NOVPUB
Chapter 46: 46:The Qualification Test
Kael thought the ceremony would take place in some Temple or Duke, and was going to call people but who knew that they needed to make a trip to the secret location?
Kael felt that there might be problems, so he ordered everyone to disguise themselves as merchants and ride on horse to avoid any troubles.
Also, his sister, that bitch seemed to have gone to her territory because some problem had risen in her estate but just because of that he can’t be negligent and lower his guard.
As for the carriage it was carried in folded scraps.
A marvel of the modern world that left him gasping.
They galloped across the horses passing through the territories of few.
On the way, Kael raised an eyebrow and smirked. "So, you’re gonna help? Didn’t think of an old fossil like you had it in you."
Kawl snorted. " Do you even have mana, brat? I can’t sense a damn thing from you."
Ramos’ face twisted in confusion. He looked at Kael then at the empty space beside him
"What do you know, brat ?"
Ramos crossed his arms and scoffed. "That’s because I’m on a level you common folks can’t even perceive."
Kael’s eye twitched. ’Common folk?’
If this guy knew who he used to be in his past life, his reaction would be hilarious.
A thought crossed Kael’s mind, and he decided to poke around a bit. "So... got some beef with the church, huh?"
For a split second, Ramos’s face stiffened, but he quickly returned to his usual grumpy look. "You could say that. We’re not exactly best buddies."
Kael smirked. "Then why let those self-righteous bastards preach here?"
Ramos grunted. "Because no matter how strong we are, we can’t just go around killing people blessed by the gods. That’s asking for trouble."
Kael made a face. "Blessed by the gods? What, like actual chosen ones?"
Ramos gave him a pitying look, like he was staring at an idiot. "You don’t even know about the god’s blessed ones? What, did you hit your head?"
Kael put on his most innocent face. "Uh... I forgot."
Ramos clicked his tongue. "Tsk! Useless brat." Then he continued. "Your fiancée is one of them, along with that boy who kicked your ass at the party."
Kael’s grin stretched wider, his eyes glinting with something not quite sane.
Ramos shivered a little. "Oi, wipe that creepy-ass smile off your face."
Kael chuckled. "Shut up and keep talking."
Ramos sighed. "Anyway, along with them, there are other chosen ones. Some serve the demons. Their whole purpose is to fight off the rising evil sects."
Kael leaned forward, suddenly interested. "Oh? Which ones?"
Ramos rolled his eyes. "There’s the ’Cult of Abyss’—crazy bastards who believe drowning the world in darkness will make them gods. Then ’Serpent’s Fang’—a bunch of poison-loving freaks who think immortality comes from ingesting toxins. And the ’Crimson Choir’—lunatics who literally sing while sacrificing people. They’re a nightmare at parties."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "That’s it? Just these three?"
Ramos shot him a cold look. "What do you mean ’just these three’? You want more? Should I gift-wrap them for you too?"
Kael smirked. "Well, what about the heretic sect? You know, the weirdos with monocles?"
Ramos’s face twisted in disgust. "Oh, you mean those monocle-wearing bastards?"
Kael blinked. "Wait, that’s their actual nickname?"
Ramos scoffed. "It should be. Every damn one of them wears a monocle on their left eye like it’s some kind of cult uniform. Apparently, only their so-called ’True Heretic God’ has the right to wear one on the right eye."
Kael deadpanned. "...Are you fucking kidding me?"
Ramos sighed dramatically. "Nope. The leader doesn’t even show off that much, but his underlings act like fancy, noble pricks. It’s ridiculous."
Kael clenched his fists. "If I ever see one of those assholes, I swear I’ll knock their monocles straight into their skulls."
Ramos grumbled. "They’ve been lying low for over twenty years. Haven’t made a move, haven’t been caught, nothing. So the priority shifted to other sects."
Kael frowned, his brain ticking.
’This Kael is also almost 20 years old... coincidence? Or did those monocle-wearing freaks have a hand in my reincarnation?’
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to beat the answers out of someone.
Just then, the knights on the horses at the front came to a sudden stop.
Ramos stretched and yawned. "Looks like we’re here."
Kael stepped out and found himself staring at a massive ancient castle, hidden deep in the middle of a dark forest. The path leading up to it was nothing but a rugged dirt road, but everything else was covered in dense, eerie greenery.
The castle itself was a crumbling giant, its stone walls cracked and overgrown with vines. Moss and ivy clung to its structure, and the once-grand towers now leaned slightly, as if exhausted by time. Weathered statues stood in forgotten corners, their faces eroded beyond recognition.
Kael whistled. "Damn. Looks like something out of a horror story. Do ghosts come free with this place?"
Ramos grumbled. "This is the first stronghold the Veydrins built after gaining power. It’s filled with secrets."
Kael cracked his neck. "Great. If we find a skeleton in here, I’m naming it after you, old man."
Ramos shot him a glare. "Shut up and get moving brat."
Kael cracked his neck and stretched his arms. "So, I just go in, beat up some ghosts, and walk out awakened? Sounds easy."
Ramos snorted. "If it were that easy, even a dumbass like you would have awakened by now."
Kael ignored him and glanced at Chris, Baret, and Gare. They all looked tense, their expressions ranging from excitement to sheer nervousness.
Around them, knight apprentices whispered among themselves, some grinning, some looking uncertain. But the one thing Kael noticed the most?
They were looking down on him.
Wanted to see him as a mockery.
These bastards weren’t here just for a trial. They were here for fun.
Kael rolled his eyes. "Alright, old man, stop being dramatic. What’s this so-called ’trial’?"
Ramos shrugged. "It’s been set up by our predecessors. I have no say in it." 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
Kael raised an eyebrow. "That’s suspicious."
"It is but you aren’t the only who go through this. Everyone in our family had gone through it."
"WHAT?" Kael’s face actually showed real shock this time.
Kael smirked. "Is this trial special or something?"
Ramos gave him a deadpan look. "Of course. Anyone who passes gets divine assistance during awakening, which boosts their chances of getting a rare class. That’s why all these vultures are here."
Kael nodded, cracking his knuckles. "So what’s the plan? Punch my way through?"
Ramos sighed and pointed at the massive castle doors. "Just open it and step inside."
Kael put on a cocky grin. "How hard is this thing supposed to be?"
Ramos smirked back. "Don’t worry, brat. Everyone going in is still unawakened. The difficulty will match your level."
Kael mock-saluted him. "Got it, Grandpa. Try not to miss me too much while I’m inside."
Ramos grumbled under his breath as Kael strode towards the ancient doors. As he pushed them open, he felt eyes burning into his back. Some were filled with curiosity, others with hostility.
And a few were downright murderous.
Kael smirked.
"Wolves in sheep’s clothing, huh? I wonder which ones my dear sister sent."
The doors groaned as they swung open, revealing pitch-black darkness inside. The moment Kael stepped in, the doors slammed shut behind him.
"Well, that’s not ominous at all."
He glanced around.
Just then, from the darkness, a green flame flickered to life. A low, eerie voice echoed through the room as a cloaked figure emerged.
"Welcome to the Palace of Qualification. Your awakening begins now."
Kael grinned, his eyes gleaming with insanity. "Oh? Then let’s get started. I hope you have something fun planned, spooky guy."
