"Get out of the town?" After hearing this, Ryan couldn't help but be a little surprised. He stuttered and said: "Go...get out of the town...Teacher Ghalib...you mean..."
"Dranai, you just came back from the imperial capital. Please tell me."
"Okay", Delanai took over the topic and said to Ryan: "Child, the eagle will always fly to the sky, even if it is no longer attached to the earth; when you grow up, your stage is not here." At this point, Delanai seemed to feel a little dry in the mouth. He released a small water ball in his mouth and swallowed it gently.
"Look, kid," Delanai said with a smile, "Magic is everywhere, and it will make our lives better..."
"Well, when people get older, they become a bit more verbose." Delanai shook his head and continued, "Before I propose your coming-of-age ceremony trial, let me tell you a story first...
About 200 years ago, the evil undead army invaded the continent of Eslar. Facing the boundless army of the undead, human beings became more vulnerable than ever before. Death and fear shrouded the entire continent of Eslar. However, people did not give up hope. A human knight stood up and raised the flag of resistance. His name was Bird Fernando.
With his efforts, humans gathered nearly 200,000 troops from the seven surviving countries, and formed an alliance with the elves and dwarves to jointly fight against the invasion of the undead army. This was later known as the Holy Alliance.
Finally, in Sunrise City in the east of the mainland, the main force of the coalition forces and the undead army launched a decisive battle, known in history as the "Battle of Sunrise". After arduous fighting and painful sacrifices, justice defeated evil, and the coalition finally defeated the undead army. After the war, Bird-Fernando unified the human world and established the Holy Alliance Empire. He also became the first emperor of the empire. This is the origin of our Holy Alliance Empire.
In order for future generations to always remember this period of history, Fernando I ordered that the day at the end of the annual "Battle of Sunrise" be designated as "Victory Day" to commemorate the people who died in this catastrophe. At the same time, in order to encourage people's martial spirit, a Royal Athletic Competition is held every year in the imperial capital Fernando City to select outstanding talents.
The Royal Athletic Competition has been held year by year in this way, and a large number of talents have been selected for the empire. Countless strong warriors, devout knights, wise mages, and dexterous thieves have been selected to join the empire and enriched the empire. In the army. As a result, the army of the empire became very powerful in just ten years. Even the fierce orc tribes trembled with the sword "Revenge" of Fernando I. These orc tribes with powerful force were driven out by Fernando I's army. The Nantallon prairie has been inhabited for hundreds of years. In order to survive, the surviving orcs had to migrate to the North Talon Prairie where living conditions were very poor, and lived in pursuit of water and grass.
For the first time in human history, we truly own the vast land stretching from the Nantalun Prairie in the north, the sea in the east, the Hengduan Mountains in the west, and the Silent Forest in the south. We own one-half of the continent of Islar, the largest. rich soil!
However, as time went by, the Royal Tournament slowly lost its original significance, and people discovered its shortcomings and began to take advantage of it.
The venue for the annual competitive competition is the Royal Arena built in the imperial capital of the empire - Fernando City. Since the regulations of the competitive competition are one-on-one battles at a fixed venue regardless of occupation, this creates a problem for the various occupations participating in the competition. It's unfair.
As we all know, a senior mage's magic is extremely powerful, but he needs some time to condense his magic and cast magic. In such a fierce competition, how can the magician's opponent give him such an opportunity? A mage who is closely guarded by a warrior or thief is doomed to fail; a piercing shooter cannot use his own advantages if he cannot distance himself from his opponent and engage in hand-to-hand combat; a nimble thief is forced to fight face to face with a warrior. , have lost the initiative to fight? In the end, almost every year the competitive champions were either brave and strong warriors or pious and respectful knights, thus losing the significance of Fernando I setting up the Royal Athletic Competition to select various talents... "
"What happened next?" Ryan was deeply attracted by the story told by Delanai and couldn't help but ask.
"Haha", Delanai smiled and continued: "For this reason, the Royal Athletic Competition has been in a downturn for a long time. However, twenty years ago, the current head of the Royal Knights, an imperial general, and the highest military commander of the imperial capital Official, Holy Knight Orlando stood out from the Royal Arena. He not only won the championship, but also proposed the reform of the Royal Arena for the first time. Due to his status as champion, coupled with the increasingly embarrassing situation of the Royal Arena, the empire at that time Emperor Fernando XII accepted Orlando's reforms."
"Actually, the reform is also very simple. It is to change the previous one-on-one competition into a team's five-on-five competition. In this way, the magician can calmly cast magic under the protection of the soldiers in the front, and almost never participate in competitive competitions. Priests who can only restore, heal and life magic have also appeared on the stage of the royal arena for the first time. Marksmen who can move quickly, thieves who are good at destroying enemy lines, summoners who are fragile but can summon powerful monsters... all professions can be found in the arena. Find your place in the arena.
Not only that, through team competition, you can further explore talents who are good at using strategies, commanding, etc. The Royal Athletic Competition once again attracted everyone's attention. "
Ryan said: "After hearing what Mr. Delanai said, I really can't wait to see it. If I can fight in the arena with a group of friends who share life and death, my blood boils just thinking about it. I'm really looking forward to it!"
Ghalib smiled and said: "Both Delanai and I have participated in this Royal Athletic Competition. It was really boring at that time. I'm okay. I compete for speed and strength. I'm not afraid of anyone, but Delanai is. It was so miserable that he barely had time to use the fireball technique. In the end, he simply used the flying technique to fly into the air and concentrated on throwing fireballs to bully the soldier. Now I think about the pitiful expression on that soldier's face, which makes me laugh. "
Ryan became curious about the experiences of the two teachers. He had studied with them for many years and had basically never heard anything about his own teacher. However, Ghalib stopped talking after a few words. No matter how much Ryan asked, Ghalib kept silent. Ryan had no choice but to give up the idea of getting to the bottom of it.
Delanai said to Ryan: "Okay, Ryan. Now that the story is over, it's time for us to tell you about the content of your coming-of-age ceremony trial."
Ryan immediately pricked up his ears and looked at Delanai eagerly, fearing that he might have missed a word.
"It's actually very simple," Delanai said slowly, "Participate in this year's Royal Athletic Competition and achieve relatively ideal results."
Ghalib took over and said: "It sounds simple, but it is not simple at all. First of all, you have to live on your own after leaving your hometown. You have to use the skills that Delanai and I taught you to survive, and then find five like-minded partners. , to participate in this year's Royal Athletic Competition. In order to achieve ideal results, mutual cooperation and heart-to-heart understanding are the key points. There is also the choice of partners' careers, which is also very important."
Ryan's blood boiled when he heard that he was very excited when he thought that he could have such a day, like those famous heroes in the legend, fighting with his partners and gaining honor through hard work together. He quickly stood up and said loudly: "No problem! I like this trial."
"Haha, don't get excited yet." Delanai said with a smile: "Go home and think about it carefully. The hunting in the town will be over in a few days, and your father will come back. Then you can discuss it with him." Take a moment. This is a big thing after all. This year’s Royal Athletic Competition will not start for nearly four months. Once you go, it will be a few months. There may be dangers on the journey. You must not only have confidence, but also Obtain the consent of your family. More importantly, once you start the coming-of-age ceremony trial, you must work hard and don't be half-hearted. If you are sure to go, then spend these few days with your parents, and There are your friends.”
"Okay" Ryan nodded and said seriously: "I will think about it carefully."
Ghalib said: "Well, you should go back first. And don't keep a straight face. Young people should be energetic."
"Understood!" Ryan replied loudly. He walked to the door and opened the wooden door. The bright sunshine shone into the cabin and also shone on Ryan's body. Ryan stretched out a long stretch, with a comfortable look on his face, and walked out.
Looking at Ryan's back, Ghalib said softly: "Old man, he is still so young. Does this mean that he will follow the path we have walked before?"
Delanai closed his eyes and said slowly: "I came back suddenly this time precisely because of Ibel's prophecy of God. He spent ten years of his life accurately predicting the upcoming events on the mainland in the next five years. What happened, the empire will be shrouded in killing and fear, just like the time two hundred years ago. Unfortunately, you know, God's prophecy can only be known roughly, in terms of details, especially at the cost of some lives. The most crucial part is always vague. Ibel tried his best, but he only knew something vague."
"So you let Ryan in advance..."
"It's not just that," Delanai said: "Ibel's apprentices and the descendants of several other 'old friends' will slowly appear. God's prophecy accurately predicted this. But they may Whether they are friends or enemies, who knows? But one thing is very certain. Once the war breaks out, even remote places like Dense Fog Town will be affected. Instead of passively solving the problems that have occurred at that time, It's better to take the initiative to go out now, at least Ryan will have a short period of time, which is already rare."
"Old friend. You are very pessimistic." Ghalib keenly discovered the trace of worry hidden deep in Delanai's tone.
"Yes," Delanai said: "Unlike you, I have an almost infinite lifespan. I have almost reached the limit of human lifespan. Although my strength has increased over the years, our opponents have already broken through. After many years of human beings’ various limitations, I believe its strength will be more terrifying than we imagined. I have absolutely no confidence in the future.”
Having said this, Delanai suddenly opened his eyes, and a light flashed in his eyes: "But no matter what the result is, old man, I will keep the promise I made to the teacher!"
After saying this, Delanai's eyes looked into the distance along the door, as if he had seen the thrilling and exciting scenes many years ago...
In the evening, Ryan came to Nemo's house early. Today is Nemo’s coming-of-age ceremony. Nemo invited his good friends in the town to celebrate him. When night fell, the bonfire in front of Nemo’s house was lit. Everyone sat around the blazing bonfire. Talking loudly and excitedly.
Nemo changed into a new set of clothes made of woolen material. This woolen material is said to be made by shearing the wool from a sheep that lives on the northern prairie of the empire and then processing it in a special way. It seems that Nemo is well prepared for his coming-of-age ceremony. This must be the ingredient he bought at the Takri Victory Day rally last year. In addition to putting on new clothes, Ryan also saw a beautiful necklace hanging around Nemo's neck. The necklace should be made of the bones of a kind of monster.
Looking at the beaming Nemo, Ryan couldn't help but tease him: "Naimo, where is the mistress?"
Nemo was not prepared for Ryan to ask this question, and said smoothly: "She will be here soon..."
Hearing Nemo's words, several young men whistled, and then Nemo realized that he had been fooled by Ryan. He pretended to be vicious and said to Ryan: "Okay, let's see how I deal with you. "With that said, he rushed towards Ryan.
Of course, Ryan would not be easily caught by Nemo. He moved his body dexterously to avoid Nemo. While dodging back, he teased Nemo and said, "Namo, you are very skilled..."
"Of course." Not to be outdone, Naimo quickly admitted, "I am the bravest mountain war tiger."
The two of them chased and hid, and slowly ran away from the bonfire. At this time, Ryan saw Mei Fu coming from a distance. Since she was behind Nemo, Nemo didn't see her, so he rushed to say: "I know you are a brave mountain warrior now, but you don't know how to marry." If you marry your wife, will she turn into a docile velvet rabbit?"
Naimo didn't know what the plan was and said loudly: "Absolutely not. Even my wife will listen to me at home..."
At this moment, Maeve walked behind Nemo. When she heard what Nemo said, she asked, "Really?"
"Of course!" Nemo said firmly without hearing Mei Fu's voice. But as soon as he finished speaking, he realized that there was something wrong with his voice. He turned around and saw that it was Mei Fu. He was shocked and said quickly, "No, no, I mean, even if I am a brave mountain tiger, At home, I will listen to my wife like a docile elvet rabbit."
Hearing Nemo's words, Meifu reached out her hand, twisted Nemo's ear, and said, "If I marry you, what will you do to me?"
Seeing the pitiful appearance of Nemo having his ears pulled by Meif when he swore that he would obey his wife for the rest of his life, Ryan laughed unscrupulously next to him.
Naimo glanced at Ryan and said in a low voice: "You're still laughing, I've suffered a lot from you today."
Ryan laughed even harder when he heard Nemo's words.
Seeing Ryan laughing at Nemo, Meifu couldn't help it and said, "I'm teaching Nemo a lesson, why are you laughing?"
Ryan held his stomach and said: "Naimo, you don't thank me, but you blame me. If it weren't for me, would you have heard what Meifu said?"
"Which sentence?" Nai Mo asked puzzledly. Before Ryan could answer, Nemo suddenly jumped up. He didn't even care about his ears being scratched. He laughed and said, "That's right, that's right, I really want to thank you!"
At this time, Meifu also remembered what she had just said, "If you marry Nemo", her face turned red and she let go of Nemo's ears. Unexpectedly, Nemo hugged Meifu and shouted loudly: "I am so happy, Meifu agreed to marry me!"
Seeing the two lovers finally coming together, Ryan was happy for them from the bottom of his heart. In order not to disturb them, Ryan quietly walked back to the bonfire, found a place where no one would notice, and sat down quietly.
As the bonfire burns more and more, the men and women at the coming-of-age ceremony become more and more relaxed and begin to look for their favorite partners, drinking together, eating meat together, and singing songs that symbolize love together. Only Ryan sat quietly by the campfire, quietly tasting Meifu's craft - roasted wild boar.
It's not that Ryan is conceited and unwilling to get along with others. Maybe Ryan is an anomaly. He has liked to sit quietly by himself since he was a child, instead of being with a group of people loudly discussing whose men and women are together again, and who is wearing a new dress... Even today In such a lively occasion, Ryan could still calm down and think about some things of his own.
Seeing others talking in groups, drinking and eating meat, Ryan couldn't help but laugh at himself: "It seems that this kind of life is really not what I like. But no matter how hard I try, I can't accept this kind of life. If I don’t know how boring it would be if I lived like this all my life.”
Ryan looked up at the sky. On a clear night in July, you can see countless stars.
"I wonder if the sky outside is also so clear?" Ryan said silently in his heart.