Yang Cai dropped her guard for the fraction of a second but it was enough for Aisael to quickly close the gap. She dodged to the side as Aisael chopped from above. Her small body helped her move nimbly.

Yang Cai attempted to distance herself from Aisael. She was quick! But Aisael managed to keep up. He even looked like he was about to overtake her?

Impossible!

No one expected the slacker to make their rising star break a sweat as she was the fastest among her peers.

Yang Cai had no choice but to stand her ground and face Aisael’s attacks since she could not beat him in speed. But she was losing grasp on the spar no matter how many times she palmed Aisael’s hands away. Frontal confrontation was obviously not her strong suit.

Yang Cai found herself close to tears. Her initial plan was to wear Aisael down by kiting his attacks and immobilize him when he grew tired. However, reality was not working with her this time. She clenched her fists in frustration at the thought of losing to someone with low combat reputation, especially in a spar.

Grai could feel Yang Cai’s restlessness and moved with the intention to help but Mord stopped him.

“This is a spar, not a fight for life. Any external interference would be disrespectful.”

Grai nodded reluctantly at the reminder.

Suddenly, the both of them felt someone’s gaze. Who could possibly spare attention on them while the sparring session was taking an interesting turn? They looked in the direction of the gaze and found Brass watching them like a vulture.

Gulp!

Both Grai and Mord swallowed heavily. Brass’ training sessions were harsh as is because he conducted them with an iron hand. They could only imagine the intensity of their punishment if they were caught doing something foolish. They turned their heads back swiftly towards the spar, avoiding Brass’ stare.

Aisael’s eyebrows knit together as threat sense activated.

[Detecting astral energy buildup from Yang Cai.]

Yang Cai could no longer hold out against Aisael and let out a blast of energy.

No!

Yang Cai did not mean to unleash the lethal attack. She shut her eyes at the worst possible outcome. In her mind, Aisael was fast. But no matter how fast he was, there was no way he could avoid such close proximity attack.

“I’m so sorry…” Yang Cai mumbled.

*Hmong… Hmong… Hmong…*

A low humming was the only sound that could be heard within Four Dragons’ Training Grounds. Yang Cai braved a peek and was stunned. Aisael did not evade the attack. He blocked it. It was not known when Aisael took out the battle forks but they were vibrating in front of him. The battle forks were brimming with astral energy after absorbing Yang Cai’s unrestrained blast.

[Battle forks 5% charged.] ELZB notified.

Aisael clashed the battle forks together in the direction of a practice dummy, releasing the stored energy. A few waves of astral energy made contact with the practice dummy. The dummy exploded into pieces pitifully and its head landed with a thud between Aisael and Yang Cai.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Some random dude in the back started clapping and it was not long before the rest of the crowd burst into excited cheers.

They were looking down on me only moments ago. But right now, they behave like cadets witnessing the heroic feats of a soldier.

[It’s like the time you beat Dink Dylan right after enrolling into the military.]

Aisael grimaced at the memory. Dink Dylan was a person with brawn for brains who happened to pick on the wrong person.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Dink Dylan was a bully, but what about Yang Cai?

Grai and Mord could not help but looked at Aisael differently. It was not just them, everyone else that witnessed the spar felt the same too!

“Did Blue One went toe-to-toe against Miss Cai?”

“He actually forced her to use a disqualifiable move, even though he used one himself too.”

“But he did it in self-defense!”

Aisael’s first step to establishing his identity, which was to leave an impression, was a success.

Brass nodded in approval and then coughed lightly.

“Training session is over. Aisael, Yang Cai, Grai, and Mord, come with me. The rest of you are dismissed.”

Us too?? But we didn’t do anything!

Grai and Mord assumed Aisael and Yang Cai were in trouble for being reckless. But why they were summoned too?

The five soon left the energetic crowd behind them and entered Brass’ office. It was a simple room with only two furniture; a low square table with two flat pillows on each side, and a cabinet in the corner opposite of the entrance.

Brass gestured for them to sit as he took his place at the head of the table.

“Grai Shan, Mord Long,” Brass called their names full names, making them sit straight. “What we’ll be discussing from here on out will be confidential. Understood?”

“Yes, Elder Brass.” Grai and Mord replied with attention.

“ARMA will be hosting a covert mission given by Milestone City’s Overseer.”

Gasp!

“Overseer?? The continent’s second in command?” Grai’s jaw dropped.

“Yes, those Overseers.” Brass answered nonchalantly. “This mission is to find and recruit potential Lordling candidates to inherit the Lords’ positions should something unexpected happen to the current Lords. This is the Lordling Recruitment Programme. House Clovis’ Lordling candidates have been chosen three days ago and what’s left of them is to choose their retainers before ARMA’s next match. That’s where the both of you come in.”

Grai and Mord looked at each other in cluelessness.

Sigh.

Yang Cai let out a sigh before explaining. “Honestly, I was excited when I found out I’d be participating in the Lordling Recruitment Programme. There was a lot to think about. Officially, retainers would have to forfeit their freedom and live to support their respective candidates until they become Lords.”

Yang Cai shifted nervously in her seat before continuing, her voice getting softer.

“But I’m not all about that stiffy stuff. I only want to undertake this mission with teammates who got my back. So I’ve submitted a request to the Elders to assign both of you to be my retainers.”

Grai and Mord both turned towards Yang Cai and smiled as understanding begin to dawn on them.

“Count me in!”

“Me too. Besides, I can’t let you hog all the fun teasing Grai.”

“Hey!”

Yang Cai beamed. She was glad that Grai and Mord agreed to her request. The three started laughing amongst themselves.

Would I have to choose my own retainers too?

“Blue One.” Brass interrupted Aisael’s thoughts. Yang Cai, Grai and Mord listened attentively too. “The next match is in three days. Since you’ve found out about the Lordling Recruitment Programme later than the other candidates, you’re allowed to sit out on the next match. You can take this extra time to train as well as recruit retainers should you choose to do so.”

Jia Ling mentioned Blue One didn’t have friends or acquaintances in House Clovis. Seems like I’ll have trouble recruiting retainers.

While Aisael was contemplating about what to do next, Yang Cai, Grai and Mord were whispering to each other.

“Elder Brass, would there be an issue if Blue One joins our team? At least until he recruits his retainers.” Yang Cai recognized Aisael’s capabilities in their previous spar, discussed this idea with Grai and Mord, and proposing it.

Both Aisael and Brass were pleasantly surprised at the suggestion.

“Well, there’s no rule prohibiting two candidates being in the same team. Blue One, what do you think?”

“I’ll be in your care.” Aisael bowed in gratitude. He would be able to access ELZB’s extensive capabilities soon.

“Don’t mention it. Anyone who could beat me in a spar deserves my respect.” Yang Cai puffed her chest proudly. “It’s a shame that you’re a fellow candidate...”

Grai and Mord were surprised at Yang Cai’s unspoken words. Aisael was aware of her intentions to recruit him as a retainer but pretended that he did not hear the last sentence.

“House Clovis has prepared something for you candidates and retainers.” Brass took out four small packages from the cabinet behind him and distributed one to each of them.

Aisael opened his package and saw that it was filled with tablets the size of his little finger.

“These are your weekly supply of Booster Digeets. Take one before and after training. It’ll increase your energy output and refine your circuitry more effectively than normal Digeets.” Brass explained.

“What if we run out of Booster Digeets?”

“You don’t even train that often.” Mord smacked Grai in the back.

Oof!

“Extra Booster Digeet supplies can be redeemed with contribution points from any House Clovis’ Elders. So don’t neglect to participate in missions during your free time.” Brass looked at Aisael as he said the last sentence.

“Dully noted.” Aisael nodded.

It won’t be easy to shake off the slacker’s reputation, huh.