章 24: Legion of Light (Part 5)

"You are weak."

It stopped me. It really did, but deep inside, it didn't feel unexpected. Yet I couldn't deny how it felt hearing those words.

Seeing no response from me, Rignar went on to explain. "Do you want your teammates to leave before I tell you what I mean?"

Gritting my teeth, I shook my head, unwilling to look back at my party members. "No."

"Alright then. Tell me, Liam Everhart. How long have you been an adventurer?"

"About a week since I graduated."

"Graduated. Yes, hmm. How many years did you train at Wintergrace Academy?"

"Three years."

"Three years. And when did you officially join the Legion of Light?"

"Three years before I joined the Wintergrace Academy."

"Very good." Saying that Rignar stopped walking around and looked straight back at me. "And in all these years, how many actual combat missions have you been in?"

That hit me like a boulder. I had no answer, I was speechless.

"Zero. None. That's how much combat experience you have."

Knowing my own life, it probably wasn't my fault. But still, I slowly dipped my head down in shame.

"I trained you with the sword, Liam. I still remember the day you suddenly pleaded with me to teach you the Imperial Sword Style. And now I can confidently say, you have long surpassed me in skill. Hell, with all the sword styles you know, I can also confidently say there are very few who can match you with the sword... But only in skill."

Rignar returned to his chair opposite to me. "Yet you have never actually fought a real battle. Mock battles and the battles in Wintergrace don't count. You have never faced an enemy who is as much out for your blood, as you are for that enemy. You have never clashed your sword with another for your life. You have never felt the chaos of a real large-scale battle. You have never made a split-second decision, knowing that if your decision is wrong, it could very well be your last. You have never held the life of your comrade in your hands, though light forbid it ever really happens."

Rignar paused for a second to let his words sink in. Nobody said anything, no one could. Especially me.

"If you had listened to me and stayed in the Legion, I could have made you into the best and the strongest the Legion of Light has ever seen. Yet at the peak of development, you joined Wintergrace and chose to become an adventurer. Now you are just a legionnaire and hold a high commanding position in name, as the son of William Everhart and a Descendant of Light."

It was difficult. I had no confidence, yet even though I struggled to find my voice, I did. "That I won't accept. I am a real and proper legionnaire. I trained for many years, before and after joining the legion. I proved myself in many trials, to earn my position as the Vice Commander of the 10th Arsenal. You have trained me and watched over me for so many years, you can't say that."

Rignar sighed and apologized, with finally a kind look on his face. "Hmm, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But Liam, no matter how much and how long you have learned. When you are actually fighting for your life or someone else's, all of it goes out the window. You fight using all that your body has learned through training, but mainly you fight on the basis of instinct and experience. Ask your friend in black over there. One look at him and you'll know he has been in far too many battles. You haven't developed your battle instinct yet and you have no experience. And that makes you weak."

Rignar got up from his chair. "In the end, what I really mean is... You can't come to Korben. Even as an adventurer, stay away. Korben is in a very dangerous and difficult situation. Every action will have consequences, good or bad. For now, focus on your smaller missions. You have a good team, strong members, and the support of your father. Fight different types of enemies, face different types of situations and get experience, get stronger. Your sword's hilt is too shiny and the leather on it too new. Get some wear and tear on it. A good sword is one you know you can rely on."

Rignar's words were harsh and he had definitely torn me apart, but I knew he meant well.

I got up with a newfound determination and reached out for a handshake. "Thank you Rignar."

He smiled and shook my hand firmly. "I have high expectations from you Liam. Always had. Good luck. Also... for dinner, you are free to join us legionnaires or if you want to, the other adventurers have their own shared dinner set up ready. I'll see you soon, hopefully after quickly cleaning up Korben."

With that, we left the Commander's tent. As we did, Ren broke the awkward silence first. "Don't mind about your lack of experience, Liam. Nobody was born a veteran warrior. Experience comes from actually fighting and going on missions. Now that we are a team, we'll go on lots of missions, and stack a ton of combat experience. Today will be the last day you'll be called weak for that reason."

I smiled. Yes, I had a team now didn't I? I won't have to overcome my weakness alone. That itself gave me a wave of confidence.

Ren called in for a fist bump with a grin, and I obliged with a smile. "Thank you."

"Liam... I'm hungry..." Sylvie sniffled slightly, looking at us with puppy eyes.

"Here have this till we get some real food," Ren said, giving her some candy.

"Mmmm! Sweet and sour!!!!" Sylvie exclaimed making a pop sound from her mouth.

I noticed Elaina was silently staring at Sylvie, with a wishful look in her eyes. I opened up my own satchel and offered her some candy. Ren and I bought some last night after dinner. "Want some?"