Preparing for the Summer Competition

The following day, Chris stood in the entryway of the town of Salienc in his same gear; black coat, the same spitting image of a young shadow. The knights of the special operations squad had already went inside the horse carriages which were all nothing but ready to go.

The adventurers, Gary and Doctor Angelo were all talking to the knights, while everyone said goodbye to each other. It was time for them to go.

"Chris," Kara said, "I hope you find your family. I really do."

Chris bowed like a diligent subordinate, and said, "I would, Supreme Shadow." But after that, he did not know what to say. Seeing this, Kara did something. He raised his hands to his right ear, and removed one of the black earrings that gives him the ability to summon one of the S-Familiars.

"Supreme shadow, this?"

Kara handed one black earring to Chris. "It was you who made it, so take this. Someday, you might find your own familiar, but it would never be wrong to take one now."

A smile blossomed on Chris' face.

"Learn how it works yourself. You're smart and talented, after all," Kara said.

Looking at the black earring in his palms as the sunlight shone on it, Chris was happy as he put it to his left ear. How did it look? It could not look better.

After this, Chris shot a look over his shoulder and eyed Doctor Angelo who was looking at them. They were not sure, but the doctor was one of those who knew about the magic item that can summon these S-Familiars. They had turned it from a necklace to earrings, since it was the pearls that they all need.

But could the doctor be aware of it?

What if he saw it?

"Don't worry about the old man. Surely he must have talked to that rogue mage Cannon already, and asked him where the magic item were. So he must have known I took it. If not, I would tell him later. He's offered himself as a subordinate to me, after all." Kara shrugged his shoulders.

Chris looked at the people and the town and asked one last question before they should depart.

"Supreme shadow, are you really going to become a king?" Chris whispered.

Kara had a calm expression as always, and said, "No, but if it's protection this town needs, I see no reason to become a protector."

Chris was taken aback at this and almost laughed. Gulping, he thought, 'Seriously?'

A king? A protector. What was the difference? It was the decision that puzzled Chris. For a moment, Chris was taken aback. Avoiding Kara's crimson gaze and instead looking at his face and body, Chris bowed as goodbye.

"I hope we meet again,"

"That would be good, Supreme Shadow," Chris silently said.

After that, Chris pivoted, heading to the horse carriage. While walking, he then grinned at the sky and thought, 'A protector, huh? Interesting haha.'

---

The sun continued to shine brightly on the world. The wheels and hooves of the horses started to sound, and the carriages went out of the town smoothly.

On the way back to his new home, Kara was seen walking alongside Gary, Doctor Angelo, and the adventurers. Now that everyone was gone, it was time to talk about what Kara wanted to say last night.

It was time to talk about the Summer Competition.

On his room, a meeting was taking place between the new group.

"First, like I said, I still do not intend to become king, however, I would try to support this town from now on," Kara said, "We gather here today, so I could tell you one thing… the summer competition."

"The summer competition is the biggest even of the year, with the winner taking home 250, 000 gold coins. Lord Kara has deemed it proper for the Town of Salienc to take part and achieve victory." Gary said, while he was standing right at the right side of Kara.

Kara had liked Gary's fighting capabilities and talent very much. Because their age was not that far apart, with Gary being only three years older or less, he was also pretty looking forward to seeing him grow.

Holding a normal new sword at his waist and wearing a normal clothing of a town folk since he was not a knight anymore but only a swordsman, Gary continued to explain what he learned from the Mayor.

"In order to enter the summer competition, a group must consist of seven fighters, and two reserves. We gather here today in order to select our representatives. The competition is going to be held in three months." Gary said and grinned. Gary still wore the same nonchalant expression as if he did not care about the world, but fighting competition always turns his tank on.

Corre was the first one to speak this time.

"Is Lord Kara going to fight as well?" Corre asked.

"Of course," Kara smiled.

"Then, Corre Slum is in." Corre said.

Seeing this, Jane—the archer of the group—also chimed in. "I specialize in long range attacks, so I would like to join as well."

Looking at Jane, Kara indeed knew she was going to be essential. After all, there would be no specialized long range attackers in this town except her and Kara himself.

"Then that means Lord Kara, I, Corre, and Jane are going to take part. We still need three fighters. The other two would be reserves." Gary said. Naturally, the only fighters left would be John and Ellie of the adventurers' group "The Limelight".

Glancing at each other, the two nodded at each other.

"You can count on us two." John said.

That meant there was still one left.

"Sorry, but I cannot fight," Doctor Angelo interjected.

"That's fine, but it would be reliable to have behind our backs, Doctor," Kara said.

"That I can do. You can count on me in the healing department. But I cannot be a reserve either." Doctor Angelo said.

After talking about that, Kara had one thing more to say.

"Then, its final. In three months, we are going to join the Summer Competition as a representative of the Town of Salienc. With Docto Angelo assisting us from the sidelines, we need one fighter and two reserves, we should see if someone in this town can fight." Kara said.

"I have one worry though. Settling the adventurers aside, I and young boy Gary is supposed to be dead. Is it going to be okay to reveal ourselves?"

"That's fine," Kara said after glancing at Gary who nodded, "We are at the Dukedom and the Duke have sovereignty over his territory. Or do you think people could recognize you?"

"No, My Lord. Fortunately, the people in this dukedom don't know me. And even as one of the four royal doctors working directly under the King, I had not actually once spoken to the king himself. That is for the Great Royal Doctors to do. We only assist them."

"Then that's good. You still need to make sure your identity is hidden though."

"As you've ordered, My Lord."

"So we need one more fighter?" Kara said.

"No," Corre said, "We need one more fighter, and two reserve, three people"

'No we really need just two reserves.' Kara said inwardly.

Thinking about this, Kara only thought of one thing.

'Maybe you are powerful enough to get out there?' Kara asked May.

'Soon,' May said.

May and Kara now share one mind, however, May was not going to be stuck forever in his mind. In reality, she had even appeared in person to him inside the Forest of the Darn, right?

'If I'm powerful enough before this competition, naturally I could get out.' May said.

'How can I be at your service?'

'That's right. I've been thinking so from now on, why don't you spend your time with me more? Since you might be a reincarnation of the indifferent ancient shadow, there must be a reason why you were able to awaken me in that book.'

'Like?'

'I might be the way to your heart, your emotions, and I need you to recognize that.'