As we finally found a kind of empty inn with a stable out back, we managed to rent six spots for 45 copper coins almost all our savings since we had an allowance. (100 copper coins =1 silver ,100 silver=1 Gold coins). after we unsaddled the horses and gave them some water and hay to eat, we then went on our merry way. Darius said, "I can't wait to be accepted into the battle academy and become a knight". Morgan also told me too I want to become a knight too. Charles was quite due to the overwhelming crowd of adults with their children looking at the stands nearby. as the name suggested many stalls or stands were placed with many craft master or apprentices showing off their trades to try and rope others in like black smiths had small portable smithy and were melting ingots to then make throwing daggers or small cosmetics from ironware. others like husbandry Craftmasters of all sorts from small feral chicken breeders for egg laying chickens or s being able to consume them and sell their eggs. To even more exotic animal caretakers taking care of battle pets like dire wolfs. And the most famous of all husbandries that are often overlooked the breeders of the knight horse's huge powerful stallions able to carry up to 200kgs weight. and most intriguing of all unlike most horses these horses are carnivorous in battlefields they are known to feast upon orcs, and other such species for their flesh when their dead. though they prefer fresh flesh, they are rare and are breed in top secret and come in many colors though the most commonly seen are black and crimson red the rarest being pure white almost like a unicorn, and yes unicorn exists here but mostly live within the elven forest. we can also see some medicine masters healing and brewing remedies to common sicks and giving them to the sick within the crowd to doing whatever's possible to attract possible apprentices the most unique craft of all Explorers there are many bad rumors related to them but also good ones. as the name suggest they go in groups and explore places in search of new species or creatures or new legendary medicine sometimes even for old relics of the past human kingdom that has to do with magic. it's a very fun but hazardous occupation and the pay is so-so, but they make up for it with travel to many locations offering them discounts on human inns as well in allied kingdoms like the elf territory for example. thought the death toll is rumored to be 1 in 6, one survivor out of group of 6 managing to survive a return trip. casualties can range, from imprisonment from Osorians and Orcs to become food to unknown dangerous creatures, getting lost and sometimes betrayed due to riches by same teammates all is fair once away from the cites ever vigilant eyes. it's a jungle out there the strong survive and the weak die or submit to work in submission to the strong for protection and lodgings. despite slavery not existing manual labor can be often similar with just few differences like keeping surnames and being able to copulate for a normal family you get the gist of it. and don't be fooled slavery between humans does exist but on the black market and they aren't sold to human nations just to orcs or Tauren's sometimes Aurochians as slaves for chores entertainment in colosseums as gladiators etc... anyways their ending never is a good one.as we took in all these sights as we neared the keep the guard asked us what we were doing here. Alyssa replied "sir we are here to speak to the baron regarding our allocation in our desired crafts to become apprentices we are orphans and as rules states the baron or higherup in each fief must overlook the orphan's choosing ceremony if not chosen by any craft master. we are to be shipped off to the fields to work there for the rest of our lives. woman will be task to start a family as soon as possible and men will work the fields from dawn to dusk. and later attend two hours of mandatory militia training. "hmm" nodded the solider in reply" carry on then kids and may fortune smile upon you". As we got ready to continue onwards, we noticed someone walking out of the keep towards us emanating a cold as tundra frost in veins feeling we all got goosebumps. besides that, the girls Diana and Alyssa seemed to blush lightly. seeing this I tend to get a bit annoyed at how they were acting. as the silhouette came closer, we finally saw who this person was. and man, oh man was he a handsome bastard granted am not gay and there's nothing wrong with being attracted to same gender. But as a real man I can admit one thing he was a good looker he can give some females a run for their money in looks category with his fair skin. He was the number one youngest warrior in the kingdom Kobayashi Isa. he's as much a good looker as he is a badass warrior if I believed in deities, I'd say he may have been one reincarnated as a mortal. he was like a swan in a crowd of chickens his attire was definitely taking reference from the southern empire like the Aurochians kingdom. he wore a black sleeveless reaper black open coat with a hoodie. which showed his well-defined muscles and tattoos sleeves of an eastern dragon from myths. black harem pants and black waist guard with a golden lion on it his western coat of arms granted exclusively to him by the baron for his achievements. he wore black Tobi socks and black geta sandals. He seems to have to have a cold and confident aura and with his unusual amethyst eyes and a scar above his right one. And his black Bushido Ronin Mempo mask which he was always wearing with or without armor. And his also always present Nodachi which he kept as his ever-faithful ally. he was like a deity of slaughter gracing us. he smiled as he saw us six " hey there young ones' y'all here for the apprentice ceremony? he questions. Alyssa and Diana both nodded their heads eagerly. he just chuckled and said "best of luck to you ladies and of course gentle" as he faced us four then winked at Alyssa and Diana and left. " Something seems off about that guy Cyrus said. "hmm" replied the rest of the guys. Diana replied y'all just jealous as we then hurried along for, we had kept the baron waiting long enough. as we approached the keep, I felt my throat become dry and my hands starting to sweat. here it is thought Cyrus the moment of truth I can finally become a warrior I always dreamt of being or an unknown farmer Cyrus took in a big breath the guards at the front of the keep opened the heavy wooden doors to the keep as we walked in, we all stared at each other's faces seeing the nervousness and anxiety we all held. Diana then said somewhat cheery said " moment of truth guys let's do this and we all are walking into our uncertain futures. Darius then replied " here to the first day of our future" cheers. we all nervously cheered.