The towering gates of Ertree Academy cast a long shadow over Doni, standing in stark contrast to the bright, light that seemed to radiate from the self-proclaimed Master Limon.
"Lu~hu~hu. I am the great Joseph Limon, one of the aspiring entrees to thus magnificent academy."
The academy's intricate architecture of towering spires, intricate stone carvings, and cascading ivy showcased its age-old prestige—a place where only the best could hope to learn and ascend.
Limon, basking in the glow of his own self-importance, struck a pose, hand elegantly gesturing as if presenting the academy itself as his own domain. "Lu~hu~hu… gaze upon the beauty that surrounds me! A place fit for none but the truly magnificent, Joseph Limon~!"
Joesph has thick golden brows and eyelashes, smooth pale skin, aqua eyes, a white and yellow noble suit with finely crafted linen, wool, silks, and furs, adorned with the finest jewelry.
"Hoh—! Master Limon is so cool." A capped follower excitedly said.
"Indeed. Master Limon is the youngest young master from the well known Limon family, the family known for having the third most sword experts!" Joseph's guard snobbishly said.
"How amazing." A well dress swordswomen said in awe.
"Mhm...mhm..." Nodding his head majestically, Limon held his head high illuminating a beacon around him.
But the approaching figure didn't feel the same way.
"You're in the way." Shoving Limon's face to the side, he walks up to the desk besides the gate.
Infuriated, Joseph grips Doni's shoulder and yelled, "Hey! Why did you push this magnificent Joseph Limon!"
Shaking his grip of his shoulder, Doni turns his cold and dangerous eyes back towards Joseph causing his feet to stagger in fear.
"You… You are someone of important status am I right?
"…?" Doni gives a glance at Joseph, sizing him up.
"Hoh…" He notices that this particular fella was quite wealthy.
"Are you a clown?"
"Clown? How rude of you to call me a clown." Joseph refuted, feeling the immeasurable ill will exerting from this man before him.
"You're wearing an expensive suit for an academy entrance exam, specifically a swordsman." Doni laughs, giving Joseph a mocking stare.
"Someone as unclassy as you is trying to ruin my sweet mood. I think you are the clown begging for this one's attention." Feeling ever more arrogant, Joseph gives Doni his own mocking smile.
"I guess you aren't the angry type that I ought you to be. Interesting…" Rubbing his chin, Doni gives a smirk of fascination.
"I will take that as a compliment. Why don't we settle this peacefully?" Joseph proposes, his followers at the back silently revering him.
"Indeed. I don't have much time on my hands to be playing childish games with you."
Doni reaches the desk with a distinguished lady sitting before it.
Readjusting her glasses, she sizes Doni up before asking, "Name and age?"
Doni replies, "Doni Gifson, 21."
Swiftly writing his information down, she asks another question, "What is the reason for applying to Ertree Academy?"
'What? A reason?'
"…Finding my little sister." He said after contemplating for a few seconds.
Intrigued, the lady smiles, "I see. I must apologise for my rude self, distinguished entrant."
'Huh? HUH?!' Giving her a weird look, shaking his head as if he heard something so far fetched from his answer.
"You are good to go, distinguished entrant." Gesturing Doni for his approval.
"Thank you madam." Taking his leave with grace.
Joseph who was behind Doni thought the entire situation was strange.
'I never seen her act this way before. Why did she react that way?' Joseph pondered, putting his mind into overdrive.
'Little sister… quite vague indeed.'
'He is quite interesting now that I think about it.' Joseph thought.
"Hey beautiful lady." Joseph said while using an awkward and eccentric pose.
The glasses lady unamused, she said, "I don't need useless compliments from some greenhorn who caused only trouble for his family."
'News does fly fast!' Joseph thought, regretting his choice to compliment her.
'Lucky that my followers are long gone.' He sighs in relief.
—-
The sun gleamed off his shining armour grasping the attention of many.
The examiner said, "Entrants, welcome to the Swordsman Exam!"
"First and foremost, we will be conducting this exam inside!"
From the inside, two knights simultaneously roll the chained lever, causing the towering gates to slowly reveal its inside, showcasing its grandiose and top notch facilities, space, decorations. The high quality environment causes many to gasp in shock and excitement.
Crossing his arms, Doni gazes upon the luxurious surroundings that this well known academy had to offer.
—-
Touching the enormous stone slab, gesturing the crowd of entrants to it, the examiner said, "The first test is the putting a dent to this boulder. It must be five centimetres deep."
'Five centimetres isn't a lot, but it's stone.' Doni thought, he never swung at stone before.
"Pfh… this is going to be a breeze." An entrant muttered.
"You know its stone right?" Another chimed in.
Joseph who was in the middle of the crowd was eying Doni's reaction.
'Now... What will you do?' Joseph thought with his interest pique.
Taking notes of the entrants with unique characteristics, Doni began formalising ways to cut stone.
"Entrant no.1, come forward."
A towering figure, veins bulging across their broad physique and tightly grips onto his great sword. He announces, "Weaklings. I will cut this small pebble with one hand."
Lifting the great sword up and then slamming with an incredible force.
Clank!
'Clank?' Doni bewildered at what he had just witnessed.
"This—!" Staring blankly at the unscathed boulder, he angrily protests and argues, "Impossible! This isn't a stone boulder!" Looking down at the examiner with extreme provocation and intimidation.
"Left." The examiner softly said, his tone teetering between passiveness and mild aggression.
"…"
"Did you just say that I, Demetrius Domingo, am not allowed to proceed?!" Gradually, his head leans closer to the examiner's face, revealing his intense expression.
The examiner sighs, as calm and collected he was, the examiner grips his hilt, unable to uphold his professional position.