two; determination

Determination is a powerful thing.

It has the power to change you, may it be for better or for worse.

Though it is nonetheless crucial in a long journey to reach your goals...

~

[Aerron and Aerol Reynolds]

The whole kingdom knew of the sons of Duke Reynolds.

Both talented at swordsmanship, academics, and at the use of magi. Everyone revered them with high regards throughout the kingdom. Everyone held high hopes for the two.

But, of course, when there is light, there is always a darkness lurking around the corner...

~

[Ten Years Later]

It was the day for [Knight Selection Examinations]. A type of practical exam for applying for the [Knight] position.

It was also the day where Aerron and Aerol Reynolds would fight to join the ranks of the military...

Thousands of people would apply each year, only for hundreds to be accepted. This kingdom, Spade Kingdom's, selection was, simply, competitive. Yes, submitting the application was easy alright, but the practical examinations were a different story.

The building where the exams were to be held was the [Colossuem]. At this time of year, the amount of people were uncountable. Security was busy, and the people were rioting. Everyone wanted to watch the exams, it was just too amusing!

...It was also at that moment that the Reynolds twins arrived.

"GAHHHH!" "WAHH!" "OHMYGOSHSHSH" "WOHHH"

The people cheered for the two, it was a pretty unsightly sight.

"...Why do they always act this way?" Sighing, Aerron asked Aerol.

Aerol chuckled. "Oh, don't you like it? I find it amusing." He waved at the people, walking to the side entrance, meant for contestants, with ease.

"Ugh, of course you'd say that." Aerron groaned. Receiving attention wasn't really his thing...

The two walked towards the entrance, Aerol smiling and Aerron sighing. The entrance was long and designed like a tunnel, the other end beaming with light. It was also at the other end, where the exams would start...

And their journey would begin...

They walked out the tunnel, looking at the other contestants. There were thousands of them! Thousands of challengers, and around five hundred slots of knights...

The two shivered...

...Shivered in excitement!

"GOOOOD AFTERNOON, SWEET CITIZENS OF SPADE KINGDOM!" The emcee shouted with delight. The voice boomed throughout the circular colosseum, making everyone hear it, regardless of their location in it.

"Today is the Knight Exams! Are you all reaaaaaady?!!"

The audience cheered in delight and excitement! Who wouldn't be excited for the biggest event of the year?! No one, that's who!

The contestants, who were gathered at the center of the colosseum, all had different expressions. Some were nervous, some were excited, and some were... unreadable.

"THEEEEEN! Let's begiiiiinnnn!"

Thus, it began.

A stage opened up in the middle of the contestants. A pair of male and female stood at the middle, garnering the attention of all.

"Welcome to the [Knight Selection Examinations]!" The male, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes, shouted. He looked delighted to be here. The contestants cheered, you only live once, right?

The female, though, not so much. She actually looked tired more than anything. "The exam where you either die, live with shame, or live with glory and die later." She yawned. Her shoulder-length strawberry blonde locks swaying with the light breeze that flew by.

Aerron chuckled lightly. Well, this is gonna be more interesting than I thought! He thought.

"...Uh, yes. But aside from that, today is the day where you'd prove yourself to your family, friends, and peers!" The male attempted to uplift the atmosphere, and hey, it worked. "I am Kaiser. I will be your first examiner."

The female grinned. "And I am Kiara. I am your second first examiner. In other words, your other first examiner!" She shouted, her emerald eyes gleaming.

"Let us start with the mechanics of the first stage. It will take place today, at the Colosseum, where we are now." Kaiser started.

"Everyone was handed a badge with a specific number. You are to wear it anywhere on your chest, and the stage will officially begin." Kiara continued.

"The rules are simple. Weapons and the use of magi are not allowed, killing one another is prohibited. The time limit is an hour and thirty minutes. The top thousand with the most badges will get to move on to the next stage."

The two suddenly smirked, and the stage suddenly started going down.

""You may begin!""

...And it began. The chaos, the unsightly sights, and the grabbing of the badges.

Aerron and Aerol ran parallel each other. They ran past tens of contestants, making light movements and running with soft steps.

The crowd of contestants soon became an all-out free-for-all brawl. Some contestants were already on the ground, and some limped while walking.

Though, what stood out the most was a large man beating up contestants, and roughly taking their badges.

"Ahahah! This is easier than I thought! I thought the exam was supposed to be 'challenging' and 'deadly'!" He laughed. He continued beating up other contestants and taking their badges, his sticking proudly on his chest.

Aerron looked at the guy and stopped. I have around twenty-five badges now... I wonder how many Aerol has. Should I get this guy's? He is the nearest one now. Plus, he's carrying twenty or so now, too... Was what he thought.

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and got the attention of the big guy.

The guy looked at Aerron and grinned. "Oh? Is this the 'great' Aerron Reynolds? Ahahaha! Looks like the heavens are giving me great luck today! I'm gonna beat you into a pulp next!" He ranted.

A vein popped on Aerron's side. "What? As if a brute like you could beat me. I'm sure I can beat a simpleton like you anytime," he spoke proudly.

The other guy got angered easily. "Don't underestimate me, brat!"

He ran to Aerron, readying his arm for punching. Aerron smirked and seemingly disappeared. The guy stopped and looked around.

"What...?"

The wind hitched, and the man turned around quickly.

...Only to be met with a punch from Aerron. He jumped high and used the momentum to punch the other guy in the face, hard.

The guy tripped and fell over, holding his right cheek with his right hand. "Ugh..."

Aerron took the guy's badge swiftly and said something.

"Even if the world's against me, I will become the General."

...That was Aerron's determination. That was his- Her determination to become the General...

~

Aerol looked at Aerron from far away, his foot deep in a contestant's chest.

"And that is Aerra's determination. Even if she has to cross-dress to achieve her goal, she'd do it. " He used Aerron's real name at that moment.

He looked at the contestant that was buried under his foot.

The contestant, who fainted long ago, insulted Aerron a while ago. Aerol, being the older brother he is, attacked the contestant under the guise of winning the stage.

~

Aerron continued taking badges left and right, fighting here and there, and met up with Aerol after an hour or so.

"Aerol!" Aerron called out.

Aerol looked at Aerron and smiled. "So, how many do you have?"

Aerron grinned. "Hah! I have five hundred." He smirked, feeling victorious.

"Really? I have five hundred and ten." Aerol continued smiling, while Aerron dropped down in defeat.

"A-ah... I thought I could beat you this time... Apparently, it wasn't enough!" Aerron sulked.

Aerol pat Aerron on the head. "Don't worry, you'll beat me one day."

"You always say that..." Aerron whispered.

"Aaand time's up!" A voice shouted.

Suddenly, the stage from before rose from underneath, the bodies cleared away.

Everyone conscious looked at the stage and the pair on it. It was Kaiser and Kiara again. Both equally energized this time.

"Congratulations to everyone conscious! Because of that, you are automatically given a pass to the next stage, if you have more than a hundred badges. If you fit the criteria, please leave through the side entrance." Kaiser informed the people conscious, around four hundred or so.

Yes, although the total number of contestants is four thousand, only four hundred were left standing. That four hundred were excellent, and the majority were nobles.

The nobles all had different reasons for joining this examination. Some did it for the glory, some did it because of family reasons, and some did it for the heck of it.

Though, Aerron and Aerol did it for a whole different reason.

They're doing it, because its their goal. The goal they've had for ten years. The goal that they strive to achieve.

The goal that they're determined to achieve.