A few days after the recruitment, I began assigning tasks to them according to their areas of expertise. I had about five thousand Gulden as my initial capital to build this organization.
There are three currencies used in the game Path of Destiny: Gulden—a gold coin, where one coin is equivalent to 100 Silver; Silver—a silver coin, where one coin is equal to 100 Kufer—the name for copper coins.
The largest portion of my capital was allocated to establishing a trade guild led by Joff Bozes. The bald man had already started planning to open several trading posts in the Aragon Empire.
The second task was to build an information-gathering center. This time, I assigned Mai Khalisa, a former experienced courtesan, to open a brothel in the entertainment district. The brothel was merely a front, its main purpose being a hub for collecting information.
Mai would be assisted by Karl Johson, who would act as the head of security there. His role also included placing agents in critical areas and obtaining up-to-date reports on the conditions across the Empire.
The third sector was the Armory, led by Olen Mask. This division was responsible for producing weapons and other equipment to ensure the smooth operation of the disciplinary committee team I had formed.
Every month, I would meet with them to evaluate the progress of the organization I had named—La Escudo.
"Attention!" Instructor Torun shouted.
The second-year students had gathered in the academy's field to receive instructions regarding the survival exam that would begin today.
"Starting today, you will undergo the survival exam in three stages," the Instructor explained to the students. "You will compete to accumulate points in this exam, and the 20 lowest-ranking students will fail and not be able to proceed to the next stage."
Grunbelt Academy is very strict with its students. Those who fail the first stage are almost guaranteed not to be able to take the promotion exam, as the points they accumulate won't be enough by the end of the year.
Moreover, there are always casualties in the annual exams. Not because the academy lets the students die, but due to the high difficulty level of these tests.
If the students aren't confident in their abilities, they can withdraw. However, most push themselves and underestimate the exam, which often leads to tragic outcomes.
This also shows that students must be able to assess their own strengths and understand their limits.
After receiving instructions, the students moved toward the academy gate. A line of horse-drawn carriages awaited them there.
"Each student, please board one of the carriages! Each carriage can only hold five people!" Instructor Torun shouted.
The students began boarding their respective carriages. We were heading to Murcia City, which was about 100 kilometers away, a two-day journey by horse-drawn carriage.
I was walking, looking for a carriage to ride in. However, all seemed to be full with academy students.
Would I have to hire my own transportation to the exam site?
"Hey, Raul."
I turned around at the sound of my name being called.
"Come with us."
---
The convoy of carriages had left the capital. We were currently traveling on the Imperial Capital's special road, which connected key transportation points within the empire.
Unlike regular roads, this special one was wide and smooth, which shortened the travel time significantly.
Inside the carriage I boarded, a tense atmosphere hung in the air.
Across from me sat three humans with different hair colors.
I glanced sideways, glaring at the woman responsible for this awkward situation.
"Leader, why did you invite them into this carriage?" I asked, annoyed.
Sitting across from me was the woman who had slapped and humiliated me in front of all the students, beside her the man who had defeated me in a public duel, and next to him, the woman who had rejected the former owner's confession.
"All students can ride in this carriage, Raul. Besides, isn't this a good opportunity for you all to grow closer? As classmates, you should be more united," Elena replied with a smile, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
This woman knew this would happen, yet she still placed us in the same carriage.
I glanced at Valeria, whose green eyes glared at me with hatred. If there weren't others around, she'd probably slap me again, just like before.
"Keep your filthy gaze away from me, you rotten noble," Valeria spat at me with venom.
I shifted my gaze to the man beside her.
Brian was staring at me with a smug expression. I guess it was justified, since he had recently defeated me, proving his strength to the woman he loved.
He was too foolish to realize that I had let him win back then.
Finally, there was Ariel, twirling her hair with her finger, unsure of what to say in this awkward situation.
After several hours of traveling, the convoy stopped near a lake to rest and water the horses. I got out and searched for a comfortable spot to plan my preparations for when we arrived in Murcia City.
In this survival exam event, many things were going to happen, culminating in the third stage of the exam, where assassins hired by Raul to eliminate Brian would slaughter students they encountered in the monster forest.
"I have to stop this. The academy students are no match for these professional killers..."
---
[3rd PoV]
In a cave located in the western part of the Empire, a dozen mysterious figures had gathered to discuss their plans. They were the assassins Raul had hired to kill Brian.
"The time is drawing near. The boss has ordered us to kill a blond-haired boy," said a man wearing a mask.
"A thousand Gulden just to kill an academy student? What did this poor boy do to that noble brat to make him send professional killers after him?" a woman sharpening a knife commented.
"Well... His motivations aren't our concern. But security during the exam will be quite tight," the masked man replied. "Foxy, you'll distract the instructors while we find and eliminate the target."
The woman called Foxy grinned at the task she'd been given. "Heee~ Playing cat-and-mouse with the instructors, huh? Sounds fun. I'm curious to see how strong these academy instructors really are."
Just days remained before the major battle would unfold between the academy and these assassins.