12th of the first month of Autumn, Yman, and Sistela

rode his Hell Chaser bird towards the adventurer guildhall.

He received a message from the headmaster early in the morning through a messenger bird.

Apparently, he wasn't able to sleep last night, and now his stamina wasn't able to regain much. After he made a contract with the demon his stamina raised a lot, however, the fight last night drained him for good. Yman at the moment was lacking vigor. But what made him more dispirited was the fact that his Wallet Section in his Interface only had 1 GP left.

Just enough to buy the cheapest coffee. After that, he would be left with a big ZERO.

His only chance was to get the reward money if Miss Ella approved him as her bodyguard.

Yman sighed listlessly.

He was flying the transport bird not too high, just enough height where he could discern the people's face below.

He even noticed some birds racing beside him. In the distance, the canopy of large mountains together with the blue horizon was like an exquisite painting. But Yman was too tired to appreciate the beauty of it.

After a couple of minutes, the Hell Chaser bird descended in front of the adventurers guild.

Yman listlessly climbed down, then he tapped the bird to let it fly somewhere for it to hunt its own food. The Hell Chaser bird snorted and blew smoke from the crevices of its beak. Its favorite food was insects and it also likes eating fish and fruits or any low tier beast. But the most it wanted was the Rank A meat of Ram that could be bought in the guild bar.

The Hell Chaser bird flew halfheartedly. Seconds later, it was gone within his sight as it flew to the direction of the north. It likely went towards the forest there.

Yman walked towards the door. But before entering he checked himself, well, he looked bland. The long white jacket was the same jacket he was wearing yesterday. He wasn't able to take a bath and at the moment, he smells — not bad but not good either. Good thing that Sistela was a little bit high level, the Photonocules now included restoring the torn part of his clothes even dirt would be washed out.

Regardless, he was too hungry. Yman opened the door and was greeted by the serious faces of the people that were already inside. Yet what surprised him more was the fact that at the moment there were quite a number of adventurers inside.

"That's him," whispered the person who was leaning his back against the wall near the window.

Yman stole a glance and noticed the person was a plump human with a round body, and face covered in beards. Beside the man was a Rabbitman who was wearing tawny light leather armor.

He noticed as well the other adventurers whispered to the people beside them. Looks like the news about him beating the golden rank adventurers proliferated already.

Yman did not mind it and continued to climb towards the Headmaster's office. He was wondering why he was being called, the headmaster didn't state the reason in the letter she sent.

Although today is the start of the competition, it will start at 10 am. He still has a lot of time to waste. He then continued and climbed the stairs.

...

In the palace of Encantasia Empire, in the garden of beautiful flowers, a beautiful woman with long snow-like hair that was braided at her back, was standing in front of the flower bed. She was wearing a long sapphire gown, and on her head was a silver crown embedded with eight diamonds.

Two short pointed ears were distinct on both sides of her head.

This woman was no other than the Empress of the Encantasia Empire, Empress Eleanna Encanta.

She was 37 years old but her appearance was that of a woman in her 20's.

A moment later, a middle-aged woman wearing a fine dress, came out behind her and bowed slightly.

She remained her head down while saying, "Your majesty, the preparation of the stage, and the area for elimination round are all done. And we successfully reached the quota of 1.5 thousand of participants," said the middle-aged woman.

The empress glanced at the back while wearing a light smile on her face, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Rue," she said.

"No, your majesty, it was thanks to your smart and brilliant idea. With this, we can avoid the hype that was going on in one of the Human cities, and in regard to that issue, we can avoid affecting the increase in the price of all the products in the market. Although the duke and the other family have no idea why such a competition will be held on a whim, we on the other hand understand your majesty's real reason," said Miss Rue.

Miss Rue was the closest aid of the Empress.

She smiled. "As expected of Miss Rue! You really know me like the back of your hand," said the Empress cheekily. Then turned her gaze back to

the flowers.

The aid smiled brightly at the empress words, but under the veil of her bright smile, was another kind of smile.

The empress lips curved upward and caressed one of the flowers in front of her, "No matter how beautiful the flower is, it's useless if no one truly appreciates it," whispered the empress with a glint in her eyes.

Miss Rue frowned.

Empress Eleanna turned around and giggled, "Fufu, let's go, Miss Rue, we can't delay the competition. I hope it will be an exciting competition, fufu," she said with a cheerful face.

She passed at her close aid and walked inside the palace.

Miss Rue who was still frowning followed after.

...

Inside the headmaster's office, Yman was in front of two large boxes; not just that, the girl named Ella was present too.

Yman stared at the boxes with a puzzled face.

"Uhm, headmaster, Miss Ella, what are these?" He asked. Although he knew they were boxes, what he meant were the things inside it.

Ella on the other hand had noticed something, 'Why does this person lack energy?' Ella thought. She also noticed black circles below his eyes. She wondered if this guy did not manage to sleep last night.

Is he afraid of today's competition? She wondered.

That's too bad, she even bought these things for him.

It's not like she bought it because she wanted him to win, or because she was concerned about him. It was because of 'what if he really achieved his challenge?' thing. It was better to hide his identity. So that if ever he ended up being her bodyguard, the stalker or any potential danger would not have an idea of his ability.

Even if he has a great defensive ability, there were stronger people in the empire.

"Kuku, why don't you open it," Laura urged him.

Yman doubted what she said and glanced at Ella then caught her staring at him with a baffled face.

Ella quickly averted her eyes when she noticed his eyes on her.

Yman didn't mind it and returned his gaze at the boxes. Seeing that it was on top of the small glass table, Yman assumed that the things inside weren't that heavy.

The boxes were well-made with exquisite designs and carvings. However, both were already unlocked. Probably the headmaster or Miss Ella checked the inside of it.

Whatever was inside it was likely hidden for quite long. Because he noticed some speck of dust on the boxes.

Yman glanced again at the two. He saw the headmaster nodded her head, while the beautiful Miss Ella sneaked a glance on him before averted her eyes towards the glass wall. With an indifferent look on her face, she drank the coffee in her hands.

After a sip, she placed back the cup on the small plate in her left hand which was resting on her lap.

She noticed his eyes followed after her hand. She looked down and saw her voluptuous figure molded her off-shoulder dress.

She quickly covered it using her arm and caused the coffee to spill a little. Then she noticed his face having a regretful look after she covered it.

"Eh, perv..." she uttered with a red face towards him.

Well, Yman was staring at the spilled coffee. He wondered why the headmaster did not serve him coffee. Maybe she forgot. He was waiting though.

Yman felt hungry. Even a coffee will do just to alleviate his hunger even for a little.

Seeing the misinterpretation of the beautiful girl in front of him, his mouth opened in a soundless laugh.

The headmaster just forced a smile and waited for him to open the boxes.

He then opened the boxes one by one. Yman was more regretful than surprised.

"Hey, what kind of face is that hmph?" Ella asked with a pout after noticing the slight regret on his face.

"S-Sorry," he said while scratching the back of his head. 'It was better to see meat or any food after opening it,' he thought.

Regardless, in the first box, there was a set of silver armor, looking at its design and the materials, this set of armor probably made in good materials. The urge to touch it got the better of him. When his hand caressed it, his fingers slid. It was too soft. And the glint was visible on its surface.

Elemental armor? A question in his mind.

This was the first time for him to see such a thing. An elemental weapon was more common than an elemental armor. This armor probably cost a lot of money.

Ahem!

The beautiful girl in front cleared her throat. Maybe she noticed the frown in his face. It wasn't like he doubted them, He was just surprised to see this kind of armor.

"Don't get wrong. We are not giving it to you."

Sternly said the girl in front while raising a brow. She looks cuter though. Regardless, He wasn't expecting them to give him these things.'

"May I know what these are for?"

He asked.

"It's for you to wear in the competition."

'And that's what she said.' He thought.

Yman fell silent as he stared at the second box. In it, was armor with jet black color. He touched it and just like the first one, his finger slid on it and glints were visible too, likely an elemental armor too.

"May I know why I have to wear it?" He asked.

"Hah," sighed Ella. Then she explained to him the reason.

A few hours later, the street towards the public square of the main city was already crammed with people.

Each of them was wearing different kinds of equipment.

Many carriages and transport birds were going forth in different directions.

Then suddenly, the people around broke into loud murmurs when some big and exquisite carriage stopped nearby.