“Alright! The second round now will begin!” Bagulv announced the start of the second round.

Barrier was erected again, but smaller.

“For all survived participants, please step out from the barrier. On this second round, we will do 1 on 1 match! If your name is called, step inside the barrier," said Bagulv.

The second round went on without any problem, Lexa and Higa got easy win with astounding performance. Pargo and the man with his Froggy also came out victorious.

Finally Cain’s name was called, and his opponent was quite an attractive woman. She had a slender body but cold expression. Her name was Satris. She wore a simple armor with two small axes, each on her hands.

Cain took a stance, without any weapon in his hands.

“Are you ready?” Bagulv’s voice was loud and clear in the barrier.

Both of them nodded.

“Begin!”

Satris dashed towards Cain and threw one of her axes. The axe spun with an arc trajectory to Cain’s side.

Cain spun his body carefully, with the right momentum, he caught the axe and with centrifugal force, he threw back the axe to Satris.

Satris stopped her dash and deflected the axe with her axe in her hand. What she did not expect was the force within the axe rethrown by Cain. He managed to deflect it but her hand was a bit numb.

“(His counter is crazy! And how in the heck he caught my axe!? I have to be careful!)” thought Satris.

What Cain just did also amazed people there, including the ones on the wooden tower.

Near the barrier, Higa and Lexa were watching Cain’s match.

“Now, he did that better than before, huh?” said Higa.

“Indeed, he devised a counter when I often hit him by throwing a small stick in the head," said Lexa. They were proud of Cain.

Satris now on defensive stance because her preemptive strike failed. Cain also took a stance. He was very composed.

“Wait, sir…”

Suddenly, a woman behind Bagulv spoke to him. It’s Lindia, the one who responsible for Kingsmight entrance registration.

“This is Cain’s registration form, it's not fit his description," Lindia handed him a paper.

“Hmm? Age 32, 2 meters tall, 150 kg, and a face tattoo?” Bagulv read Cain’s form.

Cain’s actually 1.73 meters tall, with ideal weight of 75 kilograms or 165 lbs. And he did not have any tattoos.

“Is there anyone else named Cain from the participants?” asked Bagulv.

“None, sir," said Lindia.

Bagulv looked at King Iligo.

King Iligo shrugged. “Do as you wish, Bagulv," he said.

Bagulv nodded.

“Participant Cain,” Bagulv’s voice suddenly stopped the match. “We have your form that did not match your description. Therefore we can't let you continue this test as we always strict about rules. We hereby participant Cain is disqualified from Kingsmight entrance test and banned from future test as well. Satris won this match by default!”

“What!?” Cain couldn't believed what he heard.

“Easy win, huh?” Satris walked away.

“That can't be right? Right?” Higa looked at Cain from outside the barrier.

“Should we investigate this person, Your Majesty?” Bagulv asked the King.

“No need, just continue this test," said Igo.

Bagulv nodded.

“So much for dinner," Ivela looked at Cain from above, her face still looked curious.

Cain stepped out from the barrier.

“Cain! Are you sure you wrote your form correctly?” Lexa asked him right away.

“He must be, I saw it last night, we filled in our form together," Higa answered first.

“Yeah, someone must’ve tampered the paper,” said Cain. “… There goes my dinner with Lady Ivela," Cain sighed and looked sluggish.

“Really, Cain!? You’re still thinking about dinner at a time like this?” Lexa shook her head.

“Well, what can I do? Besides, I also have been banned from future test as well. Listen, you guys must continue the test, okay?” said Cain.

“No chance! We stick together!” said Lexa.

“What do you mean? Become Kingsmight is the best chance to make your life better, that's also your dream, isn't it?” said Cain.

“It’s ‘Our’ dream!” Lexa pulled Cain’s ear.

“Besides, there's plenty of ways to make our lives better and get rich," said Higa.

“Wait… don't tell me you guys gonna drop the test!?” gasped Cain.

“Of course we will, no way we go to separate ways," Higa smiled.

“Come on, let's go back home!” Lexa’s Hands were clinging onto Cain and Higa’s neck.

“Haah… really guys…” Cain sighed.

“Hey, we should buy a cake!” said Lexa.

“Huh? For what? To celebrate our failure?” Cain frowned.

“That, and we can't go back to Marion empty handed!” Lexa laughed.

“Then, Cain will buy it, because he failed!” Higa laughed.

“Fine! I will buy the orange flavoured one so you can't eat it, Higa!”

“What!? Please don’t.”

The Trio laughed as they leaving the Great Onka Plains.

…

Night at Emerald Horn Inn

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Cain bought a medium size cake, not orange flavoured one. Served to all of the inn’s guests. More than half of it was already eaten.

The bar was already closed. On one table, Marion and the Trio sat there.

“So, what are you going to do now?” Marion asked the Trio.

“Well, our second option is to become a Hunter," said Lexa.

Hunter’s income came from the quest at the Hunter Guild, people could make requests there and the Kingdom or the quest giver would pay the Hunter to do it, such as collecting materials from a beast or plants outside the city. Their mortality rate was quite high because they usually took harder quest that paid more, like slaying dangerous beasts or destroy its nest.

Hunter Guild was founded hundreds of years ago. The origin of Hunter Guild was of beast and monster hunter, but due to their many accomplishments, people started to request things other than beast or monster cases.

“Hunter, eh? It’s a shame though, you just failed at Kingsmight like that. And I bet you didn't even try to whitelist your name from future test," said Marion to Cain.

“Nah, it’s too much hassle," said Cain. He was eating the cake lazily as he was still annoyed by today's event.

“Maybe we should register tomorrow?” said Higa while munching the cake.

“Yep, let's go tomorrow," Lexa gulped her cup of tea.

“Then, get rest, let me clean the rest," Marion smiled.

“Waiiit!” Cain shouted. “Don't you have something to say to Lexa, Higa?” Cain grinned.

“Puhh!! Cough! Cough!” Higa almost got choked by the cake.

“Huh? What? You have something to say to me, Higa?” asked Lexa.

“(Damn you, Cain! Can't you wait until we both alone!?)” what Higa had in his mind right now.

“Alright!” Higa inhaled and exhaled.

“Lexa Legria!” said Higa.

“Y-yes??”

“Will you go out with me?” Higa’s face reddened

“Wha-what!?” Lexa was a bit surprised, Higa caught her off guard.

“You’re not joking, right?” Lexa went back to her composed state.

Cain was holding back his laughter while Marion was watching with a smile.

“Of course not!” claimed Higa.

“Then, no," a super fast response from Lexa.

“Huh!?”

“Listen, I don’t want a meaningless relationship. If you are really serious about me, then marry me," Lexa was a bit blushing.

Cain’s jaw just dropped.

“Puahahaha! That's my girl, Lexa! you gotta tell him straight!” Marion laughed so hard she smacked the table.

“Marry!? R-right now??” Higa was puzzled by Lexa’s counter.

“Of course not, you stupid! Maybe next year?” said Lexa.

“Next year is a good idea, you can start saving right now," Marion was still laughing.

“Wait! Wait! Wait! You guys are gonna get married!? What is this lightning speed development!?” Cain still couldn’t believe what happened.

“Then, Lexa Legria, will you marry me? Sorry, I don't have anything to give or offer. But I promise you a wonderful life," Higa held Lexa hand gently, they completely ignored Cain.

“Sure!” Lexa smiled happily.

“Congratulation! Both of you," Marion congratulated them then smiled.

“Gahh!! My eyes!!! It's too bright!” Cain was still ignored.

…

Next day

“We’re off, Marion!”

“Take care! Don't forget what I asked!” said Marion.

The Trio went to the Hunter Guild establishment near Pama Market.

“Really? You guys are already holding hands in public?” said Cain.

“Why? We even did something last night, wanna know?” teased Lexa.

“Gahh!! I didn't hear anything! Cain covered his ears.

“Hahaha, just joking!” Lexa and Higa laughed.

At the Hunter Guild, the place was filled with Hunters, chatting and drinking. The Trio entered and walked straight to the reception desk.

“Welcome to the Hunter Guild! I am Fay, Hunter Guild administrator. How may I help you?” a girl with an eyeglasses greeted the Trio.

“We would like to become Hunters. Is there any requirement?” Lexa replied.

“If you’re below 18, you must have a recommendation from a Hunter," said Fay

“We are above 18. Do we need a test for our skill or something?” asked Lexa.

“Urgh… test," grumbled Cain.

“No need. Even if you die on a quest because you lack skills, many will replace your place. We never run out of recruits after all. Besides, most people who failed at Kingsmight entrance test yesterday will come here eventually.”

“Dang, savage," said Higa.

“I apologize if it sounds like we don't care about the new recruits. But young new recruits tend to be spoiled brat. That’s why only high ranked Hunters get a warm treatment,” said Fay while smiling.

“I see," Lexa nodded.

“Alright! Fill this form please, and don't forget to sign it,” Fay handed the papers. “While doing so, I will explain to you about our rules.”

“The Hunter Guild has rank for their members. The official order of the rank is as follows; Aquamarine, Garnet, Zircon, Spinel, Topaz, Alexandrite, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond. Though some of the Hunters started to make their own rank to make it easier to identify, you will learn it in due time. And you will start from the lowest rank, Aquamarine.”

“To increase your rank, just simply keep completing the quests from the Guild. Quest also has rank, with the same name as Hunter rank. A Hunter can take quest up to 2 ranks above his or her rank. Such as, Hunter with Garnet rank can take up to Spinel rank quest. Also don’t steal taken other Hunter quest, if you complete the other’s quest by yourself, only the quest taker would get the rewards. Except there’s special treatment from the quest poster.”

“So, higher quest rank means higher rewards, right?” asked Cain.

“Indeed, also the danger and difficulty," said Fay.

The Trio filled the form. Fay stamped them. She then took out a crystal as big as her head. The crystal was radiating heat. Their papers were placed above the crystal, in a flash, the papers were burned. When the fire went out, the papers had turned into small crystals as big as acorn with translucent light blue color, just like how aquamarine gem was.

“Done! Take these crystals. Now you are all officially Hunter Guild members," Fay smiled.

“Whoa, that simple? And what is this crystal for?” Higa took one of the crystals.

“Yes, your data has been recorded, you will be recognized by any Hunter Guild from any Kingdom we established with. And those crystals are your proof of your Hunter Guild membership. Try putting it on your palm, then close your hand and open again," said Fay.

Higa did what Fay instructed. When he opened his hand the crystal had vanished from his hand.

“Whoa!? It’s gone!? How!?” Higa panicked.

Fay smiled, it’s the reaction she saw everyday when there was a new member. “Just try think the crystal," said Fay.

When Higa focused his mind on the crystal, the crystal materialized above his palm and floated.

“It’s great!” said Higa with astonished face. Cain and Lexa nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, that magical crystal was discovered three hundred years ago. Because it also works on non-magic user Hunter, it shifted dog tag function for the Guild," said Fay.

“Cool! Then we can take any quest right away?” asked Cain.

“Sure, look at that board,” Fay pointed to a board across the desk. “On the right side is green board, that means it's low danger quest, such as gathering materials, escort or labour. On the left side is red board, it's more dangerous with higher difficulty.”

“let’s take a look, and thank you," Lexa smiled to Fay, she replied with a nod.

“Hmm… gather, gather, help build well, gather…”

When the Trio were looking at the board, a skinny man came to them.

“Are you perhaps new Hunters? Looking for your first quest?” said the skinny man.

“Uh, yes," Cain replied.

“My name is Hande. How about you do my request? It's an escort quest, I'm a merchant, my bodyguards just got 3 days off, but I forgot there is an urgent delivery tomorrow. So, I’m in need of a group of Hunter to escort me to Dorun Village. I’ll pay 3 times higher than the rest of escort quest in that board. The road to Dorun Village is quite safe, so it's perfect for new comer like you, isn't it?”

“Hmm… sorry if I’m rude, but if it's safe, why don't you go by yourself?” asked Cain after the Trio introduced themselves.

“Well, there's a rumour a group of bandits that targeting traveler and merchant near Dorun Village, they only targeting those who doesn't have guards with them. They capture and sold them to neighboring Kingdom as slaves," said Hande.

Few Kingdoms in Valfikr Continent had slave system in their Kingdom, Most Kingdoms had already made their Kingdom free from slavery, including Arozora.

“Looks like it's easy enough for our first quest, I’d say we take it?” said Cain

“Yep, agree," Lexa and Higa agreed.

“Thank you, thank you. Then, you should prepare, it takes half a day to reach Dorun Village with carriage. We will meet tomorrow morning at south gate. Good?”

“Alright!” said Cain.

“Great! Now, let me register my request to the Guild and say you take it. You can go ahead and prepare," said Hande. Then he went to the reception desk.

“Let's go to Pama Market, Marion asked to buy some ingredients," said Cain.

The Trio headed for Pama Market.

“Cain, you go on ahead, we want to go there a bit," Lexa pointed at an accessory shop.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, you lovebirds! Shoo! Shoo!” said Cain while waving his hand to shoo them away.

Higa and Lexa then went to the accessory shop.

Cain just sighed but smiled at his friends backs. “Oh well, I should start shopping! Hi auntie!”