-

Carl then proceeded to go to the cave each day -- using the training technique until the time for the academy signing was a few days later..

He got a few injuries that he'd kept on himself for a plan he'd started a few days ago , that would guarantee his entry to the imperial academy and also leave a good impression on them..

Carl was around middle stage of minor Knight realm , as he didn't have much time to practice, so he could only sigh as he was too weak currently..

Others would indeed cough out blood in anger if they heard him -- a thirteen years old , being a middle stage minor Knight , and calling himself weak.

Carl was indeed weak , as he couldn't protect himself against others stronger than him were they to attack him..

He sighed as he started to make a plan in order to have the people's favors , thus helping him in the future for his ascension to the throne..

He -- in this short period of time before going in the competition that decided those who were talented enough to enter the academy -- had made several connections, and had the 'friendly' , 'kind' , 'calm' traits that would make others recognize him as.

It was a necessity in order to place a foundation for his reputation in the future -- while he indeed never cared about school what others thought of him , it was necessary for the mission , but for him personally , it was just mere hypocritical words that wouldn't change how he acted.

So after getting everything ready , he finally got in the carriage.

On the carriage , many other commoners were there to try their luck in order to rise through the ranks.

Carl would occasionally encourage a few commoners that were of his attention , thus make his his reputation grow even more through these small actions.

-

A few hours later, they arrived at a beach , that had a small platform on it - representing the place where the tournament would be held.

It was a platform made of wood , along with an arena that was the place of the battles, and a small area where the judge would he standing in case of severe injuries to that participants -- as these aren't life & death battles , but just battles to show one's talent to be recruited by the royal family's imperial academy.

It had two sides on it - a side where the spectators were sitting , and the other side where the participants were.

Carl glanced around before seeing a small golden chair on top of the seats of the spectators that signified the place of the emperor and royal family.

He had a calm look on his face as he looked around , before taking a seat in the participants' side.

-

" Is it that one that has saved you last time without getting any payment nor checking your identity?" The empress asked a small 12 year old girl that had cute looks for her age , as she had blue eyes , along with a face so beautiful that would make others noble young masters fight to have her as their wife in the future, along with a golden hair that complimented her beauty.

The little girl nodded weakly with a slight blush on her face , before saying :" Yes, he was there fighting a beast to sell it to merchants , due to his need to money as he is an orphan and the orphanage never gave them money.."The little girl sighed with sadness, as she remembered how cruel the world was superficially , while in the outside it looked all beautiful , because she experienced many events that made her see the real world even on her age , as in example she had attracted p*dephiles due to her beauty when she was 11, and also had seen when she donated money to some orphanages their lives didn't get better , but their owner had shown a better life than before..

She then shook her head as she continued:" He could fight an apprentice-level beast head on back then! Though he had severe injuries , and look they're still there!" She then motioned towards Carl , who had some injuries on his arms , before continuing:" He had gotten some medical treatment , but then it wouldn't get rid of all of the injuries can it? Please mother, the very least we could do to repay him is giving him an entree token to the academy!" The little girl then started begging her mother to agree with her ; but unbeknownst to her , a seed of attraction towards Carl had been planted in her heart..

" Okay okay , the sole reason we came to such tournaments in the first place was to see this commoner that saved you , and reward him properly , though admitting him to the imperial academy straight away wouldn't do , everyone needs to witness his strength so that even if we give him the token after he wins it , nobody would talk about it."Said the empress in a gentle tone to the little princess.

"But.." The little princess still didn't give up , but she was stopped by the empress.

"Enough , now's not the time to talk about such matters." Said the empress in a serious tone which made the little girl close her mouth tightly as she knew her mother wouldn't say such things without a reason..

==

AN:

No chapter in Friday, I'm busy sorry.