The day for the Selection Process had arrived.
All the children who were to participate were gathered in the colosseum.
The seats were filled with the families who came to witness and support their kin.
In the northern part of the arena, was the Imperial box.
This is where Souzen Nocturn sat along with his wife, Vanessa Nocturn.
Seated beside Souzen was the Patriarch of the clan of mages, the Aubade Family, Jerome
Aubade.
Behind them were the high-ranking officials of the Nocturn Family, also known as the Twelve
Patrons.
There were also officials from the Kingdom of Ardenia who came to watch.
The Nocturn Family was a famous clan of powerful swordsmen.
Thus, the Selection Process was an important event to scout out potential talents.
They couldn't afford to miss it."Father, are they going to use real swords?"
A curious little girl with silver hair, and hazel-brown eyes, Alea Aubade.
Daughter of Jerome Aubade, and the sole princess of the Aubade Family.
"Haha, why don't we ask the Patriarch?"
Jerome passed the question to Souzen.
"It's Alea right?"
"Yes!"
"What a lively one, compared to your grumpy old Father."
"Who are you calling grumpy, Souzen?"
Souzen and Jerome had known each other for a long time.
The Nocturns and the Aubades were long time friends, dating back to the days of the First
Patriarch.
Ignoring Jerome, Souzen turned to Alea.
"It would certainly be interesting if they used real swords. But unfortunately they were only
trained to use wooden swords. If they used real ones, it might get a little messy."
"Oh… okay.
"The Nocturn Family were only allowed to use real swords once they finished four years of their
training.
Wooden swords were one thing, but the real ones were different.
They would have to get used to the weight and the mental pressure of holding a real sword.
It would hold them back.
Thus, it wasn't optimal to use in the Selection Process.
"So Souzen, who should we be looking out for this time? Perhaps your children? I heard they
were participating this year."
"They are definitely potential candidates, and it pains me to say this because they are my own
flesh. But, I'd have to give the credit to that boy over there with black hair and azure eyes."
"Oh? How interesting. T o think someone so young has already caught your attention, must be a
real talent that little one. What's his name?"
"Shin Nocturn."
"Shin Nocturn… I see, almost like the First Patriarch."
"That's right, and in a few years he might even come to surpass me."
"T o think even the proud Souzen Nocturn could utter such words. Seems like something
interesting is going to happen this year."
Souzen nodded at Jerome's words.Despite the amount of special treatment Souzen gave Shin, Souzen was a very prideful
individual.
He wouldn't just give free candy to anyone who had even the smallest ounce of potential.
Shortly after, Souzen delivered a speech to inaugurate the commencement of the Selection
Process.
The brackets were announced as well.
====[SELECTION PROCESS]====
Shiro Nocturn vs Souma Nocturn
Camilla Nocturn vs Daphne Nocturn
Satoshi Nocturn vs Audrey Nocturn
Shin Nocturn vs Shogo Nocturn
===========================
"Looks like that Shin kid is going last."
"I would've liked to see him fight as soon as possible as well. But you know what they say, save
the best for last."
"I guess you're right."
The two heads of their respectives families conversed while the battles raged on.
Everyone fought to their best, keeping the audience at the edge of their seats.
Some of the families were disappointed by the results, but they couldn't complain.The winners of their respective brackets were none other than…
Shiro Nocturn, Camilla Nocturn, Satoshi Nocturn.
Finally it was time for Shin's match.
Everyone kept their eyes on him, to see if Shin would live up to the expectations set upon him.
Shin stepped into the arena with the wooden sword clenched tightly in his hands.
In front of him was his opponent, Shogo Nocturn.
Shogo had heard about Shin.
After all, he was always the talk within his family.
It made him nervous knowing Shin was his opponent.
"We'll finally get to see Shin fight."
"T sk, he's probably going to lose, Shogo is 2-years older than him after all.
Despite living together for three years, Camilla and Satoshi had never seen Shin fight.
Shin would always train in secret, which is why they know nothing about his strength.
This was also the reason why Satoshi continued to harass Shin.
He didn't know how strong he actually was.But Satoshi still had expectations for him.
Shogo took up a battle stance, while Shin just nonchalantly stood with the sword in his hand.
"T sk, how arrogant."
Satoshi clicked his tongue.
But Shin wasn't being arrogant.
No, this was the way King Artorius fought.
At the referee's signal Shogo instantly burst from his position.
Making his way towards Shin who just stood there.
Fwoo!
As Shogo swung his sword down at Shin, Shin instantly disappeared.
Crack!
In one fell swoop, Shogo collapsed and Shin reappeared behind him.
"What?!"
None of the children could comprehend what just happened.The match had only lasted for exactly 6 seconds.
"No way, that has to be a fluke."
Satoshi was in denial.
But it was no fluke.
The only ones who could see what happened were the ones seated in the Imperial Box.
Jerome stood up with wide eyes.
"Holy shit, Souzen you weren't kidding."
"Language, Jerome. Your Daughter's here."
"Ah, sorry Alea."
Alea didn't hear her Father cursing, her eyes peeled towards Shin.
"Father, what just happened? How did the boy suddenly fall when the other boy didn't even do
anything?"
That's how it seemed to the ones who were inexperienced with combat.
But to the ones who were experienced, they knew what had just occurred.
At his daughter's question, Jerome explained what Shin did.The moment Shogo swung his sword towards Shin, Shin instantly redirected Shogo's hand with
his palm and dashed below his waist.
As he made it behind Shogo, he swung his sword towards Shogo's carotid artery, causing the
boy to lose consciousness.
"But I didn't see it happen."
"It's because he did it all in a second."
Alea was confused, refusing to believe her Father's words.
"Is that even possible?"
"With enough training it is."
"I see…"
Suddenly, Alea's eyes lit up.
"Father, I think I want to learn the sword."
"What?"
At his daughter's words, Jerome tensed up.
When Souzen heard this, he let out a laugh
"Haha, if you'd like Alea, you could stay in the Nocturn household. We have instructors who
would be glad to teach you."
"Really? Can I go Father?"
Jerome could not believe what his daughter was saying.
The Aubade Family was famous for producing mages.
It was unheard of for a member of the Aubade Family to pick up the sword.
"Alea, don't get fooled by the Nocturns. I'll prove to you that magic is cooler than some flashy
swordplay."
"You mages and your beliefs. The sword is obviously way better."
"Shut up Souzen! Don't you dare try to bring my Daughter to your side."
"Haha, relax you old fart, I was just kidding."
The Twelve Patrons could only stay quiet in their conversation.
They were used to the way Souzen acted when he wasn't in official business.
His wife however…
Smack!
"Ouch, Vanessa why?"
"Souzen, maybe you've forgotten that we're in the Selection Process, all the Branch Families
are watching."
"Oh, right… Sorry I must've gotten carried away."
This was the real Souzen Nocturn, an idiot.
"Yeah! You go tell him, Vanessa."
"Shut up, Jerome! You haven't changed either in all these years. Do remember, your Daughter
is here. So please, mind your manners."
"Haa… Vanessa, always a stick in the mud. Hey Alea, make sure you don't end up like this old
lady here."
Smack!
The three were actually very close.
They had known each other since their academy days.
Souzen and Jerome would end up being troublemakers, and Vanessa was always the one who
set them straight.
"It's insane to think an 8-year-old boy is more mature than you two."
"Now, now Vanessa, don't be like that. You know Shin is a special one."
"That's not an excuse for you two to act like the way you are despite your age!"
As the husband and wife continued to banter, Jerome spoke up.
"What do you mean, Shin is a special one?""Oh, well…"