I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

"Hey, are you new here?" the young man asked. "I’m Jonas, from Lamía."

Bel looked at the blond young man in front of him and kept a serious expression on his face. "Yes, it’s my first time here. My name is Bel."

Jonas shook Bel’s hand vigorously, his friendly expression contrasting with the seriousness of the atmosphere. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bel. I’ve heard that Klento’s candidates are quite capable. I look forward to seeing them in action."

"I hope I won’t disappoint you," Bel replied.

Klento’s success rate was notoriously low, with only about 2% of applicants making it through each year. That rate haunted him, but it also motivated him to do his best.

Gracela and Victor, on the other hand, climbed onto the stage reserved for their companions so as not to disturb Bel.

"Are the exams really as hard as they say?" Bel asked Jonas, trying to ease the tension.

Jonas nodded with a slightly more serious expression this time. "Yes, they usually are. Each of the tests is designed to push our limits to the maximum. I think there’s even archery."

"I still don’t understand. Why would a knight need to know archery?"

"The central goal of the Order of Athenian Knights is not only to train knights but also soldiers who can command in war. Knowing archery is fundamental, because it’s only by knowing how an arrow moves that one can predict and prevent an arrow attack."

"I see. So it’s something like knowing to protect yourself."

"Yes!"

After a few minutes, a trumpet sounded, signaling the end of registration and the beginning of the opening ceremony.

All the candidates made their way to the central area, where a stage was set up. At the top of the stage, several high-ranking knights, including Sir Reinhart, were positioned ready to begin the proceedings.

Sir Reinhart stepped forward, one eye scanning the faces of the assembled candidates. He was about thirty-five years old, not an old man, but it was also clear that he could no longer command on the battlefield, as he limped on one leg, and that was probably in this place.

"Welcome, aspiring knights of Athína," he began, his voice echoing across the field. "Today, you will face trials that will test not only your physical abilities but also your courage, determination, and honor. Remember, to become a knight is a privilege few achieve. Only the most worthy are chosen."

He paused, letting his words sink into the minds of the candidates.

"There will be three major tests: archery, which will test your accuracy and control; horsemanship, which will require skill and coordination on horseback; and hand-to-hand combat, which will test your skill with a sword. Only those who excel in these tests will be considered for knighthood."

The crowd murmured in excitement and nervousness as Sir Reinhart continued to explain the rules and procedures.

Bel clutched the left side of his chest. He knew it was going to be a long day, but he also knew he was prepared to do his best.

"Let’s begin with the first test," Sir Reinhart announced. "Melee combat. Each of you will be called by your registration number. Get ready."

Bel looked at the red armband on his arm. Number 47. He still had some time before he was called, so he decided to use this moment to concentrate and watch the other candidates in action.

Immediately, the first number was called, and the candidate walked to the designated area where an instructor was waiting.

Candidate number 1 was a young man of stocky build named Darius. He looked confident as he stood before the instructor. He was holding the wooden sword in one hand because it was so large.

The instructor was a young woman who stood calmly with her eyes already assessing him.

"A woman against me? Haha! That’s how easy you make it," Darius said.

The knight didn’t react. She just kept the same posture and looked very calm.

"Begin!" Sir Reinhart’s voice echoed through the place, and the battle began.

Darius lunged forward with a war cry, slicing the air with his sword in a powerful downward motion.

The instructor dodged easily, however, and before Darius could worry, she stepped forward and delivered a precise blow with the wooden sword, striking him in the left shoulder. The impact caused Darius to stagger backward, lose his balance, and fall with a look of surprise on his face.

Quickly, the instructor spun around in one fluid motion and landed a second blow to the side of his head, knocking him to the ground.

"That punch wasn’t necessary, but you deserved it." She said as she looked at the unconscious Darius.

"Disqualified!" declared Sir Reinhart. "Pick him up and get him off the field."

The silence that followed was deafening. After a few seconds, Darius awoke, still a little dazed and humiliated, as he struggled to his feet. He walked off the field with his head bowed.

The crowd of contestants murmured uneasily. The abrupt disqualification of such a candidate took everyone by surprise. Was it because he had insulted the teacher?

Sir Reinhart stepped forward and explained:

"Let me make it clear: those who do not show sword skills that impress us will be disqualified at this very first stage. Being an excellent swordsman is the minimum expected of a knight. If you can’t hold your own in close combat at a high level, you have no place in this order and are therefore not worth wasting any more of our time than necessary."

Bel felt a knot form in his stomach. He knew the test would be difficult, but the immediate disqualification added an extra layer of pressure. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to concentrate, remembering the words Victor had said to him a few hours ago. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Earlier that morning, after Bel had left the breakfast table and gone to his room to get ready to leave, Victor had followed him and called him to give him one last piece of advice.

"Hey, Bel."

"Yes, Master?"

"Listen, you will not fail today and if you dare to fail out of nervousness or because you don’t believe in yourself, I will never look you in the eye again."

The last piece of advice may not have sounded like advice at first, but more like a threat, but Bel understood the purpose behind it.