The trumpet sounded. The first set of battles began.
"Whoa, this is fun," Keith said.
"Ease up. They're not here to kill each other. Just push each other off the platform," Earl explained.
G6 remained silent, leaning back, arms and legs crossed—a predator at the pyramid's peak, scanning for the unworthy.
Prince Dio glanced at her, studying the unpredictable storm beside him, careful not to press her buttons.
"NOW, THE FIRST SET BEGINS!"
The first applicants emerged from the gates. Minutes later, another trumpet sounded.
Chaos erupted. Swords clashed, grunts filled the air. A large man with an axe swept a wide arc. A slimmer applicant ducked and shoved him off the edge. To the left, two women fought back-to-back with staves, disarming opponents who tumbled onto safety mats. A brutal test of strength, strategy, endurance.
G6 sighed, face displeased.
It's so noisy. They're not even good; some are just big. What kind of exam is this? Losing interest. Talking to a wall was more interesting.
Her thoughts were complaints. Weapon sounds were static. Grunts and shouts, a disturbance.
After twelve minutes, the first set ended with twenty left standing.
The next set began—same routine. G6's face died of boredom. She dozed off until the final set.
"NOW, THE LAST SET!" The speaker snapped her eyes open.
Finally. I have business.
The last applicants moved in. G6's eyes caught on a small figure.
"Oh?" she said aloud, making her seatmates turn.
"What's wrong?" Prince Dio asked.
"Why is there a child? This is sixteen and up, isn't it?" G6 asked, voice serious.
"A child? That can't be," Earl said, standing to scan. "I don't see anyone."
"Are you sure? I just saw one." Her eyes scanned the crowd. Where the hell did he hide?
"Reise, are you sure you didn't mistake it?" Earl asked, sitting back down.
"Tsk. Maybe," G6 said, ending it.
As the trumpet sounded to begin, her instincts said otherwise.
<
Her eyes glowed faint oblong white. She scanned, found him.
See? I'm right. How the hell did a child slip in? Eh, who cares.
She kept eyes on the child, a foot taller than Lilia, maybe eleven or twelve.
This child… oddly familiar. Where have I seen him?
The boy expertly avoided conflict.
Hmm… using Physical Enhancement. Not an expert, but controlled. Knows his limits. Potential.
G6's focus grabbed Prince Dio's attention. He saw her eyes glowing oblong. His brows furrowed.
What is that? Not a spell. A skill? I don't recall a skill that makes eyes glow.
G6 assessed the boy.
He moved not with brute force, but preternatural awareness. Flowing, not attacking. A large man swung a practice sword wildly; the boy took a single precise step inside the swing's arc, his small frame passing harmlessly by. As the man stumbled from momentum, the boy placed a hand on his back and pushed, sending him off the platform. Effortless redirection. Too refined, too economical to be luck. The beginning of a technique.
G6 scoffed, a sound of proud recognition. Yet displeased. Why is he working so hard? Pathetic.
The trumpet sounded. Battle ended.
"ALL SETS HAVE ENDED! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PASSED!" Winners cheered.
Yet, below, a man silently raised a thorned bat weapon against the boy's unguarded back. In a blink, G6 stood.
<
Bullet of Death.
A gun-finger pointed. A bullet of compressed wind shot forth, striking his hand.
The man screamed, weapon falling. The scream drew attention, faces filling with fear. The spell punctured a clean hole through his hand, blood flowing aggressively.
"WHAT THE HELL!"
"WHO DID THAT?!"
Earl recognized the spell. He stood, grabbing G6's wrist.
"REISE! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!"
Prince Dio shot up, clamping down on Earl's hand. "I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THAT!" Fury directed at Earl for touching her aggressively.
"Calm down! Prince Dio… Earl!" Brenda panicked.
"That man was trying to swing his weapon at the child you said didn't exist," G6 stated flatly, not flinching.
Earl calmed, releasing her wrist as Prince Dio moved his hand away. He looked down. Shame softened anger. There was a child.
"You're right…" Earl whispered, voice failing.
G6 scanned. And others were obviously surprised by this sudden outbursts and confrontation.
G6 sighed, turned her back, and faced the crowd. Palace medics attended the wounded man.
Whisper of the Gale.
Her voice carried clearly. "I don't adhere to unfair battles. If you lost, you were too weak. Any attempt to harm someone because you can't accept failure is forbidden on my watch. Try it again when I'm not looking." Cold, logical. "Apprehend that man. He attempted to assault a child."
She turned away. Her gaze landed on Earl. The air grew cold.
"The next time you grab me carelessly, your hand is next."
Flat finality. A chill down spines. A reminder: she was not nice. Boundaries crossed without consent met with brutal finality.
"Reise… I'm sorry," Earl said, voice weak with shame.
G6 didn't answer. She turned and walked away in silence, followed by her trio.
The silence she left was suffocating. Keith spoke.
"Why yell at her? You lost your mind."
"Do not forget your place, Earl Nocturne," Prince Dio said, tone icy, before leaving.
"Now both are mad. You know how bad it is when Dio's mad," Keith added.
"Shut it, Keith. Earl knows what he did. For now, proceed to the final step," Brenda said, restoring order.
They agreed, the day marked by the chill of G6's warning.
❈.❈.❈
"Do you know that child?" Edmund asked as they walked toward the arena extension where passed applicants waited.
"He looks familiar."
"You seem too agitated. Was it because of Her Majesty?" Edmund whispered.
"Perhaps. Things aren't going well. Mystery after mystery. Problem after problem," G6 said, uncomfortable.
"I understand."
Tina and Lilia walked quietly behind.
"Reise." Prince Dio's voice from behind.
G6 didn't stop. Prince Dio hurried to her side. Edmund fell back with the maids.
"Forgive Earl."
"I'm not mad."
"Are you sure?"
"Aren't you the one who should forgive him?" G6 asked, turning her head without breaking stride.
"I was… startled by how carelessly he grabbed you. But you know Earl; he's too dignified to usually act that way."
"Stop worrying about my feelings toward that geek. I was just reminding him of his place." G6 stopped walking.
"I see. Glad to hear that," Prince Dio said, calmer.
"Lead the way. What are you standing there for?" Annoyed. She'd stopped because she didn't know the destination.
Prince Dio collected himself, silently leading to the arena extension.
「EXTENSION OF ARENA」
They entered. G6 scanned the 'winners,' looking for the child.
"Silence! His Highness and Pillars have arrived."
Whispers broke out.
"Isn't one the one who attacked an applicant?"
"Really? Who?"
"I don't know."
Stupid gossips.
"Lady Reise," Brenda called as she and the others arrived.
Earl's eyes briefly met G6's before he looked away, figuring how to appease her.
"Oh, you're here. What's next?" G6 asked.
"We'll explain the contract and situation, as Earl said, so they can decide," Zen replied. "Earl isn't in the mood. I'll take his role. Excuse me." He walked toward Prince Dio, speaking with palace staff.
Keith stayed beside Earl, not his usual diplomatic self. "Never seen you so small."
"Shut up, Keith. I'll take my embarrassment out on you." Earl.
"Don't. Your own fault." Keith shot back. "Anyway, don't worry. Once snow white calms down, he'll talk to you."
"Dio isn't my concern," Earl said, gaze drifting toward G6.
"I know. Wait until smoke clears. You know her—unpredictable, hates being manhandled." Keith.
"You think?" Earl.
"You're a handful to reassure! Pull yourself together; you're pissing me off!" Keith walked away.
"That stupid guy," Earl mused, slapping his cheeks to compose himself before joining the crowd.
Eliza stood like a silent statue near Brenda and G6.
"I wonder if that man is all right," Eliza said, referring to the shot man.
"Why don't you use your magic on him, then?" G6 said, displeased.
"He was taken by palace knights… probably interrogated." Eliza.
"Then, silence." G6's voice flat, chilling.
Brenda offered Eliza a wary smile.
Suddenly, a girl shouted at G6. "HEY, YOU WENCH!"
Brenda and Eliza were flustered.
"Excuse me? Who do you think you're talking to?" Brenda demanded, angered.
"Please forgive our Captain!" a boy said, frantically bowing.
"Captain? Are you a party from the Adventurers' Guild?" Brenda.
"Yes, why?" the girl said, still proud.
Isn't this the same brat from the guild? What the fuck is she doing here? G6 remained silent.
Brenda scoffed. "I TOLD YOU TO WATCH WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO!" Voice high.
G6's eyes twitched toward Brenda's outburst.
"Calm down, Bre," G6 said, making Brenda retreat slightly behind her.
"What's your problem?" G6 asked Riza, as if first meeting.
"Nothing. You just have the same hair color as a bitch I hate. But hers is longer, more vivid," Riza said, clearly referring to the woman in front of her.
As G6 Arcadia, her hair was styled differently, and no one at the guild had seen her eyes—she always wore sunglasses. Safe.
Don't tell me. Edmund, you good-for-nothing. Was this the reason for his weird getup? To avoid recognition?
"So, I resemble the hair of a woman you hate, and you bluntly disrespect me?" G6's voice dropped dangerously.
"W-what are you talking about…" Riza backed away.
"Didn't you see her crest? She's a Worthon! And the other is Nocturne! Captain, you must be looking forward to death!" Rich exclaimed.
"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Useless!" Riza panicked.
"How could you not know? Pillar crests, alongside royal, are common knowledge!" Rich retorted.
"Hey, you common folks. Weren't you taught how to act inside the palace? And is that the right manner in front of the nobility?" Brenda asked, her one brow raised and her arms were crossed.
"What's going on? Riza, you promised no trouble in exchange for tagging along," a familiar voice cut through.
Fuck.The social maniac. Where the hell is Edmund?
"Captain Sebastian!" Rich called.
"Riza yelled at, disrespected the Pillar nobles," Rich whispered.
"What? Riza, you promised! Apologize now!" Sebastian
Riza hesitantly bowed. "Please forgive my disrespect. Spare us."
"What does she mean, 'us'? Dragging us?" Rich whispered fearfully.
Sebastian looked at G6. Time stopped. First time seeing her as Reise Worthon, but his foolish heart beat the same as for G6 Arcadia.
"G-G6?" he whispered.
Is this annoying pink hair not common in this fucking place?
"What are you talking about, Captain? You lost it. Xena, do something!" Nick said.
G6 cleared her throat. "Raise your head, foolish girl. Next time you speak to me so casually, I'll have your head as payment." A threat.
Riza hiccupped in fear. Rich bit fingernails frantically.
"Forgive her, my lady," Sebastian said. "And forgive me for mistaking you for a woman I know. You oddly resemble her hair." A curt bow.
"What? Lady Reise's hair is innate! How dare you compare her hair, she's the original!" Brenda retorted, displeased. "Tsk, pissing me off," still crossed arms.
Look at this woman, I don't think this is my doing anymore. She must have really lost it.
"Lady Reise!" Edmund called, emerging.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Forgive me. His Highness asked us to help hand out forms and contracts. Tina and Lilia are still helping."
"Good. Take these people aside. Keep away; they're annoying." G6 gestured.
"Again, forgive me, my lady," Sebastian said, "and you, miss," nodding to Brenda.
"If forgiveness is easily given, the world would've been peaceful." G6 left as Edmund intervened.
Brenda threw a sharp glance, followed. Eliza offered a quick nod, left.
As G6 retreated, Sebastian watched. "She feels oddly like her."
"Captain, seems in love with G6," Xena said. "Fill this out, read the contract before you and Riza lose heads. That lady's temper seems worse than G6's."
"I was about to say," Dante agreed. "Captain is always attracted to complicated ladies," making Xena and Nick laugh.
"No way! Sebastian! You're in love with that witch adventurer?" Riza whined, herself in love.
"Lower your voice. And you two, stop," Sebastian said.
Edmund quietly handed forms and contracts, and left them.
G6 strode to the stage where seats were set. She sat with an annoyed sigh, next to Earl. He awkwardly avoided her gaze, sensing foul mood.
I just told Edmund how complicated, and now these stupid fools. Why apply? Fuck.
Pure annoyance. Prince Dio, standing front with Zen, turned, observed her.
"I wonder what's wrong now," he said aloud.
Zen heard, followed gaze. "Lady Reise seems perpetually unhappy. I conclude that's simply her way," with a smile.
"Did I say that aloud?" Prince Dio sighed. "Shall we get this over with?" Zen nodded.
On her side, G6 boiled with internal rage, unaware of surroundings.
How do I get rid of them? Annoying.
Keith slid into the seat beside her, shoving Brenda away as she was about to sit. "You, Keith! I was about to sit!"
"Don't be a baby! You live with her; give me a break!" Keith barked. Brenda huffed, sat next to him. Eliza already sat quietly beside silent Earl.
"Now, if you have forms and contracts, read carefully before filling out," Zen began.
The crowd examined contracts.
"Before that! Excuse me! How did this kid get in?" a man asked, pointing at the boy standing quietly aside.
G6's attention snapped back. Prince Dio and Zen also looked.
"Registry staff! How did a child slip through?" Prince Dio asked, displeasure clear.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. Only two of us earlier, many applicants."
"Unacceptable. The child is disqualified. No place for playtime." The boy's brows furrowed in defiance.
"Wait! Your Highness!" the boy shouted. "I know lying is nothing proud, but I earned this! I passed written and battle exams. The only trick was my age!"
G6 remembered him. The beggar child. What is he doing here? Free food and shelter? Ah, what a lousy kingdom—seems rich, yet people like this.
"What you did is unforgivable. Even if earned, rules are clear. Sixteen and above," Prince Dio stated firmly.
"I'm fourteen! And… I'm not here to play; I can help!"
"Hey, kid, go home. Don't argue. Not for you," one man said.
"Right," another agreed.
The crowd murmured consensus. The boy lowered his head; desperate plea falling on deaf ears. Potential not enough.
G6's eyes remained locked, observing every emotion.
If left to roam, he'll turn to crime.
"Tell me, kid…" she said from her seat, drawing all attention. "What's your reason? Are you aware why this rushed recruitment is happening?"
The boy raised his head, looking straight at her. "I'm not yet aware… but I see it as an opportunity. To train to become a knight. Protect the helpless." Voice desperate.
The crowd's focus entirely on him. Weight of noble gazes, all stares.
"And why? Why protect the helpless when you almost lost your head earlier? Idealistic or ignorant?" G6 asked, flat tone stark contrast to usual ruthlessness.
Tina lowered her head in pity. Lilia stood quietly.
"I don't know if either… but I want to be a person who can protect the helpless, people like me…" he gathered courage to meet G6's intimidating stare. "I want to be like the person I look up to. The only one who truly saw my agony. Who purposely shattered the wrong hope I clung to and gave me a new one. A better one." On the verge of tears.
He remembered the ruthless woman who saved him from high commoners bullying in the street. Who stepped on the bread—his first meal in days—only to give a gold coin for clean, new food. Who saved him from turning criminal. That woman was G6.
G6 narrowed her eyes. This kid. Must be stupid. What kind of sick person gave him that thinking? This why I hate dreamy people.
"Sobbing story. Now take it with you as you leave," G6 said, no empathy.
But his next words made her freeze. "Thank you for saving me again," he said, still looking, smiling.
Again? Wait—don't tell me—referring to me? This pathetic child, did he recognize me?
G6 realized the sick person was her.
Prince Dio and Zen furrowed brows. "Again?" Keith mused.
"Take that kid out," Zen said politely to staff.
"Let him join," G6 said, taking back words. "I saw how he fought. Could be great support."
"Are you sure, Reise? He's just a child," Prince Dio said.
"He's a street child. Life experience greater than age. Take him."
Prince Dio, unable to refuse G6, conceded. "Then, as per my fiancée's request, you may join. But only after hearing full explanation."
A glimmer of hope flooded the boy's face. He smiled.
How the hell did he recognize me? Why remember? Deal with him later.
"Dio really becoming a 'yes' master to you," Keith giggled.
"Keep quiet; too loud."
"Come on, mean. My voice practically a whisper!" Keith pouted.
G6 stared sharply.
Then, a gaze from below. Sebastian.
What is this sicko looking at? Makes me want to blind those eyes. Creep.
"Now, begin," Zen said, regaining control. "Reason for sudden recruitment: Northern Kingdom activated knight forces."
The crowd murmured, asking if war coming.
Prince Dio cleared his throat. "We don't yet know the exact reason. But as the Queen says, prevention is better than cure," calming.
"Your Highness, mention monster disturbance?" Zen whispered.
"Not yet. Unsure of the situation. Potential breach in Charnel Lands barrier more terrifying than kingdom recruiting knights."
"That's the full reason. If unwilling to bet on prevention, leave forms and contracts, depart," Prince Dio announced. "However, as mentioned, pay twice daily. Nearly a noble knight salary."
That damn cement. Hit them where it hurts—stomachs. G6 observed.
"That's all. Wait five minutes to fill forms, read contracts," Zen said.
He and Prince Dio walked from center stage, sat beside G6 and others. Prince Dio sat quietly near Earl, didn't look at him—anger not subsided.
Keith, sensing tension, stood, moved the chair between them. Eliza, beside Earl, blocked by Keith's chair, broad shoulders. He launched into pure nonsense conversation, making the two men shoot warning looks to shut up. Keith grinned, continued.
On the other side, Brenda scooted closer to G6, quietly satisfied.
Lilia approached with a glass of water. "Here, Lady Reise! You must be thirsty. Still cool," smiling, trying to cool the heated mistress.
G6 took the glass, gulped water as if swallowing annoyance, day's accumulated problems.
"Would you like one, Lady Brenda?"
"Yes, please, no trouble," Brenda returned with a sweet smile.
Lilia nodded, cheerfully went to fetch another.
"Lady Reise, do you think the Charnel border barrier has fallen?" Brenda asked, worried.
"Don't know. Couldn't care enough." G6 said, crossing her arms.
"If it has, first towns in danger near Scutum… World becoming complicated," Brenda frowned.
"World always complicated, Brenda," G6 said, eyes fixed on the crowd. "Look how desperate to gamble lives in the unknown." Added, "All for money."
Brenda looked at the busy crowd, excitedly filling forms, motivated by high pay. "Indeed…"
"You never know how chaotic the world is if you don't go see for yourself. Not everyone lives in luxury. Most gamble everything just to survive." G6 said, watching the people below the platform.
Brenda looked with awe. As heiress of First Pillar, she should be most ignorant of commoner struggles, yet spoke as if she saw the world at its worst.
Before Brenda could reply, Lilia returned, carefully carrying two more glasses. "Here, Lady Brenda!"
Five minutes ended. Zen stood. "Time's up. Those who decided to stay, lined up to submit forms. Those chosen to leave, do so now with thanks."
The vast majority moved into line, faced determination and anxiety. A few hesitant joined, none left.
So, no one ran away? Well, pay's tempting. Cunning move.
G6 watched the boy—street child—clutch form tightly, small frame tall amidst adults.
You've chosen your gamble, kid. Let's see how far you'll go.
As staff gathered forms, Zen moved to center stage.
"Grateful all eligible people decided to stay. For now, return home, deliver news to families. Return tomorrow at six at the morning to process identification cards. Latecomers not permitted, as afternoon scheduled for formal introduction to Bastion and superiors." Crowd silent, absorbing. "I repeat, six tomorrow morning. Professional Guild staff waiting. Concludes proceedings today. May God Eldrin bless us all." He retreated.
G6 immediately rose, signaling Edmund with eyes to meet downstairs. She descended, Edmund followed before anyone noticed.
They met at the hallway end, far from the stage. "Edmund, get that boy," G6 commanded. Edmund didn't ask, followed orders.
A minute later, Edmund returned with the boy, looking every bit beggar.
"My lady!" cheerful, recognizing.
"Shut it. 'Thank you AGAIN'?" Flat tone.
"You know."
"I don't."
"Hey, brat, answer properly," Edmund retorted, finally taking off strange eyeglasses. "These things make my head spin."
"It was obviously you who helped me! Look," the boy revealed the gold coin G6 gave.
G6's brows furrowed. He didn't spend it?
"I don't know anything about that," maintaining the facade.
"The moment I saw you during the opening speech, I had a feeling. You may look different, but I knew."
"What are you talking about? Nuts?"
"The way you move, speak, presence… I knew. And… your hair! And you love of the absence of color." referring to all-black attire.
Fucking hair again? And my love of what?
"Your disguise is perfect! Your hair is the only mark of you since your eyes were covered, it is common anyway. I was doubtful until you attacked that man during the battle exam," answering unspoken thoughts.
"Watch your mouth. I didn't do it for you; just don't like dirty tricks on my watch. And you're wrong. Not the woman you refer to. Delusional."
The boy smiled, understanding why she wouldn't admit it. "I'll take it as that, then, my lady! Grateful you allowed my application."
"What's your name?"
"Pete!"
"Leave now, Pete. Pack things, as you'll lodge in Bastion."
Pete looked down. "I… have nothing to pack…" whispered.
Ah. Right. Beggar. Pain in the neck.
"Edmund, can't he lodge in Bastion yet?"
"No, Lady Reise. Not issued a staff card."
Silence. "Then have him stay at the Utility Magic Department tonight."
"Are you certain?" Edmund asked, looking at Pete.
"Yes. Tell Felicia. Attend to brat, ensure he doesn't do foolish things." Pete stood quietly.
"Then, if order, I follow," Edmund bowed. "In that case, return to West Villa first?"
"Hmm. Suppose. Take care of him." G6 began to walk away.
"Thank you, Lady Reise!" Pete yelled, not questioning the arrangement.
The gesture wasn't a worry. But the danger of double life getting out, as the Queen already blatantly declared she knows. On a day full of problems, G6 couldn't afford letting the boy roam free.
Nobles at palace arena gate, waiting for G6 and Edmund.
"I wonder where," Brenda said.
"Those two. Always move first without telling," Keith remarked.
Prince Dio silent, also wondering.
Lilia and Tina stood silently, equally unaware.
G6 emerged alone.
"Lady Reise! There. Let's return to the palace, use teleportation to Collegium," Brenda smiled.
"Unnecessary. Returning to the villa with Tina and Lilia. Let's go. I'm tired."
"What about Edmund?" Tina asked.
"Told him to attend something at Utility Magic. Return when finished."
"Reise, taking carriage?" Prince Dio asked.
"Obviously. Why walk? Just said tired," losing composure.
Keith struggled to contain laughter, fearing Prince Dio would finally lose temper, setting him on fire.
"Lady Reise, all right if I join?" Brenda asked, trying to tag along.
"You cannot. Still have an hour left in working hours. Attend obligations,"
Prince Dio said sharply, not allowing extra time with G6.
"What a pain," Brenda mused.
"Then, return to villa early, rest," Prince Dio said to G6.
No answer. She left with Tina and Lilia.
Others sighed, made their way back into the palace to teleport to Collegium.
The day's tumultuous events drew to a close. As G6 departed, the weight of it all settled upon her: the recruitment, the secret shared with Edmund, the Queen's looming knowledge. Behind her, the fractured noble dynamics—Prince Dio's simmering frustration, the Earl's shame, Brenda's unwavering fascination—lingered in the arena's shadow. The kingdom had gained its new knights, but the most dangerous player had been cornered in a game she never asked to play.
The pieces were now in motion. The next move was hers alone.
—To Be Continued…—