The beast girl said ."Sorry… but registration is closed."
Arden's eyes widened .
"What…?"
She didn't even flinch. "The registration closed yesterday. But it's your fault. Who comes to register when the exam is being held tomorrow?"
Arden swallowed hard.
"Isn't there a way out… maybe a late registration can be allowed?"
The girl shook her head like someone brushing away a fly. "No. There's nothing you can do now."
Arden lowered his gaze, a tiny heartbeat of silence hovering between them.
"I can't believe I missed my chance… now what do I do…?" he muttered to himself.
He looked back up. "Can I join the other exam either way? If I pass then… there won't be any reason for the registration."
She folded her arms. "Not accepted. I advise you just go home."
A voice behind her broke the air. "You should cut the young man some slack… Lucy."
Lucy didn't even turn. "I didn't say anything wrong, Edward."
Arden looked at the middle-aged man who stepped out from the door behind her. Black hair, brown eyes, a beard that made him look like the type who has seen enough nonsense for one lifetime.
Edward smiled lightly at Arden. "Don't worry. You can do a late registration."
Lucy spun toward him. "Hey—
He cut her off with a calm gesture. "Besides… the test needs more promising candidates, doesn't it? We can't just turn someone away. What if he has the potential to become the next Royal Healer?"
Lucy scoffed. "Then he should've applied on time."
Edward chuckled. "Don't be too hard on the young man."
Arden just… stood there, watching the two of them argue over his fate like it was a small market dispute.
Edward sighed. "Lucy, let him register.
Lucy clicked her tongue. "Fine. But you'll deal with the guild master's scolding."
Edward shrugged. "I will."
Lucy pushed a paper toward Arden. "Fill your name and rank."
Arden accepted it and a quill.
He set the paper down, dipped the quill in ink, his eyes drifting—just for a second—to the list of other candidates.
Bam.
Edward's hand came down over the page, covering the details.
Arden slowly lifted his gaze.
Edward gave a calm smile. "You shouldn't be looking at other people's details. Just write yours. Okay?"
Arden nodded. "Yes."
He wrote 'Arden', but then paused. His hand froze.
"What should I use as my first name… I can't use my formal name…" he thought.
Lucy raised a brow. "What's the matter?"
Arden forced a small smile. "It's nothing."
He wrote the first thing that came to mind—a name—and his rank.
Edward collected the paper. "I see… so your name is Arden Cross, C-rank healer."
Arden nodded. "Yes."
Edward handed the paper to Lucy. "Good luck on your exam tomorrow. The venue is the royal palace. Don't be late again—there won't be a late exam for you."
Arden bowed slightly. "Thank you."
He walked away into the evening breeze.
Edward stared at the list. "Twenty-two participants… and only one gets to be the chosen one ."
He glanced at Lucy. "Who do you think it'll be?"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Why should I know? Go away. Go bother someone else."
"That's harsh," Edward muttered, walking off.
Outside, Arden paused and gave the hall one last look before leaving.
—————
That night, Arden sat outside. The lantern gave off a soft glow on the table.
Purple smoke curled into the air beside him. A tiny wolf—four red glowing eyes—appeared.
Arden blinked. "Grim… is that you?"
"Yes… master," the wolf replied in a low voice.
Arden leaned closer. "So you can become small now. I wonder if this is also an effect of amplification…"
Grim tilted his small head. "Perhaps."
Arden exhaled. "Anyway… tomorrow the test begins. I wonder what kind of test it will be? How is the Royal Healer chosen?"
"Maybe the test is to judge healing abilities," Grim guessed.
"That's one part," Arden said. "But if it was only that, there'd be no reason for the test. I checked the rank list, the highest rank there was B-rank. If healing ability alone mattered, the B-rank healer would pass automatically."
Grim hummed. "If you put it that way… it makes sense. But why is the highest rank only B? There should be more higher-ranked healers out there."
Arden looked at the lantern flame flickering. "Because of the mindset of others. Once you become the Royal Healer… you become a dog to the royal family. A loyal slave with a golden leash. The only healers who pursue the position are likely those without a guild due to their low rank... or those who want to leave their guild behind and make more income. Some just do it for the fame. "
Grim floated a little closer. "So that's why the ranks range from B–D."
"Mostly," Arden said. "But some… some might have a secret motive for wanting to participate in the exam."
Grim's red eyes narrowed. "I believe you fall into that category... master."
Arden stood and walked toward the door. "Yes… I surely do."
—————
At dawn .
Arden was dressed and ready to set for the royal palace.
Verona stood outside with his five wolves, all of them wagging their tails.
Arden spoke softly. "I'm off."
Verona gave a warm smile. "Good luck."
Arden nodded and began walking.
She watched him disappear down the road and sighed. "Only God knows what's going on in his mind…"
—————
The royal palace rose like a dream sculpted from light—towering crystal-white stone, walls shimmering like liquid silver under the sun.
At the grand obsidian gate stood two massive statues carved in the image of a flame-winged lions.
Candidates lined up quietly. Arden was among them.
Two royal guards stood at the front, rigid like they were carved from the same stone.
One guard said loudly, "The Royal healer exam will begin shortly ."
Whispers spread through the line.
The gates creaked open.
Everyone stared—awed. At the center of the palace grounds stood a fountain surrounded by flowers, colors blooming like a painting. The palace was also decorated with flowers and shrubs.
"Candidates, follow me," the guard instructed.
They walked behind him, through wide corridors, until they reached a colossal door.
It opened.
The throne hall swallowed them.
Obsidian pillars. The air cold like winter trapped in stone.
At the far end, atop a dark staircase, sat the king.
Two armored knights flanked him, silent and unmoving.
The king's crown glittered. His crimson cloak fell like molten fire over black armor. His hair was black, his beard the same, and his eyes… red like a dying star.
Behind him hung a painting—two young girls and a boy smiling together.
Everyone bowed.
"My king," the guard said. "These are the candidates."
The king stared at them the way a mountain watches the valley—heavy, unmoving.
Arden raised his head slowly and whispered softly.
Lord Arcturus Flameborne… in the flesh.
Arcturus finally spoke. "Take the candidates to the Ivory Study Hall. The first exam begins soon."
"Yes, my king."
—————
The guard led them towards the east wing of the palace.
A wide wooden door stood before them, flanked by a knight.
The knight pushed it open.
The Ivory Study Hall was a long rectangular hall with bright—white stone walls, tall windows, shelves of books and scrolls, rows of desks lined neatly.
They entered. Two per seat.
Arden sat, and a brown-haired young man dropped into the seat beside him, already nervous.
Soon, quill and ink were placed before them.
A young woman walked in—black flowing hair, black eyes behind glasses. Bundle of papers in her hands.
The guard bowed. "Welcome, Miss Rose."
"It's fine," she said softly, handing the papers to him. "Distribute these."
Papers slid across desks.
Rose folded her hands. "Begin."
Silence devoured the room except for scratching quills.
Rose and the guard walked around—inspecting the exam.
Arden glanced at the questions. "Herbs… poison… curses… so they want basics first," he murmured.
Around him, some of the candidates panicked. Looked at ceilings. Others wrote only their names.
Beside him, the brown-haired young man chewed his fingers.
"What do I do…? I didn't know they would as us questions like children… what are we, five? I've only written my name…"
He peeked around. Some candidates wrote confidently. He glanced at Arden writing calmly like he knew it all.
The man whimpered. "Even he's writing everything… I'm doomed."
The exam dragged on, quiet and tense.
—————
They submitted their papers. Rose gathered them and said, "Sit here quietly. I will return with the results."
She left.
Arden closed his eyes. "During the test, those caught cheating were disqualified… out of twenty two who came, only eighteen remain." He sighed ." I wonder how many will be left when the results are out."
Time passed. People slept. Whispered. Arden eventually drifted off too.
The door creaked open.
Rose returned.
Everyone straightened.
"I will call the names of those who passed and may advance to the next round."
Whispers lit up again.
"The test isn't over?"
"I can't believe there's another round."
Rose silenced them with one look.
"If you hear your name, stand."
She read the names.
"1) Darius Rucker.
2) Reina Del."
One by one candidates stood.
She kept calling names .
Until—
"10) Arden Cross."
Arden rose, rubbing his eyes.
"So only ten made it, huh…"
Rose nodded at them. "Those still sitting—your exam ends here. You will be escorted out."
Those who failed stood and left quietly. Arden watched the brown-haired man who sat beside him walk away, head down.
"I guess… he didn't make it either."
When only the ten passers remained, Rose looked at them with cool eyes.
"Congratulations for passing the first stage of the royal healer exam. Now…"
Guards walked into the hall carrying dummies. They placed them in front of each candidate's desk.
Gasps filled the air.
Rose said calmly."The second stage of the royal healer exam... starts now."