Chapter 948
“Ugh, it’s packed in here.”
Beric clicked his tongue and pulled his head back. The line to enter the imperial palace stretched endlessly. There were all kinds of people—huge giant women, sturdy little folk, boys who looked barely old enough to hold a spoon properly, and even elderly folks who seemed too frail to stand for long. It felt like every kind of person from the Bariel region had gathered here.
Beric scratched his ear and asked, “This is the first checkpoint, right? How the hell are we supposed to stand here all day waiting? My patience is getting shredded.”
“Shut up. Keep your mouth closed,” Barsabe snapped, crossing his arms and shooting Beric a sideways glance. From one perspective, this really was the first checkpoint for Beric—he was a restless little troublemaker who had to wait patiently for his turn.
When the person in front glanced back, Beric shot him a defiant glare and called out, “Hey, you.”
“What?” the man replied.
“You looked back. If your eyes are in front, then look forward.”
“Is this guy nuts?”
The man ground his teeth in disbelief. The test hadn’t even started yet, and already this guy was making trouble? The palace was still far ahead, so no officials would be watching here anyway.
As if ready to throw down, the man rolled up his sleeves, but Xiao Xi lightly grabbed his arm.
“Apologies for his rudeness. He’s always like this, so please forgive him.”
“I’m like this by nature too!”
“If you waste your energy before the test, you’ll only hurt yourself. A true warrior settles things in an official duel, right? If it’s a free-for-all, I’ll gladly push Beric into the arena for you.”
“Yeah, me too. I’ll carry him over if I have to, so just hold it in for now. If we cause a scene here, we’ll get pushed back in line again.”
Barsabe’s warning made the man’s eyes widen slightly. Again? Had he already been through this once?
The man frowned at Beric sticking out his tongue. Was this really the level of the great Bariel Empire? Even street thugs like this were trying to become soldiers? The man cleared his throat a few times and turned back around.
Snap!
Barsabe flicked Beric on the back of the head, eyes flashing.
“Ow!”
“Keep quiet. We’d have been inside already if it weren’t for you dragging this out.”
“Fine, suffer on your own, but don’t forget we’re here too.”
Beric rubbed the back of his head and glared at Barsabe and Xiao Xi. Damn it, one was the granddaughter of the family that fed him, and the other was a noble scion whom Ian treated with utmost respect.
Not that it was because they bought him drinks or anything. Still, it was frustrating that he couldn’t just smack them both on the head equally.
“Look at your eyes rolling around. What are you thinking about?”
“I’m gonna score higher than you and get into the palace guard. Then I’ll smack you on the back of the head just the same.”
“Beric, getting better grades doesn’t make you a senior. Seniority is based on years served.”
“Really?”
“You don’t know anything, do you? Be grateful you’re a magic swordsman. If it weren’t for Ian, you’d probably be starving or dead by now.”
Judging by how he ate, that wasn’t far from the truth. If he couldn’t make a living properly, he’d either starve or get beaten to death before turning thirty.
“Oh yeah, Ian. Why hasn’t he been leaving work lately? The magic department usually lets him off on time. Haven’t seen him for two weeks.”
“No idea. Something’s going on at the magic department, but they won’t say what. I don’t have the right to know.”
“You don’t know either?”
“Damn. But sometimes he comes home at dawn. You probably didn’t notice because you were busy with your girl.”
“What? Why weren’t you asleep then? Training secretly without me?”
“Line up. Stand straight.”
“Tell me! You traitor!”
“Shut up before I kill you.”
The man in front was sweating nervously, ears perked up. Palace guard? Magic department? Whatever it was, it was clear it was better not to pick a fight.
Barsabe stretched as the line slowly moved forward.
“Maybe we’ll get to see Ian once we get in. Haah.”
“Yeah, maybe?”
Beric, who had been sulking, suddenly brightened up. Xiao Xi clicked his tongue at Beric’s transparent reaction and attitude. He’d heard that those born with magic sword talent were all like this, but compared to Barsabe, Beric was on another level.
“Xiao Xi, you said you got a letter?”
“Yeah. I thought about bringing it, but decided against it. Would be a pain if I lost it.”
Barsabe and Xiao Xi were about the same age, both nobles, and had grown close through training and living together.
But Beric? He still wasn’t sure why he’d become friends with him. Before he knew it, they were treating each other like close comrades—it felt almost like they were under some spell.
“Did you tell Ian? He’d have rushed to the mansion if you did.”
“No. He must be really busy if he can’t even come home.”
“Beric, if you want to see Ian, you should go find him.”
“It’s not like that, damn it! We were supposed to spar, but he hasn’t said a word!”
“Oh, really?”
“Honestly, I beat you all. Now the only ones left are the mages. Ian’s supposed to be the best among them.”
“You’re crazy. Xiao Xi’s a civilian, and I’ve only lost twice!”
“Uh-huh, thanks for the self-intro, loser.”
“Xiao Xi, grab this guy. I’m about to kill him.”
“Please hold back. We’ll get pushed back in line again.”
Even now, once inside the palace, Beric would join the palace guard and Xiao Xi would be a junior officer in the imperial defense department. Technically, Beric was the senior by rank.
‘Maybe it’s because they don’t care about rank differences.’
Or maybe it was thanks to Beric’s friendly personality.
Or maybe…
‘I don’t know.’
He couldn’t quite put into words this strange feeling of familiarity and closeness.
Anyway, the three of them patiently gripped each other’s collars and waited to enter.
“This way!”
A couple of hours later, they finally submitted their documents and received their number tags.
Beric, already exhausted, flopped onto the ground whining for food, while Barsabe and Xiao Xi checked the map to find their respective exam halls.
“Ability users go to the left side of the palace, regular soldiers to the right. Xiao Xi, do your best.”
“You too. Don’t get hurt.”
“Even if I do, I’ll do it properly!”
“Make sure to keep an eye on Beric.”
“…Got it.”
Barsabe dragged Beric’s sleeve and headed left.
Watching their backs, Xiao Xi lightly touched the sword at his waist and sighed.
‘Finally.’
Finally, the test. If he failed here, he’d have no face to show his parents—especially not to Count Jacques, who had even arranged a new swordsmanship teacher to support him.
Xiao Xi steeled himself and turned right.
‘There are way more people here.’
Since these were non-ability users, the palace was packed. Staff members guided the crowd through loudspeakers.
“Numbers 300 to 1,200, please enter. We will guide you to the waiting room!”
“The current numbers are being tested. Please move quietly!”
“Hey, don’t crowd so close.”
“No seats left, what now?”
“What’s that tone?”
With so many hot-blooded, competitive people gathered, tensions ran high. Xiao Xi checked the number 1,221 pinned to his chest and followed the staff into the building.
Creak.
The ability users gathered in the training hall used by the palace guard. Barsabe opened the door like it was second nature and met the fierce gazes of those already waiting inside.
‘These guys mean business.’
No mages in sight, but maybe some magic swordsmen? The participants were a colorful mix of beastmen and other unknown races.
At that moment, Beric, who had been slumped and listless, suddenly snapped to attention and shouted.
“Ian!”
On the second floor of the training hall, Ian was discussing something with mages while holding documents. Hearing Beric’s shout, he turned his head. Before Barsabe could stop him, Beric dashed upstairs and grabbed the railing.
“Hey, why’s it so hard to see your face?”
“Beric, don’t acknowledge him. It’s against fairness.”
“Huh?”
Beric glanced at the participants on the first floor. They were whispering, trying to guess if Beric had connections to the magic department. Beric waved his hand dismissively and shouted.
“Hey! Don’t worry! I’m going to beat you all fair and square with my bare hands!”
“Arrogant punk. Who are you?”
“Me? Beric. And you?”
“Hey, let me fight that guy. I think I can get an easy win.”
Ian sighed lightly and told everyone to quiet down.
“The matchups are determined by number order. Please wait quietly and don’t cause a scene.”
“Man, you’re strict. Who’s the one causing the most trouble right now?”
Beric gave an embarrassed smile and rolled his eyes. He’d just tried to greet Ian and ended up getting scolded.
Scratching his head, Beric went back downstairs, and Hale, standing next to Ian, added quietly.
“Beric’s just being friendly, but isn’t he coming off a bit cold?”
“…This is an exam site. It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
“Most people already know that Varsabe is participating. More specifically, some of the magic swordsmen sponsored by Count Jacques are here too. Even if you greet the mages warmly, no one really cares.”
On the surface, it was just a brief commotion that would blow over quickly. Ian glanced at Beric, who was getting scolded by Varsabe, and nodded in agreement.
“So, let’s not get too sensitive about it.”
It had already been two weeks since Arena took the mages to the Red Forest. To fill the gap, Ian had been practically living at the Magic Department, handling paperwork nonstop. It was physically exhausting, but what wore him down even more was…
“What’s there to worry about? The Minister keeps in touch regularly.”
“It’s the delay in her return that’s the problem.”
“She must have her reasons. It’s not just anyone—it’s Minister Arena.”
They’d been sending messages every three or four days to check in and submit reports, but since she hadn’t come back yet, it was only natural to be concerned.
The reason was obvious. Despite scouring the Red Forest thoroughly, no monsters had been found, so the search area was gradually expanding.
“She probably won’t come back until she catches something.”
“Knowing her personality, that sounds about right.”
Sigh.
Ian furrowed his brow and focused on the paperwork. Worrying about Arena could wait; the task at hand was more pressing. The exam was about to start, so he told himself to concentrate.
Watching him, Hale pressed firmly on Ian’s furrowed brow.
“Look, Ian. Honestly, there’s nothing you can do to help Minister Arena right now. If anything, just handle things here well. Worrying won’t change a thing, so try to calm those nerves of yours. Beric’s been watching you the whole time.”
Ian glanced down at Beric. Maybe waiting for eye contact, Beric’s face brightened as he mouthed something. Ian read his lips.
‘Sorry.’
Did I cause you trouble? Sorry!
Seeing Beric’s apology, Ian covered his mouth with the paperwork so only Beric could see and mouthed a short, simple reply.
‘Do your best.’
Beric seemed to understand, giving a reassuring thumbs-up. Moments later, Varsabe dragged him off toward the corner of the training ground.