House Rich... It wasn't rich because it had the strongest knights and mages. It was rich because of the A-rank dungeon created by Richard Rich, the founder of the House Rich, 800 years ago.
It was known as Richard Realm, where high-ranked mana cores and stones could be found. It was no wonder, House Rich grew stronger and richer with time.
The royal family and other noble families had tried to take over the dungeon countless times with political and shady means. But they never succeeded because House Rich could hire the best assassins and bodyguards in the world with its wealth.
But everything that goes up, eventually falls down.
While the House Rich was still extremely rich, the Richard Realm was reaching its limits to produce more valuables. And the current generation of House Rich weren't some elite nobles.
That's why they were recruiting new talents.
A whole coliseum was chosen for the recruitment ground where different types of tests took place, like running, lifting weights, swordmanship, archery, and other things.
By the end of the first day, 123 people got chosen for the next phase: dungeon raid.
Dominic got chosen too. He didn't use his body transformation ability because he looked different naturally from the previous Dominic.
He had cut his long black hair into a small size. His face looked like a man who went through real pain instead of a boy who only makes excuses. His body was like a sculptured statue, with detailed masculinity.
"Don't get it into your head that you are now part of House Rich. There is still a dungeon raid and an aptitude test. After passing them, you will be enrolled in the special academy of House Rich where you will receive proper teaching to become a part of the family. If you happen to have a special talent, then House Rich may even send you to Mithril Academy for further training. There you will get to learn with nobles, " A knight captain of House Rich was giving a speech, standing on a temporary stage, clad in a medieval noble shirt and pants. He didn't like to look flashy.
He was Derek Richman. His surname was an honour given by House Rich for his twenty years long service.
His eyes scanned the front rows only because they were the best of the rest.
Dominic was standing in the last column of the first row, but Derek found him familiar, yet he couldn't recognise him.
After all, he hadn't seen the 7th son of Baron Rich for 9 years. He was actually close to the genius son of the baron.
"Now, I will pick night guards. Samuel, James--and Dom. Theses men are the best of your batch. They will be sentries for tonight. Food ingredients and equipment for making tents have been placed in the center of the coliseum. Share each tent in a pair. Man with man, man with woman, or woman with woman... However you see fit, " Derek said before glancing one last time at Dominic.
Derek left the coliseum with soldiers of House Rich, leaving only the candidates in that big space that was like a haunted ring in the night.
Many people had died in this coliseum.
There were ghostly folklores about it too.
The oil lamps weren't bright enough to illuminate such large place. If someone were sitting in the highest seat of the coliseum, no one could see an attack from there.
Dominic didn't use his real name to lay low until the right time. He picked a shield and an oil lamp to sit on the edge of a large circular stage, which was made of really hard stones and used as a fighting ring or arena ring.
From there, he could see everyone. Including the female fighters. He scanned female fighters with Desire Eyes until he found the right one.
A red-haired girl with green pearl-like eyes. She was wearing a tight corset over her white blouse, making her D-cup sized jugs prominent. Her brown pants were highlighting her curves and thick thighs. Her boots said that she wasn't from a poor family.
[Name: Sylvia Clayton (36)
Species: Hybrid (human/elf)
Level: 10 (stuck)
Spirit: Forest Spirit (not awakened) (F-rank)
Rank: F (stuck)
Mana circle: 1 (stuck)
Mana: 340
Class: 1-star swordswoman (↑ can rise)
Stats: Attack (F), Defense (F), Speed (F), Stamina (F), Mind (F) Strength (F)]
Abilities: (none)
Skills: Clayton Mana Circulation (E-rank): A mana circulation skill that tunes with the earth element.
Clayton Sword Arts (D-rank): A sword art fitting for both men and women. It is focused on making heavy strikes]
[Love interest: There's no one she is interested in right now]
[Hints: She is aiming to become strong. She is so desperate that she would do anything to become strong. But don't jump at the gun. Iron doesn't melt instantly. She likes honest people]
'She is worth my time. I can start my conquest with her. I would like to do it right now but I have a bad feeling about this atmosphere, ' Dom thought while looking at his fellow patrol sentries and the dark regions of the coliseum.
"It is almost the 22nd hour of the day, "
A sweet girl who came to sit beside Dom said while looking at the moon and clear sky that was illuminated with trillions of stars.
The wind was mild but sweetly chilly. It made people a bit sleepy with every passing second.
But Dom had high fortitude (mental strength, don't confuse it with mind stat). He didn't need to chat to stay awake.
He quietly checked the status of the brunette beside him.
[Name: Serena Armstrong (23)
Species: human
Level: 15
Spirit: Cloud Spirit (not awakened) (E-rank)
Rank: E
Mana circle: 2
Mana: 1,200
Class: 2-star mage
Stats: Attack (E), Defense (F), Speed (E), Stamina (E), Mind (E), Strength (F)
Abilities: (none)
Skills: Elemental Casting (D-rank): She can cast up to 3-star magic spells with 2 mana circles of different elements, which are fire, ice, wind, and electricity.
Cloudborn Mana Circulation (D-rank): She can recover mana very efficiently]
[Love interest: She had a crush on a guy, but now she has gotten mature and is looking for a groom. Stay away from her unless you want to get hitched early]
[Hints: Just prove that you are a reliable guy. She might not join your harem but there's no harm in trying]
"Your name?" Dom asked.
He remembered that she was standing in the front row with him and Sylvia. A mage like her would definitely get chosen.
"Serena! Serena Armstrong! I know your name... Dom. Your punch on the attack test was as strong as a 2-star fighter. It was so fast and strong. What's your secret?" Serena was an extreme extrovert.
She was wearing a one-piece long dress with a shirt-like bottom. Her braided ponytail was one foot long, half a foot shorter than Sylvia's.
Dominic looked down at her bosom, 'I don't want to say it. But this magic girl with glasses can also be a good partner but her C-cups are a turn-off.'
Then he looked at her ass by leaning back a little, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Are you... Are you seriously checking me out? Right on my face?" Serena asked with a broken smile.
"Should I have done it secretly like others?" Dom asked, his eyes were similar to a tiger who was saying--
A hunting king doesn't hide like a fox.
Serena gulped down hard. She was 166 cm tall and 18 cm shorter than him. Even sitting together, their eyes couldn't meet in a straight line. She had to look up at his cold black eyes. She felt like a weak kitten in front of him.
Not knowing how to answer him, she looked away towards the bonfires where some dinner was being made.
To her surprise, Sylvia was coming towards them with bowls of broth in both of her hands.
Maybe it was because she was 178 cm tall and had a curvy figure. Her hips were swaying gracefully.
Jiggle-jiggle!!
The male candidates couldn't help but give short glances at her ass.
'Am I so charming that she is approaching me on her own?' Dom wondered.
He was definitely husband material by outside appearance and was the most eye-catching among the candidates. But he was the tallest or strongest guy there.
Sylvia halted in front of Dom and Serena who were sitting on the arena ring's edge.
Serena happily extended her hands, but Sylvia pulled away, "I am only serving the sentries."
Then her eyes turned to Dom; they were cold. "You should do your job seriously, like other sentries."
She handed him the bowl in her left hand. It had fewer ingredients than the right one. Swaying her ass, she walked up to the number one guy in their batch of candidates.
Dom smirked at her smartass attitude and drank the broth while handing the spoon to Serena.
"She is a slut, don't you think? I can understand she is jealous of my ranking, but how could she embarrass you? " Serena had already started hating her.
Gulp-gulp-gulp!!!
Dom really got a soup of broth with little vegetables but no meat or bones. He finished it in one fell swoop.
"Ahh--!" Dom groaned with satisfaction and looked at the ass that ignored him, 'That valley will be claimed by my flagpole. I can't wait to see your pointy ears, miss elf.'