto my sword as it slid out of the beast. “KWEE!”

“Hah… Hah…” I felt my heart pounding hard in my chest. It was the first time I felt such exhilaration in a while. Being reckless was… exciting. “Come at me you stuck up bitch!” I roared.

“RAAAHHH!” It breathed out a mouthful of flames. The griffon must’ve run out of ideas because it always used this attack when it felt threatened. However, this also meant that it can’t use this attack many times. I activated the gift that I received from my goddess.

[Sword of Light]

My blade glowed white-hot as I waved it in front of myself.

*Crash!*

The flames split in half and passed by harmlessly around my body. I watched as the griffon paused and cocked its head dumbly.

“My turn!” I ran forward and sliced off one of its wings.

“KUEEEEEE!” The griffon crashed down and thrashed about in pain. I nimbly dodged around the monster as I occasionally stabbed down. Each stab with my ability active meant an unblockable attack. The ability [Sword of Light] can cut apart the untouchable and also shreds apart any creature of darkness. However, I have to end the battle quickly, or it’ll soon drain my stamina.

“Look! His sword is shining with light!” A soldier commented.

“A sword brimming with light. I can feel its warmth.” Another soldier chimed in. Pretty soon, everyone was staring awestruck at me, though I try not to pay attention to them. Now that the griffon was riddled with holes and lost its wing, it was only a matter of time before it died. The loss of blood was already too much, as evidenced by the sluggish movements of the beast.

“Captain, you mustn’t move too much!” A soldier wrapping the wounds of the captain strained his voice.

“Let go of me, I need to see this!” Captain Kale sat up and watched as I slew the griffon. My blade glowed with white-hot intensity as I sliced off the monster’s head.

“Fuuu~…” I released a pent up breath as I released the [Sword of Light] ability.

“WOAAAAAAHHHH!”

“YEAAAAHHH!!!”

“HE DID IT!”

All the recuperating soldiers ran up to me and choked me in a tight hug. I think the only thing worse than fighting a boss monster is to be choked to death by a group of dirty, sweaty, bloodstained men.

“Enough!” Captain Kale’s voice rang through the crowd. “It’ll be troubling if our savior died from something like this,” he joked as he walked forward.

“Captain.” I performed a military salute, albeit sloppily.

“Kid, what’s your name?” Captain Kale’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

“William, Captain.” I sheathed my sword.

“What’s your family name?” He asked after waiting a bit longer.

“I have no family name,” I answered his question. I have gotten asked this question many times in the past. It might be due to my proper etiquette from my past life that made people mistake me for a person of the gentry.

“No family name?” Captain Kale looked puzzled for a moment before his eyes solidified with resolve. “William, your actions today will not go unrewarded. I can see potential in you. It would do a disservice to this kingdom if we were to let such a good seed like you go. My sword!” He held out his bandaged arm.

“Sir!” A soldier ran forward and presented the captain’s sword. I watched on in confusion.

“William, kneel down and receive my words.” Captain Kale announced. I looked around me, puzzled. However, everyone around me had already stepped back and remained silent. Seeing that I was confused, Captain Kale chuckled and said, “You’ve never seen a knighting ceremony before, Kid?”

“Sir!” I finally realized what was happening and kneeled down.

“With the power given to me by King Xander of Eidolon, I dub thee William Lightsword. May his blade shine ever bright, and his integrity be incorruptible. May he stand against injustice, uphold the moral values of a knight, and wield his blade to protect the weak. Stand, William Lightsword.”

“Sir!” I stood up, still baffled at the unexpected event.

“Son, from now on, everyone will be watching you. Do well not to stain the title of knighthood.”

“Yes, Sir!” I saluted. The captain turned around and started ordering the soldiers to treat the wounded and look for survivors. However, at this time, I finally thought of the question that had been bothering me ever since. “Sir!”

“What is it, William?” Captain Kale looked back.

“Just who are you?” I asked.

“You don’t know me, and you still went along with everything?” Captain Kale laughed before saying, “Kale Ellington, son of Duke Ellington.”

Thunder rang throughout my mind when I heard the family name, Ellington. Duke Ellington was the leading supporter behind the third prince, the leader of the Nobility faction. A million thoughts ran through my mind, particularly the fact that Kale Ellington was a compassionate man. He cared about his men and even risked his life to protect theirs. He was upright, but not cold and detached. He was proud but humble. How can such a person belong to the Nobility Faction?

“Pleasure.” I shook Kale Ellington’s hand, and we quickly reorganized and retreated from the dungeon core’s room. I don’t remember much else of what happened throughout the rest of the day.

My mind kept bouncing back and forth the revelation that maybe I was wrong. Maybe things weren’t all black and white; there was no right side and no wrong side. Although I kept this to myself, I will try to view the world through my own eyes and not through what other’s tell me.