Chapter 261 - Age Groups

At that moment, another teleportation array was lit. This time, a whole host of young and old knights walked out. It was very obvious that they came from the knight academy.

It wasn't long before they, too, were shocked by the lineup before them. It was clear that Camelot was taking this as seriously as they could.

Leonel suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him. He casually turned his head to find a familiar large man.

Sir Lamorak looked down toward Leonel with placid eyes. It was impossible to tell what his emotions were at that moment. He seemed like a man who wouldn't blink even if a mountain came crashing down before him.

Leonel met his gaze equally as expressionlessly.. Even when his strength was far beneath Lamorak's, he hadn't wavered. It could be said the only reason he had panicked back then was due to Magus Aliard's attack on his mind.

The current Leonel had long since learned how to defend his mind from such things. He no longer had to rely on the passive strength of his spirit, he could actively block such spells.

It could be said that Leonel was one of the only few who didn't feel such reverance in the presence of these individuals.

In truth, Leonel was born in an Empire as well. Though somewhat different from a Kingdom, the concept was similar enough. However, Earth's government was quite unique. While the sovereignty of the Emperor was important and many positions were hereditary, there was still the shadow of democracy.

This was why officials went by titles like Secretary Marquisette and Governor Duke. Each of these titles were combinations of democratically elected titles and hereditary ones.

Due to this unique system, Leonel hadn't grown up in an environment where there was an emphasis on kneeling — and by extension, not kneeling.

That said, kneeling and not kneeling was one matter, while bowing to pressure was another. There was a difference between a person who knelt out of fear and one who knelt simply out of custom.

Leonel's body might kneel, but that didn't mean his heart kneeled.

Facing Lamorak's gaze, rather than shying away, Leonel felt his blood boil uncontrollably once again. It took all of his will power to not point a spear in the direction of that man.

He restrained his aura completely and eventually looked away from Lamorak. He felt that if he continued to look, he would lose all ability to control himself any longer.

At that moment, arcs of light splintered in the air, causing a mote of light to float before each participant. Soon, that light broke apart to reveal a wooden card with a number engraved onto it.

Leonel's number was 321.

"In that case, why are you allowing him to participate at all?"

"It's better that he loses justifiably so that he has less things to complain about. I don't care about face, but I can't tarnish the shield of the Knight of the Round Table."

"Are you joking, who are you going to find in his age group capable of defeating him? What are you playing at, Lamorak?"

Lamorak snorted. "Maybe those who have to take part in this selection cannot, but if I select a few talented 30 year olds from those families, it will still be possible."

"..."

The more Lamorak spoke, the more uncomfortable the knight became. It was clear that Lamorak wasn't a scheming person. Would a scheming person so easily reveal their snake tail like this? Lamorak was only doing what he thought was best for Camelot.

In a lot of ways, he wasn't entirely wrong. There were too many questions about Leonel's identity and his abilities were even more questionable. Not killing him was already a sign of good will in Lamorak's opinion. However, allowing him to enter the Trial Gates was impossible.

However, what happened next left Lamorak stunned.

"Um, excuse me. I shouldn't be in this group."

Up to now, the atmosphere had been quite solemn and quiet. Due to some odd spell or maybe the black drapes placed over the empty seats, their voices didn't echo as one would expect. However, this left everyone feeling exceptionally hollow.

Most of the voices had been coming from either the hundred or so elites observing from the stands, or the Two Star Earth Magus directing everything below. So... Leonel's voice stood out especially.

The Two Star Earth Magus frowned.

"What is it?"

"This is the group for 21 to 30 year olds, correct?" Leonel asked.

"Yes, that is correct. You're in the right place."

Leonel frowned and shook his head. "I'm only 18 years old this year, why would I be in this group? When did I say I was older than 20?"

The arena was stunned silent.