The next day, candidates spent delivering leather containers, some squads created new tactics and strategies, while others just continued to act as before.

Now, all the 5 squads of candidates lined up in front of their representative and water porters that looked after them.

The supervisor dressed in the official uniform of water porters threw his glance at the 5 columns of candidates in front of him before stepping into the platform in front of him.

"Listen up! Right now those who would hear their names should step forwards and come to that table in there," said the supervisor, pointing at the table to the right from him, "Those who don't hear their names should return to the barracks and prepare their own stuff and leave the expedition camp!"

Hearing his words, the atmosphere instantly became tense, and many candidates started to worry.

"Now, you can proceed and tell the names of the new water porters," said the supervisor, moving his glance at one of the water porters behind him.

Several moments later, the tall youth with black hair and several sheets stepped to the platform and moved his glance at the candidates below him.

Clearing his throat, he moved his glance back at the sheets and started reading one name after another.

"James, 150 water containers"

"Ryan, 120 water containers"

"Miya, "115 water containers"

***

Half an hour later, Theo, his company, and around 40% of the 5 squads heard their names and approached the table to register, get the official badge and get new instructions.

Finishing telling the last name, the youth on the platform put away sheets before stepping down from the platform.

A moment later, the supervisor appeared on the platform before throwing his glance at the hundreds of candidates that didn't pass the challenge.

"Why are you still here?" asked the supervisor, throwing his stern gaze at the candidates below him.

Some candidates wanted to say something, but as if anticipating a similar reaction, the supervisor moved his stern gaze at them.

"You can look at your own results back in the barracks, and it would be clear why you haven't passed the challenge, we warned you to show all your abilities, it's your own guilt that you didn't even get a bare minimum to become water porter in these 3 days,"

"Anyway, even if you disagree with our decision, you can try next time when we will recruit new candidates," said the supervisor, giving a signal to other water porters to show them a way out from this field.

Several minutes later when all the candidates who failed disappeared and when all-new water porters finished registration, they lined up in front of the platform, looking at the supervisor.

The supervisor threw his glance at the one hundred new water porters that successfully passed the challenge and smiled before showing them his thumb.

"Good job! You have passed our challenge and proved that you can complete your duty. You all have enough talent, or strength to become our colleagues," said the supervisor, calling for other water porters.

"By the way, I am Paul, the leader of one of the elite water porter's squads, nice to meet you," said the youth with brown hair with a wide smile on his lips.

Several moments later, other water porters who were looking after them during these 3 days joined him on the platform and started introducing their names.

Looking after them, Theo learned the name of the girl captain who gave so many pointers for their 5th squad. Her name was Nora, and she was one of the members of Paul's water porters squad.

Finishing telling their names, Paul cleared his throat, attracting attention back at him.

"Since you have already finished registration and have officially become our colleagues, let me tell you your new appointments," said Paul, taking several sheets of papers from his colleague.

"Now, I will tell the names of those water porters who would serve here in the camp," said Paul, starting to read the names.

Paul read more than 60 names before taking another sheet with names.

"Zed,"

"Felix,"

"Natalie,"

"Olivia,"

"That's it for the 1st group, those who heard their names should follow after this guy," said Paul, pointing at one of the water porters below the platform, "He will show you your new barracks and explain your new duty,"

Hearing the names of his friends, Theo and Leonardo turned and looked at their friends and comrades.

"Take care," said Theo, patting Zed and Felix on their shoulders before looking at 2 twins.

He got to know these 2 sisters while they were working together during these 2 days and knew that Natalie was brave and decisive while Olivia was a bit shy but caring. Both sisters got Zed's and Felix's fancy, and Theo knew that his friends would enjoy working with them.

Finishing exchanging several words with them, he and Leonardo watched how they disappeared, following after others.

There were around 30 water porters left when the supervisor and another water porter once again appeared on the platform.

"Now, it's time for the 2nd group," said Paul, taking another paper.

"As you know, you have successfully passed the challenge, but unlike other candidates, you have potential, skills, or strength to join to elite water porters squads." said Paul, moving his glance at the 30 people below the platform, "There are 30 water porters who would join to such squads, now I will tell the names of 5 people that would come with me while others would join other squads."

Several moments later, he started reading the names of his water porters.

"Leonardo,"

"And the final one, Theo," said Paul before, giving the paper to his colleague.

Stepping down from the platform, he quickly approached those 5 people before signaling them and Nora to follow him.

***

Passing through several open fields and barracks, Theo, Leonardo, and their 3 new colleagues reached the open field with several carriages, horses, and groups of 15-20 people in brown leather uniform who was training with them.

Stopping in front of them, Paul patted Nora on the shoulder before turning and looking at Theo and others.

"This is the barracks of the "Red horses" - your new home and place of duty," said Paul with a smile on his lips, "I need to leave and prepare for tomorrow's sally for water, Nora will show you this place and introduce you to all the people here."

"Nora, don't forget to check their battle skills and show them training fields," said Paul, leaving towards one of the buildings on this territory.

Nora nodded before releasing a sigh and raising her glance at Theo and others.

"Follow me, let's look on your battle capabilities," said Nora, moving in a certain direction.

Several minutes later, Theo and others stopped in front of the small arena where one water porter was fighting with a puppet.

Turning back, Nora threw her glance at her new 5 colleagues.

"You and you will be the 1st," said Nora, pointing at black haired Theo and Leonardo, "Others would join after them,"

"Now follow me, let's choose places on the tribunes," said Nora showing the way.

There were around 200 members in the "Red horses", and there were around 20-40 people here sitting on the tribunes and watching after the training sparring of their colleagues.

The appearance of Nora and 5 new unfamiliar faces attracted attention, and it didn't take long before one guy approached them with a smile on his lips.

"Hey, Nora! Will you bet today?" asked the youth, sitting next to her.

"No, I came today just to evaluate them," said Nora, shaking her head, and pointing at Theo and others.

At first, youth released a disappointed sigh but quickly smiled when he noticed 5 guys behind her.

"My name is Calypso," said the youth, "I am a local bookmaker,"

"If you want to make bets, I am the man you should look for," said Calypso with a wide smile on his lips, "Do you want to bet or get more information about bets. You know it's one of the ways how you can increase your merit points."

Theo showed no interest just like the other 3 water porters, unlike Leonardo who was truly intrigued and wanted to hear more.

"What are the current bets? What type of bets we can make? And why should we believe you that you are an official bookmaker and not a scammer?" asked Leonardo with a serious expression on his face.

Calypso didn't expect such a reaction from the newbie, but he quickly smiled before clearing his throat.

"First, here take a look, this is the official badge, indicating that I am bookmaker on this arena, you can also ask Nora and others if that is true," said the youth, giving the badge to Leonardo.

Leonardo spent several moments, looking at the badge before moving his glance with a clear question at Nora who quickly nodded, supporting Colipso's statement.

"Now, since I have already proved that I am not a scammer, let me quickly explain to you what types of bets you can make," said Calypso, clearing his throat,

"Right now, you can bet on the winner of the current sparring, it can be a puppet or that water porter that has just blocked one of the attacks." said Calypso, pointing at the arena, "Now, you can only bet on the result of the sparring, bet on who would win or who would lose. Other types of bets would be available only during the big tournaments among the "Red horses". By the way, we use merit points as our currency here."

"I see," said Leonardo, holding his chin.

"So, since you have already know the details, don't you want to bet?" asked Calypso, throwing his glance at Leonardo.

"Calypso, what usually happens when a newbie enters into that arena, how others react?" asked Leonardo, raising his glance at the bookmaker.

"If that's a new face, others might not bid just for 1 battle, but if that newbie shows his capabilities and chooses the stronger opponent, they would usually start bidding," explained Calypso, looking at Leonardo, "Do you have something in mind?"

"Who are the opponents?"

"At first, it's a training puppet, then it's 3 of them, and finally it's a golem and 3rd or 4th rank adept with reputation."

Leonardo nodded, memorizing all the information before turning and looking at Theo who was sitting next to him.

"What do you think?"

"We still have some merit points, there is no need for this right now," said Theo to his friend before looking at Calypso, "By the way, when will be the big tournament you were talking about?"

"It will happen approximately in 2 months," said the youth with a smile on his lips.

"Let's wait till that tournament, it would be a much better chance to earn some merit points," said Theo with a smile on his lips, patting his friend on the shoulder.

Right as he finished telling his words, the water porter on the arena finished the puppet and ended up victorious and left the arena.

"Come, it's your turn now," said Nora,

Theo stood up and nodded before moving towards the arena.

***

Standing in front of the puppet, Theo threw his glance at the training puppet that was standing in front of him. The puppet was made of iron and had no enchanting and served only training purposes. He didn't even need to get serious with it because it couldn't harm him in any way.

So, he decided not to use magic and keep it a secret.

The puppet raised its dull sword before pointing at Theo and sprinting in his direction.

Anticipating such reaction from the puppet, Theo quickly gathered a portion of his battle energy on the tip of the dull sword he got when he entered into the arena, making it sharp in the process.

Several moments later, the puppet reached Theo and started its attacks on Theo.

At first, Theo blocked all the attacks but started dodging them at a certain moment, retreating in the process.

Creating distance, he sent an energy slash at the puppet.

The puppet easily evaded from it before increasing its speed and quickly approaching Theo.

Theo didn't react to the approaching puppet, letting it get as close as it could.

Just as its sword was several centimeters away from his hand, Theo used quite a portion of his battle energy in his legs, activating "Bursting step" and evading to the right from the trajectory of the sword. He also imprinted his battle energy in his sword before moving his left hand and beheading the puppet in the process.

He used his battle energy to cover his dull sword, making it sharp, so it wasn't difficult for him to pierce through the armor.

Sending the head to flight, Theo smiled before turning and leaving the arena.