The presence of nobility was one that everyone present could detect even without advanced sensory capabilities like those possessed by Anemone. Though she was bothered the most. Simply sensing the intensity of his spiritual vibrations was pure agony for someone so spiritually attuned. She had an intense headache as her breathing became erratic. I have never felt this unsettled from sensing someone's presence. It's strange but my whole body is trembling right now. I don't even want to know how it will feel like when I am in magic release. My sensory prowess is easily at least ten times better when I am like that.
"I apologize, your Majesty. But speaking from a logical perspective, those who seek to bring disorder must be dealt with before the chaos they wish to give form to can so much as take root. Problems are best solved before they can even form. That way, a hefty price can not be paid." The man dressed in black lowered his head further. His words carried not a hint of remorse. If given the chance, he would do it all over again.
"You are far too rational. When next you act, ask for my guidance," another man walked toward the man dressed in black. Staring him down. His eyes were as white as the clouds. Flames came from his lashes as they joined his crown. The very crown that hovered over his head, covering only his hair and was made of flame. An array of hues that tipped the crown white. A cloak ran down his back to the crystalline ground he stood on. A ground made of reddish crystal.
The cloak was a deep crimson and blew in a breeze that was never present. A massive emblem of a chained eagle was embroidered on it. The color of the embroidery shifting as though to match the color of the crown.
He let out a sigh before adding, "A knight's sword is meant to serve the throne. And thus, you are all gathered here. To see whether or not the blade you wield is truly worthy of that honor. Your blade represents the throne and thus, knights act as judge, jury and executioner. They act in the stead of the king they serve, and thus, only the king can certify their credibility, seeing that, if they should act disgracefully, they will not only sully their name but that of the throne as well. Now, the rules of engagement for the second trial…"
A loud echo could be heard across the silent grounds. The candidates stood in awe as they witnessed the man dressed in black strike the man he knelt before. A single slap to his back.
"Your Majesty…you did it again," the man dressed in black added.
"You strike me, yet, offer no explanation. That is two for two today. You are supposed to be my right-hand, loyal only to me."
"I wish not to appear disloyal but once more you omitted the introduction. When one addresses an audience, it is customary to make their own standing known. That means the name as well as the title they hold."
"If that was your only concern, why did you not speak your mind?"
"Your Majesty, I only acted on the wisdom that you so graciously vouchsafe me. You quoth and I quote, 'Pain is a great teacher, no?' By inflicting pain for each error you make, I hope to set you straight."
He stood shocked wandering what was happening. I forgot that he is half shadow and thus detached to the hip. He acts purely on rationale and directives, showing no concern for morals or ethnic values. It matters not to him that I am the his king. "I understand. But when next you act, act gently."
"I make no promises."
What just happened? Kano wondered. He just slapped the person who looks like he is in charge. After bending the knee, he hit him?
"I suppose I must continue …but first and foremost, I am the Eleventh head of the royal house Cresturese. My name is Idris Ent Cresturese. And yes! I am the king you aim to please to attain your rank as knight. Knighthood is prominent as application is impossible. Tis not your choice but my will that ye are chosen. I simply dangle a bone by allowing ye to participate, tis now your choice to grab. I see the potential so become knights who make my name great.
Now….the rules of engagement for the second trial are as follows. The trial functions primarily on the principle of a point-and-grade system. That is, each of the three hundred candidates present have been assigned points based on their magic reserves as of this moment. Your magic reserves are ranked from A through F with F being the weakest. The greater your magic, the more points you are worth.
The ranks as well as their point value are as follows:
A; worth 500 points. B; worth 350 points. C; worth exactly 200 points. D; worth 100 points. E; worth 50 points. Finally, F; worth 20 points. As far as rank and values are concerned, that is all. Now the rules themselves;
The goal of the trial is to accumulate a minimum of 1000 points. Your cumulative point value should equal or be greater than a 1000. Bear in mind that your cumulative point value includes your individual points, that is, the points assigned to you for your rank are treated as a deposit. Your goal then becomes to add a number to that deposit for it to equal a 1000 or a number above that."
Well that's peachy, Anemone thought, the point system seems to favor those of higher rank. The weaker you are, the more points you have to earn in order to reach the end goal. I wonder what we have to do to earn points.
"To earn points, you must kill the other Knight candidate…."
Eh, she thought, we have to kill?
"I say kill …as tis the reality. In soothe, none will truly die as all combat will occur in a space dominated by my magic. Within its confines, no death is permanent. I can undo it if I wish. So you are free to murder them in whatever manner you see fit."
Oh…Anemone let out a sigh of relief, So we will kill someone but they won't die? That's too out there to believe but if he says it then it must be true. I don't see why a king would want to lie to his soon-to-be subjects. Destroying his reputation would just lead to his subjects being disloyal.
If that's how we earn points, people of lower rank are screwed. Besides having a lower magic reserve, they need a lot more points. It's essentially meant to make those at the bottom work harder than everyone else to make it to the top. While those at the top don't need to prove anything so they have less work. In short, power is everything…. The greater the power you command, the more privileges you are granted. Fundamentally, it's an unfair system.
"Tis important to note….Points are earned through killing. Beating someone until they are unconscious earns you no points. The finishing blow must be dealt, and death confirmed. Assuming we have two candidates, for simplicity's sake, let's say A and B. Candidate A beats someone unconscious and candidate B lands the killing blow, all the points are awarded to candidate B and not A as only he completed the objective."
He is trying to balance things up….this rule eliminates the unfairness before. We can earn points through kill stealing. With this kind of condition, the cunning are advantaged. It's not only about strength anymore.
"An additional case to consider which will probably become a norm before long is, 'What happens when a candidate who has a cumulative point value greater than his own is killed?' That is, he has earned points. In such a case, when the candidate dies, his original point value is given to the one who killed him, along with half the points he earned. That is, assuming an F ranker who had 40 points died, 20 points are given to the one who killed him, along with 10 points from his earned 20.
The second trial will take roughly three months….within said three months, Candidates will battle both human and bystiers alike. What I wish to say is that you will essentially be in the wild…enjoy your survival. One more important thing to note, since this is the Kingdom of Conflagraflaria, we respect the festival that symbolizes the start of Red Star Ambiance. All my people celebrate as one, even the candidates themselves.
The point I am trying to bring forward is that to the candidates, three months will pass. But in reality, only a few hours. Time in the space I have prepared moves differently. You will return in time for the festival. But whether or not you will enjoy the festival depends entirely on you. A burdened or saddened heart typically invites no amusement, only joy does. Win and celebrate or lose and grieve, what will you choose I wonder? Now! If you are ready, place a finger of your choice on the crystal on the blank card you were given. Feed your magic to it and you shall be teleported to the space. Once there, wait until sunset for combat to commence.
Words of caution, all your actions will be monitored by eight sensory mages…should you act in a manner I deem inappropriate, you will be disqualified immediately and banned from ever receiving employment. You can never serve at any place that resides on this land. So be sure not to stress too much, tis bad for the heart."
Well that's screwed up, Anemone thought, What exactly does he mean by a way he deems inappropriate….could it be actions that sully his name?
"Anemone…"
"What's up Kano?" she whispered, hoping none would catch wind of what they were yet to discuss.
"The man standing behind the king, what do you think of him? Though it may not look like it, I am really bothered by his presence…" If my familiar's influence over my mind had been any weaker, I would have noticed just how terrifying his presence truly is.
'Master….you needn't fret over a manner of malice as weak as his. Shroud yourself in your own and no harm shall come to you. The malice you sense is one he is not actively projecting. As such, it lacks the power to impose on you.'
Anemone was panting when she added, " Might be because your natures are similar. The magic I am sensing from you right now feels exactly like what I am sensing from him. But that is probably because you are both of the shadow class. That plus, I feel malice in the air… it's feint but I know for a fact they are spiritual vibrations woven with it," If the king's vibrations didn't overwhelm me so much, I might have been concerned too. "You must be sensing that because you can sense intent. Just revert back to your regular state and you will be fine. I am sure that ability only exists when you are in magic release."
Walter cleared his throat before chiming in, "Not like it is my place to comment but…that sounds dumb. Do not undo a change you never brought about. Earlier, you looked so shocked when you jumped…this implies that you reacted reflexively. Should that be the case, undoing it should have consequences."
"Why have the Candidates not done as I asked, place a finger of your choice on the card and be done with it." His right hand begun raising his hand as he said, "Shadow Art: Soul Discontinuity; …" Before he could finish speaking, the king grabbed his hand. "I will not have any more of that. You have already eliminated eleven candidates. How many more were you planning to eliminate?"
"I thought a hundred would be a good showing. The number is not too great that it would interfere with your game….and it will serve as a good example for those present, giving them the discipline they need. I heard a few whispers when you spoke and one member of the audience decided that looking down on you as you addressed them was an idea too clever to be bad. Look at him riding a chimera as he looks down from above. That, is a clear discourtesy."
The king sighed, "If left to your own devices, every candidate here would be in a hospital before long. I view their action not as discourtesies but as expected. A few whispers will not hinder the message I wish to convey. They are subject to it regardless. As for the chimera, tis only guarding its master. The shadow you projected earlier put all other shadows like yourself in a rather defensive mood. Pay them no mind.
CANDIDATES! My right hand grows impatient. Act now or a similar fate as those before will befall you. I have said my peace….tis in your hands, and yours alone."
Walter whispered, "I think our King wishes to speed this along. So let us get it done."
Anemone added, "I don't know…the shift in spiritual vibrations was definitely there. He was about to use an art."
Kano chimed in, "Yeah, I sensed the intent too."
They placed their fingers on the crystals on their respective cards. Their fingers were enveloped by an aura. The once-blank cards appeared to have writing on them before their bodies disintegrated. Leaving no traces behind. That was the case for all the other candidate. The palace's yard was empty once more.
"You may speak your mind now. What potential problem did you notice?" The king said as he let go of his hand.
"Your majesty," he got down to a single knee, "I sensed the presence of the other executioner among the shadows. Out of the ranks of the ten-half shadows, the rank of executioner is given to only two as they are responsible for all other shadows. They are the leash that maintains order for an otherwise otherworldly concept. I am the first of their ranks as well as one of the executioners….the other, though I have never seen, I could sense still. I suspect, it may have been the same for him."
"Your actions appear more logical now. You are oftentimes ruthless but rarely to this degree. I suppose you were putting on a show for the other executioner. That explains the malice in the air as well, you were attempting to snuff him out. But…when next you act, refrain from unnecessarily endangering my candidates. The knight's trial only happens once every four years …I would rather it was successful." His voice was stern as he gazed at him intently. His eyes carrying a certain viciousness completely paralleling his earlier demeanor.
"I understand….your Majesty."
The King began walking when he added, "When next such an event happens, I am bringing my left hand. You are too rational, tis like you are emotionless. What assignment did you have her do anyway?"
He got back to his feet as he followed, "She is guarding your youngest son. The one who possesses the eyes of the all-wise. The eyes that have wisdom dating back to way back when. You made the suggestion and she went along as it meant more time for her to laze about. She is a shameless woman."
"I forgot about that....of all my children, he is the only one not participating, no?" he let out a sigh, "I suppose tis time to monitor the candidates and how they are faring." My stamina has started depleting—that only implies that they have started using their magic. Never have I held this many people in my concept. This is bound to be stressful.