Gacha Sovereign

Alex and the rest decided not to train for today. They prepared for tomorrow.

The next day, the second-year students were gathered in the arena. The first-year students also in the arena, but they were in the audience seats. Alex looked around and found all the first year present. When they arrived, Alex immediately put a deaf ear to the 'Kya kya' thing from the other students. He turned to Firia,

"The first year actually know about this?"

"Yes. Actually, you are the only one who wasn't present last year. You are a 'Training Maniac' after all" Firia teased.

Alex was surprised but, "What do you mean by 'Training Maniac'?"

"You only train and train, if you are not the dean's student. You can't train like that you know"

"Ugh, I need to thank Teacher for that"

Alicia and Firia giggled.

The dean entered the arena, "Students! Now, the time has come. You will get to train on the battlefield. Today you all will set off to Bawon Fortress. The estimated time for this journey was fifteen days. Summing up with the home journey. You will get a month to kill those monsters over there. But there is good news for you. After this event, you only need to self-study in the academy for the rest of the years"

Upon receiving this good news, the students were overjoyed especially the second year. who doesn't want an easy schedule like that?. The first-year students looked at them with envy.

"But...because this is also the last event for you, second-year students" The dean stopped a bit and said with a very serious tone"That also means, the one who failed to reach rank 3 as a requirement for advancing to the third year, will immediately be expelled."

The students immediately went quiet. All of them gulped down. Once failed, they will be expelled. Though a few already reach rank 3, they still can be counted with fingers. That means, from almost 400 second-years students, the one who already reach rank 3 wasn't even ten.

The second-year students' face became pale. The first year turned their head to the side. They didn't envy them anymore. After all, if they failed this event, that means expulsion.

After the dean gave his speech, the students immediately went off to the caravan. More than fifty caravan line up in front of the academy. They had been paid to bring the students to the Bawon Fortress.

The caravan took seven students each along with their luggage. There is no guard on this journey. The academy left it up to the students. Especially since there is Alex in their ranks, though there are some monsters attacked the group. There are no bandits or robbers who attacked them. The academy's symbol was printed on the caravan and since this event was held every year. No one was stupid enough to attack this group. Unless they are a big group. But, the students didn't realize that there are a few teachers disguised as a member of the caravan. This was to ensure there are no big group with powerful men attacked them, the teacher won't make a move if there are none.

Fortunately, there is no accident in this journey. All the students have arrived at the Bawon Fortress. On their front, there is a fortress wall that stood tall from generation to generation. Though there are some renovation on the wall. The foundation was still solid. With almost thirty meters high, the wall looked almighty in front of them.

On their left, they saw numerous big trees. The trees were around twenty meters or more. No wonder the fortress wall was that high. These big trees covered all the light that goes to the ground, making the inside looked dark. The creepy feeling gushed out from within. All students gulped down in front of this scene.

They arrived at the bottom of the Fortress Wall. The leader of the caravan gave the letter from the academy to the guard and the guard let them in.

Alex observed the guard carefully. Even the normal guards were around rank 2 warriors. He was astonished by this. But what is more shocking is that all of these guards have an aura, he can see that all of the guards were constantly battling with the monsters of this forest.

"Is they this year batch?" One of the guards whispered to his colleague.

"How many of them will survive this time?"

"They are just like a newborn chick. They don't know what kind of thing in this battlefield"

"Hmph"

Though they whispered to each other. Other students might not hear it but Alex who was a rank 6 can hear them clearly. He frowned. It seems the situation here wasn't that great, he thought that it is the right decision to group up with Alicia and Firia. He recalled when Alicia almost died at the dungeon one year ago. He shuddered when he recalled that. All in all, He will follow them so he will make sure something like that won't happen again.

Not long after they passed the gate, they have arrived at their destination. The destination was a kind of barrack that usually used by soldiers. There are a few soldiers standing by in front of the barracks.

"Welcome Students. Welcome to the student barrack. This barrack will be the place you will stay for one month. We have clean this barrack up. You can use them as you fit. We will divide you into two groups by gender. Male will go to barrack A, B, C, and D. While the female will go to barrack E, F, and G. Which bed you choose is up to you as long as it within those barracks. We are the ones who will prevent you from doing something 'BAD' in these barracks. You are free for today, Please gather again here in the morning for further instruction" the leader seems to emphasize this 'Bad'.

Let's change the topic, there are 'A', 'B', 'C',... at the top of the barracks to make it easy to differentiate. Alex decided to go to barrack 'C' because this barrack seems unpopular. It is convenient for him.

Before he goes, he made sure to check Alicia and Firia first. Of course, Sherry will go with him.

"Alex, let's meet up after this. We can enjoy a bit today" Alicia said

"Sure"

They went to their respective barrack. Alex found that each barrack can accommodate up to sixty people. But this barrack only got around half of it while the other barracks were full. Well, he didn't care about it though. He took a bed a bit further than most people since it was more convenient for him if he needs to cultivate or something. Sherry also took the bed beside him.

After putting his luggage away, Alex and Sherry then go out and wait for Alicia and Firia. After a while, Alicia and Firia got out. They have changed their clothes, after all, they were going to 'Date' in here, how can they not prepare. Alicia wore a blue shirt with a skirt to her knees, she tied her hair into twin tails making her look lovely. Firia wore a white shirt with a leather jacket and tied her hair into a ponytail. It makes her look youthful with full spirit

"Alex, do you wait long?"

Before Alex answered. Sherry interrupted him "Wuu! (Very Long)"

Alex became awkward and Alicia along with Firia can only let out a weird smile.

"Well, let's go"

The four of them walked around the Fortress. The atmosphere was like the capital city, lively and brimmed with people, especially merchants and adventurers. They are going to one shop to another and trying some delicacies

But, Alex felt something off. He was feeling they were being watched all this time, he already felt like this when they are still in the barracks. But it seems only Alex felt this so he keeps quiet with this.

Yes, there is one 'Coincidence' that going to happen.

When they walked around, there is an old man walking toward them.

"Hoho, young Alex. What a coincidence meeting you here"

"Sir Leyfon?" Alicia was surprised. Yes, the identity of the old man was Acacia Kingdom Current War Minister, Leyfon Rimbawon. Alicia was very surprised seeing this old man appeared in front of them, it was really a coincidence to meet him here.

"I am Firia Merona from Merona House. Please Nice to meet you, Sir Leyfon" Firia raised her skirt a bit and introduced herself like a noble lady, oh no, she is a noble lady.

"Hoho, I know you, young lass from Merona House. No need for formalities, I didn't really like them either" Then he turned to Alicia "Young Princess Alicia, it's good to see you here. The cute princess back then turned to be a beautiful young lady."

"Thank you Sir Leyfon, Father send his regards for you"

"Oh, Young Raymond did? Haha, I have visited your home two months ago. But all of you were in the academy. Well since you are going here anyway, that's fine though. Welcome to Bawon Fortress"

"Thank you Sir Leyfon"

Then the last, he turned to Alex. "Young Alex. It was almost a year from that meeting. It was a coincidence we met here"

Alex almost vomited blood when he heard that, he cursed in his mind 'Coincidence my ass, you are watching us all this time. Do you think I didn't feel your presence all this time?'

Of course, he can't say all of that. He replied "Cough. Yes, Sir Leyfon, It's been almost a year since that meeting. It was really a coincidence meeting you here"

"Yes yes, it is really a coincidence. It seems that our meeting here was brought by fate"

'Shameless! This old fox, what is he planning?' Alex smiled, "Yes"

"Since our meeting here was brought by fate" As he said that, his expression turned to be serious. "I have a request. Would you-"

'Is there some problem?' Alex frowned. Alicia and Firia also listening seriously. What kind of trouble can the war minister had? Would it be regarding monsters? After all, they are in front of the Death Forest.

After a moment of pause, he continued "Would you eat dinner in my home?"

Everyone stumbled, they didn't expect this at all, "EEHHH?"