Chapter 35: Forging Strength

    "System, allocate all my bonus stat points to my endurance."

    ? Done ?

    ? +5 To endurance ?

    Arkanos felt the small burst of energy build up from his abdomen and spread throughout his body. He clenched his fists, feeling it settle, clearly sensing his endurance build up slightly.

    He smiled slightly as he said, "Good, I should get on with the training now."

    His expression quickly hardened as he approached the assembled knights.

    Arkanos stood at the forefront of the grand courtyard, holding a crystal imbued with mana. As he gripped it, his voice echoed across the field, reaching the ears of thousands of knights lined in perfect formation.

    "Knights of the Empire!" his voice thundered, amplified by the crystal''s power. "Your purpose here is simple: prove your worth. You are here to impress me. You are here to survive. Failure will not be tolerated. Those who prove to be weak will be discarded."

    He gazed at them intensely, the gleam of his piercing eyes like a predator assessing its prey.

    "Today, you will face a challenge worthy of warriors. Eight stone golems, summoned by the mages, will stand against you. These are not training dummies... they will crush the unworthy without hesitation."

    Arkanos pointed toward the Defenders, his voice sharp. "Defenders, a massive mana crystal has been placed at the center of the training grounds, just behind your formation. Your task is to protect it at all costs. Should the golems reach it and shatter it, you fail. Kael, this is your charge. Hold the line."

    Kael stepped forward. "Yes, Your Majesty! Defenders, shields high and unyielding! We will hold the line!"

    Arkanos turned to the other groups. "Vanguard, you are the tip of the spear. Your task is to engage the golems directly. Break through their defenses or be broken. Laris, lead them."

    Laris slammed a fist to his chest. "Vanguard, with me! Charge hard, strike true... we leave no stone standing!"

    "Flankers," Arkanos continued, "your mission is to dismantle the golems'' structure. Use your speed and precision to exploit their weaknesses."

    "Esten, do not disappoint me."

    Esten gave a wicked grin. "Understood, Your Majesty. Flankers, stay sharp. Hit fast, hit hard, and tear them apart!"

    Finally, Arkanos addressed the Reserves. "You will remain under my command."

    Arkanos''s voice cut through the rising tension. "Knights of the Empire... begin!"

    The courtyard erupted into chaos, the sounds of metal and stone clashing echoing through the air.

    Laris led the Vanguard with a thunderous roar, his sword raised high. "Vanguard, charge! Form a wedge! Shields up... break their guard!"

    BOOM!

    A golem''s massive foot slammed into the ground, shaking the earth as cracks rippled across the stone.

    "NOW!" Laris yelled. The Vanguard surged forward in a tight formation, their shields angled into a wedge. The lead knights raised their weapons, aiming for the golem''s core as its colossal stone arm swept toward them.

    CLANG! CLANG! Shields absorbed the brunt of the impact, sparks flying as stone met steel.

    "Strike the knees!" Laris shouted. Two knights dove low, their swords biting into the golem''s joint with a sharp CRACK! Chips of stone scattered as the creature staggered, its movements briefly slowing.

    At the rear, Kael barked commands to the Defenders. "Hold steady! Lock shields! Brace yourselves... nothing gets through!"

    Another golem lumbered toward the defensive line, its arms swinging in a wide arc.

    WHAM!

    The shield wall held firm under the crushing blow, the front row grunting as they absorbed the shock.

    "Push back!" Kael roared. "Shields forward!"

    The defenders shoved as one, their united force knocking the golem off balance. Two spearmen thrust upward at its vulnerable underarm, their weapons striking with a loud THUD!

    Meanwhile, Esten darted among the chaos, his flankers following his lead. "Flankers, scatter and move! Go for the joints—anything brittle!"

    CRUNCH! Esten''s dagger found its mark, slicing into a glowing fissure along a golem''s leg.

    The creature froze momentarily, its glowing eyes dimming as it faltered.

    "Keep hitting that spot!" Esten called, vaulting away as the golem''s massive fist came crashing down where he had stood moments before.

    BOOM! Dust erupted into the air as the ground cratered beneath the blow.@@@@