The first light had just touched the sky, right before the sun showed itself to the world. Ari, wrapped in a jacket and thick pants, stood ready at the village gate with a fairly large bag, almost as big as Ari's body, even slightly larger.

No one accompanied Ari as he left his village. There were no farewells at the gate or goodbye hugs. Ari took the first step alone, walking through the rough paths amidst the rice fields, symbolizing his determination to pursue his new dreams despite being alone.

*****

Ari walked for several hours until about midday. By then, Ari had ventured into the forest, following a dirt road that had been there since ancient times. Ari planned to find a tree trunk with good roots to use as a seat for resting and having lunch.

For lunch, Ari ate a piece of meat-filled bread and drank a glass of water. After finishing his meal, Ari pondered his decision. Could he really succeed in the city? What should he do while waiting for the entrance exam call?

After the break, Ari continued his journey along the forest path leading directly to the city.

As he walked, Ari was amazed by the bustling atmosphere of the forest in the daytime, filled with various sounds of animals and insects. Of course, Ari was aware that the forest could be dangerous, but the forests in his country were known to be relatively safe, especially from magical creatures and other mystical animals.

Ari wandered through the forest for three days, encountering various types of insects and small predators. So far, Ari's journey had been relatively safe and uneventful, until he finally emerged from the forest and continued his journey for half a day to reach his first major stop - a village called Westfarm.

Westfarm Village is a thriving community that relies on the livestock business carried out by its residents. The variety of livestock they rear is sold in various forms and conditions. Ari, who used to be a farmer, is a business partner of a trader from Westfarm, so he also has some acquaintances in the village.

Ari entered Westfarm village, greeted with surprised greetings and salutations. Ari has visited Westfarm quite often, around twice a year, so the people in Westfarm are quite familiar with him.

"Hello, Ari!

here for some trading?"

"Hello, Steve.

not this time, unfortunately."

"Hello, Ari!

could you help me lift some wooden beams later?"

"of course, Mr. Jeff.

don't forget my payment!"

"Hello, Ari!

if you're not busy, come over to the house later for some snacks. I haven't had the chance to thank you for your last help when you were here."

"Sure, Mrs. Sonya.

I'll drop by if I'm not too busy."

Ari greeted a few more people while continuing his steps until he finally arrived at an inn. The inn was called Farmer's Bedroom, a place where farmers who visit Westfarm often stay. Ari rented a room for one night and left all his belongings inside before deciding to rest until nightfall.

Ari woke up at night and got ready to go out for dinner at the nearest eatery. Carrying his money pouch, Ari descended from his room and walked towards the eatery. On the way to the eatery, Ari met Mr. Jeff again.

"Hey, Ari! Where have you been?

I've been waiting for you all afternoon, you know!"

"ah! sorry, Mr. Jeff!

I was really tired earlier, so after renting the room, I fell asleep."

"hahhaha alright then!

in return, you have to help me tomorrow morning, okay?"

"haha okay, Mr. Jeff!

I'll help you tomorrow morning."

Ari and Mr. Jeff walked together towards the shop, having dinner with other villagers who happened to be at the shop that night. Ari exchanged stories with the villagers, sharing his plan to go to the city and enroll in the knight academy.

Unfortunately, the villagers seemed to view Ari's plan as a joke and began making fun of Ari's travel plans. They even made humorous predictions about what would happen if Ari succeeded in entering the knight academy, which Ari himself did not find amusing.

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*****

Ari returned to his room late at night. He was not pleased with the villagers mocking his aspiration to become a knight, but on the other hand, he understood why they behaved that way. They were just ordinary villagers, with dreams and hopes like any other common villager. Becoming a knight and fighting on the battlefront was a grand tale filled with imagination and fantasy for them.

The next morning, Ari took the time to help Mr. Jeff as he promised. Long wooden beams measuring six to ten meters in length and three meters in width were neatly stacked at the edge of the forest, ready to be moved to Mr. Jeff's seemingly renovated farm.

Ari effortlessly lifted one wooden beam and placed it on his right shoulder, then took another wooden beam and placed it on his left shoulder. Mr. Jeff could only look on in amazement at Ari's actions.

"Are those two beams heavy, Ari?"

"Quite heavy, Mr. Jeff, but these are not the heaviest I've ever carried on my shoulders."

"What do you think is too heavy for you to carry on your shoulders?"

"Hmm... I don't know. Maybe a mature Iron Pine tree?"

"A tree measuring fifty meters tall and as hard as iron?"

"Well, something like that, Mr. Jeff. Although I've never actually tried it myself, I don't think I could lift a tree like that."

Ari then headed towards Mr. Jeff's farm, leaving him in a state of surprise. Watching Ari walk away, Mr. Jeff couldn't help but shake his head while observing Ari.

"Indeed, that child.

Those touched by Mana truly possess different qualities."

*****

That afternoon, Ari continued his journey, leaving Westfarm village behind. He traveled alone, carrying replenished supplies, along the dirt roads. From Westfarm, Ari still had to walk for several more days until he reached the next village called Middledough, known for its bread and pastry industry.

After Middledough, Ari had to keep following the main road until he reached Springlake village and then continued until he finally arrived at the medium-level city named Mountframe City.

Overall, Ari had to travel for a full twenty days before he could finally see the magnificent and mighty view of Mountframe City. Thick walls made of dark gray stone surrounded the city, like a secure embrace of a mother to her child. The gate, made of Steel Pinewood, was always half-closed except during special events in the city.

Mountframe City itself was protected by specially trained knights to defend the city from enemy threats, whether from other nations' forces or magical creatures with powers beyond reason.

Seeing Mountframe City from a distance, Ari quickened his pace eagerly. He felt his heart full of spirit, making him forget the tiredness from his long journey.

In his haste, Ari accidentally bumped into someone walking in the opposite direction.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to."

"Hmmpph... forget it."

At first glance, Ari noticed the clothing worn by the person and was secretly surprised. The individual was a brown-haired woman wearing only a few pieces of armor. She had shoulder guards on her right shoulder, arm guards, shin guards, and iron boots. Her body was only protected by a thick jacket that seemed to be reinforced with iron plates inside. The woman didn't seem to carry anything other than the clothes protecting her body, but Ari noticed space for a sword to hang from her belt and a hook on her back for a shield.

On the right side of the jacket worn by the woman, there was a symbol of a sword split in two by a large crack in the middle.

"Failed knight..."

Ari didn't want to appear disrespectful. Nevertheless, a knight is still a knight. Regardless of the situation and condition, a knight still held a higher position than ordinary people like Ari.

Ari continued his journey, trying to forget about the female knight. He walked with enthusiasm, getting closer to the Mountframe city that he heard only from the song of bards. As he approached the city, the road became busier with people heading towards Mountframe. Traders, adventurers, wanderers, and various types of people were walking towards the city.

On the way to the gates of Mountframe, Ari accidentally overheard conversations around him and started to feel somewhat accustomed to city life.

"Have you heard about the failed female knight?"

"Is there still someone willing to accept the title of a failed knight?"

"Yes, of course. The position of a knight is prestigious. They are in a different caste, whether they fail or not."

"I see. So, what's the news about this failed knight?"

"Rumor has it she was declared a failure for killing her own leader."

"She is indeed worthy of being a failed knight. She lacks the proper gratitude and dignity befitting a knight."

Ari was surprised to hear the conversation of the two merchants walking behind him. For some reason, the idea of a failed knight sounded quite fascinating to Ari. Of course, Ari had no intention of becoming a failed knight himself. However, hearing about the abilities of the female knight made the position of a failed knight not seem so bad.

Ari continued on his way until he finally arrived at the queue leading to the city gate. Four long queues were snaking in front of the gate, each guarded by four guards in simple standard armor typical of guards. Meanwhile, a knight stood next to the gate, engrossed in reading a document. The document seemed very important as the knight read it with great seriousness.

The queue moved very slowly, and the sun was getting higher in the sky. Ari could feel his skin starting to burn under the scorching midday sun as if he were a piece of bread being toasted.

Finally, Ari reached the front of the queue and met the guard around mid-afternoon, shortly after the guard shift change. The guard didn't bother to look at Ari and simply asked for the necessary documents.

"Welcome to Mountframe City, show me your identification."

The guard spoke in a very flat tone, busy with some papers in his hand. Ari didn't understand why the guard seemed indifferent, but he could only accept the situation and answer truthfully.

"Excuse me, sir, I don't have any identification documents. I come from a remote village where our identities are not recorded."

"Please step out of the line and return if you don't have identification."

"Is there no other way to enter the city?"

"Next."

"Excuse me, guard, I need to enter the city so-"

"I said NEXT! CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I SA- OH MY GOODNESS!!!"

For a moment, the guard appeared irritated with Ari who kept talking and asking for permission to enter. He clearly wanted to show a stern face and make anyone who annoyed him regret and leave immediately. Never did he expect that the person he was talking to was a man that is over two meters tall, with big muscles, and a stern face.

"Uh.. I'm sorry, sir.. you... can't enter without identification..."

"Is there no other way to enter, Mr. guard?"

"Uh.. well.. let me check first..."

The guard hurriedly ran towards the knight overseeing the gate. Ari could see the guard panicking while pointing towards him. The supervising knight seemed displeased with what he heard and then quickly approached Ari.

"Are you trying to force your way into the city and attempting to harm the gatekeeper?"

"What?"