The Silver Sword Empire of Alluria is well-known for its Holy Knights or Paladin. Among the warriors of Alluria, there are 100 Paladins all around the empire. Some are designated as kings by the Empress.

Above the Paladins are 12 Great Holy Knights or High Paladin. 10 of these High Paladins are situated on the 10 defensive fortresses all over the empire while the last 2 guards the Empress. Above the high Paladins are Grand Holy Knights or Paladin Lord.

In the history of Alluria, there are only 3 Paladin Lords. The first one was the Grand Knight King Alluria Silversword. The second one is Oz Espilce, and the third and last is the Emperor Consort Hugh Silversword.

The Knights of Alluria are divided into 5 divisions, namely the Sword division, Mage division, Medic division, General division, and last and the least, the logistics division.

The Sword division is composed of both melee and ranged units. It is the main force of the army that comprises the infantry, archers, ground cavalry, air cavalry and, beast units. The Mage division comprises both the offensive and defensive mages. The Medic division is composed of the Healers and Alchemists. The General division is where the cream of the crop general grade knights belong. This division is in charge of training and leading the Empire's military. Lastly, the logistics division is the support unit. They bring the food rations, equipment, supplies and do all the odd jobs.

To provide manpower to these divisions, the empire built the Silver Sword Knight Academy.

By the age of 10, one can apply for apprenticeship by taking the entrance test every start of spring. Through these series of tests, passers will be designated to the different divisions and will be called Knight Apprentices.

Knight Apprentices have several ranks. Starting from the lowest, the White Knight Apprentice, Grey Knight, Red Knight, Blue Knight, Black Knight, Bronze Knight, Silver Knight, and the Golden Knight Apprentice. After they pass the academy's Knight Initiation Test, they become official Knights that have the same corresponding rank system as the apprentices. With the addition of higher ranks such as the Knight Champion, Guardian Knight, Paladins, High Paladins, and the Paladin Lord.

It's now the start of spring in the year 2199 of the Mortal Realm Calendar. During this time of the year was the busiest for the Silver Sword Knight Academy.

Due to a very large populace applying for an apprenticeship, the Silver Sword Knight Academy created 5 subsidiary schools that train apprentices from White to Bronze. Only when the students pass the Silver Knight Apprentice Test will they be sent to the mother academy in the capital city of the Silver Sword Empire, Alluria.

The 5 subsidiary schools were placed under the supervision of tier 5 Kingdoms. They were the Heart Kingdom, Sapphire Kingdom, Luna Kingdom, Scorching Sand Kingdom, and Peach Country United Front.

Aside from the subsidiary schools, there are also accredited schools formed by different powerful families and sects. To be an accredited school, one must have at least an Allurian Guardian Knight as their guarantor.

In the Silver Sword Knight Academy branch of Heart Kingdom, a middle-aged man with the badge of "Red Knight" overseer was supervising the entrance examination for an apprenticeship. He was sent by the main school and was given special authority to manage the event. Currently, the power he held was equal to that of the King.

The overseer was sitting beside the King of Heart Kingdom and was looking down the testing grounds where a multitude of people of different ages from different walks of life and diverse races gathered to take the Knight Apprentice Entrance Examination.

The series of tests within the examination include; the traditional strength test, mana test, command aptitude test, Arts showcase and the optional Individual battle to determine the newbie rank.

"Oh! We have a lot of examinees this year." The king of Heart Kingdom was elated to see a sea of people lining up for the tests. If ever there are students with good potential in this batch that are able to pass the Silver Knight Apprentice Test before the age of 30, then the tier of his kingdom will be secured for at least another 20 years. He only needed 3 more high-potential knight apprentices since his daughter, the youngest Blue Knight Apprentice at the age of 13, already secured the slot together with a 25-year-old Black Knight Apprentice. He only needed a quota of 5 every 2 years.

"Well, it seems to be so-so." The Red Knight replied arrogantly.

He was an official Red Knight from the capital and had an elitist point of view as someone of higher status originating from a higher place in the society. Anyone that was not from the capital was of lower status from his perspective. He believed that people from the capital are highborn and those from the surrounding affiliated kingdoms are lowborn.

'These hicks from the countryside are trying to climb up a ladder that's not theirs. They are not deserving of the title Knight! Why is the empire doing this low-class conscription?' the Red Knight thought to himself.

"I remember you have a daughter that's already a Blue Knight Apprentice?" the Red Knight asked the King.

"Yes, yes. Oh! She is just wonderful. Strong and brave just like our ancestors. Hur hur hur!" The King happily praised his daughter.

"Mhm. When she passes the Silver Knight Apprentice Test, have her come to me to be my squire. Maybe she will have the chance to become a White Knight in 20 years." The Red Knight sneered, showing his haughty attitude.

After the Red Knight made his remark, the smiling face of the King turned into a slight frown. He was displeased with the comment of the Red Knight regarding his daughter. The youngest Blue Knight Apprentice in the history of Alluria and you want her to become a squire? Someone in the Silver Sword Empire that has the potential to be a Paladin before the age of 30 and you want her to be your minion? She is Princess of my Heart Kingdom and you want her to become your follower? A servant to your beck and call? Dream on buddy!

The Red Knight noticed the change in the King's expression, but he only smirked and said in a righteous manner, "I'm only doing you a favor since it was fate that led me here to this dirty corner of the world. But if you do not appreciate my kindness and generosity, then let it be!"

With the follow-up remark by the Red Knight, the King of Heart Kingdom became angrier. His hot blood rose to his head and his face distorted to a very aggrieved frown. He obviously couldn't take the insult to her beloved daughter and the condescending behavior of the Red Knight towards his Kingdom.

"Red Knight Bodu! What do you mean by this?" the king angrily asked.

"What I mean is what I mean. If you are insulted by my words then what I said was correct." Red Knight Bodu replied.

"Why you…!!!"

The King was somewhat at a loss of words since he didn't want to acknowledge what the Knight said as correct. So he just held on to his anger and thought of ways to make a comeback in the conversation when suddenly a commotion was made at one of the testing areas. A blue-haired boy caught the attention of everyone in the nearby area as well as the viewing platforms. This was because the boy was riding a spirit beast. But not just any ordinary spirit beast. It was high tiered Royal Blue Spirit Bull.

"Finally!!! I'm here! Wait… Am I at the correct place?" the blue-haired boy said.

"Ngoo?" the spirit beast replied.

"Ah… I guess I might as well asked that mouse-faced person." The blue-haired boy said as he looked at one of the examiners.

'Eh… is that little brat talking about me?' the mouse-faced examiner thought to himself when suddenly he was startled to find out that the blue-haired boy was in front of him.

"Ey! Mister Mouse… Is this the Heart Kingdom's Silver Sword Knight Academy Examination site?" the blue-haired boy asked the examiner.

"Uh… yes, this is… wait… what mister mouse?!"

"Oh, I see! Then I'm in the right place! Hur hur hur! Finally!" the blue-haired boy cheered.

"Hey, you! Who are you? What is your purpose in coming here? Why are you disturbing the conscription process?!" Red Knight Bodu shouted.

'Huh… what conscription!?' When the King heard the Red Knights remark, he was incensed. Treating the sacred event of this examination as mere conscription? But before he could say anything, a reply came from the blue-haired boy.

"Hey! Mister Tomato-looking-soldier! The Name's Gin Ordric Dawnfall! My purpose here is to become a Knight to earn lots of money and become the 'Richest Man in the World!' the blue-haired boy happily exclaimed as his eyes sparkled.