Spar with me

The moment the thirty heavily armed knights noticed the towering doors opening, the intense clashing of steel inside the underground arena abruptly died down.

Every head turned toward the entrance.

Seeing the crimson-haired youth stepping into the hall flanked by his towering Guardian Knight, Lord Commander Hughway, an immediate, palpable tension settled over the room.

Muscles tightened, hands reflexively gripped sword hilts, and a collective hush fell over the Superhuman garrison.

Without a second's delay, the thirty knights dropped to one knee in perfect synchronization, their heavy iron greaves slamming against the chalk-dusted stone.

"We greet our Lord Viscount!" they bellowed in unison, their voices echoing off the arched vaults.

Craig offered a faint, relaxed smile as he looked over the kneeling warriors.

He understood their visceral reaction completely.