Michael unsheathed his sword, frowning as the lowborn in front of him trembled. Lysa signalled the start of the duel, but Michael didn’t move, nor did the lowborn.

  Winds blew by as they stood facing each other. Michael scoffed. “First you insult me by not accepting my generous offer and now you expect me to make the first move, you mongrel?”

  The lowborn flinched, raising his gaze to meet Michael’s; he rushed forward. Clenching his fists, he threw a punch. Michael sidestepped and slashed upward, slicing the lowborn’s arm off, and before he could scream, he stabbed him in the chest and punched his jaw, sending a cracking sound across the ceremony grounds. The other applicants gasped, some lowborn flinched, and Cassandra clenched her fists watching her brother’s actions. Michael didn’t stop; he angled his sword to slice the lowborn’s head. But the knight in black armor caught his sword before he could swing it. He spoke, his tone low and quiet. “Stop.”

  Michael growled. “Unhand me, Robert.”

  “No. I will not.” He replied as he yanked the sword backward and punched Michael in the gut. Michael fell to his knees, coughing. The men in red-white clothing rushed to the lowborn and began treating him.

  Robert grabbed Michael by his collar and dragged him across the ground as Michael screamed. “How fucking dare you treat me like this, Robert? Unhand me NOW!”

  All other applicants watched silently as Robert dragged Michael upstage and threw him in front of the king and walked back to his seat.

  “Father, strip him of his title. How dare he treat me, the PRINCE, like a dog?!” Michael protested.

  The king sighed. “Quiet.” He glanced at Robert and then back at Michael and said, “Strip him of his title? How absurd. Be grateful he didn’t let you suffer the same fate as your opponent.” He stood and continued, “Even though you are a prince, a knight holds more value than you do.”

  He looked at the men in red-white clothing and said, “Treat him properly.”

  Ray shook his head. Look at the faint smirk on his lips. His Highness is a piece of shit.

  Mei Zhi chuckled. Typical royalty.

  “Michael,” the king said. “I will give you one last chance to prove yourself. Try to become a knight.” Glancing at Lysa, he added, “You can continue with the duels.”

  Lysa nodded and pointed at the groups coloured white and orange. “Step forward.” Jon smiled and said. “It’s Aidan in group white.” He cheered for him, followed by Elaira and Sera.

  Cassandra tilted her head and asked, “How do you know him, Sera?”

  “You could say we grew up together.” Sera replied with a smile. Jon added. “Also, he likes y-” Elaira stopped him mid-sentence with a punch and chuckled. Cassandra blinked and said, “Likes what?” Sera cleared her throat and replied, “Beef. He likes beef.”

  On the stage, a man in red-white clothing approached the headmaster and whispered something in his ear. The headmaster frowned, looked at Michael and said, “The lowborn is dead. He died of blood loss.” Glancing at the king, he said, “There was no need for that, Your Highness.”

  The king replied, uninterested, “Send the body to his home and…” He glanced at Michael, walking back downstage. “Say that it was an accident and the crown will reimburse.”

  The Duke sitting next to the king exchanged glances between the king and the headmaster and said, “Also mention who did it.” The king frowned. “What are you trying to do, Korax?”

  “Telling the deceased’s parents the truth.”

  The king shook his head. “No need. Michael has already learnt his lesson.” Cedric scoffed and said, “Learning a lesson does not bring back someone’s child.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The king took a deep breath and stood. The duels stopped before they even began as everyone turned to face him. He raised his hand and said, “The defeated opponent of Michael will join my army after he recovers as an apology from the crown.”

  Cedric, the duke, and the headmaster frowned, while the other applicants — nobles, gentry, and lowborn alike — cheered for the king’s announcement.

  Ray stared at the king with contempt. The lowborn is dead; I cannot hear his heartbeat. Is he trying to cover it up?

  “I have already made arrangements,” the king continued, “for his escort to the royal capital, and he’s on his way. The royal physician will look after him.” The cheers grew louder as the king turned and smirked at the duke, Cedric and the headmaster.

  Michael clicked his tongue and muttered, “He’s still alive? If I find him again, I’ll kill him for good.”

  Cassandra smiled. “Thank God he is okay.” Followed by Sera, Elaira, and Jon, who sighed, relieved.

  Mei Zhi scoffed. I really don’t like any of them.

  After a few moments, Lysa signalled the duels to start. Both groups had similar numbers of nobles, gentry and lowborn. The lowborn fought each other first. Half from each group passed; the other half left with their heads down. The gentry also faced a similar situation. Finally, it was Aidan’s turn, the first of the nobles to fight from each group.

  The teachers perked up, Lysa smirked and said, “Looks like we have a duel of the heirs of the two ducal houses.” She raised her hand and introduced the two of them. “Aidan Korax, son of Duke Korax, will now duel Victor Aetos, son of Duke Aetos.”

  The nobles cheered for each of them. Jon scratched his chin. “Is there another duke?” Sera nodded. “Yes, our kingdom has two ducal families, Aetos and Korax. Most of the nobles here are under either of them.”

  Cassandra added, “Duke Aetos does not like Duke Korax.” Jon asked, “Why? Shouldn’t they work with each other to protect our kingdom? Wait, what kingdom are we part of?”

  Sera, Elaira and Cassandra stared at him with their eyes widened. Cassandra chuckled, and Sera asked, “Are you stupid, Jon?”

  Jon gasped. “What? Why? I’m not from here; I’m from the north, from the Kingdom of Cryos.”

  Sera scoffed. “So what? I’m from the south; from Thyrion. And I know where we are and the name.”

  Jon sighed and said, “I’m not as smart as you.” Sera smirked. “Then you should have said yes when I asked if you were stupid.”

  Cassandra smiled and said, “This is the kingdom of Heliosia. It is in the center of the continent of Aestoriah.” Jon nodded. “I see. I understand.”

  Elaira interrupted. “Listen here, you three. The duel has started.”

  Aidan and Victor unsheathed their swords. The tense silence surrounded the entire ceremony grounds. The wind blew by, carrying the dust off the ground. High in the sky, the sun continued its stride across the playground of clouds.

  Aidan and Victor both took a deep breath and rushed at each other. The clash of swords replaced the silence across the area. The duel continued, with neither being above the other. Victor attacked; Aidan blocked. Aidan counterattacked; Victor dodged. The duel continued with both of them continuing their momentum.

  No words were spoken; the world around both of them had faded. Only they each remained in the other’s eyes.

  Ray’s eyes widened. Wait, did Aidan train his internal harmony? Of course he did; Julia probably taught him. He frowned, with a smirk. I can’t believe both of them are on the verge of unlocking their paths. I can’t fall behind.

  The teachers stood in their seats. Their eyes fixed on both of the applicants. The headmaster clenched his chair and smiled. A smile so wide it almost pierced his eyes.

  For the first time in Acacia’s history, two applicants would realize their paths at the entrance exam.

  All the cheers and anticipation did not reach the two. They continued fighting; blocking, dodging, counterattacking.

  Each pushing the other closer to their path. With one last block, the two jumped back, increasing the distance between them. They readied themselves with another deep breath, angled their swords and rushed forward for one last attack.

  Their swords clashed, and their backs faced each other. The tense moment of silence dispersed after a crack in steel followed. Their swords both broke in half. They straightened and stared at their broken swords and sighed as the world around them returned, cheers and all.

  “I admit my loss.” Both of them said in unison.

  The headmaster sighed and walked forward. “That was excellent. Although you did not achieve a breakthrough, I trust you are much closer to your own paths.” He clapped his hands; the teachers and other applicants followed suit.

  He then added, “Since you two showed such exponential growth, I’ll allow you both to enter Acacia.” He looked around at the applicants and then at the teachers. “Does anyone have any complaints?”

  Everyone shook their heads, and the duel finished with both the applicants passing.

  Victor and Aidan faced each other and shook ?hands. Aidan said, “When are you going to leave? I have some friends I’d like to introduce.” Victor smiled and shrugged. “Father will hate me for it, but I don’t like him anyway. Introduce me to them inside Acacia.”

  They both walked back to their groups, and the remaining duels continued.