In a busy place like the Inn or Guild, where there was a lot of noise and activity, Maxim's words suddenly made everyone quiet.
The sounds that filled the air disappeared, like the echoes of a distant bell. People stopped talking, laughing, and making noise with glasses and cutlery.
It became very silent in the establishment, so silent that even the smallest sound, like a pin dropping, would be heard clearly and break the silence.
Everyone in the room looked at Maxim, who stood there confidently with a smile on his face.
He was looking at the beautiful girl behind the counter, and she became the center of his attention.
Time seemed to stop as the curious patrons wondered about Maxim's bold request. It was normal for people to ask about joining guilds, but challenging the prestigious Kingdom of Fiora Academy was something completely audacious.
The beautiful girl was surprised by Maxim's unexpected request. She felt a shiver of astonishment that went through her whole body.
She was used to answering questions about guilds and quests, but this situation was different and stood out from her previous experiences.
Gathering her courage, she asked with a hint of fear, "What kind of challenge are you talking about?"
Maxim, still smiling mysteriously as if he held a secret treasure, responded confidently, his words filled with conviction and determination, "Usually, I would be satisfied with any challenge presented to me. However, as you can see, I'm just an ordinary person. Nevertheless, I have complete confidence in my ability to prove myself worthy of overcoming the test in front of me."
With those words, Maxim reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a small plate.
The plate was carefully balanced on his hand and revealed a record of his achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Arena (UFA).
The girl's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at the impressive display. Each achievement on the plate showed Maxim's skill and dedication.
Slowly, she nodded, acknowledging Maxim's determination and unwavering spirit.
As the girl's eyes shifted toward a dark corner, she noticed a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows.
The man wore a hat that concealed his features and exuded an intriguing aura as he casually chewed on a blade of grass. His calmness amidst uncertainty caught her attention.
With deliberate poise, he turned to Maxim, his single eye piercing through the hat's veil, fixated on the audacious individual who had disrupted their surroundings.
His voice, seasoned with wisdom acquired through countless experiences, wafted through the air like a delicate wisp of smoke as he posed a question, "And what do you seek to gain from this endeavor?"
Undeterred by the man's mysterious presence and the weight of his inquiry, Maxim met his gaze with unwavering resolve.
His determination shimmered in his eyes as he replied, "I aim to gain entrance into the prestigious academy."
His voice resonated with fervor and ambition.
Within the vast virtual realm of the immersive MMORPG game called the Domain of Miracles, the landscape was adorned with towering structures of grandeur and significance.
These impressive edifices were more than mere architectural marvels; they held profound importance within the game itself.
Each tower stood as a testament to a specific discipline, providing sanctuaries for martial combat, weapon mastery, and arcane magic.
Gaining admission to these revered academies, like the Kingdom of Fiora Academy, transcended mundane gameplay, becoming a cherished dream and aspiration.
The man in the hat, his expression filled with incredulity and condescension, shook his head in disbelief.
His voice dripped with disdain as he cast doubts upon Maxim's audacious pursuit, "You, a mere mortal without any class in this vast realm, dare to believe you can enter the esteemed academy without the required qualifications?"
Maxim acknowledged the full weight of the man's words, understanding the implication of his lack of a designated class—an essential requirement for admission to the prestigious academy.
With a heavy heart, he realized the futility of altering his circumstances.
Memories of the grueling slave camp came flooding back, where an enigmatic old man had stripped him of his class, offering a mysterious and uncertain gift in return.
It had been a perilous gamble, a leap of faith that Maxim dared to take.
Now, faced with the man's disapproving stare, Maxim gathered his courage and opened his mouth, speaking with firm resolve and a glimmer of hope.
"If you were to grant me the honor of becoming a warrior," he said, his words hanging in the air like a promise, "I would be forever grateful to you."
In that moment, something extraordinary happened.
The atmosphere in the inn or guild changed, as if an invisible force swept through the room, altering its very essence.
Soon, laughter erupted from every corner, spreading like wildfire.
BRAHAHAHHAHA!
KWAHAHHAHAA!
It started with hesitant chuckles and grew into boisterous laughter that echoed off the walls.
"This kid is awesome!"
"He wanted to take a challenge without using weapons and enter the academy without class, magic, weapon or magic weapon?
"Hilarious!"
"How can he do that?"
Even the man with the hat and the young woman behind the counter couldn't resist the contagious wave of mirth, their laughter blending harmoniously with the symphony of amusement.
The laughter filled the room, infusing it with a vibrant and joyful energy. Each person's laughter had a unique quality, a distinct sound that brought the space to life.
The man's laughter, deep and rich, resonated through the chamber, while the girl behind the counter laughed with a melodious sound like wind chimes on a summer breeze.
It is known that entering the Fiorel Academy was hard even with Magic weapons, weaponry and class.
Now, a classless, without weapon, or Magic weapons wants to enter the Academy by challenging a weapon master?
Absurd!
Such guts sounds similar to courting death.
Amidst the uproarious laughter, Maxim remained determined, his unwavering resolve shining in his eyes.
He kept his gaze fixed on the man with the hat, undeterred by the mocking laughter around him.
As the laughter gradually subsided, a tear rolled down the man's cheek, and he locked eyes with Maxim once again.
The initial amusement in his eyes had transformed into curiosity and respect. He couldn't help but be amazed by Maxim's unwavering determination.
Almost unconsciously, the man muttered under his breath, surprised. "Unless you-"
Maxim interrupted him with a solemn nod, his voice steady and filled with confidence.
"Yes," he affirmed, his words carrying quiet strength, "I will only use my hands in combat against those who have weapons. The choice of weapon is up to you."
A profound silence fell over the room, quieting the murmurs of the crowd.
Each person pondered Maxim's words with deep thoughtfulness.
The atmosphere shifted from laughter to solemn contemplation. The man with the hat looked at Maxim with newfound interest, setting aside his initial dismissal and growing more intrigued by the moment.
Maxim stood tall, his unwavering gaze fixed on the man with the hat.
The room buzzed with whispers and skeptical glances exchanged among the crowd.
They struggled to understand why Maxim, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, was so determined to enter the world of weapon arts.
The man with the hat, renowned for his mastery of weapons, voiced his concerns.
"Why do you seek it?"
He asked, genuinely wanting to grasp Maxim's motivations.
He doubted Maxim's decision, questioning whether martial arts and weaponry arts could be compatible.
"You see, hand-to-hand combat experts often struggled when faced with opponents using weapons.
"What more of master or experts of weapons?
"Although it's the best and most simple way to gain a mana class and entrance to the academy, it would be akin to foolishness as you could die in that test.
"You are taking a huge risk."
He believed that those who mastered weapons had the advantage, creating an insurmountable gap between the two worlds.
The room was filled with doubt, and the crowd saw Maxim as reckless and lacking wisdom.
They silently exchanged their doubts and disbelief.
Despite the skepticism, Maxim remained determined. He shook his head firmly and responded calmly to his doubter. "My NPC comrade, I am completely sure," he said.
"If you allow me to fight against Weaponry expert alongside my current no class state, I am confident that I can defeat even the most skilled magic weapon users.
"What do you think about that?"
The man in the hat was surprised by Maxim's unwavering confidence.
He stared at his eyes, trying to read it.
After a while, he cleared his throat and adjusted his hat, considering Maxim's request carefully.
"If that's truly what you want..." he began, but he was interrupted by a sudden fit of choking.
The crowd gasped in astonishment as they witnessed the unexpected reaction.
Some even involuntarily spat out their saliva, displaying their surprise.
After regaining his composure, the man in the hat managed to speak again, though his voice was strained.
"What did you say?
"You believe you can compete against magic users who wield enchanted weapons too?
"Are you out of your mind?"
The crowd erupted once more, their skepticism turning into outright disbelief. They exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the audacity of Maxim's claim.
Throughout the room, people scratched their heads, rubbed their eyes, and shook their heads in disbelief as they struggled to process Maxim's unwavering confidence.
Undeterred by the crowd's reaction, Maxim maintained his confident smile and remained firm in his conviction.
"Yes," he affirmed with determination.
"If you allow me to take dual classes, I will face anyone at my level, regardless of their chosen discipline, my friend."
The man in the hat, feeling a renewed discomfort in his throat, shook his head in disbelief.
"Let me witness your skills against a master of weaponry first. Only then will I decide if you truly have what it takes to face magic weapon users.
"For now, I want to see if you can even survive a confrontation with a master of weapon."