The gymnasium is blessed by the presence of The Pirate King of the Thousand Isles and The Fortress of Florence, even just a split second of their images would leave people in awe for the whole week.
After defeating the Demon Lord about 50 years ago the world celebrated and the party was renowned as the legendary party to have ever made throughout history. The Demon Lord was not something to belittle, he almost, singlehandedly, brought destruction if it weren't for the legendary party.
The legendary party lived their life in prestige and honor. One can hear songs of their journeys, tales of their adventures and already a being thought in school as the turning point of human history. Now that they are at their late nineties, the legends are now at their peak. The life expectancy of an average human being would reach a hundred and fifty so both are still at the peak of their primes.
Ms. Castle rushed to Kray and hugged him tightly while also swinging him around.
"I... Can't... Breathe..." Kray grasping for air,
Ms. Castle placed him back as Kray was coughing, he was about to count the stars slowly showing up his head.
"I was worried that you wont qualify for the examination. Looks like old man over here reconsidered and saw your potential, otherwise I would have to scold, old man over here." She said in worry and pouted,
"Hohohoho. We don't have to resort to such matter." Principal Frank said with a jolly tone,
"So this is the child of Sheila." Mr. Gustav said,
"Isn't he cute?" She giggled,
"Cute could be considered an understatement. And here I thought the fortress will grow up to become an old hag. aw." He teased then Ms. Castle punched his arm in annoyance after hearing his insult,
"Hello Auntie." Chester said,
Ms. Castle looked at Kray and Chester then a tear of joy dropped on the side of her eye.
"You two are one step in becoming adventurers, huh? Boys grow up so fast." She said teary,
"Why are you here, Ms. Castle?" Kray asked,
"I invited Ms. Fortress of Florence here to witness today's examination on the enrollees." Frank replied instead,
"Of course, I accepted the offer since I had a free time on my duty. Mister idiot over here is just visiting his old friend." Ms. Castle said as she pointed at Mr. Gustav,
"I was out exploring the seas, you know. I thought I would give you a visit since my ship is already near here. Of course, I asked the permission of the king to enter the continent." Mr. Gustav added.
"The school have provided you both with seats so both of you can see the matches for today." Frank said as he gestured the two to their sit.
They both nodded and followed suit.
"Do your best, okay?" Ms. Castle said as she waved her hand at Kray.
"You guys knew the Fortress of Florence and the Pirate King of Thousand Isles!?" Crimson exclaimed, eyes wide open,
"Ms. Castle is Kray's mother." Chester replied,
Kray could only smile in embarassment. It's not like he want anyone to know that he is the son of the Fortress of Florence. It just so happens that words go out too fast even when you are trying to keep a low profile, you just can't escape all of the eyes.
Of course, rumors and mongers could be heard at the side. Showing resentment and jelousy, others shows appreciation and excitement.
"He is the son of the Fortress of Florence?"
"Such a privilege bastard. But why is his equipment so bad though? He doesn't seem to have any weapon also."
"Dude. I heard he is adobted so of course the Fortress of Florence wont just give her properties to an outsider."
"That makes sense."
"What is he even going to do? Looks like he bandaged his hand."
"Don't tell me he is going to bring his fist to a sword fight?"
"Is he stupid or something?"
"I heared earlier that that guy is focusing in unarmed?"
"What? Unarmed? Is there such a build in unarmed?"
"None that I know of."
"I think there are no records in books and scrolls about unarmed. It is common sense that in a war or battle, you can't just rush in with just your fist."
Philip, however, gritted his teeth even harder than it was.
'Tch. Rich bastard thinks he is so great just because he is the son of the Fortress of Florence. It is as if unarmed is a thing. Trying to be the next Fortress of Florence? Dream on. Only geniuses can become a revolutionary existence and you are not one of them. I can easily destroy you if I wanted to.' Philip thought as he gripped his mace even tighter,
The three, Principal Frank Natures, The Pirate King of Thousand Isles and The Fortress of Florence, reached the prepared seats and sat down. Their seats was strategically positioned to see the overview of all the matches of all the batches at the same time. Mr. Gustav started the conversation.
"How well are you doing with leveling your shield talent?"
"Oh I am just at level 69."
"Oh? You've been slow." He said,
"I am not too obsessed in aiming any higher. I am already satisfied as long as I can protect my people. What about you? How have you been doing with your gun slinging?" She asked,
"So far, I am at 72. Every level from now on is astronomical. It took me 3 year just to even put a plus one on my talent. just imagine the next level, it might take me about a decade or so."
"I guess no one can beat the world record of 80 huh?" She laughed,
"And to think that the world record is Level 80 on Woodcutting. Unbelievable." Mr. Gustav also sighed,
The first match of Batch D is starting.
"Do you have any promising enrollees, old man?" She asked,
"Yes. That girl with a purple hair at Batch B is something promising. A kid with a talon build in Batch A is also good. The most shocking one is your kid. Hohohoho. Unarmed? That's something like a Castle move. I can't wait to see how he fairs in battle only with his fists." Frank replied in jolly,
"Unarmed? I never heard of anyone focusing in unarmed. Does it even have any skills?" Gustav curiously looked at Sheila,
"You'll see." She said confidently then his face returned to being serious.
Sheila narrowed her brows. As much as possible, she doesn't want Kray to become an adventurer but hindering him from doing what he wants will forever haunt her if he rebels and become a toxicity of society. She wants to nurture him properly and to do so is to give her undying support for the child. She knows Kray is a good kid. She doesn't want him to lost his way but she also want her to learn greatly when he makes a mistake, it is by trying and losing where you can fully grow, she can only hope that he won't succumbed to vengeance.
"But that is not what I am here for. Do you have any idea where Will is?" Gustav asked,
"No... And I don't even know why he is doing this. He blocked my messages too." Ms. Castle replied as she sighed in place,
"So am I. He is becoming a global threat and we need to put a stop on whatever he is doing. He is our friend but evil is still evil." Gustav added while knitting his brows,
"Will this become the second war of the continent?" Frank asked,
"No. I don't think it will become so. Will's first target was his hometown in Tamasai. So I don't think his intentions is as silly as conquering the world. I know he is good but I just don't understand." Sheila denied Frank,
"I think he targeted 6 towns in Panja before jumping to Florence?" Gustav said,
"Yes, he attacked 5 towns, all at the border. Have you informed the others?" Sheila asked,
"Yes. I personally went to Xen and Auriel." He replied,
"How are they?" Sheila asked in concern,
"They are great! Xen is still a nerd and Auriel is still crazy." Gustav laughed,
"That's good to hear." Sheila sighed like a burden has been lifted,
Principal Frank just listened to them in awe at how familiar the legends are to each other. They are at the pinnacle of greats. Even his level 46 Nature Magic is not comparable to theirs. Though being a Druid class is great and all but He is already in his 120th years of existence, maybe a decade from now he will sleep peacefully and eternally.
"After Chenghu got targeted, Xen went full alert and is on guard. though, I don't think Will can enter Schrym. Auriel is so crazy, he already filled the borders with machines." Gustav said,
"There is a meeting of the Kings, next week. My guess is they'll put a huge bounty on Will's head and place him as a world threat. Will you show up on the meeting?" Ms. Castle asked,
"Yes. I was personally invited by Emperor Kurov for the meeting." He replied,
"Have Will hit Nashka yet?" She added,
"No. Not yet. I don't think he will be biased of Nashka just because Erina came from there." Mr. Gustav said,
"If Erina was still alive, could she have stop this nonsense that Will is doing?" Ms. Castle said,
"I am not too sure myself." He replied in a sadden face,
Somewhere at the border of the continent of Nashka. A figure in dark clothing with bruises all over, sat down a tree deep within the forest, panting heavily.
[Puppetry level up!]
[Puppetry Level 82 - > Level 83]
He treated his wounds with cooling ointment and drank a few bottles of HP potion as a barely visible steam gush out each and every wound and bruises he has.
"Argghhh." He wailed in pain a little before calming down,
"I need more negative energy crystals before I could move on to the next plan." He uttered,
He looked at a distance, reminscing the time of his adventures and the smile of his beloved Erina. He couldn't stop a tear from falling.
"Hahaha. Sorry everyone. Sheila, you hot headed idiot. Xen, you stupid nerd. Gustav, you greedy fella. Auriel, you crazy bastard and Erina, my love. The world needs its vitality back. The worlds needs a freedom from us but she just couldn't fight back." He sadly laughed and muttered words in the air,
"Haaa. Only the most willful of all wills can have the strength to do what is right." He sighed and slowly closed his eyes.
The sun still peaks from the sky yet his exhaustion is putting a toll in him in which he slept peacefully.