Chapter 163: The Examination Day

Chapter 163: The Examination Day

On the second day of his stay at the Navy Home Inn, Rain didn't go to the training grounds but instead explored the inn and its surroundings.

Soon, Rain gained a preliminary understanding of the area.

It turned out that numerous pirate organizations, smuggling gangs, and other groups of various sizes were hidden on the scattered islands around Rosby City.

At the tavern on the first floor of the Navy Home Inn, Rain overheard naval officers chatting about imperial fugitives who had fled inland and were also hiding on these islands.

Additionally, on some of the more remote islands, there were indigenous tribes with fierce warriors who painted their faces for camouflage. Some of their leaders were as strong as formal knights.

As for why the Empire hadn't eradicated all these 'ghosts and demons' from the archipelago, it seemed that the newly established Eagle Federation had tied up most of the Imperial Navy's forces. Of course, there were likely other reasons that Rain, who had only arrived the day before, couldn't possibly know.

This complex situation caused Rain to fall into deep thought.

Apparently, his ennoblement examination task could involve attacking a pirate camp, killing a wanted criminal, or even capturing a spy from the Eagle Federation.

Knowing the task in advance would allow him to prepare more effectively.

However, Rain reconsidered. With his strength as a Master Knight, he was obviously among the top contenders in the ennoblement examination. If he faced difficulties, others would likely struggle even more.

That evening at the Navy Home Inn, Rain noticed that the neighboring rooms were occupied by mostly young people, with only a few in naval uniforms.

These young people walked with steady strides and exuded a calm aura, indicating they were also knights participating in the ennoblement examination, like Has and Rain. Rain quickly estimated there were several dozen of them.

Additionally, with his Master Knight strength and keen perception, Rain could gauge their approximate skill levels, even if he couldn't accurately judge each person's abilities.

Most of these young people, including Has, were at the level of formal knights, though Rain might have misjudged a few and considered some senior knights as formal knights.

There were only a few instances where Rain couldn't quite see through their abilities, and these individuals had gold or silver threads on their cuffs and collars, indicating they were most likely noble heirs.

It was inevitable that noble heirs, with their superior upbringing, training, hereditary bloodlines, and family-taught knight breathing techniques, would be stronger under the same talent conditions.

Moreover, throughout the day, young people with bulging bags continued to arrive at the Navy Home Inn.

Some even arrived later than Rain.

That afternoon, Rain visited the training grounds behind the inn for the first time and saw numerous young people practicing various weapons, mostly sword and shield, hammer and shield, bow and arrow, and a few with two-handed greatswords.

However, there were far fewer practicing two-handed warhammers.

Several groups of three or four were gathered, and when Has spotted Rain, he approached with a smile. "Rain, you finally came! Look, those are the noble heirs with Baron ratings."

"They're probably the strongest among us participating in the examination."

Following Has's gaze, Rain saw about three or four groups, each with a person surrounded by others, demonstrating martial arts or explaining something.

Rain observed that they were at least senior knight level, with most of the others being formal knights.

"That red-haired beauty is Evelyn Norman, daughter of the Norman Viscount of Rosby County. Isn't she gorgeous?"

"Indeed, she is!" Rain nodded, sensing a resemblance to Shadiya. Among a group of males, these few female knights naturally stood out.

"What are they doing? Socializing?" Rain asked casually.

"Building connections, just in case we get a team task. It's good to be familiar with each other," Has explained.

Rain nodded silently, saying nothing.

After a brief stay, Rain returned to his room at the inn. On the training grounds, he couldn't display his true strength without drawing too much attention.

The next morning, a group of young knights gathered. Rain realized that there were nearly seventy or eighty participants in the Rosby City ennoblement examination.

However, considering the vast size of the Myester Province, this number didn't seem excessive, with each county having at least seven or eight, and some over ten, participants.

At that moment, a tall and sturdy navy lieutenant general strode forward, followed by the curvaceous navy lieutenant Marika Morales and a guard.

"Welcome, knights, the Empire's future hope, to Rosby City, the base of the Imperial Navy's Southern Fleet Sixth Division. This morning, we have two tasks: drawing lots and explaining the rules."

The lieutenant general's speech was concise and to the point, quickly getting to the main topic.

"Everyone, come up and draw lots. Odd numbers indicate solo tasks, while even numbers are for team tasks."

Following the lieutenant general's instructions, the participants drew lots one by one.

Soon, it was Rain's turn.

"32, huh? A team task?" Rain was surprised to draw a team task.

He clearly remembered Hamilton's warning about team tasks: not only to be cautious of enemies but also to beware of certain teammates.

What a hassle! It would be much simpler if it were a solo mission.

"Huh? You got a team mission? Rain, you're so lucky," Has said enviously, looking at Rain.

"Unlike me, I got a solo mission. What a drag!"

Rain glanced at Has, speechless.

If only we could switch, Has, I'd gladly trade with you! Rain thought to himself.

At that moment, many of the young people who had also drawn team missions began whispering among themselves, seemingly coordinating something. Many of them wore expressions of joy.

The burly Navy Lieutenant General continued, "All examinees must strictly abide by one rule: you can only use your own strength. It is absolutely forbidden to use external forces, such as wizardry scrolls, extraordinary potions, and the like."

"Of course, ordinary weapons, hemostatic medications, and bandages are not included in this restriction!"

"Sir, I can use a bit of wizardry, like the Wind School spell 'Levitation Spell'. Would this be considered a violation?" asked a young man who appeared to be of commoner descent, raising his hand.

Rain looked up at the young man. He hadn't expected the question he wanted to ask to be asked by someone else.

"It's allowed! I've said that using your own abilities is permitted."

"If there are no questions, we will depart at seven o'clock this evening. Please prepare for combat. As for the specific task, for confidentiality reasons, it will be distributed to you after we set off."

"If anyone wishes to withdraw, you can register with Lieutenant Marika Morales now." As the Navy Lieutenant General spoke these words, his piercing gaze swept across the crowd.

Rain felt the palpable gaze and briefly met the Lieutenant General's eyes before quickly looking away.

Rain couldn't help but wonder, Is this a Master Knight's strength?

"If there are no further questions, you are dismissed!" The Navy Lieutenant General said.

The crowd dispersed, discussing in small groups. Rain followed the flow back to the Navy Home Inn.

"Strange, why did that young man make me feel alert? Could it be that his strength is already a threat to me?"

"It shouldn't be. I didn't hear that any upper-class noble heirs from Myester Province are participating this time."

The Navy Lieutenant General thought for a moment, shook his head, and muttered to himself as he walked away.

At exactly seven o'clock in the evening.

Approximately thirty examinees for the team mission gathered and boarded a twenty-meter-long rowboat without sails, led by the Navy Lieutenant General and several officers.

As soon as Rain boarded the boat, he noticed several middle-aged men in noble hunter attire already inside the cabin, likely staff from the Ennoblement Examination Committee.

After everyone was seated in the cabin, an officer distributed a stack of papers.

As the boat moved forward, the Lieutenant General spoke with a resounding voice, "The details of this examination mission have been distributed to you all. The requirements for achieving different levels of evaluation are also included below."

As the Lieutenant General explained, Rain quickly scanned the contents of the papers.

"Qualified Rating: Kill twelve or more Bloodsail Pirates, the more the better. Note: The blood-colored headscarves they wear are the best proof, as you cannot ensure that the examiners will witness every pirate you kill."

"Good Rating: Kill five Bloodsail Pirate leaders, who are of Squire-level strength. Alternatively, kill one Shipmaster or higher, typically a Knight or slightly stronger. Note: If your strength permits, it is recommended to target the latter, as it may lead to a higher evaluation."

"Excellent Rating: You must kill the First Mate or higher of the Bloodsail Pirates. Their strength is equivalent to Senior or even Master Knights. Note: This is dangerous, and it is not advised for those with insufficient strength to take unnecessary risks."

"Kill the Bloodsail Pirates?"

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"At least we could have prepared some targeted items," many people whispered.

At this moment, an eight-character-bearded middle-aged man in noble hunter attire took over from the Navy Lieutenant General and said, "Your Ennoblement Examination task is not as simple as clearing out the Bloodsail Pirates. In fact, it is to assist in carrying out a secret mission for the Imperial Navy."

"The Eagle Federation's secret messenger has already arrived on Mortre Island, where the Bloodsail Pirates are located."

"Therefore, the Ennoblement Examination Committee decided to inform you of the specific task after departure."

Rain nodded in understanding. No wonder they waited until now to reveal the task.

For a secret mission like this, the later the information spreads, the safer it is.

After the eight-character-bearded man finished speaking, the Navy Lieutenant General smiled and nodded at him, then continued, "Of course, the Bloodsail Pirate Fleet Commander, William McCoy, also known as Bloody Hand Will, possesses the strength of a Grand Knight. You need not worry about him, as he will be dealt with by Imperial Navy officers."

"The Deputy Commander and Captain of the Ruul, Kraut Dagen, the Seer and Captain of the Shipwreck, Mara Nasar, and the Captain of the Hooked Blade, Bill Jamal, all have the strength of Master Knights. Again, it is recommended that you avoid them."

Upon hearing this, Rain's eyes flickered as he looked at the four wanted posters on the paper, deep in thought.

The first portrait that caught his attention was that of William McCoy, the leader of the Bloodsail Pirate Fleet.

His light brown hair was wild and untamed, falling freely behind him. The hair on both sides of his ears was braided into small plaits, and his thick beard was also braided into a single plait. He had a wide mouth and large eyes.

Even with just a captain's hat on, he exuded an extraordinary aura of a pirate king!

Second Update:

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end