Six elders

Ray entered the grand dining hall with Gary beside him, followed closely by the other students from their dorm. The moment they stepped inside, their eyes were drawn to the magnificent sight before them. The hall was just as extravagant as the rest of the academy, its sheer size giving the impression that it could accommodate the entire student body of Avrion Academy.

The dining hall was divided into six sections, mirroring the layout of the dormitories. Each section had a flag bearing the name of the respective school. Ray and the others made their way toward the flag labeled "Renny Town." Within the section, the tables were further divided to match their dorm assignments, each seat marked with a student's name.

Renny Town was the first group to arrive, led by a knight who guided them to their assigned seats. As they settled in, the hall remained eerily quiet. Some students were nervous, anticipating the upcoming assessments, while others were too excited to speak.

As the other schools began entering, their eyes immediately focused on the students from Renny Town. More specifically, their attention was drawn to a particular group—those with red hair. It was rare to see individuals with red hair, and yet, in one school alone, there were five of them.

"Look over there."

"Can you believe they allowed that?"

"I'm glad they're not from our school. Who knows what kind of trouble they bring."

Ian, seated at their table, averted his gaze, clearly troubled by the whispered remarks. Ray could see that this affected him deeply. Ian had endured a similar upbringing to his own, but unlike Ray, he hadn't been able to brush off the discrimination so easily. Ray had dealt with it in his own way, and he also had the support of caring parents. Ian, on the other hand, had neither. Despite it all, he remained kind—a gentle giant who wouldn't hurt a fly.

Ray placed a hand on Ian's back and spoke reassuringly. "Don't worry. If anyone messes with us, I'll make them wish they were never born."

Instead of comfort, Ian looked more frightened. "Er… Thanks, Ray."

Gary, witnessing the exchange, simply shook his head with a sigh.

The dining hall was arranged so that all the tables faced the front, where a grand stage stood. Six ornate chairs, adorned with intricate designs, were positioned at the center of the stage. To the left and right of the stage, two massive wooden doors stood closed.

Moments later, the doors swung open, and staff members dressed in pristine white uniforms entered, pushing along carts filled with food. They moved swiftly, placing the prepared meals before the students.

As the feast began, most of the students picked at their meals nervously. Ray and Gary, however, ate heartily.

"How can you guys eat like that when we have an assessment coming up?" Slyvia asked, watching them in disbelief.

"It's free food," Gary said through a mouthful.

Once the meal was finished, the staff efficiently cleared away the dishes. The students sat quietly, waiting for what was to come next.

Suddenly, the doors at the front of the hall swung open again, and three knights entered—Wilfred, Barbadoes, and Delbert. The same three knights who had escorted Ray and Gary to Renny Town.

The room erupted into murmurs.

"It's the three Master Knights."

"I want to be as skilled as Delbert."

"I hope we get to see their abilities firsthand."

The knights stepped onto the stage, positioning themselves at the center. Wilfred took a step forward to address the room.

"I welcome all new students of Avrion Academy. Today, you will undergo the Squire Assessment. This test has determined a squire's ranking since the founding of our academy. There will be a total of five trials: the Gem of Strength, the Hell of Fire, the Silent Knight, the Eye of Accuracy, and the Will of Truth. Each trial will be overseen by a Master Knight, such as myself and those beside me. Do not be discouraged by the rank you receive—remember, even a red sash squire can one day stand where we do. Each of you has already proven your potential by overcoming the trial at age five in your village. I wish you all the best in the assessment ahead."

At the conclusion of Wilfred's speech, the room erupted into cheers. Excitement and determination filled the air as students envisioned their future as knights.

The Squire Masters worked quickly to settle the room. Once order was restored, Wilfred moved toward the door at the side of the stage. As he opened it, he bowed deeply to those entering.

Six elders stepped into the hall, each accompanied by a Black Knight at their side. It was difficult to determine their exact age due to the effects of Ki, but their appearances suggested they were in their sixties. Despite their aged features, an overwhelming aura of strength emanated from each of them.

Ray instinctively activated his Dragon Eyes to observe them more closely. A bright white aura radiated from their bodies. The last time he had seen something like this was in his past life—when he was a dragon, moments before being defeated by the witch.

For the first time in a long while, Ray felt a shiver run down his spine.

The six elders took their seats in the grand chairs without speaking a word, their sharp gazes scanning the room, observing the students. Each one was accompanied by a knight clad in black, their armor gleaming under the dining hall lights. They stood silently, just like the knights outside the red door.

Delbert stepped forward once more, introducing the elders to the students. He spoke of their accomplishments, their legendary feats, and how they had risen to their esteemed positions. His speech served as a reminder of what the students could aspire to achieve.

Once the introductions were finished, the Squire Masters began moving through the hall, approaching each table. One by one, they called upon the students and guided them toward the training grounds where the tests would take place.