After reaching Hicabues city Shiddharth takes Himanshu in a corner and says.
"Let's trick her and go our way," he whispered, keeping his voice low while glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
Himanshu immediately shook his head, his expression turning serious.
"You really don't know anything," he replied in a calm but firm tone. "She has the Eye of Eagle skill. No matter where we go, she'll be able to locate us. Distance, terrain, or hiding—it won't matter."
Shiddharth clenched his jaw.
"And we are not that strong that we can win him," Himanshu continued, emphasizing the reality they were facing. "If she decides to force us, we won't last long in a direct confrontation. Especially you, with most of your power sealed."
Hearing this, Shiddharth let out a slow breath. He hated the feeling of being cornered, but he understood logic when it was laid out clearly. After a brief silence, both of them silently agreed—for now, letting her follow was the safest choice.
Soon after, they arrived at a mercenary office, a large stone building bustling with people coming in and out. Adventurers, hunters, and mercenaries filled the place with loud chatter and the clinking of weapons.
"I want admission forms of Yejaeta Academy," Himanshu said confidently to the man standing behind the counter.
The man glanced at him briefly, then scoffed.
"You are too old to apply," he replied bluntly.
Himanshu didn't even flinch. Instead, he grabbed Shiddharth by the shoulder and pushed him forward.
"It's not for me. My younger brother is here to apply."
Shiddharth froze in shock. His eyes widened as he turned to look at Himanshu in disbelief.
Brother? Academy? What is he talking about?
They were supposed to escort a girl out of Baven Land. That was the mission. Yet now, they were in Uthaiyes County, and Himanshu was enrolling him into an academy as if this was all planned.
As soon as they stepped aside, Shiddharth grabbed Himanshu and whispered sharply,
"Why am I going to the academy? Isn't our mission to escort a girl?"
Himanshu filled the form calmly, not even looking up as he answered.
"It's part of the plan. Stay here. Soon I will contact you. Until then, try to meld into this situation and don't draw attention to yourself."
Shiddharth wanted to argue, but he stopped. He had learned the hard way that Himanshu never acted without reason. Still, uneasiness settled deep inside him.
When Venya heard that Shiddharth would be staying in the academy, her eyes narrowed slightly. Without saying anything, she turned away and contacted someone discreetly.
"Arrange this… and that…" she said quietly through her communication device.
We will meet soon, she mumbled to herself before leaving the place without another word.
"We are done with the forms," Himanshu said after finishing the paperwork. "Now let's go and buy a decent sword for you to use in the academy."
They stepped outside and looked around for Venya, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"It's good that she left on her own," Himanshu said with relief. Without wasting more time, they headed toward a blacksmith to get Shiddharth a usable weapon.
In a Smithy…
The heat inside the smithy was intense. Sparks flew as metal was hammered repeatedly, and the air smelled of iron and smoke.
"What do you need?" a rugged man asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"We are looking for a sword appropriate for his use," Himanshu replied, placing a pouch of ten gold coins on the counter.
The blacksmith nodded.
"Here are some samples. If you want a personally forged sword, it will cost you fifty gold."
Himanshu almost choked.
"No, no. Just give us a normal one," he said quickly.
Shiddharth, however, was distracted. His gaze had fallen on a half-broken dagger lying carelessly in a corner, its blade chipped and worn, yet oddly… familiar.
"What is that?" Shiddharth asked, pointing toward it.
"That?" the blacksmith replied casually. "That was once one of our masterpieces. After it broke, it's just been lying around."
"How much for that?" Shiddharth asked without hesitation.
"Not much. Just 183 gold."
"150 gold," Shiddharth countered immediately.
The blacksmith paused, then smiled.
"Ok, done."
Before Himanshu could react, the dagger was already sold.
"What?! Why did you buy that broken dagger?" Himanshu shouted the moment they stepped outside. "You can clearly see he was lying. That wasn't a masterpiece—it was defective junk! He robbed you! Return it right now!"
"Sorry, sir," the blacksmith said from behind them. "Once sold, no exchange or replacement."
Himanshu angrily grabbed a cheap sword and stormed out with Shiddharth.
"You shouldn't just buy things you see lying around," Himanshu lectured as they walked. "You're not a child anymore. If you need something, tell me. I'll help you decide."
Shiddharth didn't reply. He simply held the dagger tightly, feeling something strange resonate within it.
After spending some more time together, Himanshu finally parted ways with him.
Next Day – Academy Selection
"Everyone, silence."
A loud voice echoed across the massive open field where hundreds of candidates stood nervously.
"Today, we are here to select geniuses among geniuses," the voice continued. "You all possess talent, but talent alone is meaningless without control."
"We will conduct five stages. If you pass four, you will be selected."
An old man stepped forward, his presence alone commanding respect. He opened an array, and instantly, a crushing pressure slammed onto the ground.
"You must withstand this pressure for five minutes. This is the first round."
Students began collapsing one by one. Faces twisted in pain, knees buckled, and bodies slammed into the ground. The old man calmly observed, searching for someone worthy of inheriting his will—and his sword path.
His gaze paused briefly on two individuals.
One was Shiddharth.
The other was Zika.
After five minutes, only a handful remained standing. Shiddharth, however, was not among them.
"Now," the old man said coldly, "if you fail the next stage, you will be disqualified."
They were taken to a massive stone pulsing with strange energy.
"Place your hand here. If you can remain standing for two minutes, you pass."
Many rushed forward. Most failed within seconds. Even those who survived the first stage collapsed here—strong bodies but weak minds.
Finally, it was Shiddharth's turn.
He stepped forward and placed his hand on the stone.
The world shifted.
Green grass stretched endlessly beneath his feet. A man stood before him, his back turned.
When the man turned around, Shiddharth's breath caught.
"You… what are you doing here," he asks him.