Knowing comrades and enemies alike

"City Lord Marvel, the test would be administered as usual within the city's capital at noon. Only those between the ages of 13-18 are eligible. Please have your subordinates spread the news." Malgrey requested of the city lord who nodded in acknowledgment.

"The task will be completed as you requested. Leave such small matters for us to handle and put your minds at ease." A reply was heard from City Lord Marvel as he saw the team seemed ready to leave the hall.

"Living quarters have already been prepared by the staff and you will find that they are some of the best accommodations within the city," City Lord gestured with his hand to a servant nearby who opened the door to the hall.

"This team has bothered city Lord with such trivial matters. We the cultivators of the Dark Abylis Sect are grateful for your hospitality," A reply of thanks was returned by Malgrey as he followed the servant that had position himself at the door.

.....

In the city's capital, a building stood that accommodated only the elite of elites. The utensil was made of the finest silver and gold the city could offer. The rooms were decorated with silk, that had qualities that delighted and pleased the senses of anyone that entered. On the roof of the building, five figures could be seen looking down on the bustling city.

"So do you think this Mouse is all that he is made out to be Malgrey," Nisha looked on and could not help but ask the question as her curiosity peaked.

"Mortals are known to embellish thing through their viewpoints. Nevertheless, even with embellishment, his accomplishment is nothing to be laughed at." Malgrey laid on his back while looking at the clouds in the afternoon skies.

"What is the point of talking about him? We will get to test this Mouse tomorrow.' A sound of annoyance was heard by Lovren as he listened to the conversation that now had been headlined by the mouse.

Hehe! -"Fear you might be inferior to someone the mortals call Mouse are we," Nisha laughed as she looked at the face of lovren who had displeasure showcased all over it.

" He relied on nothing but paltry tricks. What can he do without such things?" A retort came swiftly from the mouth after hearing Nisha's taunt.

" All will be known tomorrow" The messy green-haired Luke interjected after awhile.

....

Meanwhile, all these things were happening, the culprit in the discussion was walking beside a girl with a petite figure.

"Look at you being a gentleman and walking me home." May teased as she eyed the teen beside her who had a playful look on his face.

"You know I could make you walk the rest of your journey on your lonesome if that's a complaint I hear," Taf nonchalantly replied after hearing May's teasing.

" And there you go changing your persona in a second," She grinned after expecting that reply of his. As they teased each other they heard a commotion in the street.

"Did you hear what happen earlier in the City?"

" What occurred?"

" A gigantic hawk flew down and on its back were those known to have the power that can Lord over men with the moving of a finger"

The conversation reached its peak within the streets as exclamations could be heard.

" The cultivators have descended to the city"

...

Hearing the excited cries of the crowd, Tafari who had May to his side was not that perturbed. He in fact expected as much, as they descend every ten years.

May to his side, however, didn't know how to feel about such an event. She should be excited but when she thought about the youth beside her possible parting from her, sorrow filled her heart.

" I will get tested as well. If it is that I am not suitable and he is, I'll find another means. If it is the other way around, I'll find a way so he can too"

Deep down although she did not want to admit it. She just simply hoped that life could remain the same. Inside she thought,

'So what if they were both mortals until they turned to dust, Was that such a bad thing? Was it a selfish dream from a girl who had finally barely confessed her feelings to her prince charming? It might be a common life but with this brute by her side, how could it not be filled with joy and excitement?"

Taf looked at the girl beside him and as if seeing her fears held her warm hands firmly before smiling.

That smile oddly seemed to have melted all those fears that had built up in her mind. Without any words, he had given her the best answer possible.

Soon they made their way to a cozy building that had flowers all around.

"I'll meet you here early in the morning and we will both go to the city capital" Taf looked on the girl before him that became even more charming the more he looked. "If you're late I'll make sure the whole city hears your laughter through the streets Mr charmer"

She teased while poking him in his side.

Sigh! - "You won't let that go, will you? It is a curse I know." Taf replied as the beauty before him opened the gate.

"Bye Mr charmer."

She winked at him while walking away.

"Note to self, be careful what you say to a woman as it might just be that nails in your coffin," He sighed while watching her petite figure disappearing.

...

Nightfall came and a youth could be seen sitting on a black chair within a gym.

Before him was a redhead that had somewhat of a mature charm to her as she wore tight-fitting clothing that only served to flaunt her curves. Behind her were faces he was quite familiar with.

"So I'm guessing Sara you can give me better details and understanding of these visitors," He asked as Sara smiled and then bowed her head in agreement.

" According to a highly placed source within the city Lord's manor, there are five individuals. As per usual a team is sent by the Dark Abylis Sect to handle us deemed trivial matters. It is estimated that they are all of the qi condensation realm for cultivators. With the leader believed to have been at the peak," Sara went on in detail as she eyed the youth before her who did not seem fazed by her words.

How could such things faze the Mouse who had all this information about cultivation disclosed by anonymous corpse number one before his demise? "Describe them for me character-wise, weapons, etc."

It was of minimal importance their description to him, but he was taught to know his comrades or enemies just the same no matter how trivial. After all, you never know what you might learn.