The wind blew the dust off the ground as the applicants stood on it in groups. Lysa looked over at them and muttered, “Which color should I start with?” She thought for a moment before turning to the king and kneeling. “Your Highness, please choose the color group that will start the duels.”

  He took a moment before nodding and walked towards the front of the stage, next to Lysa. He glanced over at the groups and pointed at green, then, pointing at blue, he walked back to his seat.

  Lysa clapped. “Alright, line up according to when you’ll enter.” The applicants in groups blue and green lined up in front of each other.

  Most of the applicants in the blue group were nobles, while the green group had more gentry. Of the remaining few lowborn in both groups, they ended up standing in last place. The duel began under Lysa’s gaze as, one by one, the applicants in both the groups won and lost.

  Ray crossed his arms and muttered, “They’re almost equal.” Mei Zhi added, “It all now depends on the remaining lowborn on both sides.”

  Ray frowned. “Why are you talking to me as if we’re friends?”

  Mei Zhi smiled. “Aren’t we?”

  Ray sighed, still frowning. Why do I always meet annoying people?

  Soon the groups finished. Most of the nobles and gentry in either group passed, including the lowborn. The next groups the king chose were red and yellow. Cassandra’s group against the prince’s group. They walked forward and faced each other again in order. Cassandra stood at the front of her group while the prince stood at the end of the line.

  Lysa ordered the groups to begin. The first duel would be between Cassandra and a lowborn from the prince’s side.

  Ray glanced over the order of the applicants and shook his head. So, he intends to send the lowborn first. Their thoughts are very different.

  Mei Zhi tilted her head in front of Ray’s face, her hair falling to her side, and said, “Are you always thinking about something?”

  Ray frowned and smiled. “Yes.” Mei Zhi chuckled and straightened. “You remind me of someone back home.”

  Ray’s eyes widened as he saw her smile, a genuine smile that disappeared as soon as the duels began.

  Ray blinked. She’s pret — no. He shook his head. I have to be careful.

  Cassandra frowned and glared at her brother, who just smirked. The lowborn standing in front of her got into position and the duel began. He rushed at her, fists flying. She gracefully dodged his punches and muttered, “I’m sorry.” And kicked him in the gut, making him fall to his knees. He whimpered on the ground as water pooled around his face in the dirt. Lysa announced Cassandra’s victory. Cassandra once again glared at the prince, who just laughed. She knelt and held her hand forward. The lowborn got up, ignored her hand and silently limped towards the gate. His tears traced his cheek and landed on the ground as he left.

  The duels continued. All the lowborn in the prince’s group lost and left, their heads down. The nobles on Cassandra’s side also showed no mercy against them. Soon it was Sera’s turn. She cracked her knuckles as she stood in front of a noble. He smirked. “You’re from the south, aren’t you? Why are you here? Your people only look good as showpieces.”

  Sera chuckled and tilted her head, her expression almost mimicking Ray. “Do your hands work just as your mouth does, mister nobody?”

  Ray laughed. She’s doing it. Nice.

  The noble frowned and shouted. “Stupid wench. I am—”

  Sera jumped forward and punched his face, stopping him from speaking. He thrust his fist forward, which she grabbed easily and twisted his arm, breaking it. “I guess not.” She said as she tossed him to the side. Lysa announced with a smirk that Sera had won. The noble protested, tears running down his face, but to no avail. The men in red-white clothing grabbed him and threw him out the gates. Ray cheered as Sera walked back toward her group. Some nobles in the red group also cheered for Sera. Cassandra smiled and said, “That was wonderful.” She glanced down and continued, “Will you teach me how to speak like that?”

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  Sera nodded. “Of course, princess.”

  Cassandra’s smile widened as she hugged Sera.

  Elaira shook her head with a smile while Jon walked forward for his turn. His face stone cold as he muttered, “I’ll impress Vivian, only her.” He glanced at Mei Zhi, who winked at him. His face turned red as he stammered even in his thoughts.

  The prince glared at his next noble who would face Jon. “If you lose to this mongrel, I’ll not support your family when I reign one day.”

  The noble flinched, nodded and walked toward Jon.

  Jon shook his head and straightened as he spotted the noble applicant walking toward him. Lysa began the duel. Unsheathing his sword, the noble lunged at Jon, aiming for his neck.

  He’s eyes widened, and in a moment he ducked, dodging the blade. The noble continued ?his attacks, giving him no time to think. He frowned and grabbed his arm mid-swing and punched his face, sending him stumbling to the ground.

  He didn’t waste any time. As soon as the noble got back on his feet, Jon kicked his shin and followed up with a punch to his jaw. He passed out on the ground as Jon stood over him. He immediately turned and glanced at Mei Zhi, who gave him a smile.

  As he walked back to his group, Cassandra, and some noble applicants congratulated him.

  The duels continued while the king and the other teachers and the duke watched silently. Some lowborn on Cassandra’s side won against the noble applicants. It was soon Elaira’s turn. She would face the noble right before the prince’s turn. She clicked her tongue and muttered, “I wanted to beat up the prince, but oh well.”

  She cracked her fingers when the applicant in front of her said, “Don’t let the victories get to your head, sun-burnt wench. I’ll show you the difference bet—”

  Elaira lunged at him, kicking his jaw. She continued on with her momentum and punched him tens if not hundreds of times. The cracking of bones and helpless cries filled the ceremony grounds until she stopped while the noble applicant lay on the ground, face bloodied, arms broken and legs splayed wide.

  She flipped her hair. “Hmph.” And walked back toward her group.

  The headmaster chuckled, breaking the silence between the teachers, and? then coughed. “I apologise.”

  The prince finally stepped forward, followed by the last lowborn from Cassandra’s group.

  Before Lysa could start the duel, the prince said, “I, Michael Leonides, firstborn son of Caesar Leon, offer you a chance to give up and have me in your debt forever.”

  The lowborn trembled, and Cassandra shouted. “You cannot do that, Michael. Yo–”

  “Stop, princess.” Lysa interrupted. “The prince has made his offer; it is now up to his opponent to choose.”

  Ray sighed and looked around at everyone. Cassandra clenched her fists, her brows angled in a frown. Some lowborn glanced at each other, their eyes unable to linger on one thing for a moment longer. And finally, when he looked over at the stage, what he saw made him smirk. The teachers refused to look over at the prince and the lowborn, their eyes downcast, darting between the king and the floor beneath them.

  He walked onto the stage, but Lysa stopped him. “What are you doing?” She asked, frowning.

  Every applicant on the ceremony grounds turned to look at him. All the teachers, including everyone sitting beside the king.

  Cassandra whispered to Sera, “What is he thinking?” Sera, her eyes widened at Ray’s actions, remained silent.

  Ray smiled and raised his hands. “Since the prince has made his offer, I have a suggestion.”

  One teacher scoffed. “Who do you think you are to make suggestions?”

  Ray ignored him and looked at the headmaster and said, “Words are power, but words written… are the truth.”

  The headmaster blinked and then laughed out loud, his voice ringing through the ceremony grounds. “I see. I understand.”

  Ray bowed and walked back down while smirking at the prince. Silence filled the air as it pressed down upon Michael. Cassandra stared at Ray as he walked back to his position. Her eyes glittered, with a soft smile playing on her lips.

  Mei Zhi frowned and clenched her fists. Cunning bastard. I really don’t like him.

  The headmaster wiped his tears and stood. Turning to the king, he asked, “Your Highness, do you have any objections?”

  The king replied dryly, “He brought this upon himself. He should face the consequences of his actions.”

  The headmaster gave a sly, unnoticeable smirk and walked to the front of the stage.

  “Prince Michael, I’m sure you heard that. Do you accept it?” Lowering his voice, the headmaster continued. “Or do you reject it?”

  Michael clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, all while glaring at Ray.

  He looked up at the headmaster, still glaring, and said, “This suggestion poisons the spirit of my generous offer. I withdraw it because of the bad-faith interference.”

  The headmaster smiled. “So he says. Let the duel begin.” And walked back toward his seat.

  Ray shrugged, shaking his head. I could still do something more. But this much is enough for now. I can always mess with him later.