Chapter 9: Test

The morning sky greeted me with three bright stars, and the chill winds brushed against my skin as I walked through the camp. The knights were already up, going about their duties in the early hours. I observed them from a distance, taking in their interactions and routines.

Out of nowhere, Vedrant appeared, his presence catching me off guard. "Good morning," he greeted, his tone even and composed.

I grunted in response, acknowledging his greeting but not bothering with pleasantries.

He seemed undeterred by my curt demeanor and continued, "So, how are you finding it here?"

I glanced at him, gauging his intentions. "It's a camp. Nothing more, nothing less," I replied, keeping my tone as dry as the morning air.

Vedrant nodded, seemingly unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm. "Fair enough," he said. "Hef mentioned you had a conversation last night. He's not the easiest to get along with, but he's a good man."

I raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued by Vedrant's words. "Good? That's subjective," I retorted.

Vedrant chuckled, "Perhaps. But in his own way, he is. He's been a loyal supporter of the First Emperor for as long as I can remember."

I shrugged, not caring about Hef's loyalties. "That's his choice," I said dismissively.

Vedrant's eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "You know, not many here can keep up with Hef in conversations," he remarked. "Most of them don't come from very educated backgrounds, but Hef seems to appreciate that you can."

I grunted again, not wanting to delve into the details of my conversations with Hef. "It's just talk. Words are easy," I replied, downplaying any significance.

Vedrant seemed satisfied with my response and changed the topic, discussing the schedule for the day. I listened, feigning interest, but my mind was already preoccupied with thoughts of my true mission.

As we parted ways, I couldn't help but think about Vedrant's observations. He saw only what I wanted him to see - a recruit fitting in with the knights, engaging in conversations, and playing my part.

The hour of the test had arrived, and I found myself clad in the minimal armor I deemed necessary. A chest plate, metal boots, knee caps, and gauntlets – just enough to protect myself without hindering my movements. As I stood there, waiting for my turn, I couldn't help but feel a hint of excitement. This would be my chance to gauge the skill of the other knights and to showcase just enough of my own.

My opponent, another newbie knight, stepped forward. He seemed confident, and I could sense a hint of nervousness in him. I observed him, analyzing his stance and movements, trying to anticipate his next move. We raised our swords, and the test began.

The clash of metal filled the air as our blades met. Each strike was calculated, precise, and executed with skill. I let him take the lead, feigning a lack of experience, but the truth was far from it. In reality, I was holding back, limiting my movements to avoid revealing my true ability.

As he swung his sword at me, I defended with my own, the clash of metal ringing through the air. Blow after blow, he came at me, trying to overpower me with brute strength. But I was no novice in the art of swordplay, and I deflected each strike with precision.

He tried a heavy blow, hoping to catch me off guard. I saw the opportunity and parried, causing him to lose his balance. I took advantage of the opening, landing a series of strikes on his chest plate and gauntlets. He stumbled back, blood trickling from his lip, and bruises forming on his arms.

The other knights watched in awe as the fight unfolded. They were not expecting such a display from a newcomer. But I had to be careful not to reveal too much. I couldn't afford to draw too much attention to myself.

The newbie looked at me with a mix of surprise and admiration. "You're good," he said, his voice slightly strained.

I nodded, a hint of a smile on my face. "You're not bad yourself," I replied, extending my hand to shake his.

He took it, still catching his breath. "I've never seen anyone fight like that before," he admitted.

I shrugged, trying to downplay my abilities. "Just a bit of practice," I said dismissively.

The other knights gathered around us, their eyes wide with curiosity. They were probably wondering who this mysterious newcomer was and where I had come from.

Vedrant approached, a proud smile on his face. "Impressive display, Alexis," he said. "You certainly held your own out there."

I nodded, acknowledging his praise. "Thank you," I replied, trying to keep my tone even.

The next test was on basic literacy, and I was ushered into a large room with wooden tables and chairs. I noticed a blackboard at the front, and to my surprise, Hef was the one in charge of the test. He had a serious look on his face, and when he saw me, he smirked.

"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because we're roommates," Hef said with a hint of challenge in his voice.

I scoffed, "Wouldn't expect anything less."

The test began, and Hef handed out the question papers. There were a total of six questions, including basic mathematics and history. Hef had also included two translations from Cervinian to common Wenorian.

I quickly went through the questions, finding them relatively straightforward. I answered them with ease, drawing on my vast knowledge of wars and kings. It seemed Hef had designed the test to gauge not only basic literacy but also our understanding of important historical events.

After completing the test, I handed it back to Hef, who checked them with meticulous attention. I could see the concentration on his face as he went through each answer. He was taking his role as the examiner seriously, not showing any favoritism towards me.

When he was done, he looked up at me and nodded approvingly. "Perfect score," he said, handing me back my paper.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his praise, though I didn't let it show. "Of course," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Hef chuckled, "Impressive. I knew you were knowledgeable, but this is something else."

I shrugged, "It's just what I do."

Hef seemed to accept my response, not prying any further.

The next test was about fitness, and they handed me a large, heavy bag to carry. The trees around the camp were massive, and I was supposed to climb up to a red-colored mark on one of them. Once there, I had to press a dagger inside the mark and then make my way back down.

I put on the special gloves and boots they gave me, designed to help with climbing. Vedrant stood there, holding an hourglass to time me.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice calm and composed.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, my tone curt.

I hoisted the heavy bag onto my shoulders and began my ascent. The weight of the bag made each step a struggle, but I pushed on, ignoring the strain on my muscles.

As I climbed, I could feel the eyes of the other knights on me, watching and assessing me. They were waiting for me to slip up, to show weakness. But I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction.

I reached the red mark on the tree and quickly pressed the dagger inside. It was a simple task, but it required precision and speed. I didn't waste a second and started my descent.

The gloves and boots helped with my grip, but the bag still weighed me down. I had to be careful not to lose my balance and fall.

Vedrant continued to mark the time with the hourglass, his gaze unwavering. I could sense his quiet judgment, but I didn't let it bother me. I had my own agenda, and this test was just another obstacle in my path.

As I finally reached the ground, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. The other knights looked on in surprise, not expecting me to complete the task so effortlessly.

I handed the bag back to the instructors and turned to Vedrant, who nodded in approval. "Not bad," he said, his voice neutral.

I didn't respond, just shrugged off his praise. There was no need for pleasantries. I had passed the test, and that was all that mattered.

There were almost fifty-six knights in this camp, each one devoted to the cause they believed in so blindly. The number seemed insignificant, but I knew better than to underestimate them.

The camp itself consisted of thirty-two tree houses, each one serving a specific purpose - scribe room, inventories, mess hall, and the rooms of the knights. It was a well-organized setup.

This camp was more like a bandit's nest than a knights' camp, a place where 'bandits' donned their shining armor instead of masks, pretending to be righteous while they plotted their own versions of thievery - the theft of power and control.

As I continued my assessment, I recalled the people I have met Hef, Vedrant, and the newbie I don't even ask the name of.

Hef, the staunch supporter of the First Emperor, reveled in history and knowledge. He had a sharp tongue, and while he never openly expressed it, I knew he didn't hold the knights in high regard. His loyalty was to the empire, not the order of knights.

Vedrant, on the other hand, was the epitome of composure and calm. He fit in effortlessly with the knights, a master of diplomacy and camaraderie. I don't know for sure of his true personality but I think I should be wary of him.