Free Web NovelChapter 227: First Challenge
The Interim Regent lowered his hand after welcoming Wanda, and the penetrating gaze he cast over those present in the arena seemed to carry the authority and weight of centuries of tradition.
The crowd, still reeling from the unexpected revelation, resumed its murmurs as the other candidates on the stage exchanged tense, measured glances, trying to gauge the impact of this unprecedented inclusion.
Wanda felt Olyno’s gaze on her, but decided not to give in to the coldness that had plagued her before; instead, she focused on her new determination. She had been chosen, and that was all that mattered at the moment.
With a slight wave of his hand, the Interim Regent silenced the crowd again, indicating that the announcement was far from over. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Athína," he began, his voice ringing with determination, "the first test of the Royal Selection will take place tomorrow at sunrise. It will be a contest that will test the cunning, courage, and hunting skills of our candidates. They will have to take part in a hunt for the legendary Golden Canary in the forests of Elmar, on the outskirts of the capital."
A murmur of curiosity and excitement went through the audience. The Golden Canary was a mythical creature, rare and extremely difficult to capture. It was said that its song enchanted the forest, and those who dared to pursue it faced not only the bird’s cunning, but also the hidden dangers of the magical forest. Victor, who had been observing everything with his usual calm, frowned in concern. The difficulty of this test would be immense, even for someone as trained as Wanda.
"The first to catch the Golden Canary," the Regent continued, "will be declared the winner of this first race. The one who returns with the bird in hand will prove himself worthy to continue in the Royal Team. Let all be prepared, for this is only the beginning of a journey that will test their limits in every way.
With these words, the Regent turned and walked down the stairs leading back to his temporary throne. A group of advisors and guards gathered around him, whispering instructions and logistical details.
Minutes later, Wanda and the head of her guild finally spoke as they walked toward a room.
"Boss... I... I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t prepared for this."
The Captain, a sturdy man with an imposing presence but a surprisingly gentle gaze, looked at her with a serious expression, but there was a glint of pride in his eyes. "Wanda, there is never a perfect time for something like this. The unexpected is what defines truly strong people. And you, my girl, are stronger than you know."
As they walked in, they saw a dark wooden table, a few aged leather chairs, and a rustic chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its candles a little worn with time. The tall windows, with thick linen curtains, let in only soft light, creating an almost intimate atmosphere.
The captain closed the door behind him, making sure they were alone. He sat down heavily in one of the chairs and gestured for Wanda to do the same. She obeyed, still trying to organize her thoughts.
"Captain, I don’t know if I’m ready for this," Wanda began, her voice betraying the uncertainty she felt. "I always knew I could make a difference, but... the Royal Selection? This is way beyond what I imagined for myself."
The Captain looked at her for a moment before answering. "Wanda, when the Council decided to include someone from the Guilds in the Selection, there wasn’t a second’s doubt as to who it should be. You are our best Rank S hunter, but that is not all. You have a sense of justice, a strategic intelligence, and a strength of character that is rare even among nobles.
She shook her head, still hesitating. "They are nobles, Captain. You’ve been trained for this since birth. I... I’m just a hunter."
"You’re not ’just’ anything," he replied, his voice firm. "These nobles may have titles and training, but you have real life experience, Wanda. You know what it’s like to fight for every victory, and that makes you a threat. They underestimate you, and that’s your greatest advantage.
Wanda considered her words, but before she could answer, the door to the room opened abruptly. A young helper, dressed in the simple uniform of the guild, entered with an expression of urgency. "Forgive the interruption, Captain," she said quickly, turning her gaze to Wanda, "but... your father is here, Wanda. He asked to see you right away."
Wanda felt her heart race as she heard her adjutant’s words. The mention of her father there, at such a crucial moment, not only surprised her, but also filled her with a mixture of fear and relief. Although she loved her father deeply, it was rare for him to appear so suddenly, especially in the middle of such an important occasion. Her mind, already a whirlwind of thoughts about the Royal Selection and its implications, now turned to her father figure, the man who had shaped so much of who she was.
The Captain raised an eyebrow, noticing Wanda’s sudden nervousness. He didn’t only know her as his best hunter, but also as someone who always maintained a firm stance, even in the most adverse situations. Seeing this reaction indicated that her father was somehow an important part of his life, perhaps a part he still didn’t fully know.
"Wanda, it looks like this meeting will have to be postponed. But before we go, if you prefer, I can accompany you to greet your father and explain the situation."
Wanda hesitated for a moment, thinking about the possible consequences. It was no secret that her father and the Captain had different philosophies on life, but there was a mutual respect between them, something she had always admired in both of them.
She thought about the possibility of having them together to discuss the situation of her inclusion in the National Team, and felt that it would be easier to deal with the pressure if the two most important men in her life were present.
"Yes, Captain. I think it would be good for you to get to know each other better."
The Captain nodded and motioned for his aide to lead them to where Wanda’s father was waiting. The young girl bowed briefly before leading the way through the castle corridors. The silence between Wanda and the captain was thick, but not uncomfortable. There was a mutual understanding that the stakes were high and that every step carried extra weight now.
The corridors of the castle were long and dark, lit only by the occasional torch on the cold stone walls. The hanging tapestries, depicting scenes of legendary battles and heroes of the past, added even more gravity to the situation.
Wanda couldn’t help but feel small in the face of so much history, so many glorious deeds that seemed to be watching her as she walked.
After a few minutes they reached a small antechamber decorated with simple but tasteful furniture. A fire crackled softly in one corner, and in the light of its flames, Wanda saw the imposing figure of her father. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching the flame as if in deep thought. He was a tall man with an upright posture and broad shoulders that showed a lifetime of hard work and physical strength. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
When Wanda entered the room his eyes turned to her and for a brief moment his expression softened. The love and pride he felt for his daughter was visible, even if it was kept under a mask of composure. He quickly shifted his gaze to the Captain, studying him with the same intensity. The captain, for his part, also assessed the man in front of him and immediately recognized where Wanda had inherited her strength and determination.
Wanda broke the silence, her voice firm but with a reverence she rarely used. "Captain, this is my father, Victor Shieldman. He’s the one who taught me almost everything I know about hunting and survival. Father, this is Captain Alexei Thorne, leader of the Golden Sun Guild and my mentor since I joined the Guild."
Victor stepped forward and held out his hand. "Captain Thorne, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. My daughter speaks very highly of you."
Alexei accepted the handshake, feeling the strength behind the gesture. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Shieldman. Wanda is one of the finest hunters I’ve ever met. All credit to her and of course to those who taught her so well."
Victor let out a small smile, a rare glimpse of approval. "Wanda always had a talent for it, but it was in the Guild that she really blossomed. Thank you for guiding and protecting her."
The captain nodded and released Edwin’s hand. "She is a force to be reckoned with, and that was clear today with her inclusion in the Royal Selection."
The three of them sat around the small table and the aide brought a tray of wine and glasses, serving them quickly before leaving, closing the door behind her.
"Wanda, I was surprised to hear that you had been selected for the Royal Team. I confess that when I heard the announcement, I didn’t know whether to be worried or proud."
Wanda felt a lump in her throat, but she looked him in the face. "Dad, I know this is unexpected. It was for me too. But the Captain thinks I’m ready, and I... I want to believe that too."
