"What should I wear for the selection?" Winny asked Cutey. She didn't know what to wear.
The fief selection was simple yet heavy with tradition. Each year the recruits gathered in the hall, standing in silence as the Masters of knights, rangers, ninjas, spies, and fighters studied them with sharp eyes. There were no grand trials or impossible tests, only the quiet judgment of those who had walked the path before. If a recruit seemed good enough—steady in their stance, sharp in their gaze, or quick in their instinct—a Master stepped forward and claimed them. A nod, a word, a gesture was all it took, and from that moment the recruit's path was decided.
Some were chosen quickly, others waited in fear, and a few, like Winny, discovered that being left unclaimed meant something greater than apprenticeship—it meant destiny.
Winny stared at the mirror and then realised the perfect outfit: a black dress and a high ponytail.
She walked to the room and found everyone already dressed. "How?" she mumbled curiously, then realised they must have gone back to the dorm.
"Winny?" Catherine asked, reaching toward her. Winny coldly said no and walked to the other side.
"Wait," Melissa said, yet her words were cut off by the Baron.
"Everyone, line up. The craftmasters will be here."
Everyone lined up, and Winny stayed at the back of the line, studying each craftmaster.
The grand entrance came from Sir Blake, one of the most well-known battle school masters, who had trained over a hundred apprentices. He was followed by two of the most dangerous—the ninja master and the spy master, Sir Lue and Lady Shino—renowned for their deadly skills and talent.
Something felt wrong, Winny thought. If all of these craftmasters, the deadliest of all the evaders, were present, why were they not in Castle Aureliath? The thought clung to her mind like glue.
At last came the mysterious figure known as the ranger. Most people called them eerie and strange because of their magic that made them invisible. Winny, however, thought it was a dream come true.
"Welcome, everyone," Baron Enjiro said in a cool tone. "I hope all of you are chosen by one of these craftmasters. Otherwise, you will be sent off to the farming village."
Winny sighed. That was one of the reasons most people had the worst chances when chosen too early—failure meant being sent away, while others still had time to prove themselves.
"Who's first?" the Lord asked.
Eli stepped forward, and everyone looked at him nervously.
"Name?" one of the craftmasters asked.
"Eli, sir," he answered cautiously, not wanting to make a mistake.
"I want to be a ninja, because ninjas inspired me to become the type of person I want to be."
"Hmmm," Sir Lue said as he studied the boy. "What are your abilities?"
"I have a…" Eli struggled.
"He has powerful strength and can act and think quickly, Sir Lue," Winny spoke up.
"Hmmm," Sir Lue said. "I will take him, my Lord."
Eli sighed with relief and gave a thankful look to Winny. She looked back at him, emotionless.
The choosing continued, and as always, Winny spoke whenever her so-called friends faltered.
"Umm…"
"Catherine has great skills with horse riding and amazing strength," Winny answered.
"I have…"
"Excellent spying skills and strong powers of observation," Winny answered again.
Each time, her eyes gave an emotionless look, as if she were simply a machine observing everything.
At last, it was her turn.
Winny sighed and declared the shocking news: "I want to be a ranger."
Ranger Caelith looked surprised and was just about to say no when Winny interrupted him.
"I have great skill, and I am strong."
Lord Enjiro looked at her.
She continued, "My strength can reach the average of a man's power—or even stronger. I have trained with a sword and can defend myself well."
The Battlemaster studied Winny. Her eyes gave him chills as he realised she was no ordinary girl.
"Give that girl a try," he suggested to the Baron.
The Baron agreed, and Winny accepted the challenge.
If no one likes or needs me, she thought, then I will win their trust. This is only the beginning of my life.