Chapter 7 — The Examination
The next morning arrived sooner than Kil Ful expected. The kingdom was already awake before sunrise, and the streets were filled with people heading toward the examination grounds. This was the day everyone had been waiting for. Once every year, the kingdoms came together for the great power examination, where people without an official rank could finally have their strength measured.
Kil Ful walked through the crowded streets with Morry beside him. Everywhere they looked, people were talking about the examination. Some were confident that they would become Knights, while others dreamed of reaching the higher levels. Kil Ful listened quietly to their conversations, occasionally smiling whenever someone became too confident about their own strength.
When they finally reached the examination grounds, Kil Ful was surprised by the enormous crowd. Thousands of people had gathered inside the arena, while representatives from different kingdoms watched from the surrounding platforms. At the center of the arena stood a large black crystal-like stone. Strange symbols covered its surface, and a faint energy could be felt coming from it.
An official stepped forward and raised his voice.
"Today, every unranked individual will have their power measured. Place your hand on the Power Stone and release your energy. The stone will determine your level."
One by one, the participants stepped forward. The first person placed his hand on the stone.
A faint glow appeared.
"Mortal."
The crowd remained mostly silent.
Another participant stepped forward.
The stone suddenly shone brighter.
"Knight."
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
More participants continued their examinations. Some received the Mortal level, some became Knights, and a few managed to reach the Secondary Knight level. Every time someone received a higher rank, their friends and families celebrated loudly.
Morry watched the results with excitement.
"Kil Ful, what do you think you’ll get?"
Kil Ful shrugged.
"I’ll be happy with anything."
Morry stared at him.
"Anything?"
Kil Ful smiled.
"Well... preferably something that doesn’t make me look completely useless."
Morry laughed.
After several more participants were tested, the official looked down at his list.
His eyes stopped on one name.
"Next..."
He raised his voice.
"Kil Ful King."
The crowd slowly turned toward him.
Kil Ful walked toward the Power Stone with calm steps. Morry gave him a thumbs-up from behind.
"Don’t embarrass me!"
Kil Ful looked back.
"I’m more worried about embarrassing myself."
He reached the stone and placed his hand against its surface.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
The arena became strangely quiet.
Then—
BOOM!
A powerful wave of energy spread through the examination grounds.
The Power Stone began glowing brightly.
The symbols on its surface started changing.
The official’s eyes widened.
The glow continued to rise before finally stopping.
The result appeared clearly on the stone.
ELITE
The entire arena became silent.
Kil Ful looked at the result for a moment.
"Elite?"
Morry’s mouth fell open.
Then he suddenly shouted.
"YOU GOT ELITE!"
Kil Ful smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.
"I guess that’s good?"
Morry stared at him.
"Good?! That’s amazing!"
The crowd began whispering among themselves. An Elite-level warrior at the age of twenty-three was already considered talented, especially for someone without a powerful family or famous background.
Kil Ful simply walked away from the Power Stone.
He didn’t celebrate.
He didn’t boast.
He just smiled.
But before he could reach Morry, someone stepped in front of him.
A tall young man stood there with several friends behind him. His expression was arrogant, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.
"So you’re the orphan who got lucky and received the Elite rank?"
Kil Ful looked at him calmly.
"Yes."
The young man frowned.
"That’s it? You’re not even going to defend yourself?"
Kil Ful tilted his head.
"Should I?"
The people around them began laughing.
The young man’s face became darker.
"You think you’re funny?"
Kil Ful smiled.
"Sometimes."
The young man suddenly threw a punch toward his face.
Kil Ful moved his head slightly.
The punch passed beside him.
"Hmm. You missed."
The bully attacked again.
Kil Ful stepped backward, avoiding the attack without striking back.
Morry shouted from behind.
"Kil Ful! Stop playing around!"
The bully became furious and charged forward with everything he had.
This time, Kil Ful stepped to the side, grabbed his arm, and used the bully’s own momentum to throw him onto the ground.
BOOM!
The arena became silent.
The bully stared at the sky in disbelief.
Kil Ful looked down at him and offered his hand.
"Are you okay?"
The bully stared at his hand.
He didn’t understand.
Kil Ful had defeated him without even looking angry.
After a moment, the bully pushed himself up and walked away with his friends.
Morry approached Kil Ful with a grin.
"You could have beaten him in one move."
Kil Ful shrugged.
"I know."
"Then why didn’t you?"
Kil Ful smiled.
"Because he only needed to fall once."
Morry laughed.
"You’re seriously strange."
Kil Ful smiled back.
Neither of them knew that the Elite rank displayed on that Power Stone was only the beginning of Kil Ful’s story.