"Knock, knock."
Soft knocking came from the door. It stopped for a moment… then started again. He ignored it—not because he couldn't wake up early, but because he had a specific time he always rose. He didn't need a wake-up call. His instinct did it for him.
But after several rounds of continuous knocking, he finally got out of bed and opened the door.
Elizabeth stood on the other side. He loomed over her.
"What is it?"
She lowered her head, her words stumbling as she tried to speak.
"You have to go to the main house today, Sir Sylas."
He didn't respond. He simply closed the door, showered, got dressed, grabbed his sword, and opened it again. Elizabeth was still there, waiting quietly.
"Let's go."
He handed her his sword, and they started walking. After a few steps, he noticed she was struggling to keep up, so he slowed down.
"Is breakfast ready?" he asked.
"Yes, but… we're running late. If we don't go now, we'll be—"
He ignored her.
"Let's get breakfast first."
She was about to protest but stopped the moment he turned and looked at her.
He sat at the table, calmly eating toast and fruit. Elizabeth stood beside him, panicking quietly, her eyes darting to the clock.
"Sit and eat."
That startled her.
"I can't."
"Do it."
His voice was cold, yet calm. He never looked at her once as he ate.
She sat down, eating nervously—like she was being forced to. As he chewed, flashes of Camelot flickered through his mind. He looked around the table… and saw the phantoms of his family sitting across from him.
Tears began to fall—but he wiped them away before anyone could notice.
A maid entered with more fruit and spotted Elizabeth sitting. Her eyes widened.
"Child, what are you doing sitting th—"
Before she could finish, Sylas looked at her. One glare was enough. She stopped.
When he finished, Sylas and Elizabeth walked outside. They moved through the garden toward the main doors, where a cart waited for them—two horses hitched at the front.
He stepped forward, checking out the horses. He walked past the cart.
"Unhook that one," he said, pointing to the left horse.
"Sir?"
The man hesitated at first, but he couldn't defy his order. He didn't ask questions after that. The man quickly unlatched the harness.
Sylas climbed into the saddle with ease. Elizabeth stood there, confused. He turned to her.
"Come."
He reached out his arm. She hesitated at first, but then she took it. He pulled her up.
She sat in front of him, holding the sword tightly against her chest as if she were hugging it. The golden hilt glowed under the morning sun. Her legs draped to the right. Sylas held the reins around her, keeping her steady. She was nervous and shaky.
He looked at her.
"You will be okay."
"So… they all left?" he asked, looking back at him.
She nodded.
He smiled.
"Give me the sword."
She handed it over, and he took it, securing it at his waist. He looked at her once.
"Now hold on tight."
Before she could question what he meant, he pulled the reins—and the horse dashed forward. He didn't need to command it to go fast. It already knew.
Elizabeth tensed immediately, more nervous—afraid. But his arms were around her, firm and steady, making her feel safe.
The wind hit his face. The rush. It had been a long time since he had ridden a horse—not to go to war, but simply to enjoy riding it. Seeing him smile, Elizabeth felt a slight relief.
But that didn't last long. Sylas increased the speed.
The houses were small and old, built from stone and wood. Each had a chimney, and smoke curled out into the sky, wooden fences surrounding the houses. The town was quiet, peaceful.
The road was narrow, made of old cobblestone, uneven in places—but it reminded him of Camelot. Small patches of grass grew between the cracks. Lanterns hung from wooden posts along the path.
After a while, in front of them, they saw a few carriages. He looked at Elizabeth.
"Seems like we caught up."
He zoomed past them all. They looked through the windows, mouths open—they didn't know how to respond.
After passing Luis's cart, he wasn't happy.
"Go faster!" he shouted out of anger.
But it was no use. Sylas was just too fast. He was the first to make it to the main house.
As he went near the massive door, it opened, letting them pass through.
The main house was located in an open area—like it was a nation on its own. Surrounded by a maze-like pattern, it was filled with tons of gardens, advanced training camps, horses running around in an open field. In the middle was the main house. It reminded him of his castle in Camelot—but this one was much bigger, much smoother.
In front of the castle were many water fountains with different styles. He climbed off the horse. Then he turned and held his hand out. She was hesitant but took it. He guided her down, and once her foot touched the ground, he let her go. He handed her his sword, and they walked inside the house.
He was the only one there. The throne was empty. No one was in the room.
The room was massive. Stone pillars surrounded it. The floor was clear. The throne was made of gold, some kind of black material, and had a weird symbol carved into it—which he didn't know what it was.
Slowly, they all joined him. Luis and his mother were still upset that they didn't make it first. They were the queens, the princes, then dukes, marquesses, counts, viscounts, and barons. Each title held power.
Slowly, the empty throne room was full. Everyone who survived the trial was here. All fifteen of them.
They all stared at him. Cold and silent. They were angry. The fact that he—a nobody—made it, while some of their kids didn't. As if they were asking, with their eyes:
Why do you get to live… and not my child?
He didn't care what they thought. He stood still.
Elizabeth felt uneasy due to all the attention they were getting. He took the sword and petted her head.
When everyone settled down, the king finally walked in and sat on his throne. The queen—Luis's mother—sat next to him. Everyone bowed and kneeled on one leg… except Sylas.
The queen's face turned red.
"Has your mother not taught you manners?"
He ignored her. His eyes never left the king.
"Child, do you know who I am?" the king asked. His voice was low and controlled, yet powerful.
"Who are you?"
Sylas was calm. Both hands resting on the hilt of his sword.
"I am your father… and the king."
"You need to be in the child's life to be considered a father."
He paused.
"A king…"
He paused again and smiled.
"Then tell me—what is a king to a king?"
The queen stood up.
"You disrespectful child!"
He ignored her and turned to Elizabeth.
"You do not bow to anyone but me. Now get up."
She looked at him, then at the king. She didn't know what to do—until the king gave her a small nod. Then she rose.
Everyone in the room was furious about it. But the king was calm, and he signaled everyone to move on.
Then they moved into a room. At the center stood a massive statue of a warrior, holding a sword before him. Once an examinee got within its view, it would move and shout out their rank.
Ranks are permanent. The blessings come from gods, mythical beasts, or legendary warriors—just like a test or exam. The door works the same way. The amount of blessing you get is based on your performance.
(Except Sylas.)
One by one, they all walked forward. Since they were all noble families, they were trained their whole lives—so most of them made it to A and B rank.
Before him, Luis walked forward. The statue's eyes glowed with blue light.
S-Rank.
This was a rare occurrence—there had only been a few S-Ranks in the Virelia family.
The room lit up with joy from the king and queen. A candidate for the throne had been born.
At last, it was Sylas. He walked forward.
The statue looked at him… but didn't talk. Didn't say anything for a while—until its eyes started to glow with golden light that filled the whole room.
Everyone almost went blind. Then it shouted:
"E-Rank."
The room went silent for a moment. Then they all burst out laughing.
He ignored them and walked back. Elizabeth looked around, still holding his sword, as the laughter grew louder around them.
"Silence."
The queen's voice cut through the noise. She turned to Luis.
"What do you desire for keeping this family's honor?"
He walked toward his mother and looked at Sylas. He wanted to embarrass him in front of everyone. He wanted to take everything from him—for what he did to him.
"I want that sword."
Sylas knew Luis didn't care about the sword. He wanted it because he saw how much it meant to him.
Sylas stayed and said, "No."
But they didn't let it go.
The queen whispered something into the king's ear.
"Child, give it to him. In exchange, you can pick any high-class weapon in the kingdom."
He took the sword and stabbed it into the ground, smiling.
He looked at them.
"If he can pull it out of the ground, he can keep it."
Joy filled Luis's eyes. He stepped forward, about to reach for it—but Sylas spoke:
"But if you fail to pull it out… I will cut that filthy hand of yours for touching that sword."
Their eyes widened.
"You disobey the king, insolent child!"
The queen's voice broke the silence.
He looked at her calmly.
"I never disobeyed his order. He is free to take it whenever he wants—unless he's afraid he can't do it."
Luis started gritting his teeth. He grabbed the sword—but he couldn't pull it. He used all his might, but it wouldn't move.
"You cheated!"
Sylas didn't respond.
Luis ran toward his mother and started accusing him of cheating.
Then the king tried. He shook the room with his power—but even he couldn't do it.
He looked at Sylas. His calm voice was gone.
"What trick are you playing?"
Sylas stepped forward.
"It's simple. You all… are not worthy."
And he pulled the sword out.
"Now…" His eyes cold. "I want his arm."
He stepped forward—but the queen blocked his path.
"Move, witch."
Her eyes started to glow.
"No."
He looked at her, voice sharp, filled with power.
"We had a deal."
She cried out for the king. But he was quiet.
Everyone in the room turned on Sylas—as if the moment he moved, they would kill him.
He turned to Elizabeth.
"Let's go."
As he turned to leave, the queen and Luis started to laugh.
He paused and turned his head.
"I don't know what's so funny."
His eyes turned red. A grin formed on his face.
"I will take that arm soon."
Once again, the room went silent…
As he left the main house.