Party Selection

Ch 14

POV Charlotte

An announcement with an emotionless voice rang throughout the building in the morning,

"[Attention to all examinees, the final entrance exam will be conducted at 12 noon today as communicated before. All qualified examinees are requested to gather at the front gates of the institute by half past 11. I repeat, the final entrance exam to qualify will be conducted at 12 noon today as communicated before. All qualified examinees are requested to gather at the front gates of the institute by half past 11.]"

So it's finally here.

I woke up from my meditation. These past few days helped me push my skills one notch higher than what they were before. Although it wasn't a big difference, it could be the difference required to survive in a life and death fight.

Since it was already 9 in the morning, I left my room after eating breakfast to do some early reconnaissance.

These past few days many more aspiring students had arrived at the institute. The buildings that looked empty a week ago were now bustling with activity.

It wasn't for no reason that the Greenwich Institute was one of the top three academies on the Brethel Continent. Although there were more than twenty thousand applicants every year, by the time they were facing the final exam their numbers were down to about a two to three thousand. And in these people, the number of examinees who finally enrolled in the Greenwich Institute never exceeded five hundred. This was the level of cutthroat competition in the institute. Only the cream of the crop were chosen.

As I was walking around taking note of the people who looked strong I spotted Leon's figure loitering around. He was just sitting on a bench and observing the people around him.

Looks like he had the same idea as me.

If I remained standing there I was sure to be noticed by him which I didn't want. Although we had agreed to meet before the final test we still had a few hours on the clock, and I wanted to avoid contact with him as much as possible.

As I was debating on what to do a guy walked straight up to me and asked,

"Beauty, would you like to join this young master's team up for the final test?"

"No"

I refused him directly. Even just by looking at him, I could tell he was the definition of an arrogant, pampered noble. And his next words only proved me right,

"Don't refuse so quick. Since you are here early you must also be in search of a group to join, no? If that is the case I am the best option available here."

He didn't even bother asking whether I was a spell caster or fighter. Looking at his lecherous eyes, it was obvious he wanted me to be in his team only because of my beautiful appearance.

Seeing me not moved by his words, he explained further, "Even the weakest person in my group is at the 2nd refinement level. Out of nineteen of us, four are at 3rd refinement and on top of that we even have a 3rd circle spell caster."

A 3rd circle spell caster and four more 3rd refinement fighters? That caught my attention. This really was an extremely formidable group. In my mind I couldn't help but wonder how the spell caster compared against Leon.

What I couldn't understand though was why those people would agree to join such a group. Even if they didn't join this person, they could have just banded together in a smaller group of stronger people, no? On top of that even the role of the leader was given to this 2nd refinement Adept Warrior.

There was definitely a deeper motive involved. Since I didn't want to put my foot in any mess and alert anybody, I tried to refuse him again.

"I'm already in a group."

Upon hearing my words, his face turned ugly for a moment before reverting back,

"You can still ditch that group and join mine. I don't believe you don't see how good my team is."

"Why do you want me to join so badly? There are so many others around here." I questioned him.

"You-"

However, before he could speak up his teammates from behind shouted at me.

"How dare you not accept the young master's favour? You should feel lucky about this opportunity being presented to you."

Looking at my impassive face the 'young master' spoke again.

"This is the last time I am asking you. Will you join my group, or not?"

"I don't want to."

"Then I hope you don't regret your decision once the exam starts."

Saying so, he turned around and left.

"Pfft."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The stupid arrogance. To be honest, I wasn't even offended by his attitude, only dumbfounded. After he was gone, I looked back to where Leon was sitting, but the seat was empty.

** ** **

POV Krauss

How amusing. I inwardly commented while watching Pedro try to make Charlotte join his group. Although I wasn't scared of him, the fact that he was here meant I had to be careful.

Pedro Elffire was Helen's cousin from her mother's side, and was one of Helen's lackeys. When I had left the palace there was no indication of him enrolling in the Greenwich Institute. His sudden appearance clearly suggested Helen didn't believe the news of me being ambushed and severely injured in the forest, and wanted it to be investigated.

However, it was already too late. In the institute I was Leon, not Krauss. If I used a Disfigurate disguise spell on top of that, he would never be able to find me in the academy. The problem was the other people he might have come with him. They were likely from Helen's private force, and definitely had some sort of artifact to locate me.

The reason for my certainty in this matter was because of Helen's profession. She was a 5th refinement Warlock. Although Warlocks were weaker than pure combat classes like swordsmen what they had on top of fighting power was the ability to hold prophetic rituals with the help of their blood.

After watching the drama in front of my eyes for some time, I got bored and went around looking for other interesting people.

Most people were talking about forming groups and partnerships, which wasn't really surprising. Afterall, the final exam carried the risk of dying, and forming a team was the easiest way to increase the chances of survival. However, that was not all. The groups and relationships that formed right now, would also affect them after they got enrolled in the academy.

I did come upon a few strong looking people, but nothing that really caught my eye. The thing that I was most surprised by was the number of spell casters gathered here. But if you think about it, it makes sense. The best way for a spell caster without a special background to learn spells is by joining some sort of organization, and what better organization than the Greenwich Institute whose renowned fame reaches till the ends of the Brethel continent.

Finally I came across an interesting group after a few minutes of wandering around. They were talking loud enough for the people around them to be able to easily hear them.

"Would you please reconsider? I am a peak rank 2 refinement warrior." The person in a dirty armour pleaded.

"haah." The bulky man sighed before continuing, "The problem is not with you. In fact, any group will gladly take you in. But a deadweight like her is too much. If she was at least refinement rank one we could have considered it, but she has no cultivation. I wonder how she even got through the tests."

After the duo got rejected, they tried joining the other groups but to no avail. All of them rejected the two with the same reason. All this the girl remained silent and accompanied the guy without an expression on her face.

"Life Detection~" I casted a spell to scan her aura silently.

Just as they said, the girl really had no cultivation base. She didn't even notice that a spell was cast on her. Even I wondered how she made it to this stage, unless, she was a supreme level talent. Although the Institute had rules, they could be bent if they were a better decision. It was the same with Charlotte. Despite knowing she was an assassin, and probably was after someone's head, they agreed to enrol her.

While I was in deep thought about the girl's situation the duo went to a few more groups only to receive the same results. Finally, the girl spoke up.

"Brother forget about me and join the institute."

"What about you then?"

"I will stay in Cordon."

"How will you stay alone in a city without any means to protect yourself? Don't worry, I am sure a group will take us in eventually."

"Face the truth brother. No strong group will be willing to take a powerless person in an exam that will determine their future." Before the guy could respond she continued her argument, "It is already half past ten. At this rate neither of us will be able to enter the academy."

"But-"

"I can try again next year. Maybe I will finally be a first circle mage by then."

"If it was not for your physique then by now you would have-"

"Enough. No need to speak about that. Now, time is ticking. Best of luck brother, I will be leaving now."

A physique! So that's it. Since she wants to be a spell caster, it is probably related to her elemental affinity.

A physique was essentially a mutation that allowed one to have some sort of unique ability. For example, a nature physique spell caster would be able to use spells at a lower mana cost in jungle terrain, or a bloodlust physique swordsman would gain strength with the amount of blood around him.

Every physique gave a completely unique ability and there was no way to predict who got a physique and who didn't. For one, it did not seem to be related to bloodline like elemental affinity. Even the level of talent was unrelated to physique. Of course, the caveat for such an ability was that crossing great realms became very difficult for a person with a physique. This was probably the reason why this girl had no base despite being so old.

I saw her walk away but didn't pursue her. If I was still here as the third prince I would definitely try to get her to my side. But as a commoner student Leon there was no need to form a faction.

** ** **