The second trial had thinned the ranks, but Vivian had made it through. The remaining men were gathered for the final battle, a one-on-one showdown with their original group member.
Vivian hadn't seen Boris since his public reprimand. She wondered if this meant an automatic promotion to knighthood. Her heart pounded with anticipation as the Grandmaster silenced the crowd.
"As I've explained, you'll face your original partner. Those who've lost their partner will be paired up. This is the battle for your life, your pride, and your-"
A newcomer burst onto the scene, slapping the Grandmaster on the back. The Grandmaster's glare was met with a nonchalant shrug.
The crowd erupted, the women especially. The newcomer beamed. "A bit of a downer, old man. Let a pro handle this."
Murmurs rippled through the men. This knight must be someone important. Vivian edged closer for a better look.
The Grandmaster muttered something and stepped aside. Vivian's eyes widened. "It's that white-haired pervert from the bar!"
A few men shot her hostile glances, but she ignored them. The newcomer, oblivious to her muttered insult, addressed the crowd.
"Hey, new guys! I'm Ian, third in command of the knights." His cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to the serious atmosphere.
The men cheered, but Ian's smile faded. "Let's finish this quickly. I have important business."
The Grandmaster's brow furrowed. "Second Commander, is everything alright? Should we postpone this?"
A wave of concern swept through the crowd. Whatever was troubling Ian must be serious.
"No," Ian replied. "Don't cancel it, but speed it up. Because..."
The crowd leaned in, eager to hear the news.
"There's a whole training field full of ladies becoming nurses, and I've dedicated myself to inspecting their... progress."
The men erupted in laughter and cheers, only Vivian and the grandmaster seemed unimpressed by his antics. Vivian rolled her eyes. Poor Crystal was about to face the wrath of Ian's... "inspection."