It’s still too early to sleep so I decided to check my belongings before I departed tomorrow. During my stay in the orphanage after reaching the age of fourteen we are getting paid for some hard work around the orphanage and said that the money we earn will be used as our funds when we leave the orphanage.

As of now I only have enough to last for about two months considering the prices of food and shelter.

After checking my belongings I lay down on my bed and tried to sleep.

“This will be the last time I sleep on this bed and tomorrow will change my life forever”

Tomorrow came and every one of us who are at the age left and head towards our new life. It took me several hours to reach the barracks and noticed a long line. I also noticed that those people who are lined have a warrior’s aura around them.

“Why is it that there are a lot of people lined up?” I asked the last man in line

“Haven’t you heard kid? They are recruiting for soldiers to go to war”

“War? How come there is a war did some country go against the treaty?”

Since the Great War a treaty against war has been signed to prevent further loss and up till now no one dared to go against it.

“I really don’t know the details but it’s a good opportunity for those who have combat experience”

“I see I guess I’ll sign up too”

“Guhahahahaha. You have a death wish kid? War isn’t a playground its where the strong kills and the weak be killed ”

Now that’s rude let’s see how about send him flying with a flick on the forehead? Hmm no that would be bad since I’m signing up let’s just ignore this bastard’s actions and be calm.

“I know what you mean sir but let my fate be decided on my own hands” I said to him

“heh nice words but that won’t help you in the battle field but since it seems to me you’re prepared to die then I won’t stop you”

“Thank you sir”

It took me about an hour before it’s my turn to register.

“State your name, age, and the place you came from”

A man in front of the desk asked me, he seems to be a knight but he’s not wearing any iron armour just plain leather suit and he’s not even looking at me.

“Frau NoSur, age fifteen, from the orphanage around here”

He raised his head and looked at me with curiosity filled eyes.

“You sure about this kid, were not playing games here”

“Yes sir I know perfectly what this thing will lead me”

He stare at me for quite some time then “Alright I’ll let you in but you have to go through some test, unlike other applicant’s you’re the youngest, if pass the test we will take you in. am I clear?”

“Yes sir, so where am I supposed to head after this?”

“Just head inside and tell the woman sitting there you’re here for the test”

“Thank you very much”

I head towards the only woman inside and ask for directions. She then lead me to a room, inside is filled with some knights and other people that seems to have the same purpose as me.

The woman told me to wait and give me a wooden plate with a number on it and left.

I scouted the surroundings and found some interesting things. The place seems to be an arena and we are tested by fighting against a knight.

“Next number …”

After a moment a woman walk towards the center and make a stance with her sword pointed at her opponent as if holding a lance ready to stab. She has an average height slim but a bit muscular frame, seems like a trained warrior, her hair is blonde which is tied up in a ponytail and have brown eyes, a bit tanned but suit her style. She’s wearing a chest plate armour and gauntlets made from steel, leather boots, and a dagger on her right thigh.

“Her stance is quite good” I muttered my self

The whole area began to get noisy as they jeer at the woman.

“SILENCE everybody who wants to participate will be acknowledge and tested if you passed you’re in but if you failed you leave. If all you guys can do is jeer then leave we are serious here so respect your fellow applicants” a knight said on a commanding voice.

Everyone felt silent.

“Now let’s start”

The woman faced her opponent knight and began to charge she shortened the distance between them making a stabbing motion but before it reached the knight her action change and made a slash towards the knight. In response the knight stepped backwards to dodge and parry her sword. The fight continued and the woman keeps pressing on against the knight.

“She has a good stance and balance but her over all movement is quite exaggerated, as for the knight I think he’s toying with her and just defending. Well the purpose of this match is to evaluate her so I guess its fine.” I muttered as I observe their movements

“Nice comment you gave there” a voice sprang besides me

It surprised me; I’ve been so focused on the match and forgot to put my guard up. ‘Damn it for me to make a beginners mistake, ugh what will master think of this *sigh*’

The man beside me is wearing simple leather armour, quite old but I can feel his strength just by standing beside me.

“No I’m just trying to guess the situation sir, I’m sorry if I disturbed you” I need to be as polite as I can be if I made a blunder here or even in a common situation things might get ugly and master said that I must establish a good reputation.

The man smiled and said “well see, well see”

The match ended with the maiden on the floor gasping for breath and the knight looking at her breathing heavily but not to the point of exhaustion after a few seconds she stand up using her sword as a means of support she walk away and lean against a wall. The knight leaves the center and another knight walked in.

“Next number…”

Different match was held before I got called. Some applicants are quite aggressive and tried to hit some vital points on their opponents but in the end either they lose consciousness or some bones were broken on their bodies.

At last it was finally my turn, I move to the center of the area and hold my sword pointing upwards. The knight in front of me did the same; he is quite tall and have a huge body. If my assumption is correct he’s a power type which uses his body to give powerful strikes against an enemy.

“Ready?” both of us gave a nod “Ok start”

The moment the signal was given none of us moved. But the knight released a killing intent spreading in the whole area.

I raised one eye brow ‘Now this is interesting let’s wait for now. It could turn out to be fun’

I did nothing and the knight keep increasing the pressure of his killing intent. The whole crowd was silent and carefully watching us as if the first move will decide the match. Sweat began to flow on them as the pressure the knight releases increase.

Two minutes passed and boredom struck me. The knight is still looking at me with intense stare and I gave him a bored look as a reply.

‘ok that’s it I’m pretty bored now let’s give him some nice and hard reply for his efforts”

I started to gather some ‘Ki’ and prepared to launch a killing intent directly at the knight. A compressed and straight pressure concentrated only at my opponent.

Ok ready “HAAAAAAAAAAA” I shouted. And released the pressure at the same time and it hit him head on. That made the knight lost his balance and drop on his butt he also lose his weapon on his fall, lost his killing intent and the atmosphere became normal again.

Covered in sweat the knight is now confused about what has just occurred. Same goes for those people around watching us.

“What the heck was that?” one man asked

For those who are really skilled they don’t need any explanation because the moment I release my pressure they can feel the disturbance in the atmosphere. But for those idiots whose only merit is their brute strength they never knew what has just occurred.

“Hey what was that, making us excited then suddenly falling on your ass”

“Yeah what is this a comedy show?”

“hahahaha this is quite embarrassing, a knight fell on his butt even before the fight really start”

Some of the idiots have harsh comments and some are just laughing. ‘Those idiot if they only knew what have occurred here’ I thought.

“SILENCE” a huge breaking voice rang on the area. It was the man beside me earlier

Everyone felt silent and look at the old man.

“Boy you really made my day. Hahahaha this is a first. To stand there unaffected and making him lose like that. Hahahahaha boy you must be someone whose strength already surpassed a knight. Now I want to know who you are”

“I’m Frau Sir, age fifteen from the orphanage around here. Thank you for your praise but I think your just overestimating me”

“Fifteen? Hmm you are younger than I have thought” he muttered but audible enough for me to hear.

“Come with me for now, I want to see how strong you really are but I guess that is something I can see on the battlefield for I know that you will never show your true strength”

“For give me sir but may I know whom I speaking with?”

“Ah where are my manners. I’m Sherwin Oswald first commander of the knight infantry division and a member of the elite knights of the kingdom”

“Forgive my rudeness sir”

“Don’t worry about something so trivial anyway move along”

“Yes sir”

I followed the old man. Piercing stares hit me as we leave the area some of those stares are that of a confused one some are bloodlust and some are of envy.

We walked along a long corridor and exit the building and entered a smaller one near it.

He lead me to a room filled with book shelves, animal heads hanging on the walls(probably trophies from hunting), and a neat table at the end of the room opposite the door.

“This is my office and the room and where I temporarily live when on duty. Now sit down before we shall talk with some serious matters”

I sat down on one of the chairs in front of the desk. He then sat down on the other end then cleared his throat.

“Since we already finished our introduction I will be direct on my business. First do you know a man named Carl Brazon?”

“Do you have some business with that pervert.. I mean my master?”

“Pervert?” He laughed “so he still doesn’t change I bet you saw him peeping on some women while taking a bath”

“You know my master?”

“More like we are sworn brothers”

“Does that relate to what you really intend to tell me?”

“Well part of it but do you have any proof that you are indeed his apprentice”

I showed him my necklace with the ring as its pendant.

“Hmm I see you are telling the truth. Now I can relax and tell you the situation”

“You only knew about my master and you already trust me?”

“Well knowing him he never took any apprentice since the last time I talked to him. Always saying that ‘I will only put an apprentice under me if he is as righteous as I am’ so he never took one. He is really a good man, kind, smart, and strong but being a pervert to the extent that he peep on a princess taking a bath which he almost got caught if I dint hide him. *sigh* remembering the days of his misadventures and me always getting involved I even have to bail him out of the jail when he grope some female noble’s ass, really those are the days where he gave me a lot of headaches. But I enjoyed it nonetheless him always begging me on his knees HAHAHAHAHA”

“It seems like he is worse on his younger years” I said

“Really you don’t even know the half of it. Anyway were straying off the topic, let’s talk about him when we had some more time”

“Understood”

“Now do you know why the kingdom is recruiting warriors?”

“I heard because of a war, but I still can’t believe it that a country ignored the treaty and start a war”

“The truth son is far more dire than that. Two years ago a certain town in the west was attacked by some unknown forces and upon further investigation it resulted that demons have come to this realm”

“Demons? Master told me that demons are rarely seen but not that uncommon so what is the difference?” I asked

“Let me finish first before you talk”

“I’m sorry sir please continue”

“Ok on to the story, yes it’s not that uncommon but a month after the said attack a kingdom fell from an army of Demons consisting of tens thousands of them. The council named them ‘Demons of Greed’ for their nature to destroy and expand and conquer more territories. Fearing those DoG’s, each kingdom ordered to increase the military power of their nation to fend off these creatures. But after a year and a half 3 more kingdoms fell which cause huge commotion. The kingdoms call for a meeting and decided to launch a joint attack against these bastards. But it failed and as of now 4 kingdoms are destroyed, in return to such event kingdoms now desperate to get rid of the threat decided to hire every capable warrior in their respective kingdoms to make up for that loss.”

“And what do you want me to do? Even in my current strength I know I cannot turn the tides of war for I am only a single individual without any accomplishments, experience, and knowledge about war”

“Right this morning I received an order from the higher ups. The order consists of sending capable men to assist the fort of a nearby kingdom which is two to three months away here. Now here’s the catch I want you to go with them and become my ears and eyes since I cannot join the fray. Included to the order is a small letter of request from one of the council members to investigate some rumours about its king. This king is in suspicion of buying smuggled slaves to satisfy his hobbies which is related to torturing young woman of different races to their deaths and some female nobles have gone missing in different kingdoms which this king has visited.”

“I understand your predicament but going against a king of all people is quite impossible even with your help”

“I understand your standing but given your age none will suspect that a young warrior who just got into the army from an orphanage will be a spy. What are the odds, I mean you who without a single connection and what’s more a complete nobody will be a spy for the council whose power governs all kingdoms in this continent”

“That sounds like I’m a disposable pawn”

“That is usually the case but not with you. With your capabilities you can infiltrate the castle and find the truth. If he is found guilty arrest him, if he resist and tried to kill you, kill him and you won’t get a single penalty just be sure to report your findings”

“That will be convenient if this goes as planned but what about the evidences that will support my report?”

“I know that part will be the most crucial and the most important to prosecute the king. For that I will give this to you”

He hand me a small crystal ball. About a size of a simple marble that fit perfectly into my hands.

“This is an ancient crystal, it has the ability to capture some images of the surroundings and have it inside until you release them to use it again. To capture an image just say capture and it will do its thing, just be careful it can only be used up to ten times before you need to release all of the images to use it again”

“Before anything else what is in for me?”

“hahahahha clever boy thinking of gains aren’t we?”

“Of course this is a suicide mission I won’t risk it if the reward is not enough to cover the task. I am not some kind of a warrior of justice or compassion. Besides I’m too young to die and without any accomplishments.”

“You have a point there. How about this five hundred gold coins plus a recommendation to join the kingdoms elite knights how does that sounds?”

“You have that much authority?”

“Don’t under estimate me kid I may be old to be a member of the elite’s but in there I have this reputation and status to do so. Besides the gold will come from the council and if the king is guilty the council will increase the reward up to two thousand gold coins sounds good isn’t it?”

“The proposal is very attractive but thinking about the risk. Fine I’ll take your offer but I want to include another condition”

“Speak”

“I want to have a room and a good meal since I’m hungry and homeless right now”

“Hahahahaha you got me there kid. OK consider it done and ill add two silver coins per day for your salary it’s a big amount considering you’re a new recruit”

“Ok we have a deal. Nice working under you sir” I offered my hand

“Pleasures all mine” he grab my hand and grip it tightly

I leave the room and I was instructed to go to the grand hall where new recruits are given a banquet to celebrate their acceptance, but its main purpose is to entertain their stomachs before the briefing and announcement of departure three days after the said event.

I entered the grand hall, it’s filled with noise of those drinking men, telling tales of their adventure and some are socializing with the knights. I walk towards the table where food is served I grab some meat to eat and (since I’m already an adult I’m allowed to drink) took a mug filled with alcohol. I sat down on a corner of an empty table and started to eat.

“Is this seat taken?”

I looked at the source of the voice to find out that it was from the woman before.

“No” I answered her not caring about her

She sat down in front of me and placed her food on the table.

“I’m Beatrice may I know your name?”

I ignored her and continue eating. Not having a response she grab my hand “Hey do you know it’s rude to ignore someone talking to you”

“Don’t care not interested” I said

She glared at me still holding my hand “If you’re here to flirt then I’m not someone that will accompany you. Why don’t you try other guys over there who are quite interested in you”

“Fine I’ll go straight to the point. What business did you do with the commander?”

“So it’s that huh. Well I don’t have any obligations to tell you so forget it”

“Will it hurt your pride if you ever talk or answer me properly?” she asked in a very irritated tone of voice and let my hand go.

“Will you stop bothering me if I answer your question?” I asked in a cold tone

“Depending on your answer maybe I will”

“Fine, first you should know my name since I introduced myself earlier if not I’ll say it again my name is Frau, second the commander just asked me a bunch of questions to validate my identity since I’m just at the right age but too young to join the war. Happy?” I asked and stand up to move to a different location to finish my food.

The woman did not follow me and leave me alone. After I finished eating I head towards the room the commander told me to stay. Inside were two up and down beds and some closet enough to store clothes and equipment of four people.

I sat down on the right one occupying the lower bed. I unpacked my things and organize it inside the closet. It seems I’m the first one to have this room since there isn’t anything here other than my stuff.

After I finished organizing my stuff I lay down on the bed tried to sleep.

A few hours later three man entered the room, it seems they are also assigned here as my roommates. Two of them are brothers from a nearby village and the last one is the son of a village chief. I told them I don’t socialize with others and leave me alone. But they refused since were going to be in the same army.

Two days and two nights passed and were on our third day. There will be an announcement later this afternoon. The idiot’s or what I want to call my roommates kept on dragging me to different places around the barracks, the quarters and to the place where some female warriors stay. Which resulted to some minor incidents but we never get caught.

Now it’s time for the announcement and all of us are gathered in the great hall again this time it’s the moment where some truths will be reviled.

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Hi HalfSpicy here

you might notice this one does not have any onion kid pics

yep i really did not add one because i think it might destroy the mood of this chapter so i will leave everything to your imaginations buh bye until next chapter