I can evolve everything

Sunset City.

Renn searched his memory for the name. It was a vast city-state built on the shores of Mirror Lake, a symbol of provincial power.

The fact that the assessment could be held there demonstrates its high level of importance.

"You don't need to worry about the first two trials," Linus said calmly, seeing through Renn's thoughts.

"I've already taken care of the strength test and skills demonstration for you. The examiner in charge of these two is an old subordinate of mine. He'll arrange the easiest tasks for you to ensure you pass smoothly. But this is just a formality. Everyone knows the real test is the last one—the proof of courage."

Linus stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night.

"The final assessment was held in the courtyard inside the Knights Order. Besides the examinees, there were only a handful of onlookers: a scribe from the Governor's Office to record the results; two high-ranking members of the Knights Order as witnesses; and Karen herself."

"Karen will personally be your opponent." Linus's voice became extremely serious:

"This is his first time serving as an examiner. He will give a pass or fail judgment based on each person's performance. Based on my understanding of him, remember, he has only one criterion: whether you have the courage to face a strong opponent. He only cares whether you choose to retreat in a sorry state or choose to stand firm when facing his direct attack."

Linus put down his glass and stared at Ryan as if trying to see through his soul.

"You stood firm this morning."

But that's not enough.

"After Karen's first strike, you will not be given a chance to breathe. His sword style is wide and sweeping, like a storm, and every strike is powerful and heavy. Trying to withstand his sword skills in one minute is just courting death."

"So, you can't just take the beating." Linus tapped his fingers lightly. "What you have to do is, when you really can't take it anymore, get close to his body at all costs."

"Get closer to him?"

"That's right."

"Karen uses a two-handed greatsword. The advantage of this weapon lies in its attack range and devastating power. But its weakness is equally obvious. Once an enemy gets close, its power is greatly reduced, and it can even become a hindrance. You have to stick to him, use everything you've learned in street brawls to entangle him, distract him, use your knees, your elbows, even your teeth!"

"It prevents him from comfortably creating distance and from swinging his sword smoothly."

"Use...street fighting techniques?" Renn was somewhat incredulous; this was completely different from what he had imagined the knight's exam to be like.

"I don't care what tricks you use." Linus sneered, picked up his glass, and downed it in one gulp.

"I only care about the results. Remember, the rules only say you can't fall, not that you can't use... less-than-honorable methods. Surviving and standing to the end is the only honor."

The atmosphere at dinner was somewhat unusual.

Linus remained silent.

Fitz was quite enthusiastic, constantly saying "Eat more, young master, you'll need strength tomorrow" while adding soup to Rein's bowl.

Lina, on the other hand, kept secretly observing her brother.

After dinner, at the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor, Lina called out to Ryan.

The girl's cheeks were slightly flushed in the candlelight, and she rarely showed a hint of the shyness that was typical of her age.

She took her purse out of her skirt pocket.

"What's this?" Ryan asked, looking at the money bag.

"Here you go," Lina said softly, stuffing the purse into Renn's hand.

"My father said that a knight-errant must have money on him."

She did not mention the boat tickets again.

"This is no longer for your escape fare," the girl said earnestly, mustering her courage and looking up. "This is... my investment in you!"

Raine opened the money bag, which contained ten silver coins.

He didn't refuse. He wrapped the string of the purse around his wrist twice, then reached out and gently ruffled Lina's long, smooth gray hair, just like when they were children.

"Thank you, Lina."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The morning before the assessment.

The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the morning mist enveloped the entire town of Graystone.

At this time, the entire Wilde mansion was brightly lit.

Ryan changed into clean clothes. He stood in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection—a reflection that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

His eyes were calm, and there was no tension or fear in his heart.

When Ryan finished tidying up and came out of the house, the whole family stood quietly in the hallway.

Linus, Lina, and Fitz were waiting silently for Renn.

They were seeing him off.

No one said anything like "Good luck" or "Good luck," as that would seem too weak to a warrior about to step onto the trial grounds.

Linus stepped forward, gave Renn a deep look, and said only one sentence:

"Stop right there, don't embarrass the Wilder name."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The wheels rolled over the gravel road, causing the carriage to sway and shake, waking Renn from his light sleep.

He lifted the curtain of the window next to him and looked ahead.

The setting sun, like blood, slowly flowed down from the horizon, tinging the distant, majestic black silhouette with a golden-red hue.

That was our destination – Sunset City.

This important town, situated on the shores of Mirror Lake, is more of a fortress than a city.

The city is surrounded by towering walls made of hard rock quarried from the northern mountains, and guards walk by in twos and threes, constantly patrolling the surroundings.

At the highest point of the city, even from several miles away, the Dawn Fortress, the stronghold of the Knights of the Dawn Sword, is clearly visible.

At this moment, the building resembles a giant black sword thrust upside down into the sky, with a huge gold and red flag atop the tower fluttering in the evening breeze.

The closer you get to Sunset City, the stronger the smell of coal smoke, horse manure, and rust becomes in the air.

This is the power center of this province.

"Young Master, we've arrived."

Old Fitz’s hoarse voice came from the front row.

When Raine left in the morning, the old butler of the Wilder family insisted on driving his young master to Sunset City himself.

Unlike Renn, who still had the mind to rest along the way, he seemed even more nervous than Renn, constantly touching the short sword at his waist, as if every bush along the roadside was hiding a bunch of bandits or monsters.

The screening process in Sunset City is extremely strict. Even the Wilder family, a knightly family, is not allowed to drive their carriages directly into Dawn Castle. They can only stop in the square outside Dawn Castle.

The place is already filled with all kinds of horse-drawn carriages.

Renn saw several four-wheeled carriages similar to his own, also adorned with the family crest, with servants in uniform busily carrying luggage of all sizes.

In this world, the apprentice knight examination is a game exclusively for nobles or wealthy families.

Although it only tests the physical strength and willpower of the participants, it is also a test of the family's foundation.

A letter of recommendation signed by two official knights, along with the subsequent registration fees, equipment fees, and room and board expenses, is enough to shut out 99% of ordinary people.

Those who can stand here are either descendants of noble or knightly families with the right to inherit titles, elites cultivated by wealthy merchants, or descendants of high-level adventurers or clergy.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is a selection game for the privileged class.

Ryan jumped off the carriage with his simple baggage.

Knowing that the Knights would provide all the equipment for the assessment, he brought very simple luggage: a few changes of clothes, some bread and dry food, and a small bag of silver coins.

"Fitz, that's enough for now." Ryan turned around and looked at the old man in front of him.

Old Fitz's hands trembled slightly. He wanted to straighten Ryan's collar, but then felt that such an action might be a bit presumptuous. He withdrew his hand halfway through, and in the end, he simply straightened his back and bowed to Ryan like a butler.

"Young master, the master told you not to forget what he said—stand firm."

"Go back. Tell Father and Lina that I will return with good news."

Without much small talk, Raine patted old Fitz on the shoulder and turned to walk toward the gates of Dawn Keep.