For some reason, Rode thought of the devoured soul in his dreamscape, and a chill suddenly ran through him.
If possible, Rode wanted to retreat right now. But that was impossible. The inability to recover his memory meant he was always in extreme, volatile danger. And Jinwosi Academy was so important; becoming a trainee there would offer a layer of protection. Not only that, but he might find the answer to the strange script he saw in his dream at the academy. All things considered, this was indeed his best option.
Rode was anxious, unsure of what future awaited him.
A moment later, the Abbess stopped in front of a tall wall. A person wearing an all-red hooded cloak intercepted her. This was the first person Rode had seen in the King's City who wasn't either a corpse or one of the rescue team.
"Yuser, the final Fire Trial is underway. You are not allowed to approach here."
Yuser flashed a broad smile. "Gawain, is that rule for me, too?"
"It's for everyone."
"What about this?" Rode clearly saw the Abbess slip something into the man's hand.
But the man still shook his head: "Yuser, this is a matter of principle. The children inside are the hope of our future. Although I trust you, I still cannot let you in."
Yuser laughed, "Gawain, you misunderstand. I just want you to take this child inside and let him participate in the final trial."
"No, that doesn't follow regulations. The Fire Trial strictly consists of a Preliminary Test, a Retest, and a Final Test. You cannot skip the first two stages."
"He passed the Preliminary Test and the Retest."
"Who tested him?"
"I did."
"Where is the test certificate?"
"Here." Yuser immediately wrote one out for him.
"...Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Yuser's round, plate-like face showed a look of surprise: "Aren't you?"
Gawain's face instantly darkened. Abbess Yuser forcibly handed her handwritten certificate to him, smiling: "Gawain, you should know my capabilities. Bright Light characteristic, Level Five spiritual energy, the most outstanding graduate of my cohort, full marks in all three courses and twelve subjects, one of the thirty-two Central Medical Practitioners of the Healing Order, and voted the Number One Beauty of Red Rose Street. Of course, I won't even mention those minor details." "I just want to tell you that the person I've tested is absolutely correct. He will be a Fire Seed, he will blossom into brilliant fireworks, and he will illuminate the future alongside us."
Gawain was visibly hesitant. He couldn't find a new objection and could only repeat, "But this is not according to regulations."
Yuser stuffed a large handful of shimmering silver things into his hand: "Is it now?"
Gawain's expression became serious: "No, I am honest and incorruptible. My conduct is very noble."
Yuser scoffed, stuffing his other hand full as well. "But I cannot stand by and watch a Fire Seed that is about to ignite be extinguished. I will take responsibility for this matter." "Don't dawdle. Time is running out. Quickly send him in! If the Holy Chalice of Fire is extinguished, we won't be able to reignite it until next year."
Gawain immediately snatched Rode, tucked him under his armpit, and turned to run toward the tunnel beneath the tall wall.
Abbess Yuser shouted from behind: "Little one, remember to come back and see the Yuser Infirmary when you have time! I will cure you!"
Before Rode could reply, his vision darkened, and he was already inside the tunnel.
The tunnel was long and narrow, with a steep incline, yet the honest and incorruptible Gawain walked as if on flat ground, quickly delivering him out of the tunnel.
A burst of strong light surged out. It took Rode several seconds to adjust.
This was a very large, very bright plaza. Many teenagers about his age, both boys and girls, stood on the plaza, neatly arranged in formations. In the front was a magnificent, palace-like building. Its style was rugged, lacking delicate decoration or meticulous carving. Every component was ten times the size of a normal building, giving it a grand, imposing feel.
Many adults in similar red hooded cloaks were scattered around. One, marked with a crown emblem, walked toward them and asked:
"Gawain, who is this? Why are you not at your post?"
Gawain bowed slightly. "Your Excellency the Sacrificial Priest, this child was delayed. I am bringing him in."
The Sacrificial Priest was a tall, thin, and gloomy man. His eagle-like gaze immediately fixed on Rode's face. He asked coldly, "Who is the assessor? Where is the test certificate?"
"Yuser Thorn-Iron of Red Rose Street." Gawain presented her handwritten certificate with both hands.
The Sacrificial Priest only glanced at it, then waved his hand: "Assign him to the first queue." He then turned and walked away.
Gawain led Rode to the foremost queue and then left.
A slight stir occurred in the line. The teenagers turned their curious glances, sizing up this new, unexpected arrival. Rode smiled at them in a friendly manner, which was met with a collective gasp.
Although no one spoke, Rode saw emotions like awe, envy, admiration, and jealousy in their bright eyes—but no hatred or numbness. These were completely normal teenage attitudes.
This seemingly ordinary reaction was highly extraordinary. It was like how children in war zones instinctively hide under a table when they hear a firecracker, while children in peaceful areas run out to watch the fun. The environment has a huge impact on people, especially children. For teenagers who grew up in this kingdom, constantly facing powerful external threats and living without sunlight year-round, to be as normal as they were was, in itself, an incredible miracle.
"This human polity must have something unusual about it," Rode thought, not paying too much attention to their stares.
He had only passed a small hurdle. He still didn't know what the final trial would entail. In the face of his own safety and destiny, everything else was minor.
A moment later, a red-cloaked priest approached and announced loudly: "First Queue, enter the Candidate Chamber."
A small commotion arose in the quiet plaza. The teenagers in the first queue seemed exceptionally excited. They followed the red-cloaked priest into the tall palace building.
The interior of the palace was vast. The ceiling was too high to see. Flames burning on stone pillars dispelled every shadow.
The priest led them to a side hall and said: "The final test of the Fire Trial is about to begin. When the horn sounds, you will step into the Main Hall and, following the High Priest's command, approach the Holy Chalice of Fire sequentially. Understood?"
"Understood," the teenagers answered in unison.
The priest nodded and left the side hall, leaving only the room full of teenagers.
They looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with barely contained curiosity. A low buzz quickly arose, like a classroom after the teacher leaves. The teenagers couldn't contain their excitement, desperately wanting to talk with those around them. In just a moment, the side hall became a hub of voices.
They excitedly discussed everything they had seen and heard, exchanging all the information they knew and dreaming of the future they hoped for.
"...I heard the City Defense Legion is expanding. You don't need a very high rank to join. A Level Nine combatant can get an eight hundred weekly stipend." "But the City Defense Legion has requirements for soul characteristics. What if yours isn't suitable?" "Then I'll join the Conquest Legion. The salary is double! In a few years, I can bring my parents to the Upper City, live in a big house, and light a big spirit lamp." "The Conquest Legion has a high casualty rate, though..." "But the death benefits are high, too."
...
"Ugh, did you hear? Thousand Lakes Town has a Ghost Spirit problem again." "No way. Is the price of meat going up again?"
...
"What if someone fails to ignite their soul?" "Impossible. The first two tests already performed a comprehensive check on our souls. Even if you can't become a Spirit Fire, a Star Fire is definitely possible." "But my brother said quite a few fail the final test." "That must be those who cut the line or cheated their way in. That's the stupidest thing to do. No one can deceive the Fire; they are only deceiving themselves."
...
Rode listened quietly. This was the best way to gather information, helping him quickly understand this kingdom.
Suddenly, a beautiful girl in long leather boots, a beige dress, and with a head of dazzling golden hair came up to him and held out her hand gracefully.
"Good day. I am Kassan of Mipol. It's a pleasure to meet you. My dream is to join the Knights' Order and become an elite White Spirit Knight."
A small murmur of surprise rippled through the room. This seemed to be a very high goal.
Rode blinked. He had to stand up, shake her clean, slender hand, and speak in a manner imitating hers. "...Good day. I am... er, Rode of Red Stone Village. It's a pleasure to meet you."
He wanted to sit down after saying this, but the blonde girl, Kassan, held his hand tight. Her smooth little hand was quite strong, and her light blue eyes stared intensely at him.
"You haven't told me your dream."
Rode scratched his head: "I have amnesia. I don't understand what you're talking about."
This instantly attracted many eyes. "Amnesia? Can't the Healing Sisters cure it?" "Wow... A pure and handsome boy with amnesia!"
Kassan's eyes flashed, and she said in a slightly quickened tone: "Let me explain briefly. I hope to hear your choice." "Once we become trainees at Jinwosi Academy, we automatically gain the status of combat personnel reserves. The vast majority of trainees will become combat personnel after graduation. A few transfer to logistics or production." "Generally, there are five legions we can enter: City Defense Legion, Conquest Legion, Investigation Legion, Knights' Order, and Night Watchers Legion." "The City Defense, Conquest, and Investigation Legions are the three main legions. The Night Watchers Legion is a special legion." "And the Knights' Order is the smallest and most elite legion."
Kassan stared at Rode with sparkling eyes. The answer she wanted to hear was self-evident.
Rode readily obliged. "The Knights' Order."
A slight smile appeared on Kassan's delicate face. "I'm glad our choice is the same. My mother is a Central Medical Practitioner of the Healing Order. Perhaps she can cure your amnesia."
Rode didn't pay much attention. Abbess Yuser was also a Central Medical Practitioner and failed to cure him, but having one more option was always good. "Thank you."
Kassan said with a touch of arrogance, "You're welcome." She then turned and walked away.
Rode breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to continue listening, he saw six or seven girls gathering around him. Judging by the sparkle in their eyes, they clearly had ulterior motives and were attracted to his looks.
In the past, Rode would have been delighted to engage in witty conversation with the crowd, show off his prowess, welcome them warmly, and share all his knowledge. But now, he wasn't in the mood to be entangled with them. He caught sight of a lonely-looking gray-haired boy sitting in a corner, so he walked over and extended his hand.
"Good day. I am Rode of Red Stone Village. May I get to know you?"
The girls' faces showed undisguised disappointment, while the gray-haired boy's expression instantly burst with surprise. He quickly scrambled up, grasped Rode's hand, and was so excited he was slightly incoherent. "O-of course, I-I am Wayne of Black Ghost Village... No, no, Black Ox Village. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Rode smiled, "Brother, relax. We're just chatting. I have amnesia and don't remember much. Can you tell me about things?"
The gray-haired boy, Wayne, stammered, "B-but I don't know much either. Black Ox Village hasn't produced a Fire Wielder in ten years. They all know more than I do..."
"It's okay. Just chat casually. Maybe everything you say will be new to me."
"Okay." Wayne agreed, then suddenly cheered up and agreed again more forcefully.
For the next short while, Rode thought, listened, and chatted all at once. Of course, most of the time he was listening, only occasionally asking questions or offering coordinating sounds of astonishment.
He was delighted to find that the gray-haired boy knew much more than he had expected, and he explained things very fundamentally, which was perfect for a complete novice like him. And the gray-haired boy, Wayne, was also very happy. He never imagined that anyone would be interested in the old, stale information he was sharing. Yes, chatting must be the most interesting thing in the world.
Wayne desperately tried to recall how he felt when he first encountered this information, attempting to speak from the perspective of someone with complete amnesia about things he already knew. This approach yielded excellent results, and Rode eventually focused most of his attention on their conversation.
Just as Rode was rapidly gathering information, a tall, fat red-haired boy walked over. He glanced at them and said in an arrogant tone:
"Don't associate with that bumpkin from Black Ox Village, Rode. You'll soon learn that there's a huge difference even among Fire Wielders. Friends are important. Stick with me. I am Manolobana Dung-Man."
He lifted his chin, as if waiting for Rode's astonished reaction.
Rode almost suspected he had misheard. He bit his tongue and repeated the pronunciation.
"Dung... Man?" What is that supposed to mean? Are you specifically emphasizing that you're human excrement and not some other kind of excrement?