“Cain! Higa! Wake up! It’s morning already!” Lexa called them from outside the shared room of Cain and Higa.

“Yeah, be right there! Cain! Wake up!” Higa was already dressed. “You stayed up late again, huh?” asked Higa.

“Uhm… yeah…” Cain was still lying on the bed.

“Come on, get up and get ready," said Higa.

“Kaay…” Cain replied while half asleep.

Cain was 20 years old now. It’s been 10 years since Igo taught them. They were living and working at an inn in the capital, Aroum City. They no longer lived in the orphanage because of age limit.

Aunt Germi’s friend, Marion, the one who’s funding the orphanage who was also the owner of Emerald Horn Inn, employed the Trio to her inn, in exchange for their stay there.

Higa as a cook, Lexa as a waitress and Cain made sure the inn was kept clean.

Cain walked down the stairs, their rooms were on the second floor. He wore simple clothes.

“Cain, we ran out of eggs, buy them, okay?” Marion saw Cain and continued cleaning the tables.

“Okay," said Cain.

“And take Higa with you, I need flour too," said Marion.

“Alright," Higa popped up from kitchen.

Because the Kingsmight Entrance Test was held this year, the inn was bustling with people from every corner of Arozora Kingdom. Hoping to get their dream job of the highest paid occupation in Arozora.

Cain and Higa were walking in Pama Marketplace.

Pama Marketplace was one of the biggest marketplaces in Aroum City. From cheap to sky high price goods could be found here.

“Hi auntie!” Cain talked to an old lady at her stall. “You look younger today!”

“Ohoho, always with the smooth talks. So, what discounts are you asking for today?” The old lady smiled gently.

“Hmm… we need eggs and flour.”

“Alright, I’ll wrap them up," said the old lady.

“I’ll help you auntie," Higa helped wrapping the eggs and two sacks of flour and gave her Fuls coin.

Fuls coin was the currency for trading in the continent, but they also accept trade with other goods.

“Ah, thank you, Higa," the old lady smiled at Higa.

“Caiiin, Higaaa, won’t you buy some apples today?” another old lady called them from across at her fruit stall.

Cain walked towards her. “Hi auntie! How are you doing?” he said.

“I’m doing good, how’s Marion and the Inn?”

“It’s a busy month because of the entrance test, and Marion’s wrinkles are getting a lot," said Cain while smiling.

The old lady laughed.

“Don't let her catch you saying that. And here," she gave Cain two apples.

“Thank you, auntie! We should go back, or Marion’s wrinkles would stare at us!” said Cain.

The old lady laughed and waved to Cain.

Cain went back to the ingredients stall and spoke to Higa. “Let’s go!”

Cain passed Higa an apple and took the bag of eggs.

“Later auntie!”

…

On the way back to the inn

“So… when are you gonna say it?” Cain spoke to Higa while eating the apple.

“Huh? What? Say what?” Higa was confused, half of his apple was eaten already.

“Come on, you like Lexa, don't you?

“Puhh!! Cough! Cough!” Higa was almost choked by the apple. “W-what are you saying!?”

“We’ve been together since kids. Heck, even Marion knows it. They way you talk and look at her," Cain teased Higa.

“Guh!? I-It's that obvious?”

“Yep, I think Lexa likes you too, you know. Just go for it.”

“Really!?” said Higa.

Cain answered with a grin on his face and nodded.

“Then, I will do it after the Kingsmight entrance!”

“Oooh! That's the spirit! Cain gave a thumbs-up.

“What are you guys talking about?” Suddenly Lexa appeared behind them.

“Woaaah!!?” Cain and Higa jumped. Thankfully the bags did not fall.

“Really, Lexa!? You almost made me throw this bag!” Cain pointed at the bag of eggs he was carrying.

“Hahaha! just what are you guys talking about that didn't make you realize I was behind you?” Lexa laughed then smiled.

“It’s boys talk, you shall not know about it! Right Higa?” Cain winked at Higa.

“Huh? Ah yeah it is. Hehehe," Higa grinned. Both of them teased Lexa.

“Fine then, no dinner for you~” Lexa smiled wickedly.

Although Higa was the cook, Lexa’s cook was just simply tastier, but because she took a lot of time for just a simple meal, Marion let Higa did the cooking. They always ate Lexa’s food for dinner.

“Wha- err we just talked about tomorrow, the Kingsmight entrance," said Cain hurriedly.

“Ooh that, we're gonna do that tomorrow, right? I almost forgot!” said Lexa.

Kingsmight entrance registration was in one week. And the test itself a day after the last day of registration. The Trio would register on the last day tomorrow because they were busy with the inn bustling with people aimed at Kingsmight.

“By the way, why are you out here, Lexa? Shouldn't you be at the inn?” asked Higa, still couldn't believe Lexa almost got them.

“I went to take a new frying pan that Marion ordered last week from the blacksmith, this," Lexa showed them the frying pan.

“Oh, I will use this then?” said Higa.

“Yeah," Lexa smiled.

“Come on guys, Marion's waiting," Cain started walking again followed by Higa and Lexa.

Next day

The Trio went to one of the Kingsmight base. It’s called Kingsmight Pillar. There are four Pillars. The one that held the registration was the Kingsmight West Pillar.

Each Pillar was inhabited by 1 squad of Kingsmight.

When they arrived, the place was filled with strong and fierce looking people from all around Arozora Kingdom. Men and women were ready to change their lives here.

People from outside Arozora could also participate, but, it's tough for them because one of the test materials was deep history knowledge of Arozora. Because he/she one day might serve Arozora directly under the King, they must at least know the culture and habit of this Kingdom.

Arozora never worry about the chance of a spy, because Arozora’s relationship with other Kingdoms were healthy. Even King Illigo said in his speech at the Kings Summit years ago, “Go on, spy on us, for we have nothing to hide.”

The Trio entered the Pillar, despite it’s called Pillar, it's almost shaped like a mini fortress. The hall was huge and the ceiling was tall. Some of the Kingsmight members were watching from the second floor mezzanine.

“Woah! so many people here!” Higa got excited.

“Let's go over there," Cain pointed to a desk with a small queue.

They queued the line, only 3 people before their turn.

While they were waiting, they realized there were so many strong people here leaking with fierce aura.

“Young and old, all kinds of generation is here," said Lexa while looking around.

“Yeah just by looking, I can tell some of them are very strong," Cain also observed the people.

“Hmm!?” Cain’s eyes fixed into one direction.

“What’s wrong, Cain? asked Higa.

“He probably found a beautiful girl to flirt with," said Lexa.

Higa and Lexa were tracing where Cain's eyes landed.

“!!!” Both Higa and Lexa were also stunned.

On the second floor, a lady with gracious height that support her charming face caught their eyes. Even though she wore a light armor, one could tell her figure was ravishing. She stood watching from above with other Kingsmight members.

“Oh my… that's what you call goddess level beauty isn't it…” Lexa felt a bit jealous to her.

Cain and Higa were still stunned.

“Really? Guys?” Lexa shook her head.

“Wait…” Lexa looked at her again.

“Silver hair, goddess like appearance, and Kingsmight emblem with two blue stripes on her light armor?... Guys! It’s Ivela Caral! Rank two of Kingsmight!”

“What!?” said Cain and Higa at the same time.

One could tell the difference between the rank of a Kingsmight by looking at the blue vertical stripe on their left side of their uniform. 1 stripe was for the Captain of Kingsmight, 2 stripes were for the Vice Captains and 3 stripes were for the non-titled.

“Then I must pass this test!” Cain fired up.

“Really, Cain? She’s out of your league, you know!” said Lexa, couldn't believe to what Cain just said.

Ivela Caral was the little sister to Bagulv Caral. Both of them were prodigies and Kingsmight’s aces. They’re the best graduates from Lafales Academy, the best academy for talented and genius people in Arozora Kingdom. Bagulv joined when Kingsmight was just established, while his sister joined 3 years ago from the last entrance test. Just within 3 years, she climbed to the top with her talent alone without her brother’s help. Although she’s only 23, she was already a Vice Captain.

Because her family mark was silver hair and her unparalleled beauty, people called her the Silver Rose, while her brother was the Silver Ogre, because his built was tall and robust.

“Come on, it's our turn now," said Lexa.

No one in the hall realized about her, except the Trio.

Cain’s eyes met with her for a brief moment. Then she talked a bit with the other Kingsmight members and left.

“Come on, Cain," Higa pulled Cain.

“Welcome to Kingsmight! My name is Lindia, would you like to participate the Kingsmight entrance test?” A woman greeted them from behind the desk.

A white haired old man stood behind her. He just smiled to them. They smiled to him back.

“Hello, yes, we would like to register," Lexa handled this.

“Sure! First write your name here, then place your hand on this crystal shard," she put out three shards on the desk.

“What’s this for?” asked Higa.

“It's an age verification test. We must make sure all the participant is above 19, if it glows green, then you pass," replied Lindia.

They wrote their names and of course all of them got green.

“Take this form, fill it, and bring them tomorrow when the test begins," said Lindia.

“Thank you!” Lexa took the forms.

“Let's go back, Marion’s hands must be full by now," said Higa.

The Trio decided to go back to the inn.

On the way to inn

“You know, I miss Igo…” Lexa looked at the blue sky while walking.

“Yeah… what's he up to now I wonder," said Cain.

Igo left them 3 years ago, after Higa’s 17th birthday. Said there were things that had to be taken care of, but he never showed up since.

“You guys remember when Igo left us at the deeper part of Barm Forest?” asked Lexa.

“Yeaaa, that's when you piss in your pants, wasn't it?” Higa looked at Cain while grinning.

“Oh right! Hahahaha!” Lexa laughed.

“Eeeh! You always remember my embarrassing part, don’t you?” Cain shook his head.

After 3 months under Igo’s training, Higa and Lexa refused Igo’s offer to go to Lafales Academy because they would live in a dormitory, that would make Cain be left behind in the orphanage. Igo didn't invite Cain because the academy only accepted people with extraordinary talent and growth like Higa and Lexa.

Igo then told Cain he had good friends, and Cain replied that they were his family, he would give his life for them, hearing that made Igo prank them by leaving them behind at the deep forest and ordered one of his Great White Lions Spirit Beast, Blazing White Lion, to scare them, when the Blazing White Lion showed up in front of them, Cain proved his words by telling frightened Higa and Lexa to escape, Cain bravely stood in front of the beast as he peed his pants while clenching a branch stick in his hand, but Lexa quickly realized that the Blazing White Lion didn't move an inch, and just stood there roaring, when she told them that, Igo came out from the bushes, laughing his ass off because he saw Cain peed himself but also gave him a thumbs up.

Lexa and Higa were laughing as they arrived at the inn.

“Achooo!!!”

“You need to take care of your health, Your Majesty," Dios stood in front of Igo.

“I'm okay. So how’s Kingsmight?” Igo looked at a paper in his hands. He sat behind a wide desk with a glass ornament on it. Some of his hair had turned grey.

“Participants this time are up to five thousand, more or less,” Dios also had papers in his hand. “And as you expected, they registered.”

“I see… How are they?”

“They looked very promising, give ‘em two or three years they might be become Kingsmight top ten,” said Dios.

“Hahahahah! They’re my disciples, what do you expect?” Igo laughed so hard.

“Except one, I couldn't measure him, but he looked so ordinary.”

“That must be Cain, the talentless one I told you about.”

“Ah, the one that was able to learn from the Book of Gomara?”

“Yes, by the way, Dios, do it," Igo’s face looked serious.

“About what we talked about before? Alright then," Dios nodded.