NOVEL NEXT Chapter 315: The Trial Zone
As Ty trailed behind the Old General, curiosity got the better of him. "I've been studying some of the books I got from a lady and a bit from The Lt. The demons all died about 50 years ago, or something like that, correct?"
The Old General paused, stroking his beard in contemplation before correcting him, "Not exactly.
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Most of them perished around 200 years ago, amidst the fall of many creatures and even betrayed allies. But the Demon leader and the rest of his; persisted for a while, until they were cornered and eventually, the last died in a final explosion.
Or so we thought, until you showed up. But if you were as strong as those who survived for so long, you would have made quick work of Yun, even with her skill."
This led Ty to probe further, seeking to understand more about the man before him. "Just how old are you, by the way?"
The General revealed, with a hint of pride, "Oh, some 218 years old. I only look as old as I do because of all the fighting."
"Woah, and that's normal? I never thought about the ages and how high they could get," Ty expressed, genuinely surprised by the revelation.
The Old General, with a grunt laced with years of weariness, clarified, "I told you, I'm only this old-looking because of the years of fighting, not my age, okay."
"Besides, we are here," he announced as they reached their destination, preparing Ty for what was next. "Any other questions before we go in? I will only be with you for a short bit, but I will be watching to see if you show any promise or talent. You should, but I've been disappointed before."
Ty, lost in thought for a moment, finally asked, "Why not just kill me if I'm this evil demon? What do you think the kingdom gains from keeping me alive and even letting me participate in this arena?"
The old man chuckled at Ty's inquiry, just as Lt Daemon approached, badge and orange vest in hand. "I never mentioned anything about the demons being evil. Of course, they did kill thousands of our armies and soldiers, but well… I suggest that's for another day. I will say you do have a strong resemblance to the one who was the leader, but you lack a lot of what made him so strong."
"Go try your best, and I hope to talk to you again after the first Arena," he concluded, leaving Ty with more questions than answers but with a clear task ahead.
As Ty observed, the Old General approached Lt Daemon, and for the first time, Ty noticed a genuine smile stretch across the lieutenant's face. He greeted the Old General with reverence. "It's an honor to see you again after so long, sir! I hope the Demon Boy didn't cause you any trouble."
The Old General chuckled in response. "Not at all. I just had to see him for myself before he goes off and dies. I'm proud of the man you have become, though. Keep aiming high, young man, and no matter what happens in the coming months, trust in the power the Titan Goddess has blessed you with."
Lt Daemon nodded earnestly. "Of course, and no need to worry about the future. I promise to deal with any threat and handle it just like you did over thousands of battles for the great kingdom."
As the old man prepared to leave, he imparted one final piece of wisdom. "Daemon, know that the great Titan goddess has blessed this planet for longer than the Heian Kingdom has stood. Just do your best, okay."
Lt Daemon, with a nod, shifted his focus to Ty, ushering in a new phase of preparation. "Let's go, Demon Boy. I want you to go all out here and really show what you can do."
He handed Ty a vest, marking him distinctly. "Put on this vest so they know you are a criminal and not a volunteer. Also, try not to talk with any of them. Some are more violence-prone than others, and especially don't attempt to communicate with any blue vest."
His instructions were clear, setting the stage for Ty's next challenge. "No one here is your friend, so just focus on showcasing the skills you have and leave a lasting impression to get a good placement score."
The plan extended beyond the immediate trial. "Afterwards, we will talk and discuss an interview strategy for you to lure in the most sponsors. After the first Arena, this will play a pivotal role."
"I see, you said there will only be 20 of us right now, is that right?" Ty inquired, trying to grasp the scope of what lay ahead.
"Yes, that's correct. This badge will also go on your vest. When they call your number, you will go up, state your name and your number," Lt Daemon instructed, ensuring Ty understood the process.
Ty glanced down at his vest, noticing the number emblazoned on it. "#7," he observed. "Ah, I guess I'm Lucky #7 then."
Lt Daemon cast Ty a peculiar look but refrained from commenting as they approached a massive building. The structure, shaped like a dome and covered in a pure white exterior, loomed ahead, its grandeur undeniable.
As they entered through the double wooden doors, they were greeted by a woman in a white dress suit, seated behind a podium. Lt Daemon accorded her a slight bow. "I have brought my candidate for the review board," he announced
The woman behind the podium nodded in acknowledgment of Lt Daemon. "Sure, pleasure to meet you again, Lt. Please, take him down to Range 1, where the 6th candidate is finishing his review."
With a respectful bow, Lt Daemon signaled for Ty to follow him. As they traversed the polished, glossed wooden floors, bordered by pristine white walls, they navigated through a long hallway, eventually stopping before a door marked "Range 1."
Upon opening the door, a sudden tremor underfoot drew Ty's immediate attention forward. There, in the vast expanse of a field that stretched about a mile, stood a large man with dark hair tipped in blue.
His hands were extended forward, focusing on a central area of the field now laid to waste.
The evidence of a wide-spread energy attack was unmistakable, leaving Ty in silent awe and contemplation of the power that had been unleashed and the implications for his own demonstration.