Up ahead, an enormous coliseum lay, so large that it took up at least a quarter of the city's area. Yet, it remained unused for all but a few days every couple of years.
The guards were very respectful seeing that it was the Joseph family that had come.
Ryker hopped down from his horse, patting it on the neck as the carriage doors opened. Usually, it would be the carriage driver who helped the Mistress and young miss down, but Ryker took it upon himself, smiling all the way.
Mistress Joseph took Ryker's hand with a polite smile, hiking up her dress and gliding down with grace and practice.
Rosemary followed soon after, but she clearly hesitated as to whether to do the same as her mother had. However, in the end, she was quite a soft-hearted young lady.
Despite wanting to draw a clear line between herself and Ryker, she didn't want to publicly embarrass him so she ultimately took his hand.
Ryker savored the softness of Rosemary's palm in contrast to his own. It was unfortunate the moment lasted for but a short few seconds before Rosemary reeled back, scurrying away and toward the guards.
Mistress Joseph raised an internal eyebrow while watching this scene. There was clearly history between the two, as she had thought.
"Spectators to the Quota Check can go down this way. Those that want to participate, please follow me."
Ryker and Rosemary were both led away and down a flight of stairs that connected with the underground of the coliseum.
The atmosphere and narrow passageways made Rosemary all too keenly aware that she was standing shoulder to shoulder with Ryker. Well, considering their difference in height, it was more like bicep to shoulder.
Ryker, though, was having a great time. In the slight humidity and warmth, Rosemary's delicate fragrance was especially potent. It was quite soothing to the soul.
"Will you be alright to fight like this?" Ryker suddenly asked.
He couldn't help but notice that Rosemary was very clearly wearing a mourning gown. It wasn't that he hadn't seen beast tamers wear such clothing to battle, it was just that in this region of the world with what he had seen of their battle styles, it would be difficult.
Usually, beast tamers would rely entirely on their Spirit Beasts and controlling them. Of course, there would be some physical training for themselves involved, but there were many of the mind that a human could never surpass a Spirit Beast in combat.
As such, physical training was more like a preventative and safety measure more than anything else. Unless you were a beast tamer who contracted a Mystery Type in the form of a sword, spear, or any similar kind of weapon. In that case, your body would be your greatest weapon.
"I… I have combat-ready clothing underneath," Rosemary said softly.
It was also rare for women to have to fight at all in these Quota Checks, but Rosemary didn't say that, feeling that it was a bit embarrassing.
Ryker nodded.
He knew that Rosemary was mourning her grandfather's death, but he didn't say anything about it. Informing her that he was partly responsible would only bring troubles and make it more difficult for him to keep his promise in the future. How would he protect her if she hated his guts?
Plus, as Ryker had said, he wasn't a good person. He didn't really care about morality or "doing the right thing". It was to his benefit that she didn't know so he took that route without hesitation.
After these few exchanges, the narrow passageway opened up and the idle and nervous chatter of a sea of youths entered their ears.
There were probably a few hundred present, but only a very small selection of them carried their own Spirit Beast Infant like Rosemary did.
Unsurprisingly, most of these individuals were commoners. Unlike the rich and powerful, they were unable to check for their talent ahead of the Quota Check, so they could only do this.
The method of checking for one's talent required tools the poor simply wouldn't have, so this was really the only method available to them. If they found out they really had this talent, they would put their lives on the line to pass the next tests.
"Rosey!"
Sofia's voice cut through the crowd and she rushed over, a bumbling bubble of joy.
She was probably one of the most excited people. She had always been eager to see the world and this was her chance, how could she not be ecstatic?
Her joyful tone dulled a bit when she saw Rosemary's clothing, but she still gave her best friend a big hug, almost squeezing the air out of the latter's lungs.
Ryker couldn't help but step back and admire, nodding to himself with a light smile.
Unlike Rosemary who was wearing black, Sofia was wearing white. Not just any white, but a white that wound around her wide hips and ample bosom.
Sofia's choice of clothing for the day was a tracksuit that wrapped tightly around her body. She couldn't seem to take a single step without something bouncing or jiggling, even if that was the small little duck waddling behind her.
"Sofi! You can't just let the little one walk around on its own like this! Didn't I tell you to nurture it well?"
Rosemary entered mother-mode the moment she saw the silver-beaked duck chasing after Sofia.
With her best friend, Rosemary never held anything back. All the tidbits of information her grandfather had given her, she had, of course, passed on to Sofia as well. It was just that while Rosemary had unbridled confidence in her grandfather, not everyone would.
Sofia always took Rosemary's advice with a grain of salt. Even though Rosemary had never been obvious with where she was getting this information from, it was all too obvious to Sofia.
"Yes, yes. You're right! I just thought the little runt could use a workout. How can it protect me in the future if it's so weak?"
"Sofi! It's a baby! Why wouldn't it be weak?!"
Rosemary squatted down and scooped the little duck up before turning to glare at Sofia.
Toward such a look, Sofia could only raise her hands in surrender, taking the silver-beaked duck into her arms.
Ryker chuckled, finding the situation amusing. When you could watch two beauties bicker, laugh and argue all day, why would you do anything else?
His actions, though, caused Sofia's gaze to snap over toward him. It was clear that he had been ignored previously, but now he had definitely gotten her attention.
Sofia's glare was several times more intense than Rosemary's. She remembered what happened the last time they interacted and even if Rosemary could forgive him, that didn't mean that she would!
"What are you doing here?" she asked with a scowl.
"Me?" Ryker smiled a handsome smile. "Just here to throw my bid in."
"You?" Sofia snorted. "You'd have a better chance at shoveling shit in a stable than becoming a beast master I advise you to go back so you don't embarrass yourself!"