Three Years Ago (1)

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[FLASHBACK]

In Silveria Empire, a Knights Competition is held every five years that is issued by the Royal family.

All aspiring youths who want to participate are welcome to join the said competition.

Whether you're a noble or not, men or women that were not too young and not too old ranges from 10 years old to 50 years old, are welcome to participate.

Scarlette just happens to be at the scene of this year's competition after she finished a job mission that last for only a couple of days and since she haven't pick on another mission then, she just stroll around within the Capital city to take some rest for herself.

And within the crowd, she just happened to hear about this year's Knights Competition and because she didn't have anything to do then, she went over and was there as a spectator only.

The crimson-haired woman didn't plan to join the said competition since it didn't catch her interest and as of this moment, she is already an SSS-Rank Adventurer for three years.

Right now, she just wanted to have some time for herself, but it seems like it won't happen then.

"Hey, why don't you try to join the competition? I heard that whoever wins the first place, His Majesty would grant that person's wish but there is a limit for it so it would be better to be careful on what you wished for."

Scarlette looked at the person on her side who just suddenly starts talking and the crimson-haired woman raised an eyebrow because of this person's remarks.

"Not interested. I had enough."

The crimson-haired woman coldly said, and some of her fellow adventurers who were spectators as well, heard what Scarlette said, they couldn't help but laughed or chuckled because of her statement.

She only said a few words but most of them understood what she said. They were used to the crimson-haired woman's blunt personality, and they just treated it as a norm amongst themselves.

Even though the said crimson-haired woman is wearing a veil that covers half of her face, they could see the woman's crimson lilac-colored eyes as how annoyed she is right now because she became the center of the attention somehow amongst them.

Not just in the guild but within the whole continent.

Scarlette Overland is the youngest SSS-Rank Adventurer, and she is the strongest amongst her generation.

Tales of her achievements have spread worldwide, and the crimson-haired woman knew without a doubt that even the nobles and the royal family of this Empire knows about her.

However, no one had seen what she looked like because of her veil that covers half of her face but right now, the crimson-haired woman knew that others had long recognized her within the crowd and that's because of the other adventurers who had talked to her.

That's why she wears a different hooded cloak than her usual black-hooded cloak with crimson linings because if she wore her usual clothing while she's present at this place, all of them would have long recognized her.

And right now, because of someone else's loudmouth, it seems like the other spectators around them have recognized her as well, much to Scarlette's dismay.

After that, her fellow adventurers started to persuade her to join the competition and Scarlette groaned in annoyance because of this.

'Geez! These b*stards are getting all chummy with me just because I let them be. Tsk! How troublesome.'

Although she didn't mind how others would perceive her if she declined to participate but since she didn't have anything else to do then, might as well just accept it.

"Fine. Don't expect me to win. I'm just bored."

Her fellow adventurers and the other spectators around them; "…."

'Woman, are you mocking us? You couldn't win? What about us, then?'

Those were the thoughts of her fellow adventurers, as well as the other spectators who were around them who had heard what the crimson-haired woman stated.

However, as the person of interest on the discussion, the crimson-haired woman didn't know that as she left them and went over to the other side where the registration happens.

Of course, Scarlette didn't disclose her identity, and she registered under a fake identity.

The rules of the Knights Competition are simple; Once the sword dropped during the fight or surrendered, that means it's over.

The purpose of the Knights Competition is to have a friendly spar only, no need to resort to violence.

If it were caught cheating or trying to resort violence during the competition, those who went against the rules would be apprehended and put to prison for interrogation.

When the competition starts, many challengers have some, some are defeated and others had resorted some violence on their side, especially from the nobles.

'Tsk! These rotten nobles thought themselves to be high and mighty but at the end, it's their fault for lacking some talent and they could only resort to violence just to win. What a disgrace.'

Scarlette thought as she watched the event from the sidelines, hiding her presence within the crowd while waiting for the next round.

By the time the semi-final round will start, Scarlette is one of the finalists. The crimson-haired woman didn't want to be in this round, but she couldn't surrender or admit defeat when spectators saw how well she fights.

'I held myself in order not to be exposed that much but I guess, it's just so happened that most of my opponents are that weak that they couldn't even withstand my attacks in three moves only.'

Scarlette thought as she sighed as she wanted to go home already and take some rest.

'I regret joining in this event. It's a waste of time for me.'

She thought as she sighed once more and observed the other contestants who made up from the semi-final round and the crimson-haired woman could tell that most of the finalists are nobles but there are a few commoners who manage to pass through the semi-finals.

"Yo! What are you doing there? Hiding from the crowd?"

The crimson-haired woman didn't flinch when she felt another person's presence within her vicinity because Scarlette already felt this person's presence from earlier and it's just so happened that she just ignore that person and minding her own business.

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