The front of the summit bore no resemblance to the back. Carriages and people crowded on fancy brick roads. Murmurs, whispers, and loud ramblings filled the air. Some people in armor, with sleek, colored belts tied to their waists, stood guard near the carriages. Green belts mostly.

  Those with green belts are likely squire apprentices—those of the lowest rank.

  One of the two guards holding Ray let go of his arm and said, “Stand here, quietly.”

  Ray nodded, and they walked back inside. His blonde hair stood out among the other average-looking children near him. People, noble or not, glanced at him and murmured among each other. He ignored them as he counted the number of squire apprentices present.

  1, 2,...6, 7,…11. There are eleven squire apprentices. Ten have green belts and… He glanced to his left, under a tree. That one has a blue.

  The blue-belt squire apprentice with silver hair sat under a tree in a lotus position, probably meditating.

  I know what he is doing. Ray thought as an image of a knight sitting in a similar position flashed in his mind. It’s called Harmony… I think.

  He studied him for a moment, and then suddenly he looked at him. Ray flinched and looked away.

  Did he look at me? Maybe not.

  Ray chuckled softly to himself. The children standing next to him stared at him with different expressions.

  He noticed the stares—envy, he guessed, for his looks; disgust, probably, for his lack of shared resentment; anger, maybe, for his inappropriate chuckle?

  He scoffed as he continued studying the surrounding people.

  His ears perked up as he heard something interesting. One of the guards and the other people were murmuring among themselves.

  “Isn’t that Duke Korax’s banner? To think they would take part in this.”

  The guard spoke, “Under the new duke, the Korax have changed significantly. I’ve heard he’s building an army.”

  Another man in a suit added, “Look under the tree. That’s Gallagher—the most promising squire apprentice. Sir Medellin of the House Aetos trained him.”

  The maids and other butlers gasped. “Sir Medellin? The next in line to become a knight?” The man in a suit nodded as more gasps followed.

  So that guy is Gallagher, trained by Squire Medellin. Ray shrugged. I have no clue who that is.

  He then glanced at the banner, a raven chasing a falling star. Korax… as in Duke Korax, the strongest knight on Aestoriah? Their banner was different in the books, though…

  A sudden touch on his shoulder made him flinch as he almost crashed into the nearest kid.

  It was Gallagher. He looked at Ray with his sharp, expressionless silver eyes.

  Ray looked at him, eyes widened, while the other children shrank back in fear.

  “You scared me,” Ray spoke in broken gasps.

  Gallagher chuckled, “Did I? Well, I apologise.”

  Noble speech, ugh.

  “What is your name, child?”

  Why does everyone want my name? Am I that appealing?

  “Ray,” he replied, still gasping for air, purposefully to make Gallagher feel remorseful. But then frowned as it had no effect.

  Gallagher stared at him for a moment, then said, “So, Ray,” as he knelt. “Why were you staring at me?”

  Ray gulped. “I’ve always wanted to be a knight. When I saw you, someone who’ll surely become one, I thought I might learn something.”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Will he take the bait?

  Gallagher silently stared at him, then smiled proudly.

  He took it!

  “I see you have a good eye for people,” Gallagher said as he patted Ray’s shoulder. For a moment, the murmurs of the people and the silent pleas of the kids surrounded them.

  Ray continued with a coy smile, “One doesn’t need a good eye to recognise someone talented.”

  He showered Gallagher with praise, which seemed to work.

  Given the way he talks, he’s probably a noble. I heard Father say once, ‘Nobles are weak to praise and easy to manipulate.’

  He then said, “You’ll surely surpass Sir Medellin in no time.”

  Gallagher’s smile faded.

  Ah, did I mess up?

  “I have already surpassed him,” Gallagher said in a rough tone. Ray blinked. “Of course, since I am just a village boy, my knowledge is scarce. I apologise.”

  Lies! This guy is way over his head.

  “I see you understand,” Gallagher said, standing up. “I like you. Once I become a squire, I’ll surely take you under my wing.”

  “I thank you, Sir Gallagher,” Ray added with a sly, unnoticeable smirk as Gallagher walked away.

  He must be feeling ecstatic since I called him ‘Sir.’

  The two guards whose armour bore a raven returned shortly after Gallagher’s exit. One of them ordered, “Get in line quickly.”

  The children hurriedly formed a line. Under Duke Korax’s banner, there were significantly more children compared to other banners.

  Perhaps the rumors about Duke Korax creating an army are true.

  Ray suddenly frowned. Why do I sound like that?

  He sighed, “It’s because of Gallagher.” The surrounding children looked at him with different expressions, again.

  Did I say that out loud?

  Ray cleared his throat and stared at the two guards as they started checking everyone. One by one, the children entered the carriages. The two guards were gentle; they did not rush the children, nor did they harm them, unlike the other people under different banners who lashed the children with whips.

  When it was Ray’s turn, he stopped just before entering and looked at one of the guards. I wonder if they’ll hit me if I stall long enough.

  But contrary to his expectations, the guard patiently told him to enter.

  Ray smiled, as if he understood the Duke’s intentions, and entered the carriage.

  After a while, the carriages moved. Some children wept, some lay still, and some cursed under their breaths.

  Days passed once again. The carriages stopped several times, and the people fed the children before continuing their journey.

  Few weeks later, the carriages came to a complete halt. The loud sound of a metallic gate opening woke up the sleeping children.

  Sunlight crept through the cracks as the doors opened, and someone led the children out one by one.

  Ray was the last to get out. The bright sun reflected off the gate and the pavement. Ray’s eyes widened as he noticed a giant mansion. The banner — a raven chasing a falling star — fluttered at the top. Two fountains were on either side of the gate, with a long paved road leading to the front door of the mansion. Trees stretched on both sides of the pavement.

  Guards stood still as the maids and butlers untied and helped the children inside.

  To the right of the mansion was a flower garden, where the smell of lavender filled the air. To the left appeared to be a training ground.

  At the end of the pavement, near the mansion door, stood Duke Korax. On his left stood a frail-looking woman with blue hair. To his right, a dark-haired young lady in silver armor, with a sleek red belt tied to her waist. Behind the young lady stood a boy with blue hair, no older than Ray.

  A red belt? She’s higher ranked than Gallagher.

  Soon enough, the children stood before the Duke, a tall man with black hair and blue eyes.

  His cold aura was intimidating, a pressure like icy water filling their lungs, making it difficult for them to breathe. The young lady in the red belt said, “Father, you’re scaring them.”

  The Duke sighed. “I was testing their mettle,” he said as he retracted his cold aura.

  The children gasped, and some fell to their knees. The Duke’s gaze landed on Ray, who stood still, but shivering. “It seems some do have mettle.”

  The young lady stepped forward. “Welcome, children, to the Korax estate. I am Julia Korax, and I will look after you.”

  Some children, including Ray, recognised her, and relief washed over their faces.

  Before Julia could continue, the Duke walked forward. “Those who wish to go back, stand to my right.”

  The children glanced at each other before looking at the Duke once again.

  Some children hurriedly gathered on the Duke’s right side. The disparity on both sides was noticeable.

  The Duke then turned towards the children on his right and bowed his head. “I apologise on behalf of the people who enslaved you. The guards will take you back to your homes.”

  He then gestured to his men to lead the children safely home. Tears of joy welled up in the children’s eyes as the guards led them outside the estate and onto the carriages.

  As for the children who didn’t leave, the Duke asked Julia to look after them, and he walked inside. The frail-looking lady smiled at the children before following the duke.

  Just as I thought, the Duke is saving the children under the guise of buying them.

  Ray thought with a smile, watching the Duke’s proud back disappear into the mansion.

  Julia’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Follow me.” As she led them towards the training grounds.

  Ray followed her as he scanned his surroundings. None of the guards had colored belts around their waists.

  “Are the guards here not squires?” He asked Julia.

  She stopped and looked at him. “No, becoming a squire is not everyone’s cup of tea.” She then pointed to the guards and said, “They are people who failed to become squires; they are Green grade squire apprentices.”

  One child spoke up. “How do you know if someone is a squire or not?”

  Julia smiled. “Squires have silver belts.”

  A dark-skinned girl said loudly, “I want to be a squire and protect people.” Other children repeated after her—everyone except Ray.

  Julia chuckled. “Dream bigger. Repeat after me—‘I want to be a Knight!’” The children repeated after Julia, everyone except Ray.