Chapter 1597: The Rock Without Jored, the three of them were now waiting around, standing awkwardly near the edge of the large, partially-enclosed arena. A part of them wondered if they should just leave the assessment area since they were now inside the city. They could probably just go around asking for information about the Werewolf and the Red Wing Pack, but there were a few reasons why they had decided to stay. For one, Kai and Lupus were both interested in learning what the knights knew, specifically how to use Qi, the energy manipulation Jored had mentioned. Equally, Gary thought it was easier to actually learn the finer details of the kingdom’s structure, because, from what Steve had said, the Pack was one of the components of the Army and the Red Wing Kingdom. Getting into the army seemed like the quickest way to gain access to centralized, accurate information, rather than sifting through rumors in the bustling streets. They also recognized that Jored, a respected figure, had put his neck out for them; leaving now would be a massive slap in the face. They needed to honor the commitment, especially since this kingdom offered the key to a vital part of their current mission. As they stood there, reviewing their powers in their minds, a subtle, undetectable routine, a large shadow fell over them. “Hey, you three look a bit new.” A man said, his voice booming slightly in the open space. Behind him were four others. They were the only ones there in the assessment that had full gear from head to toe, complete with heavily-oiled leather armor and large, well-used weapons. They had the hard, weathered look of people who had spent months, perhaps years, surviving outside the city walls. It was quite clear that they were Adventurers before, compared to the other local candidates who had decided to just take the assessment wearing simple cloth gear and light armoring. These guys were professionals, and they carried themselves with the bulky arrogance of veterans. The leader, a man whose smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, stepped forward. His weapon, a massive, two-handed iron war hammer, rested casually on his shoulder. “You’re on the young side and I can tell that you have some potential and talent,” the man continued, assessing them with a slow, calculating gaze that lingered on Kai. “The name’s Oppo, and we’re from the Rock Guild.” He paused, allowing the weight of the name to settle, and was expecting some type of reaction from them. “Or at least we were, because we’re going to become knights in training after this assessment.” “Okay,” Lupus replied concisely, the brief word betraying a hint of confusion. He wondered why these people came over and made such an effort to tell them this. Oppo chuckled, a dry, grating sound. “You see, we have an advantage over people like you, and the rest that are here. We are practically guaranteed to pass due to our experience out there. We’ve fought beasts the size of carriages, while you lot look like you’ve been fighting dust bunnies. So, we’re trying to form a truce with others that are talented as well. Talented, mind you, not experienced.” He leaned in, the leather of his armor creaking. “During the assessment, why don’t you make us look good, and we’ll do the same for you... we can—” “No thanks.” Gary answered immediately, cutting the man off before he could continue the proposition. He didn’t even have to look at Kai or Lupus to know they agreed. “I mean, in the first place, that kind of feels like cheating, right?” Gary pressed on, not sensing the immediate rise in tension from the other group. “But besides that, we are confident in our skills that we can get in anyway. We don’t need any help. I feel like the only people who would suggest something like that must be incredibly desperate.” When Gary spoke, he didn’t mean to be intentionally malicious or personally offensive; he just said what he was feeling, the honest truth of his confidence. But to Oppo and the rest of his guild members, veterans who had failed this high-stakes test multiple times, it certainly felt like it was a deep dig at their competence and their desperation. The subtle smirk immediately vanished from Oppo’s face. “Well, well, well,” Oppo said, his tone dropping several degrees into a low, rumbling menace. He forced the original, phony smile back onto his lips, but his eyes were hard and cold. “So, you think that you can pass this assessment without having any help, huh? I guess the young ones are always cocky, full of fire and ego. You clearly don’t know who you’re dealing with.” Oppo casually moved his war hammer, dragging the iron head along the dirt for emphasis, raising a small, threatening cloud of dust. “Well, you have just given us a second mission: to do whatever we can to make sure you guys don’t pass. You’ll be the first ones we crush. If you step on our path, we’ll make sure the King’s knights never even look at your applications.” With that, Oppo had turned around and headed back to where the others were still lazily swinging their swords about. His four guild members followed, but not before each one, especially the stocky man with the enormous axe, gave the three a chilling, lingering stare, locking daggers with them. The message was clear: they had made a powerful enemy, and the assessment hadn’t even started. “What is with this place and everyone trying to become an enemy of ours?” Gary asked, shaking his head. “I guess it’s just the times,” Kai replied, watching the guild members settle down with an air of practiced aggression. “Everyone seems so high-strung, and it appears that being strong plays a big part in this world, as well as your position, kind of like being rich in ours.” As the Rock Guild members walked off, they were staring daggers at them, but then started to approach other people as well, clearly looking for easier, more pliable targets to manipulate before the test began. “You dodged a sword only to catch an axe,” a young man said, walking up from behind. He was average height and wore clean, if simple, clothes, suggesting he was a local. “I’m Siz, but don’t worry, I’m not like them. You did the right thing by turning them down. Oppo’s a pest.” Siz looked visibly nervous, glancing over his shoulder at the Rock Guild. “This is the third time that they have done this assessment. They’re desperate to pass, so they look for people who have never been here before. They promise to help each other, but after you help them, the other help is never really received. They’ll use you as a distraction, or even sabotage you if it means they move up.” “Figured as much,” Kai said, already filing away the tactical advantage this desperate enemy would provide. “Right, but the issue is that you annoyed them,” Siz warned, his voice low. “Oppo’s pride is bigger than his armor. So now I imagine they really will do whatever they can to make you guys fail. If you do well, they would rather fail and bring you down with them; that’s just the type of people they are. They believe their decades of experience and expensive gear entitle them to a spot, and they despise anyone who shows up looking like a gifted beginner.” “And if you’re wondering how I know all of this,” Siz said, pointing at himself, “it’s because this is also my third time. I need to be a knight for my family, but I keep stumbling on the practical parts.” “Is the assessment really that hard?” Gary asked, tilting his head. “It’s a selection designed to create the best fighters, but honestly, it’s more of an honor role than anything,” Siz commented, his shoulders drooping slightly. “If a person is really strong, they would rather start their own guild or become a big-time adventurer; it’s easier to become rich and have your name in the history books that way. But becoming a knight, it’s more honorable and respected. You have so much power, but rather than using it for one’s own gain, you protect the people. And yet, even throughout the years, they only select the best of the best, those who show unique potential beyond just swinging a sword.” A sudden shift in the atmosphere drew their attention back to the table. The man sitting down who was registering everyone, a stern-looking knight in clean, polished armor, slammed a heavy gauntlet down on the wooden table. “Alright, everyone!” The man’s voice, amplified by what seemed to be a subtle use of Qi, cut through the noise of the arena. “It looks like there are a total of fifty participants this time. The afternoon session is now commencing! It’s time for you all to get ready and take part in the assessment! We will be watching every aspect of your performance, your strength, your control, your resolve, and your teamwork. Do well, and remember why you’re here!” **** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. 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