A day before meeting Lily, at 8:00 a.m. on November 4th of the year 5528, the entrance exam for the Royal Guard began. It was Axel's fifth attempt, and despite the accumulated frustration, this year he felt an unusual confidence. He had something few possessed: experience. Most aspirants who succeeded did so on their first or second attempt; some, with great effort, on their third. No one, as far as was known, had taken a fourth attempt, let alone a fifth. But there stood Axel Axpe, as determined as in previous years.

  The only requirement to take the exam was to be a member of Hirica’s army. The test consisted of three stages. The first, a written exam, had never been a problem for Axel. It consisted of questions about military strategy, weapon usage, and battle history. He had mastered these topics perfectly.

  The second stage, the practical test, was the true challenge. It was a one-on-one combat between the applicant and an evaluator, a warrior from the Royal Guard. The objective was simple yet extremely difficult: to strike one of the mortal weak points of the evaluator—neck, head, or heart. If the applicant managed to land a successful hit on any of these points within a set time, they would proceed to the next phase.

  The final stage was the evaluation by the high command. If the applicant passed the first two tests, the leaders of the Royal Guard would decide whether they were fit to join their ranks. In all his previous attempts, Axel had cleared the first two stages. However, in the final evaluation, someone had always stood in his way. At first, it had been multiple voices opposing his admission, but over time, their number dwindled. By his fourth attempt, only one person had prevented him from entering: General Commander Estela. Her word carried more weight than any other member of the council; it was an indisputable order. And this year, to further increase the pressure, she herself would be in charge of evaluating him in the practical test.

  Axel stepped into the combat arena with a mix of nervousness and determination. The image of Estela burned in his mind. She was a legendary warrior, known for her cold demeanor on the battlefield and her relentless judgment. Her white hair, tightly braided, framed a stern face with piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through a person’s very soul. Her mere presence exuded an authority that intimidated even the most experienced veterans.

  When Axel entered the arena, Estela was already waiting at its center, her armor gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the roof. She did not say a word, only observing him with a gaze that seemed to analyze his every movement. Axel swallowed hard and prepared for the fight. He knew this was his last chance.

  —"My dear Axel," Estela finally spoke, her voice cold but tinged with sadness. "We’ve known each other for many years, and I have told you countless times: you do not belong here. You will fall in battle, and I do not want to see you die. That is why I have decided to evaluate you personally. I have watched many of my comrades perish, and I do not want you to share their fate."

  Estela unsheathed her only weapon, a gleaming silver sword, its blade scarred from countless battles.

  —"If the result of this exam means the end of our friendship, so be it," Estela continued. "The only way you will pass is by defeating me."

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  The situation saddened Axel deeply. He had never imagined that he would have to face the only woman he had ever loved. He knew his feelings for her would never be reciprocated, so he had kept them to himself. Who in their right mind would want to fight their first love in battle? he thought. But this test was not just about proving himself to her—it was about proving himself to the world, and most of all, to himself. At that moment, he pulled something unexpected from his pocket: a stick.

  The evaluators in the stands of the arena exchanged confused glances. A stick?

  The stick extended, transforming into a spear.

  —"It’s a gift from my little sister," Axel said. "A spear capable of piercing your defense."

  Many say the spear is the antithesis of the sword: long and heavy, but highly effective for long-range attacks and countering sword thrusts. Axel began moving at incredible speed, striking at Estela’s weak points, but she dodged every attack with an agility that seemed almost inhuman. Axel pulled a small artifact from his pocket—a smoke bomb that temporarily blinded Estela. He seized the opportunity to strike at her neck, but she caught the spear with her hand and flung him away.

  During the struggle, Estela had lost her sword. Axel picked it up, observed it for a moment, noticing the stains of monster blood still visible, then threw it away. Estela, surprised by the gesture, chose not to use Axel’s spear against him—she admired his ingenuity. She threw the spear far away as well.

  —"That must have flown for miles," Axel thought.

  Estela assumed a close-combat stance. Axel drew a dagger from his belt and prepared himself. Although close combat seemed to favor Axel due to having a weapon, the reality was the opposite. Estela’s speed was inhuman. Axel threw kicks and thrusts aimed at the evaluation points, but she dodged them with ease. Then, he used his trump card: a special artifact, a gift from his younger sister, the "Magic Object No. 154." It was a small switch that, when activated, erased his presence, making him practically invisible.

  At first, it seemed to work; Axel saw the surprise on Estela’s face. But somehow, she continued to evade his attacks.

  —"This is over," Estela declared.

  Suddenly, Axel felt his arm freeze, and Estela’s fist struck his stomach. He collapsed to the ground, not understanding what had happened. Everything had been perfect; that device erased all traces of the user—sound, smell, sight. It even left no footprints in the sand.

  —"How did she do that?" Axel wondered, dazed.

  —"Every time you have taken this exam, you have relied on the magical artifacts that Lucy makes for you," Estela said coldly. "That is why you have surpassed the other candidates in the Royal Guard. But what will you do when you can no longer depend on Lucy? What will you do in a real battle against the monsters that threaten us, without those artifacts? You have lost. Do not take this exam again. I will never approve you."

  Estela turned to leave for her office. Just before entering, she saw a petite girl, about 1.5 meters tall, wearing a pointed witch’s hat. It was Lucy, Axel’s younger sister.

  —"Don’t you think you were too harsh on him?" Lucy asked, her voice filled with concern. "He only wants to prove himself and show what he’s capable of."

  —"Dear," Estela replied, her gaze weary, "do you want your brother to die in battle? Why do you keep encouraging him in this foolish pursuit of joining the Royal Guard?"

  —"Because he’s my brother," Lucy answered firmly. "Besides, he was the one who saved our lives when we were children. Just like you, I don’t want to see him die. But it also hurts me to see him suffer because he cannot pass the exam."

  Estela gave Lucy a cold look and entered her office, shutting the door forcefully.

  The next day, Lucy confronted Maxwell, who had a guilty expression. Sensing that something was amiss, she questioned him until he finally confessed about Lily’s presence in Axel’s room.

  —"A woman in his room!?" Lucy exclaimed. "Does he have any idea how many diseases those women carry in the crotch? And why didn’t you tell me sooner? By YH, my brother is such an idiot!"