Days passed and the time finally arrived. The sound of synchronous clops from the well trained cavalry knights echoed throughout the city of Rusvil, even though they themselves couldn't be seen yet.
The residents knew that the delegation from Larsille academy had arrived, their attitudes brightening immediately. Many people flocked to the gates to witness the convoys entrance.
The city lord had awoken early this day, with the city's guards cordoning off the streets to allow the nobles ease of access when entering Rusvil.
The crowd watched with anticipation as the mighty team of knights appeared in the distance, their uniform marching proving their immense training and discipline.
The people knew that the black armoured knights belonged to the Larsille academy. Their strength was said to be on par with the royal knights.
In the middle of the knights formation were two luxurious carriages, the insignias proving the identity of the people inside.
"Tsk. Why did I have to be sent to this backwards place?" an arrogant woman's voice came from the leading carriage.
The daughter of Marquis Ralan, Erin said with dissatisfaction. Her father was in charge of the magic tower, where the courts magicians spent their days toiling away in research of the ways of magic. So why did she have to come to this place where birds don't shit?
"Look, for days the magic energy in the air has been decreasing everyday we got closer to this city. Who here would even be able to pass the test?" she muttered again.
The maid that followed answered calmly, "Miss, this city will probably be more focused towards warriors. I can feel some reasonably strong existences in the city".
Erin looked at Delia. Although she acted as her maid, she was more the guard her father hired to protect her at great cost. Delia was the former vice captain of the royal knights, but after some complications decided to retire.
Her father spent a great deal of effort to invite her back, so Erin who was usually arrogant and contemptuous, didn't dare to treat Delia the same.
"How strong?" Erin asked curiously.
"I feel that the highest here are gold ranks. Though that might not seem to be that great a strength compared to the capital, to have so many in a fringe city is a little unusual. Perhaps this trip will have unexpected gains". Delia still replied in the same calm demeanour.
"Gold ranks. I'm already a gold rank, and I'm only 21" Erin puffed out her chest proudly.
Delia saw her little miss's arrogant posture, she didn't want to crush Erin's confidence, but she felt the need to explain the danger to her, "Don't underestimate anyone, miss. Although you are young and talented, you have not been exposed to the harsh reality of the world. These gold ranks weren't taught from a young age, with the finest materials and ample aura.
These people earned their ranks through blood and battle. When you face them, you're not only dealing with someone of the same rank, but someone who has tread over the corpses of those that tried to end their journeys.
Killing intent and murderous aura are both palpable skills that can affect that person's opponent. It would be wise to be very careful when dealing with those desperados that clawed their way out from the bottom".
Although Erin was unhappy with Delia's statement, she wasn't truly ignorant. She knew Delia was one of the people she just described. A commoner born warrior, who had gone through many life threatening trials just to be the last one standing. Her strength was terrifying, and her cruelty even more so. So she bowed her head slightly and replied honestly, "Okay. I won't be contemptuous when dealing with them".
Delia couldn't help but chuckle. She knew Erin wasn't an ignorant noble, she just carried a bit of the arrogance ingrained in them.
However it was her duty to protect this wayward little miss, so as long as she was her protector, she could let Erin maintain her aloof nature.
Isla and Sila who had been training for the recruitment with gusto, weren't bothered by the entrance of the convoy. In fact, at this moment they were still sound asleep, ignorant of the hustle and bustle going on at the entrance. The two weren't too worried about missing the tests. There would be time for the two sides to exchange pleasantries, then even though the requirements were stated, many people would still sign up with a 'what if' mentality.
The twins expectations were right. The city lord exchanged pleasantries with the head of the academy's knights, as well as the two noble children. Delia took the lead in discussing on Erin's behalf, which made the city lord a little bit worried.
He knew who the maid of the marquis's daughter was, and knew that she was definitely the strongest existence in Rusvil at the moment. So he dared not show any impatience to this monstrous existence. He just sighed that his luck wasn't too good, and couldn't get the favour of the Marquis.
Looking at the second son of the Retwick family. He was much more gloomy than the city lord expected. Just by looking at him, anyone could tell this wasn't a good seed. He decided to put aside his extra thoughts and focus on the test. In the past, when those excellent commoners were recruited, the city they came from received great benefits from the capital. So he hoped that their would be a diamond among the rough, otherwise the entire experience would be a loss for him.
The bells resounded throughout the city to mark the beginning of the recruitment tests. The first step was to register your name and age, then you could wait in line to test your aptitude.
Erin sat atop a platform watching as the knights tested those that came. High affinity was a very difficult level to reach for a city like Rusvil, and the constant sighs and wails were proof of this. Many hoped and prayed for the chance to change their lives, but even with so many people testing, none had yet passed the test, and this was just the aptitude test. When they tested the ability of all the people with high affinity, they would divide those with the strongest ability from those with less.
This was the indifference and ruthlessness of power in the world. Only the strongest were worthy of privilege, while the rest would still have to struggle, they'd just be struggling in a different place.