The Saint Devil

Chapter 6

As the sound of the trumpets announced the start of the festive day, the birds soared into the sky. The sun is shining bright and the voices of the citizens enjoying the festival can be heard from every corner.

"Whoaa! It's incredible! Do you see this, Akushi?!"

"What is so incredible though? You see the capital city every day..."

This is the day that our lives will change forever. Happening in the capital city, once every two years, it's The Knight Selection Exam.

"Of course it's incredible! Look at all those food stands! This is not only about the exam. Remember, it's not about the destination, but the road you walk until you reach it!"

Taiyo's words seem very inspirational at first glance, but they aren't impressing me one bit.

"We don't have the money nor the time to do this!"

Walking towards the arena, we caught the eyes of every citizen. It is normal since we were looking like some wizards coming from a long adventure.

After realizing the questioned expressions that the people looking at us had, I ask Taiyo once again,

"Why are we wearing those again?"

"Because... Hoods are so cool! We look like heroes from fairy tales!"

At Taiyo's insistence, I agreed that we both wear hoods... But I wouldn't think they would cover every single part of us.

"In what story did you see a hero that wears full black? We look more like villains..."

"Details! We might look like villains for normal people, but we look like heroes for colourblind people!"

"This is not how colourblindness works!!!"

Arriving at the front gate of the arena, we can see thousands of people waiting on the sides of the road, encouraging the youths that were about to do their best to take the exam to become wonderful knights, for the sake of this kingdom. We observed some familiar faces, even though, most likely, we couldn't be recognized with those hoods on.

We enter the arena with our black hoods fluttering in the wind, inspiring a villainous vibe to anyone watching us.

"It's huge! I can't find any other word to describe it!" says Taiyo while looking around the place where our lives will change

"Big?"

"Nope, it's not enough!"

"Very big?"

"Yes! Very big! It's a very big-- umm"

"Arena..."

"Yes! Arena!"

Even though we are about to take the most important exam of our lives, Taiyo's behaviour seems unchanged. My emotions, on the other hand, are taking me over completely.

"Every participant line up!" a female voice resounded in the arena announcing the start of the exam.

"Let's go, Taiyo."

"Yeah..."

After a few minutes, every youth participating was lined up perfectly looking at the spectators that were standing in the tribunes. Everyone was inspiring air of dignity, every one of us being ready to grasp our goal with all our might,

"What are you doing standing like some puppets?! You kids stand no chance at all so better let the emotions away!"

Everyone in the crowd is questioning the behaviour of the man that came last and aligned with the exam takes. It was a man around his late thirties, with a grumpy expression, indicating that he isn't living the best life one could live.

Seeing his inadequate behaviour I turn around and say,

"I thought this was an exam for promising youths, not for geezers that are searched by death..."

He turns around, looking at me with an angered expression,

"What was that punk? Couldn't hear you very well!"

"Did you also lose your hearing along with your dignity because of the ageing process?"

"-Silence! As the rules say, there is not an age limit for taking the exam! We'll continue as it is and any outside interference if prohibited! I will now explain the rules!" says the female organiser interrupting me and the old man.

"This year, the exam will be based on a detailed evaluation made by the general of the Knights, Sir Bastien! You will be evaluated by the skill you show during a four-man fight. Four of you will be fighting until one is left standing. Killing your opponent is prohibited! However, you can incapacitate them if they don't give up!"

Then the woman turns towards a man holding a box in his hands and says,

"You will have to take a ticket from the box and then show us the number on it. This will be how your fights will be assigned!"

I didn't think of it, but there is a chance that I will be fighting against Taiyo... If that happens, I'll just let him get the win over me...

After everyone got his ticket, my fear was all dissipated after seeing my number. Taiyo is number eighteen while I am number seven, this way the possibility that we fight against each other is inexistent.

"-Remember that only 25% of you will pass the exam! But winning is not everything it takes to get accepted. Even though you win, it will depend on how you fight to be accepted. So even a loser can pass while a winner can fail! With this in mind let The Knight Selection Exam start!"

After just one group fought, my turn to show my skills came, but when I turn my view towards the tribunes, in an honoured place, followed by servants and knights, was the none other than the King of Wanborne, that just came to watch the youth giving their all to become peacekeepers of this kingdom.

Seeing him... I take out my hood and stare right into his eyes.

"Just watch me! Even though you've thrown me away like thrash, I came to haunt you once again! Do you hear me... Dad?"

Hearing this, the crowd starts questioning my behaviour, and then, giving me a stare full of disgust, dad turns around and walks away in a place where I can not see him...

"I've never seen him so furious, yet so serious... Do your best, Akushi." thinks Taiyo after witnessing my shout

---Meanwhile, the price for my behaviour was to come faster than expected. Somewhere in the curtains, the king was giving orders to one of his servants.

"Go tell Bastien... No matter the price, he has to fail that kid. I don't care what he says. If he doesn't, his head will be where his feet are."

Sending those orders he then returns to his honour place in the tribunes, to watch over the exam, but when he returned, the second match was already over.

In the middle of the field, without a single scratch on my body, I am standing with my wooden sword out, looking right at the place where my father is.

"Whoa!"

"He is incredible!"

"Who is that kid?"

Many praise words and questions could be heard from the tribunes.

"Akushi didn't even try... The beauty of his sword skill can't be surpassed by anyone." thinks Taiyo that runs towards me waving his hand

"Good job, even though I will be better! Just wait to see me!" says Taiyo with a large smile on his face

"Yeah sure. Which match are you in?" I say while slowly returning to my waiting place along with Taiyo

"Fifth, I guess."

"Did you scout your opponents?"

"Umm, I don't think it will be necessary, and even if I tried, everyone is hiding their numbers now, so it's not like I can do anything, But I will win!"

"Winning is not important, passing is, so just do your best!"

"Yes! I will! Thank you Akushi!"