The city guards had cornered Sebastian from all sides. The nearby people started to flee, away from the clash that was about to happen.

A city guard carried Ivan and Martha to safety, thinking that they were abducted, children.

He carried little Ivan in his arm and Martha on his shoulder while taking them where the other guards were posted.

“Don’t worry kids! You’ll be safe, now that the city guards have arrived.” assured the guard.

“Safe from what?” asked Martha with a faceless expression like always.

The kids were later taken inside the gates.

Meanwhile, Sebastian watched the city guards taking his siblings away from him from a distance.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re taking them?” asked agitated Sebastian.

“Silence, you deviant mongrel.” answered the senior guard, “We will put a stop to your wicked deeds, for once and for all.”

The city guards armed with long pikes had surrounded Sebastian from all sides. Not to mention, the archers positioned on the wall near the gate had also readied their bows. A single wrong move and they can fill Sebastian with arrows without a moment’s notice.

Sebastian had already figured out that he was backed into a corner.

He gently raised his arms,

“I think you are mistaking me for somebody else. I just have arrived in this city, for the first time today,” said Sebastian out loud so that it could reach all the soldiers and even the archers standing on top of the walls.

“Ha! Like we will believe that.” responded the senior guard.

“But it’s the truth!” argued Sebastian out loud.

“If you don’t wanna get hurt, throw your weapon on the ground and kick it away.” said one of the pikeman guards.

Sebastian glanced at his short sword in the scabbard.

‘But this machete is the only weapon left with me. If I hand it away, then I will not be eligible to participate in the knight candidate examination tomorrow!’ he thought to himself as he sweats profusely.

After thinking for a few seconds,

“Alright, I’ll throw my weapon away for now.” answered Sebastian, “But will you promise me to return this back to me?”

The guards became quite puzzled with Sebastian’s request.

Even the Senior guard made a distaste face after hearing Sebastian’s demand.

“Like hell, we will. You’re going to be sent to the dungeon!” answered the senior guard, “We don’t make deals with criminals, especially evil people like you whos been grinning even though you are backed in the corner. What are you plotting behind that evil smug look, you fiend.”

All this time, Sebastian was feeling quite nervous and agitated. Once again the grin had surfaced on his face, giving the guards a wrong idea. Although Sebastian was ready to surrender, the guards thought otherwise. Instead of solving the misunderstandings, the city guards were more on edge.

Sebastian became agitated,

“Hey, I can’t go to prison, not for something that I never did. Also, where have you taken Ivan and Martha! Bring them back.”

The senior guard became furious,

“You won’t ever get to see them. Poor kids had suffered enough. Don’t you have a shred of humanity left? Abducting such young kids, away from their families like that. We don’t negotiate with scum like you, either surrender or die.”

Sebastian was quite shocked and horrified.

“Hey, wait for a second! I am their family! I never kidnapped anyone and those two kids you took away are my blood siblings” argued Sebastian.

He continued,

“It’s an old bad habit of mine that I had since birth. I tend to smile whenever nervous, sad, or angry which sometimes gives many people a wrong impression. This problem of mine has put me to a lot of misunderstandings. But this is the first time that I was blamed for kidnapping my own siblings, which is downright ridiculous!!”

Sebastian was fuming with anger. People who didn’t know Sebastian always badmouthed behind his back. He always ignored the words of such people but this time it was a very different scenario. Sebastian's life was on stake and he was also worried about his young Martha and Ivan, who were the only family that he had.

The soldiers after hearing Sebastian’s side story started talking with each other.

“Is it true, that those kids are his siblings?” asked one of the guards.

“But those kids don’t look anything like this guy.”

“So then why would he boldly enter the city gates from the front like that?”

“If that so, what about that grin. It sent shivers down my spine.”

“But he says it’s just an old habit, then maybe he’s really innocent.”

The guards chitter-chattered and discussed within themselves. It seems Sebastian’s word was at least heard by some of the guards.

The senior guard was rather confused. He glanced at his men who were mumbling within themselves.

“Silence! Don’t get fooled by his wicked words.” shouted out the Senior guard.

The senior guard was adamant to see Sebastian in a bad light for some reason.

“But sir, if he was a human trafficker then why would he want to get caught by entering the front gate like that? I think we should ask more questions before jumping to a conclusion.” said one of the guards.

The senior guard had no response to that question. He then turned to Sebastian.

“You did say, that you arrived just today, is that correct?” he asked.

To that Sebastian answered,

“Yes, I did.”

“So what is your purpose for coming to the capital?” asked the Senior guard curiously.

Sebastian took a sigh of relief.

“Well, I came here to participate in the Magic Knight candidate examination which is going to take place tomorrow. You should’ve just asked this question from the start instead.” replied Sebastian angrily, “Also, return Ivan and Martha back to me at once. You blamed me for the crime of abduction but you people are the ones that just abducted my siblings from me.”

The guards were quite surprised by hearing Sebastian's reason for coming to the capital.

“You are a candidate to participate in the Magic Knight candidate examination?” asked the Senior guard as he examined Sebastian carefully. Sebastian was wearing a plain old pair of pants and a worn-out sleeveless shirt, the senior guard made a face disgust.

“Yes, I am. Is something the matter?” asked Sebastian.

“So, that means… Is that sword with you, is an enchanted relic, I presume.” asked the Senior guard curiously.

Sebastian made a remorseful face,

“It’s not” answered Sebastian in a low tone.

“So where is it? You must be given an enchanted relic as well, right? So show me, where is your relic? What type is it? Tell me?” the senior guard asked persistently.

The senior guard threw barrages of questions but all Sebastian did was look down on the ground while biting his lip.

‘I… I don’t have my enchanted relic at the moment.” answered Sebastian.

All the guards were quite disappointed by the response.

The senior guard started laughing out loud,

“Hahaha! I’ve never heard such a boisterous lie before.”

“Why would I lie?” asked perplexed Sebastian.

“The funny thing is that you could have the opportunity to lie and save your hide. But out of all things you could come up with, you chose such an obvious lie. That it's not even funny but downright stupid.” answered the Senior and then turned to his men, “Take him away. We will question him later.”

The nearby guards capture Sebastian.

Sebastian was quite shocked,

“Hey! I am not lying. I really am here to take the examination. So what, I don’t have my enchanted relic for the time being. I can still make up for the missing thing with my skills.”

The senior guard upon hearing Sebastian’s reply became furious.

He turned back facing Sebastian,

“Do you think the magic knight candidate exam is some kinda joke? Do you think you’re optimistic skills with that puny sword of yours, would be enough to get you into the magic knight order? Don’t make me laugh.”

“But it’s the truth. I need to get myself registered by today, today’s the deadline for all participants,” answered Sebastian.

The senior guard became irritated,

“Stop your yapping! Do you think they will let anyone who waltzes in the capital to participate in this examination? No, they don’t. Only candidates recommended by a Silver knight class or higher are allowed to take part in this examination. A delusional, creepy smiling boy from some no-name village-like yourself, won’t even survive in that exam for a minute. Now come with us, we have some more questions for you-”

Sebastian let out a sigh,

“Let me show you...” he said and reached out to his pocket.

The pikemen soldiers seeing Sebastian reaching for the pocket got on edge. They quickly placed their pike's dagger right near his neck, threateningly.

Sebastian slowly took something out of his pocket.

“Here!” he stretched his arm holding the object “This thing should at least clear your doubts.”

The thing Sebastian was holding was a scroll.

The nearby guard took the scroll and passed it to the senior guard.

The senior guard glanced at the scroll and then started reading its content.

Sebastian stood there with a smug look on his face, while, the senior guards’ face turned pale with shock.

The scroll that Sebastian gave was not any normal scroll. It was a letter of consent signed by the magic knight who had recommended Sebastian Heller as a worthy candidate to participate in this exam.

Every year when the magic knight candidate exam takes place. Talented skilled people were chosen by high ranking knights who were then permitted to participate in this exam. Also, each high ranking magic knight was allowed to choose only one candidate, per year. (Although this rule doesn't apply to knights of noble and royal heritage.)

This letter was substantial proof that Sebastian was deemed worthy partaking in this exam by a high-class magic knight.

Every chosen candidate in this exam received a similar letter like Sebastian.

The senior guard read the letter multiple times with his jaw wide open with shock.

After a few minutes of observation, he glanced back at Sebastian.

“Did you perhaps steal this letter?”

“Are you for real?” answered angrily Sebastian with his wide grin, “Can’t you just accept the truth. I am here for the examination! So stop this blaming with false crimes, also, return back, my young siblings at once!”

The guards started muttering with each other after hearing Sebastian’s and the senior guard's side.

The senior guard irritatedly scratched his brow for some time but he finally came to a conclusion,

“This could also be a fake letter for all we know.” said the senior guard with a smile.

Sebastian was stunned with the outcome,

“First you blame me for abduction, then for stealing and now forgery? I don’t know why, but if you have some problem with me, out with it!” asked Sebastian out loud.

A smug look appeared on the senior guard’s face,

“Ha! I think, I just struck a nerve. But if you are really saying the truth then where is your enchanted relic handed down to you? The high ranking magic knight must have given you magic enchanted relic like every other participant, right? So show me yours.” asked the senior guard.

To that, his nervous grin widened,

“My enchanted relic... I don’t have it at the moment,” answered Sebastian.

“Pah! Such a felony. Not only you lie through your teeth but also forging a fake letter. I’ll make sure that you rot behind the bars for a decade.” said the guard threateningly.

“I am not lying, could you at least verify with the central administration before accusing me? That is not a fake letter, could you just listen to reason, you old fart!” replied angry Sebastian as he took a step forward towards the senior guard.

The nearby guards captured Sebastian and pinned him to ground.

“How dare you call me an old fart! I will also put charges for insulting a senior guard on your crimes” replied the senior guard.

“You rotten bastard! Let me go! I haven’t committed a crime but once I free myself, I would surely wanna commit one murder and free this world from one less annoying old fart.” replied angry Sebastian as he glared at the senior guard with a wide grin.

A smile appeared on the senior guard’s face,

“See that! You finally showing your true colors! Threatening an on-duty soldier like that! I will see that you’ll be executed-”

“Why is it so loud out here?” suddenly a voice interrupts.

All the people glanced at the direction where the voice came from.

The owner of this voice was a slender looking man with messy shoulder-length hair. He was wearing the military uniform but not any heavy armaments like other guards. He looked pretty worn out and his eyes seemed tired. This guy looked like he just walked out of bed, just now.

The guards seeing this mysterious man suddenly straightened their back. Even the senior guard who was acting all haughty stood in attention after seeing him.

“Captain, we just caught a suspicious person who was sneaking in the capital while smuggling kids. Also, he lied about being a participant in this year’s magic knight exam and even forged a fake letter to deceive us.” explained the senior guard to his captain.

The Captain sleepy eyes widened,

“Wow! That’s too much information to intake at once, I just woke up. I went to take a nap for a while and things just escalated so quickly here.” he took a yawn, “I hope the top officials won’t chew my head for this.”

“Hey! That old fart is full of lies. I am innocent! I came here to take part in the examination and I even showed the letter as proof. Have you, guards have no dignity? How could you just treat me this way! Also, return Ivan and Martha at once!” screamed Sebastian who was now pinned down on the ground by the guards.

The captain noticed Sebastian,

“Hey, slow down! I told that I just woke up. There's so much my brain can handle at once. By the way, you seem to have a good time while being pinned down by the guards. What's with the creepy smile in your current circumstances? Are you perhaps masochist or something?" asked the curious captain.

Sebastian in return responded,

"I am not! I just told that my smile- are you even listening?"

The captain had already ignored Sebastian and turned his attention to the senior guard, “So what’s that you're holding?”

“Oh! This is the hoax letter that I told you about. He forged this letter thinking that we might get in the city.” answered the senior guard.

The captain glances at the letter and reads its contents carefully.

After reading the letter, the captain let out a sigh,

“Let him go,”

The guards were quite astonished after hearing the captain.

“You heard me right, let him go.” the captain restated his orders.

The soldiers obeyed their orders.

Sebastian slowly got up from the ground, while holding onto his shoulder. He had sprained his shoulder when the guards had pinned him hard to the ground. He glared angrily at the senior guard with a wide grin.

“But sir, he’s a very skeptical person, and today we caught him smuggling two kids in the city, red-handed.” added the senior guard.

“That is a load of horse crap! I did no such thing and those two kids you are going about, are my little brother and sister,” answered Sebastian angrily.

All of a sudden, Martha and Ivan rushed to the scene where Sebastian was standing.

They seemed to have escaped from the guards and ran to rescue their brother.

The guards were startled seeing kids running towards Sebastian. The nearby guards tried to capture them. One of the guards managed to capture Ivan but Martha was quick to dodge them and reached Sebastian's side.

Martha stood in front with her arms wide trying to defend Sebastian.

“Girl, what do you think you’re doing?” asked the puzzled Senior guard, “Get away from him at this once.”

“He’s my brother" replied Martha with an angry grunt, "and I won’t let you take him"

Upon seeing Martha's expression, the senior guard was quite baffled. Young Martha despite having a teary-eyed, she had a wide grin on her face.

“Martha… your smile,” whispered Sebastian as he saw her grin.

“They tried to hurt you! We should not let them get away with this,” she responded angrily with teary eyes.

Martha had the same habit of smiling as Sebastian. Children of her age used to tease Martha for the same reason, so she never had any friends. After getting tired of all the teasing, she just stopped expressing emotions on her face entirely. She always had an expressionless face most of the time, but anger was the one emotion she couldn't suppress.

The Captain glanced at the young girl trying to protect her big brother, a smile appeared on his face.

“Well, at least now those siblings look a little alike don’t they.” he replies and starts to walk away, “Send these lads in my cabin, we owe them an apology.”

The senior guard was discontent,

“But sir! What about this letter?”

The captain let out a sigh once again,

“This is an authentic letter of approval by a silver knight from the northern border. So yes, he actually is a candidate for this year’s examination.”

The senior guard was still not quite convinced,

“But what if this boy forged that to fool us?” he asked.

The captain turned back and glared at the senior guard,

“Do you think, it’s so easy to replicate a letter from a silver class knight?” he asked.

The senior guard replied,

“Of course not! It’s just-”

“I don’t think that you are taking me for an incompetent fool, that can’t even differentiate from a real and fake letter, are you?” asked the Captain as he glared at the Senior guard with a friendly smile.

To that, the guard started sweating profusely,

“No! I never meant in that way, I just-”

“Very well then, send those kids right away. I know you are after my post but being a senior guard, you must not act on impulse.” added the captain as he walked away.

Sebastian patted Martha’s head,

“It's alright now, Martha. That was very brave of you. I am really proud of you and Ivan”

Martha had stopped grinning and once again returned to her faceless expression. Although, she still had teary eyes. She looked away from Sebastian as she was embarrassed to show this side of hers. She usually acts more mature than her age but in the end, she was just a child.

Meanwhile, Ivan had latched himself behind the back of one of the guards. He was attacking that guard on the head with his tiny fists. He was getting back at the guards for bullying his big brother.

Sebastian glanced at the sorry sight of that guard. The other guards were trying to pull Ivan away but he had a tight grip on that poor soldier's back.

Sebastian let out a sigh,

“Let’s just get Ivan before that old fart (senior guard) could charge me for assaulting a soldier on duty. I am exhausted as it is.”

“Leave it to me,” responded Martha.

She quickly went to the soldier's aid. Unlike the other guards, she pulled Ivan by the ear with her full strength. Ivan finally let go of the soldier and thankfully the soldier let this incident slide.