A week has pass, and Jericho has completed scouting out the knight with the potential of using soul energy, it was a stressful endeavor for Jericho but it was a necessary one… forty four percent (44%) of the holy knights were eligible enough to qualify… and thus the elite knights were founded.
Jericho was now carrying out the next step, which was training the knights with the potential, their normal swords won't be able to withstand the force of soul energy, but he can still send his point across using them, when it breaks, they get a new sword and continue the process, for Jericho there was no time to waste, it was best they get the hang of it right now, then when the proper weapon is ready, they won't have any issues in using it if they needed to go into battle immediately, or defend any part of the nation…
At the training ground, just at the entrance of the Great Forest of Dawn, Jericho, Erica, Alice and William together with the chosen knights all camped out training, with the guidance of Jericho, they have already been at it for a week and it looking like some are really getting the hang of it while others struggles with it….
"listen everyone, I know all this is new to you, and sometimes it's very difficult to adjust to change, but this particular change gives all of us a fighting chance (he paused and then the face of his brother Jace appeared in his mind… he shook off the distraction and continued), it is one we must embrace if we want to protect what we love and care about (Jericho began to make his way forward) soul energy is the big change coming to the world, for the next generation this will be the norm, am sure you are familiar with the damage it can bring in the wrong hands… the fact is, Jace won't be the only wrong hands power like this will produce, (he paused again and his face lost a little composure showing the pain he was hiding for a split second before he quickly composed himself and continued) there will no doubt be more, it is up to you elite knights to protect the nation and it's people…. for the past week we were focused on drawing it out through meditations and drills so it will be easily accessible, now that is done… mastering this gifts is pivotal to protecting what is important to us… we have a week left to stay out here, as the king only granted us two weeks cause we can't be away from the nation for too long just yet, I hope by then you've at least mastered the basics… let's all work hard, for our people" said Jericho trying to inspire the knight, which really worked as they all felt motivated to succeed… "ohhh… what a smooth talker you are, am sure the ladies just melt in the palm of your hands with a tongue like that" said Erica in a teasing voice… "I have a feeling you sometimes forget I was a prince and an heir (sigh)… anyway as a prince, I will have to learn how to carry myself so the people trust and believe in me as their future ruler, it's a huge responsibility… and there's no difference with this, I need to show them they can trust me as their leader, and it's not easy to trust someone especially someone you just met, I need them to see I am worthy of their trust…. and also Erica, your imagination is truly chaotic for a future queen, it's truly concerning… I do sympathize with the man brave enough to have you as their bride" said Jericho with a sigh… "hear hear Jericho… hear hear" said William nodding in agreement… "hey that's mean… what makes you so sure you are not said man eh, dear… je .. ric.. co" said Erica trying to flirt… Alice was pouting hard upon seeing what Erica was doing and trying to look away from them but her eyes kept moving to their direction… "there goes your imagination again… why don't you come show me how effective it is… show me what you've learned for the past week" said Jericho with a smile… "oh… is that a challenge dear Jericho" Erica replied also with a smile… "yeah you can call it that, as I've told you all, the more effective your imagination is, the more powerful and potent you soul casting will be {I know that now thanks to lord Bios (smiles in his thoughts)} feeling the energy within you, controlling it to flow where you want it to, that takes serious concentration and a very strong imagination… (said Jericho staring directly in the eyes of Erica)… and you princess Erica, you have a really active imagination, to you at least figuring out how to use soul energy shouldn't be a problem… now come show me what you've learn so far" Jericho concluded as he was making his way to the center closely followed by Erica with a sword in her hand… "you've got it… to be honest Jericho, I've always wanted to fight you, even just once, from the first day I met you… that day, setting aside your abnormal strength, your technique was flawless, your movements, the way your eyes were moving across the battlefield, it was like you already know what will happen before it did, like you were one with your surroundings… you looked like none of it was new to you, according to what I observed it didn't look like you were mainly successful because of your abilities, no, it was quit the opposite, it looked like years of hard work and dedication… seeing that made me really admire you and also itching to at least spare with you, to see where I stand against someone as incredibly astute in the art of combat as you are… looks like I finally get my wish" ..… "(smiles) you are truly incredible Erica (Erica had a surprise look on her face upon hearing that) you might be a wild princess and future queen, but I see why you are loved and respected, it will be an honor to battle beside someone like you… but am not that special trust me" Jericho smiled at Erica, she instantly turned red but still managed to compose herself… "there goes your killer tongue again Jericho, are we sparring or not" said Erica trying to push away the attention… "(laughs) of course… men please step back for a while, your commander and I are about to give you some demonstration on how it will look like when you at least know the basics of soul energy manipulation… pay close attention" said Jericho as he took his fighting stance with a sword of his own… "I should warn you Jericho, I didn't become the commander cause of my pretty face or title, just like you, I too worked really hard to be strong… and also I am what is know as a genius when it comes to combat" said Erica with a confident smile, then she leaped forward facing her sword in the direction of Jericho with a speed that caught Jericho off guard… "{wow so fast and she didn't use any soul energy… that was all her (smile) Erica is truly amazing}" said Jericho with a smile as he was flawlessly keeping up with her inhuman speed, dodging and waving as she kept coming, then before his eyes she disappeared, as he looked around for her, he suddenly felt some heat coming from above, when he looked up he saw Erica preparing to using her sword technique… "Soul Technique… Hallow Inferno" said Erica as she aimed it in the direction of Jericho, her eyes glowed red, as a light of energy could be seen flowing through her and bursting out of the sword, a darker shade of red flames can be seen manifested by Erica through her sword, it came with the force of a falling building towards Jericho, seeing this, Jericho couldn't help but smile "{oh my… she is really an inferno type, that's the second class of the fire based casting (laughs) it really suits her character (laughs some more)… she really is a genius, how did she manage to do this in just a week… jeez Erica}" said Jericho in his thoughts with a huge smile as he prepared to counter, he then slapped both his hands together, and when he was separating them a sliver liquid could be seen forming around him.. "Soul Casting… Sliver Temple" said Jericho just as Erica attack connected with him, it created a huge sound upon connecting, and the impact created a huge dust cloud, engulfing the entire training camp…. "oh no… Jericho" Alice screamed with worry as she tried making her way towards Jericho, but she was held back by William… "oh wow…. the commander is amazing…. yes she has already mastered calling upon her abilities…. that was some attack, is lord Jericho alright…. not sure it's still too dusty" the knights all murmured with their impressed and concerned chatter… "commander, wasn't that too much, Jericho might be hurt" said Alice with a panicked voice as Erica landed on the opposite side of Jericho… "well Alice trust me, this fight has just gotten started" said Erica as she glared in the direction of where her attack hit, everyone also turned their attention towards the dusty cloud and could see a silhouette of Jericho still standing, with a wave of his hands the dust disappeared, and Jericho can be seen covered from his head to his toe in sliver, it was harder and durable then any diamond could ever be, he was literally so bright as the sun touched his sliver body... "oh wow… it's so… beautiful" said Alice in awe of what she was seeing William too had a look of surprise on his face upon seeing Jericho, so to did the other knights… "Erica you are truly amazing, you didn't only discover your best element, but you already know how to called upon it… I think you just made my heart skip a beat" said Jericho jokingly as he laughed… Erica was stun by what Jericho said and she began to turn red… "d-d-don't say stuff like that in the middle of a mock battle, it's cheating" said Erica in an embarrassed tone… "{seeing you standing there illuminating so brightly… you really did look like a god}" she smile….. "(laughs) forgive me, I just got so excited (laughed again) well this changes things, am so sorry I underestimated you Erica, you are truly a genius, can't believe you can pull something like that off in just a week {then again I did it in just a day, but compared to her mine was actually cheating… Erica, she is incredible (smiles)}… now I will take this mock battle seriously" said Jericho with a serious tone, as his body was returning to normal… "get ready Erica, I need you to draw it out more" said Jericho as he suddenly disappeared… "where did he go" asked Alice, as she looked around, then he appeared swinging his sword at Erica from her blind spot, she noticed just in time and opted to block him, but the force Jericho used with the swing was a strong one, which sent her flying upon impact, she managed to turn her body back in a comfortable position and landed on her feet, without wasting a second, she ran forward with inhuman speed and swing at Jericho, which he managed to block with his own swings, they both were locked in a tight quarters battle with no opening seen for any of them to capitalize on, as their sword clash the impact can be heard and felt around the camp, they were moving so fast that it was difficult to follow their movements, just then Jericho was getting pinned back by Erica, he was now only allowed to defend as she gathered momentum, after she saw she had gotten Jericho where she wanted, she went down trying to knock Jericho off his feet, but Jericho already saw it coming he jumped high and out of the way as Erica went down swinging her legs towards him, she missed but somehow she wasn't bothered cause her plan was always to get Jericho airborne for her to execute her next move… "{got you Jericho (smile)}… Soul Technique… Hurricane Inferno" said Erica immediately she saw Jericho was airborne, the flame burst out through her sword, surrounding her as she made a backhand swing as Jericho was above but behind her, the flame danced around her body, then as she was swinging her hands away, it start to get larger and larger and larger covering the entire air space around her, seeing this Jericho froze for a while, then a smile was seen… "{looks like you got me Erica, no time to use my soul casting (smile) no matter the outcome, you are the winner here today… as part of the blessings the gods bestowed upon me, I ended up having divinity wings, which I found out through the knowledge the gods blessed me with upon my return….. on a normal circumstance, sub gods can't have wings, not until they become true gods… the only exception for a sub god to have wings is if they hold the blessings of at least five true gods, which has never been done, ever… well until now… for the fact you made me use my godly gift Erica… you are truly, truly amazing (smile) however, (he looks at the knights) I must be careful so the others doesn't notice}" said Jericho as he glanced down at the others again, seeing that William got a bad feeling and he took action… "{this doesn't look good}…. everyone find cover… now" William screamed as he held Alice and looked for cover, seeing that Jericho took advantage as every one was distracted… "excellent" said Jericho, as golden bright wings sprang out of his back deflecting her attacks, using the cover to his advantage, in that moment before her attack connected, Erica caught a glimpse of Jericho with wings, her eyes went so wide and she stood speechless in awe of Jericho, her attack connected, the impact was heavy not only for Jericho but also the surrounding area as the trees were on fire, with some brunt to ash, huge craters around the spot they fought, and the air was completely covered in smoke, Erica had to cover her eyes for a bit as the attack hit, when she opened her eyes she couldn't find Jericho… "oh no… did I over do it" said Erica with a worried tone… "oh I think you did just spectacularly Erica… I am so impressed by you, you are truly amazing… but this battle is over" said a voice behind Erica pointing a sword at her, it was Jericho, as she heard the voice she smiled and then her sword broke into tiny pieces, the energy flow were too much for it, and it gave out… "it would seem so Jericho, it would seem so" Erica replied with a huge smile as she turned around, her face was so bright, and her beautiful blue eyes were shining like diamonds with her hair dancing in the wind, seeing this Jericho heart truly skipped a beat this time, and he blushed instantly, at that moment Jericho saw Erica in a strange new light.
After the impact of Erica's attack has settled a bit, all the knights that took shelter from the impact started popping out including William and Alice, surveying their surroundings, they were all left speechless by the amount of damage they saw… "oh wow, was this damage caused by our commander!… this is intense, and lord Jericho survived all this!!… those two are inhuman" the knights mumbled on as they looked around…. "William?… Erica was already a force without soul energy…. what do you suppose we call her now" asked Alice with a nervous smile as she looked around… "(sigh)… well there goes any chance of her ever acting as her status dictates… but now everyone of her doubter will see she is truly a genius" said William with a smile staring at the direction of Erica and Jericho.
"(laughs) that was so much fun and so intense Jericho…. setting the soul energy manipulation aside, that was actually the very first time I went all out while fighting a fellow human… oh sorry you are a god… I just fought a god and almost won" said Erica with excitement in her voice… "calm yourself Erica, how is that the only thing you are excited about when you literally just mastered soul energy manipulation in just a week… you are weird… and it's sub god, not god" said Jericho with a dull expression on his face… "whatever… I see you are no longer denying the fact that you're a god (laugh)… as for the soul energy manipulation it wasn't a big deal… I technically had a head start" said Erica with a bright smile… "say what?!… what do you mean by you had a head start" Jericho asked with confusion… "well I've always pushed myself and worked really hard right from when I was a kid, and how strong and established I currently am is the result… I never wanted my title as the princess and heir of one of the biggest nations in the world to define my worth, I wanted to prove myself, prove I can accomplished my goals through my own efforts, by myself, that was my soul reason for joining the holy knights, of course it wasn't easy, had a lot of troubles to by pass, and of course my father was also strongly against my decisions at first, but through hard work I proved myself to him, that's why I have so much of his trust… but I still have doubters till this day, people who doesn't even see me as someone that can be their queen, so the work to prove them wrong never stops, and thanks to that am becoming the best version of myself... am sorry Jericho I got a little emotional there and went off topic" said Erica with a forced smile to hide her sad demeanor, Jericho stood staring for a while then as if something was controlling him his grabbed Erica by her hand, and pulled her into a hug in an attempt to console her, Erica was so shocked she actually froze with her mouth wide open, and her face turning beet red… "you keep on amazing me Erica, you are filled with life and a strong will, keep letting it lead you, trust me you will become even more powerful, and you will make an excellent queen someday (he said to Erica while hugging her with a smile on his face, on hearing what Jericho said Erica got back her composure and hugged Jericho back, when he felt her hands on him he immediately snapped out of it and quickly let go, he was looking so embarrassed) am so sorry Erica, I-I just acted on instincts as I heard what you said, it just felt right to hug you… am-am so sorry… {what was that, why did I suddenly felt the urge to hug her… so strange}" said Jericho with an embarrassed look on his face…. "it-it's okay Jericho (embarrassed smile) it calm me down a great deal… {what was that… that was so unexpected… why does my heart feel like jumping out of my chest over a hug, I've had plenty of those haven't I}… eh a-anyway (clears her throat) the reason I said I had a head start was because the first step training were very similar to what I normally do in my personal training regime, the meditation, I do that a lot, it helps me know my body more and combat any fatigue I have, so I continued my normal training regime, and before I knew it, I was sensing a strange energy I've never felt before, then I started working on calling upon it, and now we are here" Erica explained with a wide smile on her face…. "I see… what a coincidence" said Jericho looking intrigued and really impressed, then he laughed… "hey, it's not that funny (hump)" Erica replied while pouting… "am sorry (laugh) sigh… you know head start or not Erica, to master soul energy manipulation to this degree in less than a month is absolutely amazing… you are truly a genius, just as you said you were" Jericho replied with smile at the direction of Erica, then just as with the hug, his body moved instinctively and he pat Erica's head, she turn fully red with embarrassment with her heart beating faster than she can control, seeing her reaction Jericho snapped out of it… "am so sorry Erica, I did it again {it happened again… why do I suddenly get the urge to do stuff like this when ever am with Erica… I hope am not upsetting her, I don't understand myself too am sorry}" said Jericho in his thought, with an apologetic look on his face… "it-it's okay Jericho, I-I didn't mind {it happened again… Jericho got close and I completely lost it… control yourself Erica, Jericho is just a really nice person, he was just being nice as usually… don't fall, don't fall, don't fall, don't fall}… um Jericho, at the final moments of our fight I saw something in that split second… you had wings, it was huge and so beautiful, was that really from you or my eyes were playing tricks" ..… "oh you saw that… and I though I did a good job being inconspicuous (nervous laugh) well yeah you saw right, that was mine, it was part of my godly blessings… Erica, to be honest you won that fight, i took a huge risk in using my divinity wings in a mock battle, but for some reason while fighting you, I felt all your hard work and passion, it really inspired me and I didn't want to lose even if it was just a mock battle… I was only able to win cause I used the wings, you forced me into it, you are the real winner" Jericho explained with a calming smile…. "it was so beautiful that it made me lose control of my soul energy in the end (sigh) being a god is a part of you, using any of it's privileges is normal, and I wouldn't have it any other way, I didn't want you to hold back… you really won Jericho, and I will be honored for us to fight again soon" ..… "of course, I can't wait, by then you should be much more powerful… let's get back to the others" said Jericho returning the smile, Erica nods in response, but then she also remembered something else from when Jericho was addressing the knights, anytime he mentions Jace he loses focus and wavers, she wanted to ask him how he was doing but decided to hold her tongue at least for that moment…
When they finally took their eyes off each other, they saw the damage their battle caused and they were left speechless for a moment… "WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED HERE!?…. was this us!!… was this us Jericho!!" Erica screamed in shock, Jericho laughed nervously… "I guess we were having too much fun and over did it… but am more worried about sir William's reaction to this, he can be so intense with the scolding" Jericho replied with a nervous laugh.