《ARKIN'S ADVENTURE: KINGDOM OF ROSE》 Chapter 1: The Mysterious Girl Location: outside of the kingdom of rose A man was walking at the woods, he is heading to the rose kingdom to see his brother, while he is walking he suddenly hear a voice a women voice, then he found a girl who is talking to a bird. When he tries to see its face he fall at the river, because of the the girl hides at the big rock behind her "Ouch,haysst now my clothes are now wet, and bag too" "Who is that guy?". The girl attacked Arkin, and Arkin fell. "Who are you?" the girl said. "Wait, wait, I''m not an enemy," Arkin said. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The woman released Arkin, and she apologized. Arkin asked, "Who are you, and why are you talking to the bird?" "It''s none of your business," the woman replied. "Oh, feisty," Arkin responded to the woman. The woman left without even introducing herself to Arkin. Arkin tried to chase her, but the woman ran too fast. So, Arkin decided to continue walking to the Kingdom of Rose. After an hour of walking, Arkin finally arrived at the Kingdom of Rose and saw his older brother patrolling the area. "Brother!" he called out to his brother. When his brother saw him, he immediately greeted him. "Arkin, what are you doing here?" his brother asked. "Did you forget?" Arkin replied. "I''m here because I was told to work." "Work? You''re still so young to be working. By the way, how is Auntie? Then his brother asked, "Why are you wet? What happened?" Arkin replied, "It''s a long story" hahaha. "By the way, Auntie is doing fine," Arkin added. While they were talking, a man suddenly arrived shouting, "Captain! Captain!" said the man. "What''s going on?" Zasp asked the man. "The king is calling for you," said the man. "Oh, is that so? I''ll go right away," said Zasp. "Well, I''ll go ahead, Arkin," said Zasp to his brother, Arkin. "Koby, can you show Arkin around the city?" Zasp asked Koby. "At your service, Captain," Koby replied to Zasp. After that, Zasp left to meet the king. CHAPTER 2: THE NEW FRIEND CHAPTER 2: THE NEW FRIEND After Zasp left, Koby took Arkin on a tour around the Rose Kingdom. "Wow, this place is so beautiful," Arkin said to Koby. "Hmm, absolutely," Koby replied. "We¡¯ve been walking around for a while, but I still don¡¯t really know you," Arkin said to Koby. "Hahaha, true!" Koby answered. "I''m Kobyrius, but you can just call me Koby." "I''m happy to meet you, Koby. I¡¯m Arkin Makenzkie, but just call me Arkin." After introducing himself, Arkin noticed the mysterious woman he had seen earlier by the river. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "That woman..." Arkin said softly. "A woman? I didn¡¯t mention any woman," Koby asked Arkin curiously. Arkin turned to Koby and said, "Ah, it¡¯s nothing, hahaha." When Arkin looked back at the woman, she was gone. He looked around to find her, but she was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, they heard a loud scream, "Help! Help!" A man is being attacked by a goblin; it has a knife and a scary appearance. "You look delicious, HAHAHA," said the goblin. "Please, don''t kill me, I don''t want to die yet," the man begged. "Just take my money, but please don''t kill me," the man added. Not far away, Arkin and his companions ran toward where the man was. When they reached the man''s location, they were shocked to see the goblin. "What kind of creature is that?" Arkin said, trembling with fear. "Let''s get out of here," Koby said to Arkin. "No," Arkin replied to Koby. "We need to save him." "But how are we supposed to save him?" Koby asked Arkin. "I don''t know," Arkin answered. "Hey, goblin! Leave him alone!" he shouted at the goblin. "Huh? And who might you be?" the goblin replied to Arkin. "Koby, Arkin, escape now and take the man with you!" Zasp shouted to Arkin and Koby. When Arkin and the others managed to escape, Zasp fought the goblin. "I''ll let you live if you surrender now," Zasp said to the goblin. "Huh? I''m not afraid of you," the goblin replied. To be continued Chapter 3: Decisions and New Opportunities Chapter 3: Decisions and New Opportunities "I''ll let you live if you surrender now," Zasp said to the goblin. "Huh? I''m not afraid of you," the goblin replied. "Alright, I warned you," Zasp said. The battle between the two became intense, but Zasp still emerged victorious. After defeating the goblin, Zasp immediately searched for his brother, Arkin. Moments later, Zasp found Arkin. "Arkin!" he called out to his brother. Arkin turned to Zasp and said, "Brother, I''m glad you''re okay. What happened to the goblin?" "Don''t worry about that," Zasp replied. "Thank you for saving me," the man said to Zasp. "You''re welcome," Zasp answered. After that, Zasp and Arkin went home. "Arkin, I have something to tell you," Zasp said. "What is it, brother?" "The king sent me on a mission," Zasp replied. "What kind of mission?" Arkin asked. "I was sent to find out what attacked the soldiers escorting the goods," Zasp explained. "It''s better if you go home to Aunt Lyn, because no one will be here to guard you," Zasp added. "I don''t want to," Arkin replied. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "There will be no one to look after you here, and no one to feed you because I won''t be around," Zasp said angrily to Arkin. "I can work, you know. Besides, I''m not a kid anymore¡ªI''m already 13," Arkin argued. "But¡ª" "Brother, you don''t have to worry. I can take care of myself," Arkin insisted. "Sigh. Fine, I''ll allow it. Besides, I know someone who''s looking for a worker," Zasp said to Arkin. "I can introduce you to them," he added. The next morning, Zasp woke up early to prepare their food. A little while later, Arkin also woke up. "Good morning," Zasp greeted his brother. "Good morning," Arkin replied. "What¡¯s for breakfast?" Arkin asked. "It¡¯s on the table. Go ahead and eat, then get dressed. We¡¯re going out," Zasp said. "Where are we going?" Arkin asked. "To the person I told you about. Didn¡¯t you say you were looking for a job? I¡¯ll introduce you to them," Zasp explained. Arkin hurried to finish his breakfast so they could leave. After eating, they set out to visit the person Zasp mentioned. "We¡¯re here," Zasp said. "Wow, this place is amazing," Arkin said in awe. "Stay here while I go find them," Zasp instructed. "Okay," Arkin replied. "Hello, is anyone here?" Zasp called out. "Who¡¯s there?" "Oh, Zasp! It¡¯s you! It¡¯s been so long since we last saw each other. How have you been?" "I¡¯m doing fine, how about you?" Zasp replied. "Still strong," the old man said with a chuckle. "Hahaha." "So, what brings you here? What¡¯s the reason for your visit?" the old man asked. "My brother needs a job," Zasp answered. "Oh, is that so? Where is he?" "Wait a moment, I¡¯ll call him," Zasp said. "Arkin, come here and go inside. I''ll introduce you to them," Zasp called out. "Okay, okay," Arkin replied. "Mrs. Lina, Mr. Roger, this is Arkin. He¡¯s the one I told you about," Zasp introduced. "Hello," Arkin greeted. "Aww, what a cute kid," Mrs. Lina exclaimed. "Well, well." "Hehe," Arkin giggled. "What can you do?" Mrs. Lina asked Arkin. "Can you plant crops? And take care of animals?" "Yes, I can. I grew up on a ranch, so I know how to do those things," Arkin answered. "Is that so? Alright, you can start tomorrow," Mrs. Lina said. "Thank you, Mrs. Lina," Arkin said. After that, Zasp and Arkin left. "Well, Arkin, I¡¯m off. Let¡¯s meet up later," Zasp said as he left. Arkin continued walking home. While walking, Arkin ran into Koby. "Koby, how are you?" Arkin greeted Koby. "Hey, Arkin! Hahaha, I¡¯m doing fine. How about you?" Koby replied. "I''m doing well, and I got a job!" Arkin said. "Really? Congrats!" Koby said. "Where are you headed?" Arkin asked. "Me? Oh, I¡¯m just wandering around. How about you, where are you going?" Koby replied. "I was on my way home," Arkin said. "Oh, I see. Well, wait a bit before you go home. Let¡¯s hang out. I know a nice place," Koby suggested. Arkin agreed to go with Koby. Sigh. "It¡¯s getting late. I need to g o home," Arkin said to Koby. "Alright, let¡¯s go home," Koby replied. They said their goodbyes and headed home. CHAPTER 4: My New Job CHAPTER 4: My New Job The rooster crowed. Huh? Oh no, I¡¯m late for work!" Arkin said in a panic. He quickly got himself ready and rushed to Mrs. Lina¡¯s house. "Good morning, Mrs. Lina," Arkin greeted politely. "Good morning, Arkin," Mrs. Lina replied. "What should I do today?" Arkin asked. "Can you help me plant these vegetables?" Mrs. Lina requested. "Of course," Arkin said. "Where should I put these?" he asked. "Over there, beside the potatoes," Mrs. Lina directed. "Okay," Arkin responded. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. After they finished planting, Mr. Roger came out of the house. "Arkin, come here. I need your help," Mr. Roger called. "Yes, I¡¯m coming," Arkin replied. "I¡¯ll leave you now, Mrs. Lina," Arkin said politely. "Alright, Arkin," Mrs. Lina said with a smile. Arkin went over to Mr. Roger. "Arkin, help me lift this. It¡¯s too heavy for me," Mr. Roger requested. "Of course," Arkin replied. "What are you going to do with this wood?" Arkin asked. "I¡¯m making a chair for my wife," Mr. Roger said. "Can I help you make the chair?" Arkin asked politely. "Sure, it¡¯ll be much faster with your help," Mr. Roger said, smiling. As the two worked on the chair, they started chatting. "How long have you been married?" Arkin asked curiously. "It¡¯s been almost thirty years," Mr. Roger replied. "Wow, that¡¯s a long time," Arkin said, impressed. "How did you meet my brother, Zasp?" Arkin asked curiously. "Ah, we met him when he came here covered in wounds. I think he came from a battle. We treated him and took care of him," Mr. Roger explained to Arkin. "Hmnn, I see," Arkin replied. "Yes, that¡¯s how it happened. Hahaha," Mr. Roger said with a chuckle. By the time they finished making the chair, it was already afternoon. "Honey! Arkin! It¡¯s time to eat," Mrs. Lina called out to them. "We¡¯re coming!" both Mr. Roger and Arkin replied. After they finished dinner, it suddenly started raining heavily. "Oh, it¡¯s raining. You should stay here for the night, Arkin," Mr. Roger said to him. "Yes, that¡¯s right," Mrs. Lina agreed. "Alright, thank you," Arkin replied. "Wait, I¡¯ll prepare the room you¡¯ll sleep in," Mrs. Lina said kindly. "Thank you very much," Arkin said with gratitude. After that, they all went to sleep. The next morning, Arkin woke up early to feed the chickens and p igs. He also let the horses out so they could run around the farm. Chapter 5: The Unknown Creature Chapter 5: The Unknown Creature After finishing his chores, Arkin politely asked Mr. and Mrs. Adolfus for permission to leave. "May I leave for a while? I want to check on my brother¡ªhe might be worried about me," Arkin said respectfully. "Of course," the couple replied. Arkin headed to his brother Zasp''s house, and when he arrived, he saw Zasp preparing to leave. "Where are you going?" Arkin asked his brother. "I¡¯m heading off for the mission the king assigned to me," Zasp replied. "I didn¡¯t know you were leaving today," Arkin said. "Hmm. By the way, where were you last night? Why didn¡¯t you come home?" Zasp asked Arkin. "At Mrs. and Mr. Adolfus''s house," Arkin replied. "It rained heavily, so they let me stay the night," he added. "Is that so? It might be better if you stay there while I¡¯m gone," Zasp said. "Alright, but when will you come back?" Arkin asked his brother. "I don¡¯t know," Zasp answered honestly. After that, Arkin packed his clothes as he prepared to move to Mr. and Mrs. Adolfus''s house. Arkin and Zasp left the house together. "Goodbye, brother. Please take care of yourself on your mission," Arkin said with concern. "You too. Take care of yourself," Zasp replied. After that, Arkin went to Mr. and Mrs. Adolfus¡¯s house. "Mrs. Lina, may I stay here for a while?" Arkin asked politely. "My brother left to carry out the mission the king assigned him," he explained. "Of course, you¡¯re more than welcome to stay," Mrs. Lina replied warmly. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Arkin brought his things up to his room and started organizing them. A little later, Mr. Roger called him. "Arkin, come with me. Let¡¯s go fishing," Mr. Roger said. "Sure," Arkin replied eagerly. The two of them went to the river and started fishing together. Zasp was traveling with seventy palace soldiers to complete the mission given to him by the king. For three days, they journeyed before finally reaching their destination. Upon arrival, they were shocked by what they saw. "What is this? It seems like no human could have done this," Zasp said in disbelief. He immediately commanded his soldiers to search the area for clues about what had happened. "Soldiers, spread out and see if you can find anything that might help us understand what happened here," Zasp ordered. "Understood, Captain," the soldiers replied. The soldiers began searching the area and eventually found a man who looked terrified. "Captain! Captain!" one of the soldiers called out to Zasp. "What is it?" Zasp asked. "We found a man, and he seems absolutely terrified," the soldier reported. "Bring him to me," Zasp ordered. "Yes, Captain," the soldier replied. "Everyone else, prepare our camp for the night," Zasp instructed. "Yes, Captain," the soldiers said in unison. "Here he is, Captain," the soldier said to Zasp. "I see. Thank you," Zasp replied. Zasp turned to the trembling man. "What¡¯s your name?" he asked. "We need to leave this place while we still can!" the man said, panic-stricken and on the verge of tears. "Calm yourself," Zasp told him firmly. He turned to a soldier and commanded, "Get him some water." "Yes, Captain," the soldier replied and hurried off. "You don¡¯t understand!" the man cried, tears streaming down his face. "Then explain to me¡ªwhat happened here?" Zasp demanded. The man took a deep, shaky breath and began to speak. "A man with one eye... he attacked us. He had giant lions with him, their claws sharp as blades. They tore apart the soldiers who were guarding the goods meant for the palace. I was lucky they didn¡¯t see me. I overheard them saying they would return here. We need to leave while we still can!" the man explained, his voice trembling. "I see," Zasp said thoughtfully. He stood and addressed his men. "Soldiers, prepare yourselves! Alert me if any monsters approach. We¡¯ll leave at first light!" "Yes, Captain!" the soldiers replied in unison. Zasp turned back to the man. "What is your name?" "I-I¡¯m Luis," the man stammered. "Alright, Luis. Get some rest. We¡¯ll leave early in the morning," Zasp said reassuringly.In the dead of night, a gigantic lion-like beast suddenly attacked the soldiers camp. With its swift movements and razor-sharp claws, it quickly killed twenty soldiers in an instant. "Captain! Captain! We''re under attack!" a soldier shouted, filled with fear and panic. "Everyone, prepare to fight and attack!" Zasp commanded, hoping his men would unite against the threat. "Yeahhh!" the soldiers shouted with courage as they charged at the beast. But no matter how many they were, their numbers were no match for the ferocity of the monstrous lion. One by one, they fell under its sharp fangs and claws until their forces were almost completely wiped out. "We should''ve left earlier!" the man yelled, trembling as he watched the gruesome scene unfold. "This is all your fault!" the man shouted at Zasp in anger and fear. Zasp struggled to stand despite the deep wound in his side. Blood dripped from his wound as he spoke, "I should''ve listened to you..." His voice with regret CHAPTER 6: Amaris: The Mysterious Woman Chapter 6: Amaris: The Mysterious Woman "This is all your fault!" the man shouted at Zasp, his voice trembling with anger and fear. Zasp struggled to stay upright, clutching the deep wound on his side. Blood trickled from between his fingers, staining the ground below. He winced in pain but managed to speak, his voice heavy with regret. "I should''ve listened to you..." The morning sun was just beginning to rise when Arkin set out early for Mrs. Lina''s house. The cool breeze brushed against his face as he walked, his thoughts wandering. When he arrived, he stopped abruptly. A familiar face caught his attention. He stared intently, his heart skipping a beat as recognition dawned on him. "Isn''t that the woman I saw by the river?" he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing. Pushing the thought aside, Arkin headed straight to Mr. Roger, who was waiting for him. "Mr. Roger, what are we working on today?" he asked, eager to begin. "Help me cut down some trees in the woods," Mr. Roger replied, gesturing toward the tools nearby. "Alright," Arkin nodded. "Bring those tools with you," Mr. Roger instructed. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "Yes, sir," Arkin answered obediently, gathering the equipment. The two made their way to the woods, the sound of leaves crunching beneath their boots as they walked. Back at Mrs. Lina''s house, she and Amaris were busy in the garden. The soft scent of flowers filled the air as they worked. "Mrs. Lina, where should I place these potted flowers?" Amaris asked, carefully cradling a pot in her hands. "Just put them over there on the side," Mrs. Lina replied with a warm smile. As Amaris continued her task, Mrs. Lina glanced over and asked, "How''s your father doing?" "He''s doing fine," Amaris replied, her tone casual but polite. "Hmnn, that''s good to hear," Mrs. Lina said with a nod. "I''ll leave you here for a bit and prepare something for us to eat." "Alright," Amaris replied, returning to her work. In the woods, Mr. Roger suddenly called out, "Arkin! Arkin!" Arkin turned to him. "Yes, sir?" "Go grab the axe from the garden," Mr. Roger instructed. "On it," Arkin replied and hurried back toward the house. When he reached the garden, he froze. There she was¡ªthe woman he¡¯d seen by the river. His curiosity got the better of him, and he blurted out, "Hey, you! What are you doing here?" The woman turned to him, confusion flickering across her face. "Me?" she asked, pointing to herself. "Yeah, you," Arkin said, his tone firm as he waited for her reply. "This is my aunt''s house. What are you doing here?" Amaris asked irritably. "I work here," Arkin replied. "You shouldn''t be working here. You''re a peeping tom," Amaris accused. "I''m not a peeping tom!" Arkin shouted at Amaris. A moment later, Mrs. Lina arrived and asked, "Oh, Arkin, what are you doing here? Do you need something?" "Yes, ma''am, Mr. Roger asked me to get something," Arkin answered. "Oh, is that so? Alright, go ahead and get it, then return to him because he''s waiting," Mrs. Lina said. "Yes, ma''am," Arkin replied. After retrieving the axe, Arkin immediately went to Mr. Roger. "Amaris, can you bring this to Arkin?" Mrs. Lina asked. "Yes, Aunt," Amar is replied. Then, Amaris went to where Arkin was. Chapter 7: the bad news Chapter 7: the bad news "Mr. Roger," Amaris called out to him. "Oh, Amaris, what are you doing here?" Mr. Roger asked. "Mrs. Lina asked me to bring this to you," Amaris replied. "What is it?" Mr. Roger asked. "She said it''s your snack," Amaris answered. "Oh, is that so? Alright, just put the basket down there, and I''ll call Arkin," Mr. Roger said. "Uhm," Amaris responded with a nod. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. After Mr. Roger called Arkin, they ate their snack. Once they finished, they returned to their tasks. By the time they were done, the sun was beginning to set. "It''s getting dark. We should head back," Mr. Roger said to Arkin. "Yes, sir," Arkin replied. After that, they packed up their tools and went home. "We''re home!" Arkin shouted. "Oh, how was your day? You both look exhausted from cutting trees. Take a rest and clean yourselves up because we''re about to have dinner," someone said. After they finished cleaning themselves up, they sat down and began to eat. The next morning, the sun slowly rose, casting a warm glow over the land. *Rooster crows* Arkin was feeding the chickens when a carriage suddenly arrived in front of their house. "Hello! Is anyone home?" a woman''s voice called from outside Mrs. Lina''s house. "Who is that?" Arkin asked. When he stepped outside, he was shocked to see his cousin, Aethris. "Aethris? What are you doing here?" Arkin asked. "I have bad news for you," Aethris replied. "Oh¡­ I see. Come inside first," Arkin said, leading Aethris inside. "So, what is it you need to tell me?" Arkin asked. "It''s about Kuya Zasp," Aethris said. "While he was on a mission, they were attacked by an unknown creature. Until now, Kuya Zasp is still missing," Aethris explained. "Huh?" Arkin gasped in shock. "That¡¯s not true. Tell me it¡¯s not true!" Arkin said in disbelief. "As painful as it is to accept¡­ it¡¯s the truth," Aethris said, her eyes welling with tears. After their conversation, Arkin made the decision to join the palace guard s to avenge the disappearance of his older brother, Zasp. CHAPTER 8:The beginning of my new journey Chapter 8: the beginning of my new journey After their conversation, Aethris decided to return to the castle. "I''m happy to see you again, Arkin," Aethris said with a warm smile. "Thank you for telling me what happened to my brother," Arkin replied, his eyes glistening with tears. With that, Arkin returned to his task. That afternoon, Mrs. Lina and Mr. Roger went out to buy groceries. "Arkin, we''re heading out to buy some groceries. Take care of the house, okay?" Mr. Roger said. "Okay, Mr. Roger," Arkin replied. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. With that, the couple left to buy groceries, while Arkin stayed behind to complete his assigned tasks. An hour later, Mr. Roger and Mrs. Lina returned home. Arkin immediately helped them carry the groceries inside. As they were organizing their purchases, Arkin spoke up. "Mrs. Lina, Mr. Roger, I have some bad news about my brother, Zasp. My cousin, Aethris, came here earlier and told me that my brother is missing. While on a mission, he was suddenly attacked by an unidentified monster, and to this day, his whereabouts remain unknown. I want to join the search mission for him. Would that be okay with you?" Arkin asked sadly. "Is that true?" the couple asked in disbelief. "Yes," Arkin confirmed. "Alright, you can help in the search for your brother," they said after a moment of silence. After their conversation, Arkin left for the military base of the Kingdom of Rose to enlist. That evening, back at Mr. Roger and Mrs. Lina''s house, they sat down for dinner. While eating, they discussed when Arkin would begin his training in the military. "Arkin, when will you start your military training?" Mr. Roger asked. "Tomorrow," Arkin replied. "That soon? Can''t you start next week instead?" the elderly man asked. "I can''t," Arkin said firmly. "As long as my brother''s body hasn''t been found, there''s still hope that he''s alive. I want to start as soon as possible because if he''s out there somewhere, he could be in terrible condition." After that, they went to sleep. At the break of dawn, Arkin woke up early to prepare for his first day in the military. "Are you leaving now?" Mrs. Lina asked. "Yes," Arkin replied. "Take care of yourself, okay?" Mr. Roger said with concern. "I will. Please take care of yourselves too. Until we meet again," Arkin said with a smile as he bid farewell to the couple. Chapter 9: The Path of No Return Chapter 9: The Path of No Return As Arkin rode in the carriage, his thoughts were consumed by his older brother. He wondered if Zasp was safe and what had truly happened to him. After a long journey, he finally arrived at the military academy. "Wow! This place is amazing!" Arkin said in awe. As he stepped down from the carriage, a young man approached him. "Hey, man! Are you new here?" the guy asked. "Ahmm, yeah," Arkin replied. "What about you?" "Yep! I''m new here too, hahaha!" the guy answered cheerfully. "Ahmm, what''s your name?" Arkin asked. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. "I''m Kwinn Kerkwood. Just call me Kwinn," he introduced himself happily. "Geez, your name sounds like a girl''s," Arkin teased. "I know, right? Hahaha!" Kwinn laughed playfully. "So, what''s your name?" Kwinn asked Arkin. "I''m Arkin Makenzkie, but just call me Arkin," he replied. "Ohh, nice to meet you, Arkin!" Kwinn said cheerfully. "Nice to meet you too, Kwinn," Arkin responded with a slight smile. After that, they both entered the lobby, amazed at how many people were there. The room was filled with new recruits, all chatting, looking around, or waiting for instructions. The grand hall buzzed with excitement and anticipation as everyone prepared for the journey ahead. As Arkin and Kwinn looked around, a loud voice suddenly echoed through the hall. "Attention, recruits! Line up immediately!" a commanding officer ordered. The chatter in the room quickly died down as everyone hurried to form lines. Arkin took a deep breath, realizing that his journey as a soldier was about to begin.As Arkin and Kwinn stood in line, the heavy oak doors of the grand hall creaked open, and a tall, battle-hardened knight strode in. His armor bore the sigil of the kingdom, and his presence alone commanded silence among the recruits. "I am Captain Reinhardt, commander of the palace guard," his voice rang with authority. "From this day forth, you are no longer mere peasants or merchants'' sons¡ªyou are soldiers of the realm! Your lives belong to the crown, and your duty is to uphold its honor." Arkin swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his decision settle upon him. He had chosen this path not for glory, but for vengeance. "Training begins at first light. The weak will falter, and the strong shall rise. There will be no mercy for cowards." Captain Reinhardt''s piercing gaze swept over them. "Now, find your quarters and rest. You will need your strength." As the recruits began dispersing, Kwinn let out a low whistle. "Well, this is going to be either an adventure or a death sentence." Arkin smirked, adjusting the strap of his satchel. "Either way, there¡¯s no turning back now." Chapter 10: The Trials Begin Chapter 10: The Trials Begin That evening, as Arkin and Kwinn sat in the dimly lit cafeteria, the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air. The long wooden tables were packed with recruits, all murmuring about the grueling training that awaited them at dawn. Arkin took a bite of his bread, his mind restless. "I wonder what kind of training they''ll put us through," he mused. Kwinn chuckled, stabbing a piece of meat with his dagger. "If the captain¡¯s words are anything to go by, it won¡¯t be a walk in the market square. I¡¯ve heard stories¡ªdays without proper rest, endless drills, and duels that leave you bruised for weeks." Arkin leaned in, lowering his voice. "I don¡¯t mind the hardships, but I need to become strong¡ªstrong enough to uncover what really happened to my brother." Kwinn nodded, his usual playful expression momentarily replaced by seriousness. "Then we both better survive whatever tomorrow brings." This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. As the torches flickered against the stone walls, the recruits ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Outside, the wind howled through the training grounds, a quiet omen of the trials that awaited them at sunrise. The cold morning breeze swept through the training grounds as the recruits were jolted awake by the thunderous voice of Captain Reinhardt. "Wake up! Get up, all of you!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the barracks. The recruits scrambled out of their beds, some still half-asleep, their movements sluggish. A few even kept their eyes shut as they hurried to stand. "We will begin the day with a jog. You have thirty seconds to get dressed and be outside," Captain Reinhardt commanded. "Oh, come on! That¡¯s way too fast," Kwinn grumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. As the captain began his countdown, chaos erupted in the barracks. Recruits tripped over each other, frantically pulling on their tunics and boots. Some barely managed to fasten their belts as they stumbled toward the door. When the count reached zero, most stood at attention, breathless but ready¡ªexcept for three recruits who were still fumbling with their gear. "Too slow!" Reinhardt barked. "Step forward!" The three men hesitated, their faces pale with fear, before dragging themselves to the front. "For your sluggishness, you will perform twenty push-ups for five sets," the captain ordered. The three recruits dropped to the ground, groaning as they began their punishment. The rest of the group swallowed nervously, realizing that hesitation or weakness would not be tolerated in this place. "Let this be a lesson to you all," Reinhardt said, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. "Now¡ªmove!" And so, the recruits sprinted into the cold morning air, their training truly beginning. Chapter 11: the real training begins Chapter 11: the real training begins After finishing their morning jog, Captain Reinhardt ordered the recruits to form a straight line. "Attention! Today, we will train your bodies. Do you see those sacks of rice over there? You will carry them from one end of the field to the other. Is that clear?" he barked. "Yes, sir!" the recruits answered in unison. "Good. Now, begin!" Reinhardt commanded. The recruits rushed to grab the heavy sacks and started carrying them across the field. Sweat dripped from their brows as they struggled under the weight. "Man, this is way too much," Kwinn groaned, his arms already aching. "Shut up and just follow orders," Arkin muttered, straining as he lifted another sack. After 30 minutes, they had managed to carry about half the sacks. Some recruits were already exhausted, their legs wobbling and arms trembling. A few could no longer lift their sacks, collapsing onto the ground in frustration. Suddenly, Reinhardt''s voice boomed across the field. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "Recruits, it''s time for your water break! You have five minutes!" Kwinn nearly dropped his sack in relief. "Geez, five minutes isn¡¯t enough for my arms to recover," he complained, panting heavily. Arkin took a deep breath, wiping sweat from his brow. "Then stop wasting time talking and drink your water," he said before heading toward the barrels. The recruits hurried to drink, knowing that the toughest part of training was still ahead. After drinking water, the recruits returned to lifting the heavy sacks of rice. Their bodies ached, and their muscles burned, but they had no choice but to push through. When the grueling task was finally over, Captain Reinhardt called them to line up once again. "Attention! Now that you¡¯ve completed your task, you may rest and eat your midday meal," he said in a calmer tone. "Yes, sir!" the recruits replied in unison, relieved. With that, they eagerly made their way to the cafeteria. The scent of warm stew and freshly baked bread filled the air, instantly lifting their spirits. As Arkin and Kwinn sat down with their meals, they began talking about their training. "That man trains us like we¡¯re warhorses," Kwinn grumbled, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth. "Shhh, lower your voice. Someone might hear you, and you¡¯ll get into trouble," Arkin warned, glancing around cautiously. Kwinn sighed, rubbing his sore arms. "I don¡¯t know if I can keep this up," he admitted. "Ahh! Why did I even think joining this place was a good idea?" Arkin let out a deep sigh. "Well, there''s no turning back now." The two recruits continued eating in silence, both knowing that this was only the beginning of their long and brutal journey. After the recruits had eaten and rested, they were called back into formation. "Now that everyone has had their rest, we shall continue with the training," Reinhardt said in a calm but firm tone. "Now, you will do twenty push-ups for five sets," he commanded. "Alright, now begin!" As soon as Reinhardt gave the order, the recruits immediately dropped to the ground and started their push-ups. Their muscles were still sore from the earlier training, but they had no choice but to push through. Sweat dripped from their foreheads as they struggled to keep up with the count. Some recruits managed to maintain their form, while others were already shaking from exhaustion. Kwinn, breathing heavily, groaned, "Man, this is brutal..." Arkin, equally exhausted, muttered, "Just keep going¡­ we can¡¯t fall behind." The relentless training continued, each push-up feeling heavier than the last. B ut they all knew one thing¡ªthere was no room for weakness here. Chapter 12: The Reason Behind the Blade Chapter 12: The Reason Behind the Blade The sun was setting as the recruits finished their training. Exhausted, they felt as if they were on the brink of collapse. Their arms could barely move, their legs ached as if they were about to give out, and some struggled to even walk after the grueling exercises. "Okay, good job, recruits. Tomorrow, we will continue our training. For now, clean yourselves up and get some rest. You will be called later for dinner," Rainhardt instructed them. The recruits dispersed, heading to the bathhouse to wash up. Once they had finished, they were summoned to the cafeteria for dinner. As they entered, the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread and warm vegetable soup filled the air. Their exhaustion quickly faded, replaced by excitement at the prospect of a well-earned meal. While eating, Arkin and Kwinn began talking. "Hey, Arkin, where did you grow up?" Kwinn asked. "Ah, in a city outside the Kingdom of Rose," Arkin replied. "What about you?" Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "I grew up in a faraway place where people struggled to survive. The people there were cruel, and even the children learned to steal and indulge in vices," Kwinn said, his voice tinged with sorrow as he took a bite of bread. "That sounds really tough¡­ So how did you end up here?" Arkin asked. "One day, the Kingdom of Rose¡¯s soldiers raided the city where I lived. In the chaos, a soldier saved me. He later found a family willing to adopt me. I owe him everything, but I never even learned his name," Kwinn said before sipping his soup. "That¡¯s really sad¡­ But what about your parents?" Arkin asked. "Oh, them? My father abandoned me when I was young, and my mother¡­ she was taken captive by goblins," Kwinn said, his voice trembling as he bit into his bread. "Oh¡­ I¡¯m really sorry to hear that," Arkin said apologetically. "No, it¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not your fault," Kwinn replied with a weak smile. After dinner, the recruits returned to their quarters to rest. As Arkin and Kwinn walked back, they talked about their reasons for joining the military academy. "Hey, Kwinn," Arkin called out. "What is it?" Kwinn asked. "Why did you decide to join the military academy?" Arkin asked curiously. "Ah, why do you ask?" Kwinn responded, puzzled. "I¡¯m just curious," Arkin shrugged. "Hmm¡­ I joined to find my father. I want to ask him why he left me," Kwinn admitted in a quiet voice. "What about you?" "Me? I want to help find my brother," Arkin answered, his expression shifting to one of sorrow and longing. "Find him?" Kwinn asked. "Yes. My brother, Zasp, was a soldier here in the Kingdom of Rose, tasked with guarding the king. One day, the king sent him on a mission to investigate a missing trade caravan. But during the mission, an unknown creature attacked their group. The entire squad was wiped out. When reinforcements arrived, they found nothing¡ªno signs of my brother¡¯s body," Arkin explained, his voice carrying both sadness and anger. When they finally reached their quarters, Arkin and Kwinn lay down and rested, each lost in their own though ts about the past and the uncertain future ahead. Chapter 13: Shadows in the Night Chapter 13: Shadows in the Night Inside the dimly lit room, the two mysterious figures stood before a long wooden table, where a hooded man awaited them. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, and the flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the stone walls. "You have seen him?" the hooded man asked in a deep, commanding voice. "Yes," the masked figure replied. "He is there, within the academy walls. Just as we suspected." The hooded man leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the table. "Then we must act soon. The boy must not remain in that place for long." This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "What are your orders?" the second figure inquired. The hooded man paused for a moment before speaking. "For now, watch him. Learn his habits, his weaknesses. When the time is right, we will strike." The two masked figures bowed their heads slightly before turning and disappearing into the darkness. Back at the Academy As the sun began to rise over the Kingdom of Rose, the recruits were once again roused by the sharp voice of Captain Reinhardt. "Up! All of you!" he barked. "Training begins now!" Despite their aching muscles, the recruits quickly got out of bed, dressed, and formed their lines outside. Their morning training consisted of a long jog around the academy grounds, followed by squats and sit-ups. The air was crisp, their breath visible in the cool morning light. As they trained, Arkin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The memory of the masked intruder from the previous night lingered in his mind. Who was that person? And what did they want? Little did he know that far beyond the academy walls, forces were already moving in the shadows¡ªwatching, waiting, and preparing for what was to come. Chapter 14: A Hidden Threat Chapter 14: A Hidden Threat As the morning sun rose higher, casting golden light over the academy, the recruits continued their training under Captain Rainhardt¡¯s watchful eye. Every movement was disciplined, every order followed without hesitation. Yet, amidst the sweat and exhaustion, Arkin¡¯s mind remained unsettled. The image of the masked figure haunted him. The way they had disappeared so easily, the precision of their attack¡ªit wasn¡¯t just some random trespasser. That person had come with intent. "Arkin, focus!" Rainhardt¡¯s stern voice cut through his thoughts. "Yes, sir!" Arkin quickly corrected his stance, gripping his training sword more tightly. He couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted. Not here. After hours of relentless drills, Rainhardt finally dismissed them for the afternoon. "Rest while you can," he said. "Tomorrow will be even harder." This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The recruits groaned but obeyed, dragging their exhausted bodies toward the mess hall. A Silent Warning As Arkin sat with Kwinn, picking at his meal, his instincts prickled. Someone was watching him. Subtly, he lifted his gaze, scanning the room. At first, everything seemed normal¡ªrecruits chatting, eating, some even dozing off at their tables. But then, he saw it. A figure, seated in the farthest corner, partially hidden by shadows. Their eyes¡ªcold and calculating¡ªwere locked onto him. The moment Arkin met their gaze, they stood and silently exited the hall. Arkin¡¯s grip tightened around his fork. "Kwinn," he whispered. "Hmm?" Kwinn mumbled through a mouthful of bread. "Someone¡¯s been watching me. Since last night." Kwinn raised a brow, swallowing quickly. "Are you sure? Maybe you''re just¡ª" "I''m sure," Arkin interrupted, his voice firm. Kwinn frowned. "Then we should tell Rainhardt." Arkin hesitated. He didn¡¯t have proof¡ªjust a gut feeling. But he also knew ignoring it could be a mistake. "Not yet," he finally said. "I need to find out who they are first." Kwinn sighed, shaking his head. "You''re going to get us into trouble, aren¡¯t you?" Arkin smirked slightly. "Probably." Shadows in the City Meanwhile, outside the Academy, the two masked figures from the previous night moved through the bustling streets of the Kingdom of Rose. Beneath their cloaks, they blended in effortlessly. "Do you think he suspects anything?" one of them asked. "He will, soon enough," the other replied. "But it doesn''t matter. The time is coming." They turned a corner, disappearing into an alleyway where the hooded man from before awaited them. "The preparations are complete," he said in a low voice. "When night falls, we begin." A Storm Approaches Back in the Academy, Arkin lay awake once again, staring at the ceiling. His instincts scream ed that something was coming. He only wished he knew what. Chapter 15: A Distracted Mind Chapter 15: A Distracted Mind The morning sun was already scorching as Arkin lined up with the other recruits. Captain Rainhardt¡¯s voice boomed across the training yard, calling out commands. ¡°Form up! Defensive stance!¡± Arkin moved, but too slow. His grip on the training sword felt loose, his footing uncertain. His mind wasn¡¯t on the drills¡ªit was stuck on the shadowy figure watching him last night. Who were they? What did they want? ¡°Arkin!¡± Before he could react, a wooden sword struck his side. He staggered back, wincing. Rainhardt narrowed his eyes. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Focus, or get out of my training yard.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Arkin muttered, gripping his weapon tighter. As the training continued, Arkin tried to concentrate, but his mind kept drifting. Had the figure been following him for longer than he realized? Could they be inside the Academy? The questions nagged at him like an itch he couldn¡¯t scratch. ¡°Arkin, you¡¯re doing it again,¡± Kwinn whispered beside him. Arkin blinked. He had been standing still while the others moved to the next drill. ¡°Sorry,¡± he mumbled, falling into position. Kwinn gave him a worried glance but didn¡¯t push. Sparring was next. Paired against a fellow recruit, Arkin took his stance, trying to shove his doubts aside. His opponent attacked. Arkin reacted too late. A wooden blade came straight for his face. He barely managed to tilt his head, but the sword grazed past his cheek, stinging. Gasps echoed around them. ¡°Arkin!¡± Kwinn rushed over. Arkin lowered his weapon, breathing heavily. His opponent looked just as shaken. ¡°Enough,¡± Rainhardt said, his tone sharp. ¡°If you lose focus in real combat, you die.¡± He eyed Arkin for a long moment before turning away. Arkin clenched his fists. He knew Rainhardt was right. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t ignore the feeling that danger was getting closer.