Step.
Ashoka took a step forward. The more he approached Alberad, the stronger his pressure became.
Not just the other children, it was difficult for even Vikram or Ahmed to pierce through such pressure. Yet, Ashoka could only laugh.
'He's setting it up for me.'
Although Ashoka wanted to hide his abilities a bit in front of the emperor, it was impossible.
'I guess I need to get serious'
Even though he thought that, he was only going to use 50% of his power as he did not want to lose the bet with Draco.
"How is it? Tell me if it's too difficult…"
"It's fine."
Ashoka smiled lightly and moved his feet at Alberad's words.
'It's too much for my current expertise.'
Expertise followed the soul, not the body.
The will that he had trained through hard work in his past life and his experiences as the Bastard prince both combined to form his own pressure.
Woosh!
On top of Ashoka's small yet sturdy pressure, the pressure that he had built unknowingly in his past life stacked.
His countless hardships and sufferings in his past life transferred to give him power.
Step.
The sound of his footsteps walking on the training ground's sand changed. Ashoka's expertise, carried on his shoulder, expressed its serene intent.
Rip!
Pressure as sharp as a blade ripped Alberad's green wind pressure in half.
"What are you…?"
Alberad glared. Panic appeared in his green eyes, which had always been easy going.
Whir!
Ashoka walked forward without responding. Cutting through the turbulent wind, he took five steps and stood in front of Alberad.
Tap.
He casually extended his hand and tapped Alberad's shoulder.
"Is the test over?"
"Eh? Yes…"
To his confident yet composed voice, Alberad just nodded.
"Thank you."
Lowering his hand, he erased the pressure that he had called. It looked like he had strained himself, as his mind was in a daze.
"…"
Alberad's mouth was still open wide, unable to hide his surprise.
{You! What the hell are you?}
Draco's voice also sounded surprised.
It was rare for him to show any emotion other than anger.
"Hmm."
While waiting for Alberad's reaction, Ashoka looked around the silent training ground.
The children from noble families that had jeered at him, the children who had trained with him and were rooting for him, and even the parents remained silent.
"Wh-what? He pierced it? That brat?"
"No, just how did this…?"
"A 7-year kid piercing through the pressure of an expert! It's impossible!"
The trainees' parents muttered with blank expressions.
"Ashoka! How is your body?"
"Young master, you must have strained yourself."
Chandra and Hema teared up. They looked impressed, but their words spoke only of worry for his body.
However, the Emperor's expressions didn't change.
He looked as cold as always as if a layer of ice covered his face.
Ashoka silently looked at the cold eyes glaring at him as if they were threatening to tear him apart.
***
"Who the hell are you?"
Alberad expressed his amazement looking at the calm Ashoka.
"You've been watching me for the six last months. I am Ashoka."
"I'm asking you because you surpassed it. I emitted a pressure that you couldn't withstand with your current ability. It was just a joke, and I didn't even imagine that you would pierce through it."
In order to discover the ability that Ashoka had been hiding, he gave off a pressure too powerful for him to withstand.
He was certain that Ashoka couldn't pierce it, no matter how much power he had been hiding, yet Ashoka single-handedly ripped through his pressure. Honestly, he still couldn't believe what had happened.
"Hmm…"
Alberad took a glance at people behind Ashoka.
'Well, I do like that.'
Their noisy mouths were shut tight, just like his own. The entirety of the training ground was at a loss because of what Ashoka had just done.
"Ahem. I was a bit distracted, despite being the head instructor."
Alberad went back to the platform, riding the green wind.
"With Ashoka Maurya as the last participant, the selection test for official trainees has ended. However, one more important event remains."
Everyone's gaze was focused on him as he mentioned an important event.
"It is the announcement of the first place trainee knight, the representative of the trainees."
Since there was a high chance that the first-place trainee would become a future expert who would lead the future generation, greed dwelled in everyone's eyes—children and parents alike.
'It went according to the plan, but the situation is different from expected.'
It was actually decided that the first place would go to Ashoka Maurya.
He had shown the most progress as a temporary trainee knight, so it fit the test's purpose. Although, he did that while hiding his abilities, no one knew that so it was perfect.
Alberad snickered and glanced through the trainee knights. Looking past Ahmed and Vikram.
His eyes flicked at Sudhatta who had also done comparably well but he was strong, to begin with there was no excellent growth.
Finally, his eyes stopped on Ashoka.
"Ashoka Maurya. From today onward, you are the top trainee knight of the 43rd training batch. Please do your best in the future."
"Oh! Young master Ashoka!"
"…"
Paul clapped his hands and Tish clapped exactly three times, a strange expression on her face.
"Y-young master Ashoka is the top trainee!"
"Aww…"
"Lady Chandra!"
Hema grabbed her head, and hugged Chandra who was falling down.
"Eh?"
"Re-really?"
"That child is really in the first place? I can't believe it…"
"Ashoka was the one who withstood the most powerful pressure."
"But he is a Bastard son! A bastard!"
"That has no relation to the child's abilities."
"Wasn't that a scam that Alberad had planned all along? He definitely could've done it!"
The others started arguing, claiming that it was unbelievable.
"It… It's a lie!"
Ahmed stood up with trembling lips.
"This can't be!"
"What is a lie, and what can't be?"
Alberad looked back at Ahmed, uninterested.
"Ashoka is worse than me in terms of stamina, strength, and talent! I can't accept such a person getting first place!"
"You saw it, too. Ashoka easily broke through pressure way more powerful than the one you barely managed to pass. He deserves first place."
"He must have used a trick!"
"Ahmed Khan, are you doubting my decision?"
Alberad's smile remained the same, but the atmosphere changed. It felt like a sharpness was added to the cool wind.
"Th-that's not what I mean! I'm saying that he cheated! Ashoka couldn't even follow me yesterday, so it makes no sense that he pierced through such a powerful pressure!"
"He's right!"
"Even the instructor couldn't believe it, right?"
The noble children that followed Ahmed stood next to him.
"Hmm…"
Alberad scratched his chin. He certainly didn't expect Ashoka to pierce through his pressure so easily, so he could understand their claim.
"That's true."
"How can he do that when he was in the last place at the start of training?"
When he looked around, not only the children but also the adults were mumbling. They started to doubt the test, despite having seen it with their own eyes.
"Well, I do understand your doubts. I was surprised as well."
"That's right!"
Ahmed's eyes opened wide at the glimpse of hope.
"We are a family of warriors, Khans. A duel should determine the first place, rather than a test like this!"
"Do you want the first place so much that you are suggesting a duel against Ashoka?"
"I mean, a duel with anyone. It doesn't have to be me…"
"Your eyes are full of desire; you don't need to lie."
Alberad snickered and waved his hand. Ahmed blushed like an apple, but he didn't refute it.
"But the test is already over. Your Highness, what shall we do with this situation?"
The emperor looked between Ashoka and Ahmed, then slowly opened his mouth.
"I grant my permission for the duel!"
He said coldly.
---***---