Eugene looked around him as a question crossed his mind.
"How… are we supposed to reach that huge castle?"
A man pointed with his finger at a staircase to Eugene's left.
Eugene did not hesitate. He walked over and descended the stairs, heading toward the castle. After a short distance—about three minutes—he reached an open area outside the fortress, where a massive gate led directly inside.
Eugene walked forward and entered through the gate. He noticed many guards, bows, and watch mechanisms positioned around the castle and above it.
He began walking, passing by groups of guards and several women wearing loose brown clothing with long skirts of the same color. There were also men wearing similar clothing, though in a male style.
Are they servants… or something?
He noticed that everyone who passed near them looked at him with expressions that were a mixture of curiosity, astonishment, and a slight hint of fear.
The man spoke in a calm, teasing tone.
"Heh… it seems they're interested in the shape of your eyes. Some of them look a little scared as well."
Eugene glanced at them from the corner of his eye and felt a small sense of satisfaction.
"Haha… I've already become the center of their attention on my very first day," Eugene joked, confidence filling his voice.
"Hahaha… you're arrogant, kid."
The castle had large windows that allowed air to flow inside, many red doors, a hard stone floor, and the empire's emblem on almost every wall.
After a few more minutes, they reached the end of the path where an iron railing formed a circular boundary. Directly in front of it was a staircase descending downward.
Eugene stopped at the stairs and cast a glance below.
A large space stretched beneath them, filled with wooden tables and chairs, a white carpet marked with straight brown lines, and stone pillars standing along the sides.
"Is this a dining place?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he began descending.
"More or less. It's a place for food and meetings."
"Then why isn't it placed along the wall?"
"Because most guards and patrols move through this side."
After Eugene stepped on the last stair, he noticed details he hadn't seen from above.
Five imperial flags hung from the iron railing, and above them was a large circular opening in the ceiling made of glass.
The man lightly pushed Eugene forward.
"Hurry up, or it'll be over."
"What will be over?"
"If you don't move, you won't know."
They continued walking until they reached a door that led directly onto a bridge.
Tak… tak… tak…
Eugene noticed the sound of his footsteps on the bridge.
It seems the bridge is made from lower-quality materials, he thought with curiosity, though he continued walking.
He moved toward the left side of the bridge, where he could now see what lay beneath it.
Below was a long sandy road that stretched into a forest.
"Do caravans pass through here?"
The man moved to the far end of the bridge and stood behind Eugene as he answered.
"Yes, but not always."
Eugene narrowed his eyes slightly while looking down, lost in thought.
"Don't think about going down there in the future."
Eugene looked at the man, who had placed his hand behind his head while quickening his steps.
"And how do you know I want to go down?"
"I recognize that look. Curiosity… and the desire to try. I thought the same thing when I first came here."
"Hahaha… it seems you're like me." Eugene's tone became noticeably more relaxed compared to the caution and seriousness in his earlier voice.
Eugene moved forward again, and as he approached a massive arena, the whispering wind carried with it the sound of clashing swords.
When he stepped inside, his gaze immediately fell upon new students—or in other words, newly recruited knights—standing in a circle.
In the center, two students were fighting.
"What's going on?"
"It's a training round… or rather, a skill assessment for the new knights."
Eugene stood beside them, watching the two students exchange strikes.
Clang… clang… clang…
Boom… thud.
One of the students, who had red hair, managed to land a quick strike that caused the other to lose his balance and fall to the ground.
The same bald man who had been standing beside Thor spoke in a dry, heavy tone.
"Alright. The seventh match is over. Who's left?"
A chubby student with a round face and blue eyes raised his hand.
"You're the only one!" The bald man looked surprised for a moment before hearing a familiar sound.
Thud.
"That's the last one as well."
The man lightly pushed Eugene forward.
The bald man's gaze was drawn to Eugene's eyes, and surprise appeared on his face for a brief moment.
"Alright. The eighth and final round. Step forward."
Well… at least there's some excitement, Eugene thought. Yet his expression remained cold and indifferent.
The chubby student stepped forward while holding a sword. His hand trembled slightly as he swallowed nervously.
Ah… what's wrong with this guy? He's nervous… and scared, Eugene thought with clear disappointment.
Eugene drew his sword from its sheath, pointing it forward while planting his foot firmly on the ground, his gaze sharp.
He waited a few seconds for the other to move first, but the man remained frozen in fear.
"Damn."
Whoosh.
Eugene suddenly rushed forward, raising his sword overhead.
The chubby student panicked instantly and fell to the ground like a frightened child.
The bald man placed his hand on his face, muttering with clear disappointment.
"Damn… he's incredibly cowardly."
Then he spoke loudly.
"Alright. You can go back."
Laughter spread among the new knights.
"What a cowardly bear."
"Is that really a man?"
"No way… hahaha."
"What did he even come here for?"
Mocking whispers filled the air.
Eugene extended his hand toward the chubby student and helped him stand.
Damn, he's heavy… what does this guy eat? Eugene thought as he struggled slightly to lift him.
Eugene turned around to head back, but a voice called out behind him.
"Kid… where do you think you're going?"
Eugene turned toward the bald man, while the students looked as well.
Eugene raised an eyebrow and stared at him.
"What do you mean where? Didn't you say to go back?"
"He went back," the bald man said, pointing toward the chubby student. "And since he withdrew before the match even started…"
The bald man drew his sword from its sheath.
"You'll face me instead."
Silence spread among everyone for several seconds.
"Hey Eig, what are you saying? A beginner can't possibly fight you!" one man said in shock.
"Shut up, Ned. This stage exists to measure their abilities. I need to test his level."
"Then why not let one of the new knights fight him?"
"Most of them are exhausted. Besides, this is my decision… unless you want to test him instead." His tone remained calm and slow.
Eugene sighed, tension clearly tightening his heart, though his face remained cold as he prepared himself to face Eig.
"I don't mind," Ned said with a smile, excitement in his voice.
Eig returned his sword to its sheath without the slightest surprise.
"Huh…?" Eugene looked confused.
But suddenly Ned grabbed a sword from a knight beside him and drew it quickly from its sheath.
Eugene's eyes widened as he saw Ned rush toward him. He didn't even process what was happening until the blade was already close to his face.
Clang!
Eugene instantly drew his sword, blocking Ned's sudden attack.
Boom.
Eugene jumped backward after kicking Ned in the stomach.
"Ouch… damn, what a solid body," Eugene muttered in pain.
But Ned gave him no chance to recover and rushed forward again.
"Try to keep up, kid."
Clang clang clang clang.
Ned unleashed a rapid series of strikes.
Eugene managed to block them all—but with difficulty.
"You're not bad… for a beginner."
Ned pulled his arm back while staring sharply at Eugene.
Eugene's eyes widened.
What is he planning?
Boom.
In an instant, Ned appeared behind Eugene.
Eugene's heartbeat accelerated as he gritted his teeth.
Clang!
He spun around and blocked the strike, sparks scattering from the collision.
The force of the impact sent Eugene flying backward. He managed to land on his feet, but only for a moment before collapsing onto the ground.
Thud.
"Damn… this ground is extremely hard."
"Hahaha… of course it is. It's made of metal."
Everyone around them looked astonished.
"He kept up with him!"
"Who is this guy?"
"I don't know… but he seems skilled with a sword."
Ned stood straight, raising his sword.
Meanwhile Eugene got up from the ground, the lower part of his body aching.
"Ahhh…" Ned took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
Then, with incredible speed, he moved and reached Eugene instantly.
"Hah!"
Boom.
He delivered a powerful strike, but Eugene blocked it as usual.
Boom boom boom.
Ned continued with rapid attacks, moving left and right while delivering quick strikes.
Boom boom boom.
Damn… why are his strikes so fast? Eugene thought.
Eugene stepped back and suddenly threw his sword into the air.
Before launching a swift kick.
Ned grabbed Eugene's leg—but Eugene used that grip as a pivot point, lifting himself upward while catching the sword that was still in the air.
Whoosh.
He launched a swift attack.
Ned smiled with excitement and thrill.
Expressions of shock spread across the faces of most of the onlookers.
Clang.
Ned moved his hand quickly, blocking Eugene's strike.
Boom.
But Eugene followed with a powerful kick to Ned's face.
Ned lost his balance.
In the end, experience prevailed.
Ned jumped backward with a backward flip, dodging Eugene's attack.
Then he delivered a strike with his sword—
Clang.
Sending Eugene's sword flying out of his hand.
Tap… tap… tap.
Ned landed on his feet, needing a few seconds to regain his balance. A small trail of blood flowed from his nose.
Thud.
Eugene fell face-first onto the ground but quickly stood up again.
His hand trembled slightly—he still wasn't used to fighting like this.
"Alright, the round is over," Eig said as he walked toward the exit.
"Wait… what do you mean it's over? Neither of us surrendered!" Ned said with clear dissatisfaction and surprise.
"He's right. Then who won?" Eugene asked, though he quickly accepted the situation.
"No one won. It's a draw. Now head back to the camp behind the wall."
"Wait, Eig! What do you mean a draw?" Ned rushed after him as Eig continued walking.
The knights followed behind them.
Eugene quickly moved after them as well.
"He's really skilled."
"Was he trained by a master?"
"Maybe he's from a wealthy family."
"It was probably just luck."
The students whispered among themselves.
Meanwhile Eugene walked ahead of them all, following behind Ned and Eig.
Excitement and satisfaction grew inside him—
—and with them, his pride continued to rise.
End of Chapter