– A Test o. Worth
I hadn’t expected Harrison Ashworth to return the very next day.
The sharp knock on my door came just after noon, startling me as I was reviewing áncient alchemy texts. Opening the door, I found myself face–to–face with Isabelle’s father again, this time flanked by two imposing men in tailored suits.
“Mr. Knight, Harrison said coolly, “I hope we’re not interrupting anything important.”
I swallowed hard, stepping aside to let them in. “Not at all, Mr. Ashworth.”
The three men entered my apartment, immediately making the space feel cramped. Harrison’s eyes swept over my living area before settling back on me.
“I’ve been thinking about our conversation yesterday,” he said. “About my daughter’s… faith in your potential.”
One of his bodyguards, a tall man with cold gray eyes, studied me with thinly veiled contempt.
“These are my personal security specialists, Harrison gestured to the men. “Caspian Kane and Marcus Dunn. Top martial artists from Veridia City.”
I nodded politely toward them, receiving only the slightest acknowledgment in return.
“You mentioned yesterday that I don’t know what kind of man you are,” Harrison continued, pacing slowly around my living room. “That’s a fair point. So I thought we might remedy that situation today.”
My stomach tightened. I didn’t like where this was heading.
“What exactly did you have in mind?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Harrison stopped by my window, looking out at the street below. “Isabelle claims you’ll be ‘capable of protecting yourself by Veridia City standards‘ within a year. That’s quite
the assertion.”
I stood my ground. “I believe I can prove myself worthy of your daughter’s trust.”
“Words,” Harrison dismissed with a wave of his hand. “I deal in evidence, Mr. Knight. Show me why my daughter believes in you.”
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I’m not sure what you’re asking-”
“Caspian, Harrison interrupted, “would you mind assisting Mr. Knight in demonstrating his… capabilities?”
The gray–eyed man stepped forward, removing his suit jacket and handing it to his colleague. He was lean but muscular, with the fluid movements of someone who knew exactly how dangerous he was.
“What’s happening here?” I asked, though I already knew.
“A simple assessment,” Harrison replied. “Caspian is a mid–tier martial artist by Veridia City standards. Nothing extraordinary. Consider this a benchmark test.”
My heart pounded against my ribcage. This wasn’t a fair fight–it was a deliberate humiliation.
“Is this really necessary?” I tried to reason.
“If you hope to survive in our world,” Harrison said calmly, “it’s absolutely necessary.”
I looked between the three men, realizing I had no choice. Harrison wanted to prove a point–to break my spirit and show me how far below their level I truly was.
Reluctantly, I moved the coffee table aside to create space in the center of my living room. My jade pendant felt warm against my skin, but I knew my abilities were still developing. I wasn’t ready for this.
“Mr. Kane,” I said, meeting the bodyguard’s cold gaze, “I have to apologize in advance.”
A flicker of curiosity crossed his face. “For what?”
“For whatever happens next.”
His lips curved into a slight smirk as he positioned himself across from me. “Begin whenever you’re ready.”
I took a deep breath, centering myself as I’d practiced, and launched forward with what I thought was impressive speed. My fist cut through empty air as Caspian sidestepped with minimal effort.
I pivoted, throwing another strike, then another–each one missing its target as he effortlessly avoided me. It was like trying to hit smoke.
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“Is this what impresses my daughter. Harrison commented from the side. “I expected… more.”
Frustration building. I changed tactics, feinting left before driving a right hook toward Caspian’s midsection. He caught my wrist mid–strike, redirecting my momentum and sending me stumbling forward.
“Martial skill requires years of proper training, Caspian stated flatly. “Not weekend self–defense classes.”
His condescension ignited something inside me. I regained my footing and attacked again, pushing myself harder. Each strike came faster than the last, yet Caspian evaded them all without breaking a sweat.
After two minutes of this one–sided display, sweat soaked through my shirt while Caspian hadn’t even loosened his tic.
“Enough, Harrison said, disappointment evident in his voice. “This proves my point.”
“Wait,” I gasped, unwilling to accept defeat. “I asked for a year to prove myself. This
isn’t fair.”
Harrison’s expression hardened. “Fair? You think the world my daughter inhabits is
fair? In Veridia City, men like Caspian are considered barely competent. The real powers would crush you without a second thought.”
His words stung because I knew they were true. Despite my recent progress, I was still
nowhere near their level.
“I’m worth the wait,” I insisted, my breathing heavy. “I can become what Isabelle
believes I can be.
“Be mindful, Caspian, Harrison suddenly cautioned his guard. “My daughter seems fond of him. No permanent damage.”
The warning revealed a hint of consideration I hadn’t expected from Harrison. Whatever his opinion of me, he did care about his daughter’s feelings.
Caspian nodded and turned back to me, his stance relaxed but ready. “Let’s finish this demonstration.”
Humiliation burned through me. They were toying with me, treating me like a child who needed to learn a harsh lesson. I thought of Isabelle, of her unwavering faith in
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me, and felt something shift inside.
The jade pendant against my chest grew warmer, and I felt a subtle surge of energy flow through my limbs. Not enough to transform me into their equal, but enough to fuel one last effort.
“Ready when you are,” Caspian taunted.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting the energy build. When I opened them again, I moved forward with renewed purpose. Instead of trying to match Caspian’s skill, I embraced my own raw determination.
He anticipated my attack pattern, shifting left to avoid what he expected to be another wild swing. Instead, I changed direction mid–stride, throwing my entire body weight behind a desperate punch.
The solid impact of my fist connecting with his jaw surprised us both.
Caspian staggered back a step, his hand reflexively touching the spot where I’d struck him. For the first time, his composure cracked, revealing genuine surprise.
The room fell silent. Even Harrison stared with widened eyes.
I straightened my posture, a small grin spreading across my face despite my exhaustion. “Turns out you’re not invincible after all… hehe…”
Caspian’s surprise quickly morphed into something darker, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Marcus, the silent bodyguard, stepped forward slightly, as if anticipating his colleague’s retaliation.
Harrison raised his hand, halting both men. His calculating gaze shifted between us, reassessing the situation–and perhaps, reassessing me.
“Interesting,” he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
The tension in the room crackled like electricity. I had landed one lucky punch against a superior opponent, but that single moment of defiance had changed something fundamental in our dynamic..
Harrison’s eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of something I couldn’t quite name–not respect, not yet, but perhaps the seed of it. The possibility that his daughter’s faith in me wasn’t completely unfounded.
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Istood my ground, waiting for what came next, my knuckles still tingling from the Impact of that unexpected connection.
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