Chapter 13: Beat Them Up? For Real?

The sudden shift left Rita speechless. “Did you mistake me for someone else, or do you really not know me?”

Valphis gestured animatedly. “How could I not know you? You’re that… uh, that one!”

If Rita hadn’t only shared her name with the Princess, the innkeeper, and the staff checking permits, she might’ve believed Valphis’s act.

Seeing her fumble, Rita couldn’t take it anymore. “Rita. My name’s Rita.”

Valphis smacked her palm as if waiting for this. “Right, right, Rita! My memory’s terrible.”

What’s this girl on about? You didn’t know at all!

Rita glanced around. Most candidates were whispering or zoning out, treating the ceremony and exam as mere formalities.

Few paid attention to Cecilia, let alone Rita and this green-haired girl.

Rita turned back, full of suspicion. “So, what do you really want?”

“Cooperation.” Valphis tried to pat Rita’s shoulder, but Rita dodged with a twist.

As a future Holy Knight, Rita wanted to maintain her cool, white-haired, red-eyed beauty image. “No touchy.”

Undeterred, Valphis grinned mischievously. “Simple. I provide intel, you provide muscle. We fight together and rack up points.”

“Points?” It was the first time Rita heard such a game-like term.

Though, this was a game-like world.

Valphis’s eyes widened at Rita’s question. “No way, sister! You don’t know?”

Rita bristled, but Valphis snapped her fingers, cutting her off.

“It’s no secret. As a gesture of goodwill, I’ll tell you for free. Once the exam starts, every action is scored. That’s why examiners exist. High enough points get you to the capital for the final test.”

Rita nodded.

Structured interview, huh? Got it.

Valphis continued. “No one knows the exact scoring criteria, but it doesn’t matter. The process is similar. The first round is a boring arena fight. Points come from performance, opponent strength, and small bonuses. All down to skill.”

Swiss tournament style? Got that too.

“The arena’s just part of it, setting up for group tasks. Examiners issue a mission, and how we perform determines our final points.”

Valphis paused, flashing a sly smile. “See it? Lots of room for dirty tricks—bribing examiners, hiring opponents or teammates.”

Cecilia had told Rita that serving her would guarantee a Holy Knight title. As chief examiner, Cecilia could make it happen, but Rita saw no need to spill that.

Keep quiet and cash in, right?

Rita feigned nervousness. “So, our chances are slim?”

“The higher-ups aren’t idiots. Real fools don’t sit in those seats. Would they pick a bunch of losers for Holy Knights?” Valphis shrugged. “Listen, sister, the exam filters two types of people.”

“Which two?”

“One’s the connected—nobles’ daughters, merchants’ sons. Money and ties get them in. The royals give them a cushy job; they give the royals support. Shady but fair.”

Ugh, nepotism everywhere!

Wait, wasn’t she kind of connected too?

“And the other?”

“The real Holy Knights.”

“Real Holy Knights?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know! Like All-Slaying Banana, Blazing Sun Caius, or Sky Chest Nina—legendary Holy Knights!”

Why do they all have nicknames?

Titles, rather.

Pretty cool, though. Rita hummed, imagining herself with a title like “Sword of Dawn” or “Daedalus’s Ruin.”

Her safety wasn’t even secure yet—too early for daydreams.

Seeing Rita hesitate, Valphis moved to pat her shoulder but, mindful of her earlier rejections, just grabbed her own waist.

“Hey, trust me. I, Valphis, have a knack for reading people.”

Do you, though?

An intel broker who didn’t even know her name—Rita wasn’t so sure.

“The ceremony’s ending. I’ll wait for your answer.” Valphis glanced at the stage, giving Rita a thumbs-up.

Cecilia’s speech wrapped up, met with thunderous applause.

“One more thing,” Cecilia said as the clapping died down, not leaving the stage. “A succubus has infiltrated Solus City. Whoever brings me its tail will pass the exam directly.”

Rita felt a chill at her lower back.

She was almost certain Cecilia didn’t know she was that succubus.

But Cecilia wanted her stiff, sensitive, precious tail.

The Exam Begins

The process matched Valphis’s description: multiple arena rounds, starting with a five-person melee, followed by one-on-one fights.

The matches began at noon, with free time beforehand.

For others, that is. Rita planned to grab lunch—not that she needed food, but eating was a joy—when a soldier escorted her back to the city lord’s mansion.

She was led to a small, ornate meeting room.

Two things stood out more than the decor: Cecilia, still in the lavish dress from yesterday’s ceremony, and a dazzling pile of treasures filling the room.

“You’re here, Rita.” Cecilia casually pointed to a box of gems on the table. “See these?”

“I see them.” Rita nodded.

“Gifts from others. Some you’ll face in the arena.” Cecilia grabbed a handful of crushed diamonds from another box, letting them slip through her fingers.

Rita understood why Cecilia summoned her.

She served Cecilia, and the connected candidates had paid Cecilia handsomely, now displayed blatantly before her.

Valphis mentioned some hired insiders for the exam. Throwing matches was part of that, right?

A fixed fight, then?

Rita’s stomach churned, but Cecilia was both her biggest threat and only ally. She had no choice.

“Your Highness, I understand.” Rita’s brows furrowed.

“What do you understand?” Cecilia asked.

“Memorize their names, clear their obstacles, then lose to them… That’s what you mean, right?”

“No, you don’t need to remember anything.” Cecilia snapped the diamond box shut. “Just one thing: when you face weak opponents, beat them senseless.”