Two guards had carried a blue crystal ball placed on top of a small marble table to the center of the room under Pope Baton's command.

Pope Baton walks towards the crystal ball and places his hand on top of it while also beckoning the candidates for the heroes band to come forward.

Immediately, the group of four people who were at the center of the room place themselves in front of the crystal ball, and bow down to show respect to Pope Baton.

(As I thought, they are the candidates for the heroes band, each of them REALLY gave out an impressive aura.)

Xiao was among the people who opened his mouth subconsciously as he was excited for what's about to happen before Lars pushes his back.

"What are you still standing here for? Please go on. It's your turn to shine. Hehe."

The differences between Xiao and the other four candidates were so much that Xiao had forgotten he was also part of the candidates for the heroes band, and the moment he realized that, his body began shaking nervously.

Xiao took a deep breath as he calmed himself and also tried to ignore the staring form the crowd.

"Here goes nothing."

As Xiao was mentally prepared, he walked towards the center of the room, ignoring the people who're watching his every move.

(Calm down, Xiao, it's going to be okay, just a ritual, not a court trial or any interrogation.)

Right after Xiao reaches the center, he stands beside the Dwarf guy who's wearing a full set of bronze armor, and bows down too, as if to follow what the others did.

With all the Hero's candidates assembled in one place, trumpets were blown to declare the starting of the ritual and the crowds gave out loud applause for it.

Finally, King William, who's sitting at his throne without uttering a single word the whole time stands up and declares the start of the ritual.

"Good people of the Julian Empire, and also alliance from far away, I welcome you all to this wonderful occasion! And thank you all for joining us to witness this historic day, as we all know, 50 years have passed since the last time we drove back the Demon God army, and the day of peace has lasted for a long time, until now."

King William stopped for a moment before he suddenly raised his voice.

"Our enemy is coming back. They threaten to bring destruction and death to the world without a care for a single soul, the limitless number of their army, their brute strength and cruel nature are no stranger to us, for we had prevailed against their assault up until now, we shall prevail forever!"

As King William made a powerful declaration with such confidence, the crowd responded with thunderous applause and loud cheering, and King William proceeded to point at the five Hero's candidates to pull the attention to them.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"With the help of these 5 outstanding heroes! They're the gift from the goddess, the strongest, most courageous and the wisest throughout the whole world. They will protect us from the terror of the Demon God army and defeat them to bring peace to the world again!"

With that being said, another round of thunderous applause and cheering from the crowd. The King then nodded his head to signal Pope Baton to start the hero selection ritual.

"Your majesty."

Pope Baton bowed to the King in response before explaining the ritual to the candidates and the crowd.

"I, Baton Messiah, Supreme pontiff of the Julian Empire shall conduct the hero selection ritual for the 7th Heroes Band, candidates, please come forward to this Crystal ball of truth and place your on top of it, after that, vow the words - Hero's fate, and the Crystal ball of truth shall respond to those who have the rights of becoming a hero.

Pope Baton was speaking seriously at first, but after he had finished the explanation, he reverted to his kind, smiling expression and politely talked to the candidates.

"But worry not fellow candidates, all of you have been carefully selected out from the rest of the people throughout the whole world, I believe all of you has the rights to become a hero, and this ritual is just part of the procedure for upcoming Heroes assemble day, so please, just calm down and be yourself."

(Yeah, except for me, I was only here to replace my brother and an exiled madman chose me, how the hell am I supposed to calm down.)

Xiao was nervous, but he tried to shallow this feeling to prevent his body from shaking.

"Alright, who's going to start first?"

Pope Baton asked the candidates gently. The crowd quieted down as they were expecting someone to walk out and touch the crystal ball.

"Alright! I'll go first!"

The crimson hair young man stood up and walks proudly to the front of the crystal ball, and without any hesitation, he places his hand on top of the crystal ball and shouts out:

"I have waited for a moment for far too long! Hero's fate!"

The crystal ball reacted immediately after his vow, sharp and bright red light was flaring out within the crystal ball which covered the room as if a crimson fire had covered the room with its hellish fire.

"Such powerful energy!"

The crowd were both impressed and shocked by so much energy coming out from the crystal ball, as this has proven one thing.

Pope Baton was pleased by the result of the crystal ball showing, and he congratulated the young man. At the same time, also present his achievement and name to the crowd.

"You're Hatta Acqui from the Enwuwu Village, your name and achievement have spread through the whole country, the one they called the Blazing sky wolf, not only you achieved S rank as an adventurer at such a young age, but you also managed to eliminate a Griffin by yourself."

The crimson-haired young man, whose name goes by Hatta Acqui, stands proudly while facing the crowd as Pope Baton presents the newly made Hero to the masses.

"People! I present to you our 7th Generation Hero of Fire, Hatta Acqui!"

Cheering and applause from the crowd, they were impressed by what they had just seen and felt safe knowing such a powerful Hero shall save them from the Demon God army.

"May you burn away all the impurities from this world, and forever be burning the justice heart of yours for the peace of the world."

And lastly, Pope Baton blesses Hatta all the best as the Hero of Fire.

With everything that has been said and done, Hatta proudly returns to his position and stands by for the next candidate to pass the ritual of hero selection.

Before Pope Baton calls out for the next candidate, a voice has already spoken out first.

"I'll be the next one."

It was from the High Elf girl, and she too, without any hesitation, walks to the crystal ball and places her hand on it.

"Hero's fate."