An Extra's POV: My Three Fiancees Hate Me-Chapter 40: Goodbye Liam

Riven walked into the training building. He saw Liam seated there, tossing a wooden sword into the air. He didn’t know why, but he felt a heavy air around Liam. He approached, his shadow covering Liam.

Liam looked up. He flashed a smile, shifting his face into his normal expression. "You finally came," he said, tossing the sword at Riven.

"Master Liam, is something the issue? You seem down," Riven said.

"Oh? It shows?" Liam said and let out a slight chuckle. "I’m not really down, just thinking about a few things.

That being said, I feel it’s better I tell you today, because it also affects you," Liam said. He picked up a wooden sword and then walked to Riven.

"A message had been sent out by the Duke, calling all knights under all families to war. The demonized gates have been opening at a very fast rate, and if something isn’t done, the kingdom will be put into complete war," Liam said. As he spoke, he swung his sword.

Riven blocked the attack properly and pushed Liam’s sword back. "You mean you are leaving for war? When did this recruitment start? You are the knight of our family, you shouldn’t have to leave," Riven said. He attacked with a slash. Liam parried the attack and struck Riven in the guts.

Riven took a few steps back after the attack. He rubbed his abdomen and then looked up at Liam, getting into his stance again.

"It’s not something that can be avoided. Even your father, the Baron, will be heading to join the front lines soon enough. The war against the demonized has been something that has gone on for many years.

From time to time, the frequency of attacks reduces, but then increases, and the kingdom needs to call in more forces. I have personally been called to war once before," Liam said and attacked again. Riven parried the attack, then went in for a counter, successfully landing it.

Liam nodded in acknowledgement and then spoke. "When I was called the first time, I was freshly knighted and was out in the middle grounds, away from the direct front line.

Even then, I saw how brutal the war was. The war against the demonized is something we have to fight to defend our home and the lives of those that are here—to ensure that people like you have a future," Liam said and attacked. Riven blocked and stepped back, getting out of range of Liam’s sword before charging in to make an attack.

Liam blocked the attack though and still managed to counter with a strike to the shoulder.

"So when are you leaving?" Riven asked.

"Tomorrow, at the break of dawn, I, along with more than half of the knights of the Baron, will leave first," Liam said calmly.

"So this will be our final training? I wanted to train more until the time for my academy exams came up," Riven said.

"I wanted to help you as well, but it just happened all of a sudden," Liam said. He stopped attacking and kept his wooden sword beside him. He sat down on the ground, looking up at Riven.

"You’re going to have to put in double the work, kid. I’ve tried my best, but it’s like fate is fighting against you. I heard today that the trial is in fifteen days, and now your training is cut short.

Maybe it’s karma for all the bad things you did in the past," Liam said with a laugh. Riven frowned and playfully kicked his leg.

"I’ll miss you though. After all, you’re my first master," Riven said.

"Master, huh? I could have gotten used to that," Liam said. He got up, picked his sword, and pointed it at Riven.

"Since this is your last day, then let’s make the most of it. We will spar until you drop," Liam said, and without a moment’s notice, he charged, striking from above with enough strength to knock a person out.

Riven blocked the attack, his hands almost caving under the strength of Liam, but he managed to hold his ground. He pushed the sword back and charged in for an attack.

They began exchanging blows—dodging, blocking, and countering. They went on for a full hour. Riven’s hands were sore from the spar; his muscles ached, but even then, he refused to stop.

The smile on his face made it clear that he was enjoying their spar. There was a shine in his eyes, one that Liam hadn’t seen before. It looked like genuine happiness.

Liam didn’t know what in the spar could be making Riven so excited, but he felt happy seeing him that happy.

[Skill unlocked: Sword Counter lv1]

[Sword Counter lv1: 5% increase when countering an attack.]

When he got the notification, his smile widened, and like a surge of energy, he charged in more, slashing and pushing with more vigor.

This kid—it had only been a few days, yet his strength is definitely more, his skill is evidently better. I’ve never seen anyone that is capable of this type of growth, Liam thought as they continued to spar.

They went on for a few minutes until Riven’s body finally gave in. He could barely raise his sword again. But all that pain came with even more gain.

[+2 strength, +2 endurance, +2 agility]

"You should rest for the night, kid, and if you don’t see me tomorrow, don’t think you can slack off, because I’ll be watching," Liam said.

Riven returned to his room, his entire body aching. He pulled off his clothes, taking a look at his bandages that were now soaked in blood because he exerted too much force and caused them to bleed.

With a forced smile, he slowly started loosening the bandages. He groaned in pain as the dried blood dragged the tip of his skin near the wound.

He gathered all the bandages in the corner and went to wash up for the day. Tomorrow would be another struggle.