A group from the Drevlorn Dynasty had entered with a clear target in mind.

Drevlorn Dynasty was one of the continent’s great powers.

The group moved confidently through the hall, almost arrogantly.

At their center walked a young man who instantly drew attention.

He was tall, extremely tall. In fact, he stood slightly taller than Thane himself.

However, where Thane possessed overwhelming bulk and muscle, this newcomer was leaner and more refined.

His posture radiated superiority, his expression radiated cockiness, and his eyes immediately found Thane.

The hall fell silent. The newcomer stopped before the giant’s table.

His gaze swept across the crowd, then settled on Thane.

"So," his voice carried easily. "You’re the famous giant everyone keeps talking about."

Thane, unbothered, swallowed his food before nodding. "I guess."

Several Drevlorn youths snickered.

The tall young man smirked. "I expected more," he added provocatively.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

The candidates around Thane frowned. One stood up. "What’s your problem?" he angrily questioned.

The Drevlorn youth ignored him completely, his eyes never leaving Thane. "My name is Donovan Young."

Several candidates immediately recognized the name, and whispers spread.

"Donovan Young?"

"The Young Family?"

"One of Drevlorn’s elite houses..."

"I heard he’s already been accepted into the academy."

The whispers only increased. Unlike ordinary candidates, Donovan and his companions hadn’t participated in the trial.

Special guests, representatives, or recommended talents. So many words to describe them.

Their status allowed them direct entry.

Donovan folded his arms. "I heard you scored well."

Thane nodded. "I think so," he answered while chewing.

The noble smirked. "I wasn’t impressed."

The surrounding candidates became angry.

"You weren’t even there!" someone shouted.

Donovan’s smile widened. "Exactly."

His eyes locked onto Thane. "You only scored highly because I wasn’t there."

The hall became silent. Several Drevlorn youths laughed.

Thane blinked. He swallowed the food in his mouth, and finally he spoke. "Donovan Young."

The response caught everyone off guard.

Donovan frowned. "Hmm?"

Thane nodded. "Listen, you stupid tower, you can’t score higher than me even if you compete. You know why?"

Thane said as he gazed into his eyes and continued, "Because you are Donovan Young. Challenge me when you become Donovan Old."

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then the entire table exploded with laughter.

Even candidates from other tables started laughing.

Donovan’s face darkened instantly. The Drevlorn nobles looked furious.

Thane was laughing too, forcefully, to humiliate them. Who did they think Thane was? He was more arrogant than anyone else.

The giant turned toward the laughing crowd.

"What kind of stupid-ass family name is Young? We better explore and maybe we’ll find a family called Infant somewhere."

That only made things worse. Several candidates nearly fell off their chairs.

Donovan’s eyes twitched. The noble took a step forward.

He clenched his fists. The dining hall immediately became colder.

The laughter died. Several weaker candidates stepped back.

Thane slowly stood, the giant’s chair groaned in relief.

His enormous frame rose above the table.

Suddenly, the height difference between him and Donovan no longer mattered.

Because while Donovan was slightly taller... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Thane looked like he could uproot a tree and use it as a club.

The hall became quiet, very quiet. The two youths stared at one another. Neither moved, neither backed down.

The tension thickened. Many candidates hurried away. Nobody wanted to be nearby if a fight erupted.

Donovan smiled coldly. "You think a body trial means something?" Each word came slowly and calculatedly.

Thane replied, "Not really," casually.

"You think strength alone matters?" Donovan spoke again, his tone low.

Thane shook his head slightly. "No," he answered without taking his eyes off Donovan.

Donovan was trying to intimidate Thane, but not only was he surprised by Thane’s nonchalant attitude, he was also surprised by his answers.

The noble narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you standing there?" he questioned.

Thane thought for a moment. "Because you’re being a rude bully and I hate bullies," he answered honestly.

The nearby candidates exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

One mumbled. "He’s got a point."

Donovan’s expression darkened further. He had come here to assert dominance, but things were not going as he expected.

The Drevlorn group stepped forward.

The candidates behind Thane stepped forward too.

Tension rose between the two groups, staring at one another wordlessly.

One more word, one more movement, and the situation would escalate explosively beyond either group’s control.

"That would be a poor idea," a calm voice that seemed to hold no bias spoke.

Everyone turned, looking at the source, only to see another group had entered the hall.

Unlike the Drevlorn delegation, these individuals wore dark blue uniforms embroidered with a black sword.

The symbol of the Krynova Kingdom.

Their leader stepped forward. Instantly, many eyes focused on him.

He was handsome, strikingly so. Dark hair, sharp features. A swordsman’s posture.

Even standing casually, he radiated discipline, his hand resting lightly upon the hilt of the sword hanging from his waist.

Not threatening, but very comfortable, like the sword belonged there.

His gaze moved between Donovan and Thane.

Then he sighed. "My name is Etno Kamsi."

Several candidates recognized the name immediately.

Another elite, another direct entrant. One of Krynova’s most promising young talents.

Etno stepped between the groups. Neither side stopped him. There was something about his presence, something calm and authoritative.

His eyes settled on Donovan. "We are guests."

Donovan remained silent, and Etno continued. "The academy grounds are not a battlefield."

His gaze then shifted toward Thane. "And the examinations are not finished."

The giant nodded. That sounded reasonable.

Etno looked back toward both sides. "If Drevlorn wishes to prove superiority..."

His expression remained calm. "Then do so during the remaining trials."

The hall became silent. The handsome swordsman continued, "If Krynova wishes to prove superiority..."

His eyes shifted toward his own companions. "The same applies."

Then his gaze swept across the candidates.

Including Thane and Donovan. Including everyone watching.

"The second and third trials remain. Let the results decide whose kingdom possesses the best aspirants."

Silence followed. The statement carried weight.

Because it made sense. Everyone wanted to prove themselves and wanted recognition.

And the academy examination itself was the perfect stage.

Donovan stared at Thane for several seconds, then he smiled coldly. "Fine."

He turned away. "For now."

The Drevlorn group followed him. The tension gradually faded.

Conversations slowly resumed. Candidates released breaths they did not realize they had been holding.

A fight had been avoided. Etno watched Donovan leave before turning toward Thane.

For a moment neither spoke. Then Etno smiled slightly. "You handled that better than most would."

Thane blinked. "I did?"

"You didn’t punch him." Etno winked.

"Oh."

The giant considered that.

Then nodded. "Good point."

For the first time all evening, Etno laughed. A genuine laugh.

Not forced or polite.

Then the swordsman shook his head. "I look forward to tomorrow."

With that, he returned to his own group, leaving Thane standing beside the table.

The giant sat down and looked at his food.

Then looked toward the exit where Donovan had disappeared. Then toward Etno’s group. Finally, he shrugged.

There were kingdoms, nobles, and future elites competing. Politics, rivalries, and power struggles.

All of it sounded exhausting. Thane picked up a chicken leg.

Tomorrow’s problem was tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, he was hungry.