151 Chiho Strikes Part One

Everyone who had passed the squires test was given a few days off. During this time Alicia spent most of it relaxing with her friends and family. She was about to undertake a three month training course. This course was to help train new squires in group combat, survival skills, and tracking. Each group would have seven people.

In Alicia's group besides herself was Starla, Rose, another girl around Starla's age named Annelia, Blake as one of the protectors/trainers. A middle aged woman named Sue, and another middle aged woman named Bridget. These two women all hailed from lower class families and worked their way up through the ranks to become knights.

So out of this entire group, only Blake was male. Of course, at first Sue and Bridget were not happy to find out that Blake was joining their squad because normally female squires only trained with female squires. This was to make sure no accidents happened during tests due to assaults in the middle of the night. But once they found out who Alicia was and that Blake has been by her side for over a year as her personal knight, they dropped their protest knowing that Blake would not cause any issues. They were also told not to go easy on Alicia just because she held the Alastine name. Sue and Bridget of course knew this because it was one of the biggest rules in the Alastine Kingdom when it came to the Knights Orders. Ranks and status mean nothing in the eyes of Knights Orders. Once you became a knight you were to uphold all virtues, failure to do so without a good reason would be expulsion. Meaning, you would be kicked from the Knights Orders, and in some cases when a knight does something that warrants it, death could follow expulsion.

The Alastine Kingdom's Knights Order rules were very strict and were created by the king himself. They were instated when King Augustus took over the throne. Even to this day, King Augustus has already had to expel and sentenced to death, family members, and close friends who tried to use their authority and do heinous acts within the Knights Orders. After one incident when King Augustus's younger brother, his only brother used his authority as a knight to push into commoners' homes and do unspeakable acts. King Augustus was outraged and immediately called for his arrest. King Augustus's young brother who was named Julias Alastine, once arrested, was hauled to the capitals cities public execution grounds where he was beheaded by King Augustus himself. King Augustus did this so that the people and also those in the Kingdom's Knights Orders knew that breaking the rules and going against the virtues that make the knights who they are will result in severe punishment no matter who you are.

Currently, each of these groups were standing together back in the training field, King Augustus was standing up on stage looking down at the group. His eyes scanned each group. He was very happy that Phillip also passed the squires test. He was hoping that with Philip becoming a knight he would straighten up a bit and become someone who was worthy of holding the Alastine name.

"Today, you will all head out into the Frozen Forest due north of the capital. It will take two weeks to get there on foot. Along the way, if you see any bandits or wrongdoing you must stop it. When you reach the Frozen Forest you will need to survive in the harsh conditions for two months before returning. Though the road to the Frozen Forest is basically safe do not let your guards down and be warned you will have to endure more than just the cold during your stay in Frozen Forest. Going by the Adventurer's Guild ranking system there will be Demonic beasts from C to A rank at any given time. With a low chance to run into a Disaster rank demonic beasts. So prepare yourselves.

"Each group will decide on a squad leader. Your squad leaders will be in charge of giving out orders during a fight. Listen to your squad leaders! If by some chance a squad leader is putting their squad in danger your protectors will handle the situation. With this all said, I wish you good luck! In front of you, all are ten teleporters, they will send you all to your starting location." King Augustus finished his words, he gave one more glance at Alicia and Philip before disappearing.

Down in Alicia's group, a bit of a standoff was happening. Starla and Rose were fighting with the newcomer Annelia. "What do you mean Alicia is the squad leader? Why am I not the leader? Wasn't she the one still in the Illusion World when I came out? That means I finished the test before her! If anything, one of you two girls are a better fit than the pipsqueak over there."

"Watch your mouth!" Rose flared up at Annelia's words, she was already drawing her sword when a small hand was placed on top of Rose's hand pushing Rose's sword back into her sheath.

"Ignore her words. There will always be a time when we will have to form squads with disagreeable people. For the sake of setting off, we will let her be the squad leader for now and see how she handles things. If things get out of hand I will step in." Alicia calmly expressed her thoughts on things. Alicia did not want to wait around any longer, their first mission was to make it to the Frozen Forest. Two weeks of travel was a long time and she wanted to set off as soon as possible.

Annelia looked at Rose with a smug grin and her arms crossed across her chest as if she was the final victor. Rose only glared back at her but conceded because of Alicia's words. "See even the pipsqueak knows I am better for the squad leader position!"

Alicia's eyes turned cold as she looked at Annelia causing Annelia to feel a bit frightened. "Annelia, I am only giving you a chance to be squad leader for the sake of setting off before dark. But if you continue to run your mouth I do not mind stuffing a gag into it to make our journey quieter!"

"You! I ought to..." Annelia was about to draw her sword when she was hit with a frightening killing intent. She slightly turned her head to see Blake's cold eyes staring back at her. The killing intent within them caused her to swallow her words. Annelia composed herself averting her eyes from Blakes and said: "Let's set off!"

***

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