Reed walked contentedly on the path back to Lake Knight Academy, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a long shadow behind him.

  The sound of the rushing waters of the Bourne River gradually faded, replaced by the chirping of insects and birds in the forest.

  The clamor of the day slowly dissipated, and the forest grew quiet and deep.

  His training by the Bourne River had far exceeded his expectations. Not only had he mastered the second level of Thunder Roar, but he had also advanced in his squire rank.

  The speed of his progress was something no one would believe if he told them.

  Just then, a strange feeling suddenly crept into his heart.

  Reed slowed his pace, his eyes sharpening as he scanned the surrounding trees.

  "Who's there?" he asked in a low but clear voice, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

  The silence of the forest amplified his words.

  However, the response he received was not a voice but a cold, gleaming light!

  A black figure shot out from the dense bushes beside the path, moving as fast as an arrow. The longsword in the figure's hand whistled through the air, aimed straight at Reed's heart!

  The attacker's movements were crisp and efficient, without any hesitation, clearly the work of an experienced warrior. Every strike was aimed to kill, with no intention of holding back.

  Danger struck in an instant, life and death hanging by a thread!

  Almost instinctively, Reed lunged to the side.

  "Whoosh!"

  The sharp longsword grazed past his body, the cold sword energy causing a stinging sensation on his skin.

  The attacker, undeterred by the miss, flicked their wrist, changing the sword's trajectory with a viper-like precision, launching another attack at Reed.

  Reed thought, his heart tightening.

  The opponent's strength, speed, and technique were all top-notch, far surpassing anyone he had faced before.

  He didn't dare hesitate, drawing the starfall sword from his back with a swift motion.

  "Clang!"

  The two swords collided, sparks flying, the metallic clang resonating through the air.

  The force of the impact numbed Reed's arm slightly, pushing him back a few steps as he tried to dissipate the immense strength transmitted through the swords.

  Using the momentum of his retreat, Reed finally got a clear look at his attacker.

  It was a tall knight clad entirely in black armor, a black mask covering his face, revealing only his eyes. The longsword in his hand was of fine standard issue.

  Reed quickly analyzed.

  "Who are you? Why are you attacking me?" Reed demanded, trying to extract some information.

  However, the masked knight didn't respond, only letting out a cold chuckle before launching a flurry of sword strikes, each more ferocious than the last.

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  "If you won't talk, then don't blame me for being unkind!"

  Reed's eyes turned cold, knowing that the knight wouldn't back down easily. The only option was to fight!

  He took a deep breath, channeling the holy light within him to its peak, infusing it into the starfall sword.

  Arcs of electricity began to appear on the blade, crackling with power as a formidable thunder force gathered at the tip.

  "Thunder Roar!" Reed shouted, initiating the attack.

  A concentrated bolt of lightning burst from the sword's tip, striking towards the masked knight.

  The knight, unprepared for such a swift and powerful attack, quickly raised his sword to block.

  "Clang!"

  The lightning clashed with the sword, producing a piercing metallic screech and a blinding flash of light.

  The knight felt a powerful electric current surge through his body, momentarily numbing him and causing his sword to falter.

  "Huh? He blocked my Thunder Roar?" Reed was slightly surprised.

  Although he was only using Thunder Roar at level one, its power was far greater than before. Even a squire level 3 wouldn't dare to take it head-on.

  Yet, the masked knight only paused for a moment before attacking again, as if the lightning had little effect on him.

  "Who sent you?" Reed pressed again, his sword strikes relentless, sending wave after wave of lightning towards the knight.

  The knight, while deflecting the blows, sneered, "You don't need to know who sent me. All you need to know is that today is your last day!"

  "My last day?" Reed sneered. "I think you’re mistaken."

  He could tell that the knight's strength was formidable, likely at the level of a squire level 4.

  However, Reed, now a squire level 2, could still hold his ground with the power of Thunder Roar and the starfall sword.

  "Clang! Clang! Clang!"

  Their swords clashed fiercely, sparks flying everywhere.

  The sword energy was so intense that it cut down several trees and left deep gashes in the ground.

  The masked knight's swordsmanship was precise and deadly, each strike aimed to kill.

  Reed, relying on his agility and the power of Thunder Roar, managed to keep up.

  The battle intensified, both sides giving it their all.

  "Whoosh!" The knight seized an opportunity, slashing Reed's shoulder, leaving a deep cut that stained his clothes with blood.

  The pain in his shoulder was intense, but instead of retreating, it only fueled Reed's ferocity.

  "Thunder Roar!" he roared, unleashing a massive bolt of lightning that struck towards the knight like an angry dragon.

  The knight's expression changed as he sensed the lethal threat in the attack. He tried to dodge, but it was too late.

  "Boom!" The lightning hit the knight's sword, causing a violent explosion.

  When the smoke cleared, the knight was thrown to the ground.

  "Was the intel wrong?" the knight cursed inwardly as he got up.

  His hands were numb, and his arms felt heavy from blocking Reed's Thunder Roar. This kid was more troublesome than he thought.

  "You're not Reed, who the hell are you?" the knight asked, his voice trembling not from fear but from the electric shock.

  He never expected to be bested by a squire level 1.

  Reed smirked slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Who am I? I’m the one who’s going to end you!"

  He didn’t plan to give the knight any time to recover. With a swing of the starfall sword, another bolt of lightning shot out.

  The knight blocked again, but this time he clearly struggled.

  The lightning surged through his sword, spreading through his body, the numbness becoming unbearable.

  "Ugh!" The knight spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale.

  He felt as if his internal organs were being burned by the lightning, the pain excruciating.

  "This can’t go on!"

  The knight was desperate. If this continued, he would surely die here.

  What was supposed to be an easy mission had turned into a disaster.

  Escape was his only option.

  The knight feinted a strike, forcing Reed back, then turned and ran, trying to put distance between them.

  "Trying to run? Too late!" Reed had already seen through his plan.

  "Thunder Roar!"

  A sharp bolt of lightning shot towards the knight's back, cutting off all escape routes.

  The knight looked back and was utterly terrified. There was no way to dodge this!

  "No!" he screamed in despair, trying to block, but his body, weakened by the previous shocks, moved too slowly to form an effective defense.

  "Boom!" The lightning struck the knight's body.

  "Ah!" A blood-curdling scream echoed as the knight's body was engulfed in lightning.

  The powerful current ravaged his body, destroying everything in its path. He felt as if he were in a thunderous hell, the pain unbearable.

  His body convulsed, completely paralyzed, collapsing into a heap on the ground.

  Reed walked slowly to the fallen knight, the starfall sword still crackling with electricity.

  He looked down at the knight, his eyes cold, devoid of any pity.

  "Who sent you?" Reed asked once more.

  The knight lay on the ground, blood gurgling from his mouth, his eyes glazed over. He could no longer speak, only making guttural sounds.

  Reed knew he didn’t have much time left.

  "Won’t talk? Then go to hell and repent!" Reed raised the starfall sword, its tip aimed at the knight's throat.

  The blade crackled with lightning, the aura of death enveloping the knight.

  Finally, fear appeared in the knight's eyes.

  He didn’t want to die. He still had so much to achieve, so much wealth to enjoy. But now, it was all over.

  "Whoosh!" The starfall sword pierced the knight's throat.

  The knight's body convulsed violently a few times before going completely still, his eyes empty and lifeless.

  …