After a long journey of three hours, Solis and the carriage driver finally reached Mailie. The bustling city stood before him, vibrant and full of possibilities. This was where Solis and the driver would part ways.
"Hey, kid. Wish you all the best," the driver said with a warm smile, tipping his hat slightly.
"Thank you very much, sir," Solis replied earnestly, waving goodbye as the driver steered his carriage away. For a moment, Solis watched him disappear into the distance, feeling both excited and nervous.
As he turned toward the city, he muttered to himself, "Now that I think about it, should I buy myself a new weapon? My sword's already broken because of that fight. Would I get a new one at the academia?"
Lost in his thoughts and not paying attention to where he was going, Solis accidentally bumped into someone, causing both of them to stumble slightly.
"Hey, dude! What's your problem? Can't you see where you're going?" the other boy snapped, glaring at him.
Startled, Solis quickly apologized, "Sorry, brother. I was just daydreaming about something."
The boy crossed his arms and squinted at him. "Who are you, anyway?"
"Uh… I'm Solis. I've come to Mailie to get admission to the Postknight Academia," Solis replied, scratching the back of his neck.
The boy's eyes widened for a brief moment, and then he burst out laughing. "Oh, come on! That's the funniest joke I've heard all day. Someone who can't even walk properly dreams of becoming a Postknight? What nonsense! Even if you somehow manage to get in, you won't last long here."
Solis clenched his fists but forced a smile. "Oh, okay. We'll see about that in the future. So, what's your name?"
The boy puffed out his chest and smirked. "My name is Almond, and I'm going to be the greatest Legendary Postknight in history!"
Solis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the boy's arrogance. This guy really thinks highly of himself, he thought. Despite his annoyance, he replied calmly, "Well, good luck with that."
Almond smirked and strutted off, muttering something about "wannabes" under his breath. Solis watched him go, shaking his head. In different circumstances, maybe we could've been friends. But with that attitude? No chance.
Shortly after, an announcement echoed through the town:
"Attention, all examinees! Medical tests will begin shortly. Please proceed to the designated testing areas."
The entire day was dedicated to rigorous medical examinations, including eyesight tests, breathing tests, and muscle strength assessments. Solis gave his best effort, though the sheer variety of tests left him exhausted.
By 6:30 PM, Solis finally checked into one of the hotels reserved for examinees. He had completed his tests by 2 PM but had spent hours wandering through the market in search of a shop that sold wooden swords.
He collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Damn it, I couldn't even find a decent wooden sword. Ugh… Why didn't I realize that anyone needs a license for purchasing a real weapon? Should I have applied for one earlier?" He let out a frustrated sigh.
"Well, no use worrying about it now. The exam results will be published tomorrow. Let's not panic…" Solis closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Will I pass? Ugh, stop thinking about it!" He rolled onto his side, frowning.
Despite his efforts to calm down, anxiety gnawed at him. "Oh God, please let me pass this time. I'm begging you," he whispered, his voice laced with desperation.
That night, the tension weighed so heavily on him that he forgot to eat dinner and went to bed early.