"What?! H-how can you say something like that! There's no way he could take two quests of that caliber and complete them alone!" He cried out, not willing to accept what was just revealed.

The hooded Sara, turned towards him, and whilst her face remained hidden, a rising annoyance could be heard from her cold, but magically disguised tone of voice.

"I was there with him. Do you question my words, Mr. Sonovan?" The way she blurted his name, was a clear insult to his stature, yet the golden armored man couldn't say a word against it. His fists clenched once more, he closed his eyes and exhaled briefly, before the usual kind, political smile ruled his expression once more.

"No." He responded, shaking his head lightly. "I dare not, defy the orders, someone such as you, but it's hard to believe a young boy such as him would be able to handle such a difficult request, not to mention two. And even alone at that! Such a request would require a man with a bit more.." He looked over the boy once more, with a hint of contempt flashing through his eyes. Although it was only for a fraction of a moment, it was still captured by, with the exception of Mary and Scarlet by everybody else.

"Oh?" Sara's voice carried a tinge of surprise, turning sweeter by the minute as an idea hatched inside her head. "What do you mean, Mr. Sonovan?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, Examiner, but have you following him all the way? Can you confirm that he himself completed the objectives of the two quests?"

For the first time, since his brother has arrived, Lily turned towards Sir Michael. However, she wasn't looking like the kind, gentle adventure-loving girl like she usually was. No. There was clear displeasure, irritation in her light blue eyes.

"What do you trying to hint at, Sir Michael? My brother is not a liar! He is the strongest!" She exclaimed, punching the top of the desk with anger.

The royal sister and brother pair frowned at the words and the not-too hidden meaning behind them, however, they both remained silent for the time being. Although both of them were now in a battle-ready poise, ready to reach for their weapons in case the situation would escalate in an unwanted direction..

Even the usually calm, cheery, and smiling shy attendant girl, Mary was looking at his boss with a discontent, angered, hurt look.

Ignoring the hostile gazes, Sir Michael looked at Lily, professionally hiding his rising anger at seeing his chosen muse's look, and instead smiled warmly at her, raising his hands in the air.

"I mean no disrespect, Miss Lily." He spoke, trying to explain himself. "I just mean, that we should make absolutely certain that he indeed managed to complete quests of such difficulty. Miss Lily is new so she may be not aware, but our little city has no such requests. The most difficult quest I have ever seen posted on these walls was a peak 3-star request. It was probably close to being 4-star but was posted below that so it could be at the very least accepted by the strongest parties. Never have I seen a 5-star quest posted.

If such a request would appear, we would need to gather all the available adventurers and also join hands with the city guards and try to overcome the disaster together. Nobody could handle such a request. Not even parties."

He bowed in front of Lily, pointing her arms towards the boy in question.

"So please excuse me when I am doubtful of such an achievement. I just want to make sure he has the strength to be even counted.." He paused for a bit, heaving a heavy sigh, before continuing. ".. Miss Lily, to keep the Higrove Branch's name clean and to make sure we wouldn't be questioned later, I will need to make sure what your brother says could be really the truth or he may have somehow tricked the honored Examiner in some despicable way.

Miss Lily, I wish to test him myself. Please allow me to do this."

It seemed that he thought that his words and monologue carried enough theatrical display and effect that will shock his small audience, but when he raised his head and looked at the others, he only saw a mix of smirks and smiles on the faces of everyone. Apart from Aiden, who looked as calm as ever, and the hooded examiner leader, whom he could not see at all, everyone had a similar look over their faces.

A varied, but just as an equally annoying stretch of a smile as if all of them were inwardly laughing at his words. As if all of them were making fun of him. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and rose up and turned towards the calm-looking boy.

"Boy! Do you dare accept my challenge? I will honor you with the chance to test your mettle against the strongest of this city! What do you say? Have you got enough courage in you?"

His words were loud, on purpose, causing a stir to travel through the hall.

"What? Did I hear it right?"

"Did someone challenge Sir Michael? Is he an idiot?!"

"Sir Michael is the best! He is the strongest, his technique is unbeatable! What is that boy thinking?!"

"Just look at him! He is weak! He probably just wants to impress the girls with his actions! How stupid can someone be to challenge the best! He should train more before dreaming about something such as that!"

Whispers and murmurs could be heard from all over the hall, already twisting and distorting the facts. Looks of contempt and disdain were fired towards this unknown, scrawny-looking boy in question. His defeat was already booked as a fact, the only question was how long could he hold his ground against the heroic adventurer, Sir Michael.

"Just look at him! How can he compare to my dear hubby!"

"What did you say? How dare you claim my dear Sir Michael as yours, you hag! Watch your mouth before I beat you up!"

"Both of you hags, shut it before I slice you to pieces! Sir Michael is mine and mine alone!"

Whilst the men looked at Aiden with disdain and contempt, the ladies were in another type of heated debate. Sir Michael, being titled as the best, and greatest, has enjoyed the infatuation and adoration of many of the females for quite a while now.

Still, he couldn't show any change of emotion, as other than wanting to humiliate the boy, he also wanted to show his chosen lady, his muse the owner of his heart, Miss Lily, that how much of a better pick he would be. historical

He waited for a bit before looking at the boy again, and asking again, with the same display as before.

"So, boy, do you accept the challenge? It's not a shame if you do not dare, we could all understand, you just need to admit to your lies in front of everybody. I promise you, that no harm will come to y-"

"I accept." Before Sir Michael could finish, he was interrupted, with the boy's sudden acceptance. For a moment, he was stunned by this fact, he was expecting him to be embarrassed at least a little by being put on the pedestal, but as he looked at his continued calmness, he was proven wrong.

Another stir went through the crowd, most of the onlookers looked at the strange, long black-haired, exotic-eyed youth as if he was a complete idiot.

What was even more surprising to Sir Michael was the fact that seemingly none of the other members of the group was shocked at this. All of them retained their smile, as they looked at them.

Shocked by this fact, Sir Michael looked at Miss Lily and asked with a confused tone.

"Miss Lily, I hope you don't mind this duel. I will give you my word, I will not hurt your brother!"

Expecting a worried and maybe a bit of a grateful tone, Sir Michael was stunned when the blonde girl chuckled at his words and waved her hands dismissively.

"Ehehe, you don't need to worry about that. My brother will be fine!"

"Since Aiden accepted Sir Michael's challenge, I will preside over and officiate this duel." Sara spoke up, bringing the attention of the room to herself. He turned towards Sir Michael first.

"Sir Michael, you being the challenger, you can state the terms of the duel. Please tell us now how you wish to do it."

"It will be a normal fight, going until one of us gives up or would be unable to continue. We will use the arena next door. As for the use of weapons, I will not go too hard against him, but we will need to make sure that he is indeed capable of handling what he is claiming. I will only use the practice swords, not my real one! As for the time, we can wa-"

"You can use your real weapons, no need to handicap yourself on my behalf. It would be too boring otherwise."