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Chapter 14: Slow and Steady

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Along with his five patrons, Krone walked out of the building.

Still drinking their tea, people turned to look at him. Glances and murmurs increased as he walked past the crowd. Back then, most did not pay him any attention.

Back then, he was merely one of many.

Back then, for him, some even pity.

Right now, people looked at him, with jealousy and envy.

Regarding him, only a few were actually happy.

Who is he?

What is he?

He didn’t cheat?

Bullshit!

Another prodigy?

Just how is it possible to move like that, seriously?

When he reached the twins, he stopped in front of them, behind them were a crowd.

His action sparked curiosity.

What’s their relationship, really?

Later we have to make inquiry.

The crowd spoke among themselves.

The twins’ expression was funny.

Their eyes did not blink, their mouth did not speak.

As if they were captivated by this freak.

Their hair was shining, yet their mind was missing.

Krone, who are you?

How come you’re able to move like that?

The twins had about the same questions. His image as their fellow voyager; how wrong they were.

He was not a poor victim lost in a voyage, but a freaking pirate king!

Did he trick us?

Is he keeping something from us?

Such thought crossed their mind. Someone, whom they saw in tears before, had suddenly turned out to be such a freak. Their impression of him before was totally in contradiction, thus it was natural to doubt their own perception.

Krone saw their expression changed, from shock to anxiety.

He could guess what they were thinking, but he did not mind. With a smile, he extended his hands.

His palms opened, waiting for his spear from the sisters. He did not move anymore.

The elder sister snapped back to reality. He did not say anything, but his expression did the talking.

Eyes of gratitude, smile of warmth.

Simple expression, nothing extraordinary.

She turned to the green spear he entrusted to her. It was in her hand.

My mother’s memento, I entrusted it to you.

He had entrusted something this important to her.

Even if it was for only a short time, he did trust her.

He did not tell them he was extraordinary, but thinking again, why should he?

Some things, should not be spoken; some things, deliver through action.

Such thought crossed her mind. She took the spear, slowly turning it down.

The spear was a short spear, yet it was still two-metre. While Thiana held the front, Liliana took the rear.

The two sisters, put it into his hands, together. Their action, registered in mind as a symbolic gesture.

That the trust they shared, would slowly grow further.

‘Cause we’re in this, together.

What secret he held, did not matter. As long as they were honest, they will support each other.

Extraordinary? All the more to keep him company!

While Thiana had a revelation, Liliana had one her own.

Those who saw this gesture, felt a strange sensation. It was as if their action, signaled their deeper relation.

Krone held his spear in his hands, he nodded. He knew, speaking more right now would just ruin the moment. A simple sentence, ought to suffice.

“Let’s meet later, as promised.”

One ought to know when to leave, and to leave people to their own imagination.

Plant curiosity, feed expectation. When enough, then leave them be. The plant will flourish on its own.

General Shurran’s teaching lived within him.

The twins nodded, not speaking as well. Their act of non-spoken interaction, established their relation. They knew, he wished for them to focus. He had said enough, and shown enough.

If they still doubt what he had said before, then nothing more should be said.

He turned, walking steadily away from the twins.

‘Doran…’

He saw the big boy in green, with green shield on his back.

‘If the twins are hamsters, this one’s a turtle,"

He smiled towards him, closing his eyes while he nodded slowly.

He turned away from him.

Doran, witnessing this, was empowered. Whatever little doubt he had within him before, had been eliminated. He knew; Krone wished him to possess one-hundred percent conviction. He had proven himself, now it was his turn to prove himself.

Now, it was Doran Ashwalt’s turn.

‘I will show you, brother!’

Fiery fire burned within his gentle eyes.

Krone did not see this. However, he was expecting this.

‘This brother had already shown his prowess, if you still cannot believe, then nothing more should be said.’

If he was wrong about his potential, then that was it.

It was an investment. There was risk, there was failure.

All he had to do; was to do his best. Doing more than necessary, might even backfire.

He knew when to stop.

Leave all the rest to God.

‘Still have more work to do.’

Looking at the grandstand, he noticed a knight and two soldiers approached his uncle and aunt. Kristine was on their aunt’s laps, seemingly sleeping.

‘Invitation…? Oh yeah, Medron’s order.’

He could hear some of the conversation, but the sheer noise around annoyed him.

His eyes fell on some more candidates, finally resting on a red-haired girl with tight pads clenching her as armor. The red pads covered her chest, shoulders, back, arm and legs. Her red hair unbraided, it reached her back and shoulders.

Standing away from the crowd, she put a distance each time someone or a group approached her. She held this air of isolation; having no desire of knowing others. Her eyes turned to him, and his did not evade hers.

Their gaze locked.

Though she seemed interested, she still turned away. She closed her eyes, with her hands crossed.

‘Not my business?’

From her expression, he derived such information. Doubting himself, he wondered if he made a wrong assessment.

‘Could she… Interested, but not enough trigger? Should I do a direct approach?’

He got into thinking. She had avoided others, even some well-meant candidates. Right now, the tests were all personal test, but later…

Krone recalled whatever information he got from his comrade from then. Information about their family, branch families, structures, how they handle things and their influence.

He did hear some crucial information, but right now those kinds were not going to help.

‘Not enough useful information. I’ll just have to be vague.’

Krone walked as close as he felt possible. It was at the end of field, where their front was the hill. Athea had placed herself far away from others, and he did not get closer in consideration of the fact.

She kept her eyes closed for a long time. In a way, she was wasting Krone’s time more than others. He pondered if he should focus on other candidates first, then put that behind him.

‘I already approached the best on the list…’

Among those he listed, he first approached those he felt most capable but most open to influence. Though he knew Julia, Ryan and Ron were the most capable among the candidates, he did not approach them. Their mind was not so simple, thus they were not susceptible to his cheap influence. The other candidates he yet to approach, was due to the same reason.

‘Hastily approaching the target would just increase their guard.’

The other reason was their order. He had approached in which order they were going to take the test. The last in orders, he did not approach yet.

‘This girl ought to be the last. Should I do her right now?’

He thought, troubled by her personality. He had shown such magnificent prowess, yet she still had her guard up. How to get her to lower her guard, and increase her curiosity?

Then, he got an idea.

‘It’s now or nothing.’

BANG!

As another line of candidates was released, the second one-hundred was left with only several last lines.

"Number 201 to 300, gather!"

The evaluator called for the third one-hundred. Doran and the twins walked alongside the many candidates to the back of the starting line.

Athea then opened her eyes. The disinterested eyes, watched the candidates all the way to the end of the field. Being in her line of sight, she naturally landed her eyes on Krone.

She was about to turn away, before a movement caught her interest.

Krone’s movement.

He was moving with his spear, circled it 360 degree, with its front turning low. Her sight however, caught the details of his steps.

His feet were tapping the ground, as if forming a triangle. Soon, another triangle; overlapping the other to form a six-star. With his spear, he waved, forming a circle in the air. He made three steps in front and two at the back.

Spectators witnessing this, naturally thought he was practicing for the second screening; the Arte Exhibition. It was a crucial test, thus many candidates who had passed the obstacle course was doing just that. Most did so in parts, either due to some Artes being a family secret, or they wished not to gain attention. In the Arte Exhibition, only the Knights and Squires would spectate.

At the back, in between the crowd and audience in the grandstand, no less than forty were practicing their Arte.

Thus, though Krone’s action gained attention, it was due to his performance before. None of them recognized what Arte he was practicing.

None, except one.

Her eyes opened wide, her red pupils trembling. She recognized his movement.

‘A coincidence?’

She thought. Perhaps she was overthinking things.

Krone stopped showing her more. There was no reason to rush, plus he wished to see Doran’s performance. Without any more evidence, Athea ignored such a scene. Shaking her head, she sat down on the ground.

‘Well, that ought to plant curiosity.’

It was now Doran’s turn.

BANG!

The five candidates sprinted, except one. While he seemed like sprinting, it was actually a lot slower than the rest. The way he moved his feet was a little weird. It simply was too similar to a toddler, who had just learned how to run.

He was slow. Plus, at his back was a large green shield.

In a way, this sight reminded the others of a certain children’s tale. Many raised their eyebrows as they saw the shield. They pondered.

“What the heck he’s bringing that for?”

“Wouldn’t that slow you down?”

“Dumbass.”

“Not just slow, even his thinking is low.”

“Is that not breaking any rule?’

When others already exited their tunnels, he had just entered. Fortunately, the evaluators took his size into consideration, replacing it for him beforehand. It was the biggest personal tunnel they had.

When he turned low, some were unable to keep from cracking up.

“Keke… That position fit him well.”

“Hm, remind me of a certain story.”

“Too bad we can’t see him under there, ha!”

Finally out of the tunnel, Doran could somehow hear the commotion. He was embarrassed. Remembering Krone’s reminder, he quickly forget it.

‘What others say won’t matter. People say things. That’s natural.’

Slowly placing his feet into the stutter steps wheels, he passed it without making mistake. Running, he jumped and placed his hands on the four-metre high wall, pulling himself up.

Next, he climbed the net wall slowly, seeking stability rather than speed. For the pyramid box, he put his hands on it, pushing himself passed it.

It seemed disgraceful, yet he did not care.

As for the pool…

It was one of those he thought impossible for him to pass. The gap between the raft was too far for him, plus to balance himself after a jump might be asking too much.

He jumped nonetheless.

The first one, he almost slipped but his hand managed to grab the edge. For the second, as expected, he lost balance. He fell onto the pool. He still managed to keep his hands on the raft, soon pulled himself up. He jumped for the next raft, falling yet again. He got onto the raft again, jumped, fell yet again. On this fourth raft, he jumped, finally landed on land.

His performance was so embarrassing, many candidates face-palmed themselves. Even for those who made fun of him before, now felt pity.

“Aii… Now I feel bad making fun of him.”

“He ought to give up. It’s already impossible for him.”

“The rest left him far behind…”

Yet contrary to their opinion, his face showed no sign of giving up. All drenched, he took on the balance beam. He lowered his stance, and proceeded at it slowly. He passed it a lot slower than others, yet he did not fall.

Others shook their head.

“That’s too slow…”

“He can’t understand he already failed?”

“Must be nice being such an optimist.”

Facing the swinging logs, he knew he could not evade all eight. He took out his shield, and placed it to his right. Both hands holding the shield, he waited till the logs passed him.

He took a step in.

He passed the first log.

The second log hit him, yet he refused to be blown away. He planted his feet on the ground, taking in the blow. It shoved him to the side, into the gap with the third log.

The gap was too small, even girls could not avoid getting brushed up by the logs. For him? Impossible, and the third log was on the way. His shield however, was ready. The second log had shoved the shield right into facing the third log. He only had to step to his right, then took the third log on.

Thumb!

The sound this time was louder. He was shoved, yet he again, the impact turned him right into facing the fourth log. He stepped to his left, and the log smashed his shield. The impact placed him right into the middle gap.

Another four logs left.

The audience was surprised looking at this.

“Shield can be used?”

“If it breaks the rule, then shouldn’t the evaluator already…”

“Wait, do you remember the rules?”

“Err… What was it again?”

Doran rested for a bit. His hands were stinging, but he did not rest for too long. He repeated the same process with the rest of the logs.

Looking at this, judges looked at each other.

“So someone already notice.”

“Well, it’s bound to happen.”

“Can the boy really come up with this by himself?”

“Is any of his parents a knight?”

Looking at the boy, the knights had the impression he was not the bold type; the type that was able to go against the status quo by himself. Yet the fact was; he was the only one that noticed the unspoken in the rules.

To be fair, perhaps he was not the only one.

However, the fact that he was actually the first to act differently was noted; he used his shield. In the judges’ eyes, they also took note of other qualities. In the paper, Sir Medron personally noted;

“Slow, but tenacious, determined, resisted the urge to rush…”

Normal candidates never expected; that when he took the blow from the logs, he did not receive demerit.

In fact, that by itself granted merit!

He had planted his feet, and placed himself in favourable position. The impact turned his body right into the most advantageous position for the next blow. In addition, within the short time frame, he moved a little, in order to put himself into the next right position.

Later, he rested. Not long, but enough.

Enough rest, showed sensibility.

Not long, showed tenacity.

“Proper judgement.”

Sir Medron noted. The boy managed to make proper judgement. There were more to the obstacle course than merely finishing in time. That was why knights with experience acted as the judges.

Five judges.

Why would you put so many judges, if you only intent to take the completion time into consideration? Along with the simple rules, they were the signs the knights deliberately made public, yet too bad the children could not made sense of it. Even if some did, how many were bold enough to do so?

Of course, children of knights could very well receive hints from their parents, but it seemed no one made the first step yet.

Knights would not be so shameless as to directly tell his or her children to find holes in the rule and took advantage of it.

…

Well, except for one shameless guy.

‘The hell cares? It’s for Kharlussia.’

This shameless one was a disgrace as a knight, really.

The fact was; it was not that the knights did not want to give their children any subtle advantage, but the rules had some changes each year. Thus, the candidates had to make their very own decision.

This year, the rules were simple.

‘For human, it’s hard to go against established belief. With so many believing you can’t use your own equipment, even when you do not state such, none dared to ask for confirmation. There’s also the belief that it’s time that matters. That was not the case.’

Krone glanced at the candidates. All of them were young. The youngest was his age, while the oldest was sixteen; the age limit for Knight Apprentice Test.

Passed the age limit, you will have to go through Non-Commissioned Officer test first, then proceeded to become Commissioned Officer before you can ask to become a knight. After a background clearance, they assessed your track record and contribution. Once all that cleared, you will have to pass the knight’s test; testing whether your ability had reached the standard or not.

That was the route he had to go through. It was a long and difficult route.

‘If not for General Shurran, I wonder how long the procedure might take.’

In a way, this Knight Apprentice Test was a highway towards becoming a knight; the pride of Kharlussia. A band of elite bunch; rather than sat comfortably in their laurel, trained hard during peacetime, and fought in the frontline against any aggressor.

With their doctrine of honour and humility, naturally they were respected and adored by citizens.

Doran now had just passed the flying fox. As instructed, he went through each obstacle as careful and as steady as possible. Doing so made his progress slow, since the others had taken their sandbag already.

The judges deliberately held the next line.

Those who were sharp enough noticed this.

‘Why? Is there something deeper behind this slowpoke’s action?’

‘Before, even if a candidate was slow, they did not postpone.’

‘For all we know, they might just be considerate, but…’

When Doran started his monkey bars, a judge nodded to the starting line. A bang signaled the release of the next line.

Doran did not rush. As per instruction, he used the proper grips, and slowly advanced. Krone had warned about rushing, since doing so increased likelihood of making mistake. With his strength, this obstacle was done faster than expected.

“He actually passed through that?”

“This slowpoke…”

“Will he actually finish this?”

He passed by several more obstacles using the same method; slow and steady. He reached the sandbag course, took it and ran. All of his competitors had just reached the end, while two of the five candidates at his back already reached the hill.

As he neared the judges, they could see his eyes; hardened, determined, tenacious. It was as if this boy would never yield no matter what.

‘This boy…’

‘A shame he’s slow, but his mentality’s good enough!’

‘Well done, you made full use of your gift.’

Along with the sandbag, he stepped on the balance beam. He put on weight on his steps, almost cracking the beam. The soldiers responsible for it were worried for a moment. Fortunate enough, it did not snap and the boy passed the sandbag.

He went into the underground black hole. It was made much larger than the tunnel before, so it was not a problem. Passing through, the candidates at his back had reached the sandbag course.

Reaching for the rope, he jumped. As he placed his hand on the next rope, his hand slipped.

Splash!

He went down under the muddy pool, yet soon, came out from it. With mud all over him and some green underwater plant around him, he was akin to a river monster.

As he reached the finishing line, the time keeper did not hesitate;

Doran Ashwalt. Final place, 8 minutes 46 seconds!

There was something strange in his declaration. Those who heard it frowned, but could not quite make of it. That was until someone pointed it out;

“Isn’t it supposed to be last place?”

“Ah, that’s right!”

“…What’s the heck with final?”

His arrival was unexpected. Many were not impressed, but some did.

Even those who made fun of him, decided to clap for him several times.

That was it.

They admired his tenacity, but that was it. None of them candidates expected him to pass.

None, except;

“Well done, big boy.”

Krone had his trademark sinister smile on his face.

…

He ought to change this bad habit, really.

======= Chapter 14 End =======