The capital of the Barencia Kingdom, Asteria. Walking through the bustling streets, identical to how they were twenty years ago, Cael was overwhelmed with complex emotions. In his previous life, this beautiful city had been half-burned by dragon fire.
"This time, I won't let that happen."
Cael headed for the Royal Knights' Headquarters. It was where his comrades, who had fought alongside him in his previous life, would still be young.
In front of the headquarters, Cael hesitated for a moment. Right now, he was just an unknown young man. His reputation and connections from his previous life were all gone.
"Who are you?" The gate guard knight looked at Cael suspiciously. His shabby clothes and single old sword made him look dubious.
"I've come to apply for entry into the Knights."
"Apply for entry?" The guard scoffed. "There are countless brats lately trying to join the Knights. A country bumpkin like you? I doubt you've even properly learned swordsmanship."
Cael answered patiently, "I'll take the test. I'll show you my skill."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke.
"What's all the commotion about?"
Turning around, Cael saw a handsome blond knight approaching. Cael's heart pounded. It was Leon Valdes, his closest friend in his previous life. Though still in his mid-twenties, he was already serving as a vice-captain of the Royal Knights.
"Vice-Captain, this man says he wants to join the Knights..."
"Then let him take the test, shouldn't we?" Leon's voice was still righteous and warm. "Our Knights don't care about origins. All that matters is skill and resolve."
Leon looked at Cael, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What's your name, young man?"
"Cael... Cael Drake."
"Drake?" Leon raised an eyebrow. "Are you perhaps related to the Drake family from the north?"
Cael shook his head. He was, in fact, a descendant of a branch family, but there was no reason to reveal that now.
"Then let's proceed directly to the test." Leon extended his hand. "I am Leon Valdes. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Taking the hand he had shaken hundreds of times in his previous life, Cael found it difficult to suppress his emotions. Leon had died protecting Cael in the final battle against the dragons in their past lives.
Among the people gathered at the Knights' training ground, other familiar faces could be seen: the red-haired female swordswoman Aria Scarlet, the giant shield-wielding tanker Garon Ironwall, and the mage Elisa Moonheart. All of them were comrades with whom he had shared life and death in his previous life.
"The entrance exam is simple," Leon explained. "You'll have a mock battle against one of our Knights. Victory doesn't matter; the goal is to observe your fundamentals and fighting spirit."
"I'll be your opponent," Aria stepped forward. In her previous life, she was known as 'Red Wind' and was one of the continent's best swordswomen. But now, she was just a rookie knight in her early twenties.
"Aria, don't go too hard on him," Leon cautioned.
"Don't worry, Vice-Captain. I'll go easy," Aria said with a confident smile.
The two stood in the center of the training ground. Aria drew a light rapier, and Cael unsheathed Dragonbane.
"Begin!"
At Leon's signal, Aria charged. A flurry of rapid thrusts flew towards Cael. It was her technique, one he had seen countless times in his previous life.
But for Cael, it was far too slow.
He lightly twisted his sword, deflecting all of Aria's attacks, and in an instant, brought the tip of his blade to her throat. The whole thing was over in less than three seconds.
The training ground fell silent.
"Th-this can't be..." Aria mumbled, her face showing disbelief.
Leon's expression also turned serious. "Cael, where did you learn your swordsmanship?"
"Self-taught," Cael replied calmly.
"Self-taught, and you overwhelmed Aria?" Garon said in a surprised voice. "That's impossible..."
Just then, a new figure appeared at the training ground entrance. Cael's expression instantly turned cold.
Victor Ashford. He was the one who had colluded with the dragons and betrayed countless comrades in his previous life. Right now, he was still a battalion commander of the Royal Knights, respected by all, but Cael knew his true identity.
"Interesting swordsmanship," Victor said, approaching. "Are you the new applicant?"
"Yes, sir," Cael replied, hiding his emotions as best he could.
Victor's eyes lingered on Cael's sword. For a moment, a strange light flickered in his expression.
"That sword... where did you get it?"
"I found it by chance."
"Is that so..." Victor smiled meaningfully. "I suspect we'll be seeing a lot of each other, Cael Drake."
After Victor left, Leon placed a hand on Cael's shoulder.
"Congratulations, Cael. You are now a member of the Royal Knights."
[System Notification][Quest Complete: Royal Knights Admission][Reward: 500 Experience, Increased Reputation][New Quest Generated: Earn Companions' Trust]
Cael nodded. The first step was complete. But the real fight was just beginning. Victor had already begun to suspect him, and the dragon invasion was less than three months away.
"No time..." Cael muttered to himself.
That night, before falling asleep in the Knights' dormitory, Cael looked out the window at the sky. He saw a small red dot moving quickly in the distance. A normal person would have mistaken it for a shooting star, but Cael knew.
A dragon scout. They had already begun to move.