She slipped and fell forward facing me, "Brakkk!!!". Before she fell, I also swiftly jumped to reach her hand where her elbow was still stuck on the slippery rock. But because it was slippery, she couldn't hold it so she slipped out. But I've managed to catch and try so hard to lift her.

"Hold on!!!" I said encouraging her.

"Hiyaaah!!!"

I feel nervous. I'm out of breath. Luckily, I managed to save her. She's on my chest. My hands were able to hug her. Shortly after, our eyes met. Her eyes are round, black, and clear. The lady blushed and got up, away from me.

"S-sorry. Thank you for saving me." Said the lady with a blush on her face.

"Oh. No problem. He-he." I got up and sat down. Then I asked, "What actually happened? If you don't mind, you can talk to me. Maybe pouring it out will make you feel better." I smiled warmly to greet her.

"My boyfriend lied. He left me and took my money away."

She seemed to be starting to cry again.

Meanwhile, the guy was having fun. You are the one who loses.It really hurts when you are betrayed.

Then I added, "It's easy to talk. But this is life.

The lady just looked at me and finally, she said, "You're right. But sometimes my heart is so hard to accept."

"" I smiled broadly to reassure her who was depressed, "

She was inspired and returned excited, seen from the look on her face full of hope.

Not long after, my stomach growled. "Growl."

"Oops. Sorry. " I blushed.

She smiled quietly. I am happy to see her cheerful and I become happier when she invited me to her house to eat. ️

I stood up and stretched out my hand to help her up while saying,

"Hi. My name is Ryan. What should I call you, lady?"

"Helcia." While reaching for Ryan's hand. "This person seems to open a new path for me. He is the hope of light for me." The lady said in her mind.

This unexpected encounter leads to the next story.

Along the way, we talked to each other.

"With whom do you live?" Asked me.

"I live with my father. We opened a small inn in this town."

"Wow. Sounds good." I thought. Compared to me who is unemployed that is not good.

"How about you?" She asked back.

"Uhm... I currently live in the forest, not far from where we met. Yes actually... I don't have a house. He-he." ️

"Ah... How about you stay at our inn?"

"Sorry, but I don't want to be a bother. Besides, I don't have enough money to pay."

"It's okay. It's not necessary."

"Then how about I help you all in exchange for paying for lodging and meals?"

"That's up to you. If that's what you want. So, what's your purpose here?"

"I plan to take the warrior's entrance exam."

"Being a warrior means you are ready to sacrifice your life." Behind Helcia's words, there was a hint of reluctance.

"Yes. That's it. Instead of me being unemployed." Seem I looked cheerful. But then I continued, "I think that this is my best choice." With eyes full of confidence looking at Helcia, I affirmed that my choice was not just a joke.

"That's good then. Good luck." Replied her.

Arriving at her inn, we were greeted by her father who panicked because she thought that she had lost his daughter. Then Helcia explained that I had saved her and asked if I could stay with them. Her father happily agreed.

"Come to think of it, I was really lucky. When I was filled with anxiety and despair, it seemed as if this opened a new path for me. I had to be even more active and always be grateful." I became optimistic.

In the room, Helcia smiling to herself said, "I think I've found a new soulmate." With feeling happy again and mixed with embarrassment. ️

*****

During these two weeks, I practiced self-defense, exercised to strengthen my physique, and learned royal knowledge from Helcia. Then the long-awaited day arrived.

The next day, Ryan and Helcia took a morning walk up the hill to breathe fresh air. Beautiful view before dawn. It doesn't feel like two weeks have passed. For Ryan, their relationship was like brother and sister. But not so for Helcia.

Standing on the hill with the sword on the left, a gift from Helcia's father. They gazed at the dawn together. The strands of hair swayed in the breeze.

"Yosh. Of course." I spoke firmly.

We left for the palace. We stopped at an eatery to fill our stomachs. While we were eating breakfast, suddenly there was a fight. Someone who doesn't pay.

The body is big enough for the size of the troublemaker.

"Sorry sir, you haven't paid," said the waiter.

"What? This food is not good. So, I have no obligation to pay for it. And you don't know who I am?"

"You loser," I spoke nonchalantly.

"Hey who's that barking."

"My name is not hey. Who cares who you are?"

"What? Just so you know, I'm a soldier."

"Huh? Don't badmouth the soldier's name with your attitude". I said lightly.

People laughed a little.

"Shut up!!!" Then he wanted to throw his fist at me, but I held it. "Hey. Watch your step."

The women there were fascinating.

I casually continued drinking tea and spoke. "You don't deserve the title even of the lower-class warrior with your arbitrarily and irresponsible attitude."

"You!!"

"If you want to fight, go outside." I looked into his eyes intently.

We also fought in the streets.

He threw his fists recklessly at me. Seeing the gap from his attack, I immediately kicked him in the abs. He stood up and was about to strike back. But I subdued him by hitting his back with my elbow.

When he woke up again, I took out a sword and hit him on the chin with the hilt of the sword. He fell.

"Oi. If you want to be a soldier, be an honorable soldier. Not even oppress the weak. Soldiers are there to protect."

The crowd there also cheered for Ryan's victory.

"S-sorry." said the big body.

"Eh?" I looked back.

"Thanks for teaching me up."

"This guy can be humble too," I thought.

I knelt on my right foot and reached out to him with a smile, saying, "Having power is to protect the weak."

He was touched.

Helcia also shook her head, " You make me anxious. But thank goodness." That's what made her even more amazed at Ryan.

The big body finally apologized and paid for the food to the shop owner.

At that time, someone saw our fight in the crowd.

"Interesting too." The gentleman smiled at what he just saw, "Let's go, Taddeus."

"Okay, prince."

We continued our journey. From afar, the splendor of the royal palace can be seen.

"Wow, that's magnificent!!!" I said admiringly seeing a palace in this country for the first time.

"Thank you for your help." I also bowed to Helcia.

Embarrassed Helcia then said, "It's okay. Let's raise your head. Shame to see people."

"Why should you be ashamed?" I asked innocently.

Helcia was so embarrassed. But just then, a person passed by Helcia's side. She immediately knew that he was an ex-lover.

Helcia was suddenly shocked, Ryan who saw it, then asked, "What's wrong?"

"I-it's Greig. The swindler."

I looked back. And ask which person?

"Wearing a golden peony patterned robe."

I also intended to fight him now, but Helcia was restrained. "Don't... don't ruin your day, Ryan."

I held myself back by clenching my fists. I walked into the gate and waved to Helcia.

Participants and the audience enter through different doors.

"Woah. Quite a lot of candidates too." I speak. "Watch out, Greig. You won't get away from me." I mumbled.

We were given directions in the hall.

The exam begins by explaining your goal and in the preliminary round, one group of ten people are in the arena together. The one who can survive is the winner.

Both semifinals. Battle one-on-one.

The next exam is the knowledge test.

Fourth is testing to find and retrieve documents.

The king, royals, and nobles sat on their thrones above. Then the king opened this tournament. The arena is circular in the open space with tiered seating.

Long story short, Ryan passed the first stage of the test, and when he said his purpose...

I know this is too naive, but that's what's on my mind."

People who were previously amazed at Ryan's ability to fight and survive against nine people, were now noisy and chaotic, as well as the royal family. Some of them underestimate him. How could it be? But some support it.

Then move on to the semi-final stage where he fights Greig.

"I heard that you are a commoner. A commoner like you doesn't deserve to enter as a knight." Greig said.

"Let's wait and see." I was patient too.

We fought. I got a few hits. And so is he. But my spirit is burning. Finally, I saw the gap and kicked him in the chest until he bounced off.

I walked slowly towards him while sheathing my sword, indicating the battle was over. Then I said loudly.

"What's wrong with a commoner than your attitude that doesn't deserve the title of nobility."

". You are a low-class noble and someone like you don't deserve to hold the title of nobility!" Ryan explained.

The audience was stunned. Helcia folded her fingers and touched to hear that, "Ryan ...." She mumbled.

I knelt on my left knee, bowed, and whispered, "I can still endure if you insult me, but if you've hurt another person until that person is depressed, I can't stay silent. Give Helcia her money back. Otherwise, I..."

"Fine... fine... I'll return it." said the frightened Greig.

"Good guy," smirked Ryan.

I stand up and raise my sword. The audience cheers. Helcia smiled happily.

I exited the arena and met Helcia who rushed to hug me while saying, "You didn't have to do it like this."

Helcia burst into tears. I waited for her emotions to subside and after she calmed down a bit, I returned the money that should have belonged to her.

"Thank you, Ryan. I don't know how to return your favor."

And once again, she embraced me.