Chapter=04
(The Oath of the Knight Wolf's)
Rex finally returned for training.
I was furious — he had skipped practice for days. All the students gathered in the dojo, waiting for me to start. Among them was a boy named Lane, the son of one of the most powerful upper-caste leaders. Lane was the same age as Sam and Rex — but unlike them, he was arrogant, short-tempered, and filled with hate.
Lane despised Sam because Sam was a noble, and he hated Rex because Rex, a lower-caste warrior, was stronger than him.
And deep down, Lane's jealousy burned for another reason — he loved Ahana, the same girl Rex's heart quietly longed for.
When Rex arrived, I scolded him in front of everyone.
Sam tried to stop me, but I silenced him with a glare.
Lane smirked and whispered to Sam, "Your friend's done for today. He won't last long."
Sam ignored him, but I could see the anger in his eyes.
After training, Rex sat under a tree, his head low. Sam and I walked toward him.
I looked at Rex and said calmly,
"Rex, I know you love Ahana."
He looked up, startled. "Yes, Sensei… but… isn't love a weakness?"
I replied,
"Love can make a warrior weak — only if he forgets his purpose.
A true warrior fights for balance — between the heart and the blade.
The moment you let emotions cloud your duty, you lose.
Love is not forbidden, Rex, but it must never rule you."
Sam stepped forward.
"Rex, I've met hundreds of fighters… but none like you. You fight for your family, for their survival. That's what makes you strong, brother.
Don't let anyone — not even your heart — stand in your way."
Rex's voice trembled. "Sensei, why are you telling me this now? You've never spoken about love before."
I took a deep breath. "When I was born, I couldn't walk or speak. My mother raised me with pain and hope. One day, by the river, a man wearing a mask appeared. He said he could cure me — but only if I promised to become powerful one day. I agreed. He touched my head… and I was healed. Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished. I never saw him again."
I looked straight at Rex.
"I'm telling you this because every gift comes with responsibility.
You've made mistakes, Rex — and you must face the punishment."
Just then, one of my messengers arrived — out of breath.
"Sensei! Demons have attacked the nearby village of Zephthyria!"
I turned to Rex.
"You will go there alone."
Rex froze. "What? Alone?! Sensei, those demons will devour me alive! Please, have mercy!"
I said coldly,
"If you refuse, you'll never step foot in this dojo again.
A true warrior doesn't rely on weapons — he uses his mind and spirit.
Now go."
Rex hesitated but bowed.
Sam rushed to him. "Brother, don't say such things. You'll come back, I know it."
Rex smiled faintly. "If I don't return… take care of my mother, my sister… and Ahana."
Sam gripped his shoulder. "You'll come back. You have to."
The Battle of Zephthyria
When Rex reached Zephthyria, the entire village was engulfed in flames.
People screamed and ran for their lives.
Suddenly, a massive demon blocked his path. Rex had no weapon, no armor — only his courage. The demon charged, striking him down again and again. Blood dripped from his lip. He looked around desperately… and saw a broken wooden staff on the ground.
He picked it up. Tears filled his eyes as my words echoed in his mind:
"Don't fight with anger. Fight with clarity."
He closed his eyes — and breathed.
Then, with renewed focus, he attacked.
One by one, the demons fell. His movements became faster, sharper, fueled not by rage, but by resolve. When the last demon fell, Rex collapsed — unconscious and covered in blood.
Back at the dojo, Sam watched the horizon anxiously. "Sensei, please… let me go. He's out there alone."
I shook my head. "I trust Rex. Before the sun rises, he will return. And if he doesn't… I will abandon this caste forever."
As dawn broke, we both turned toward the gate.
A shadow appeared — limping, bleeding, but alive.
It was Rex.
Sam ran to him, catching him before he fell. I walked forward, proud but silent.
"You've completed your punishment, Rex," I said quietly.
"Yes… Sensei," he whispered, "but now I must go home. Mika's been sick for days… I can't leave her alone."
I nodded. "Then go. Rest. And take care of her — she's as much my family as yours."
The Jungle Ambush
When Rex reached home, Mika's condition was worse.
His mother sobbed, "Where were you, my son? I begged everyone for help. No one came!"
Without wasting time, Rex lifted Mika onto his shoulder.
"I'll take her to Lorvil Village — where you took me as a child. Don't worry, Mother. I'll save her."
He ran through the dense forest.
But midway, dark figures appeared from the mist — ninjas, armed and silent.
They were bandits from the same clan that had attacked Zephthyria. Their leader, Akira Kazuma, stepped forward.
"Boy," Akira said, his voice cold, "give us everything valuable you have… or die."
Rex pleaded,
"Please! I have nothing. My sister's sick — let me pass!"
The ninjas laughed and advanced. Rex placed Mika carefully under a tree and knelt before them.
"Please… don't hurt her. I'll do anything. Just let us go."
A ninja raised his blade to strike Rex—
But before it fell, Sam appeared like lightning, cutting through the air with furious speed. He struck down several ninjas in moments.
"Rex! Take your sister and run! I'll hold them off!"
Rex picked up Mika and ran — but then Akira's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
Rex turned, expecting another attack.
Instead, Akira said softly,
"Take the left path. It's faster. Your sister will live if you hurry.
You're a good brother… I hope every sister gets one like you."
Rex hesitated, then bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Akira turned away. "Go. Before I change my mind."
Rex ran through the broken trail — thorns and stones cutting his feet, but he didn't stop. He reached Lorvil just in time. The healer examined Mika and said,
"If you had come a few minutes later… she wouldn't have survived."
Rex's heart finally eased. He sat beside Mika until she opened her eyes.
Then he stood, his voice calm but filled with emotion,
"Sam saved us today. I owe him my life. I swear, no matter what happens — whenever he needs me, I will come."
He turned to Sam later that night.
"Brother, those ninjas… they were from the Knight Wolves. A deadly clan. They steal, kill, and destroy for money. But their leader… I don't know who commands them."
"Akira let me go. I don't understand why… but I must find him again."
Rex returned home that night with Mika safe beside him.
As he gazed at the rising moon, he whispered to himself,
"This isn't over. One day, I'll uncover the truth behind the Knight Wolves… and the man who controls them."
And with that vow, a new fire awakened inside him — a promise that would change his destiny forever.