Dear Broom Knight.

Chapter 1056 How could she possibly be a mage?
In Emilia, there aren't many children who are eight years old this year.

Including outsiders, there were only about forty people.

As the sun rises, children, dressed in their finest clothes, stand in three rows on the south side of the central square... Darkness, the earth, and outsiders.

The nuns of Laurel Church stood gracefully and gently at the front, back, left, and right of the line, quietly soothing the children's uneasy emotions.

As for the children's parents, they could only stand three meters away from the square, their anxious hearts hidden behind rows of silver-blue railings.

Alexis stood in the area reserved for outsiders, staring expressionlessly at the queue ahead.

Although the children are divided into classes according to their social status and wealth during regular classes, at this crucial moment, they are divided into teams according to their most fundamental origins.

The nuns didn't even interfere while they were queuing.

It all depends on the children's own choices.

This is probably the first important exam in the lives of these children.

The Dark Night Church was much easier. Everyone looked at each other, whispered a few words, and immediately lined up in order of age from oldest to youngest. The Dark Night Church did indeed value identity and background, but when they were out in public, they had to be united and of one mind.

As for whether to go from largest to smallest or from smallest to largest, it mainly depends on whether the smallest one can withstand the pressure of the first one going up.

It was obvious that the child, who had just turned eight two days old, was too scared, so they quickly chose to line up in the opposite direction.

There was some confusion on the outsiders' side.

But perhaps because Mikhail and Penelope were so prominent, after they stood directly at the front, the other children argued and pushed each other for a while before immediately arranging themselves according to the previous class order... The more familiar they were with Mikhail and Penelope, the further forward they stood.

Things were rather chaotic at the Earth Church.

If they hadn't noticed that the two rows next to them were staring at them with curious eyes, these kids probably would have fought until the awakening array was officially activated.

Even though they've managed to line up now, they're clearly not convinced... Alexis, with her sharp ears, vaguely overheard the parents of the Earth Church discussing how the children were lined up according to the rankings of their respective research factions at the most recent general assembly.

It has the style of the Earth Church.

When they grow up, they will definitely be able to carry on their parents' great ambitions.

Alexis's ears twitched... The Earth Church was still discussing why the queue was the fastest and neatest this year.

In previous years, these children would only settle down after the awakening array was activated.

The final order of the queue will be determined by where they stand when the formation is activated.

After all, the awakening ceremony does not allow for noise.

That can be considered a style.

Apart from the Church of the Night, which has a consistent style of rarely participating in battles, the Church of the Earth and the outsiders almost always fought to the very end.

The outsiders... won't be any less humiliated than the Church of Earth.

Having money and power has no impact on Emilia City, let alone on the relationships between the children.

After all, the Church of the Laurel doesn't really teach about the concept of hierarchy... The Goddess of the Night doesn't advocate such ideas, so even if that's the reality, the Church of the Night would never publicly mention them.

If a child wants to learn the so-called "advancement and retreat" before being taught a lesson by society, either the child needs to be shrewd on their own, or the parents need to teach them.

But in Emilia City... if you offend outsiders, you can simply stay.

The slums here are just poor, and life isn't easy, but it's not as miserable as outside.

After all, the Emilia royal family and nobles never relied on thugs and hooligans to suppress and control the poor... they were the true strongmen.

Using those despicable methods to oppress the vulnerable, especially women and children, in cities where the Church of the Night is in power is tantamount to suicide.

The Night Guard has the right to kill anyone who intends to harm children or sexually assault women.

Therefore, these children's parents don't care much about social status.

In addition, the nuns' tolerant mindset influenced him... Luciano even got beaten up and fought during his time at the Laurel Chapel!

Therefore, outsiders will also compete for priority.

This is not just a matter of who stands first; it's also these children's first performance on the stage of life... If they have good talent and perform well in the group, they might be noticed by the two major churches!

Once selected, everyone involved will rise to prominence.

Not only can the whole family move out of the slum, but they can also find more stable jobs by relying on their child's status, and stay permanently in this place that is very happy for ordinary people.

When this atmosphere took hold in Emilia, even if some children among the outsiders came from relatively wealthy backgrounds, they could only obediently accept reality.

After all, there's no room for them to retaliate here.

However, this year, the speed at which the ranks of outsiders quieted down was almost the same as that of the ranks of the underworld!
Alexis had already heard several voices praising Mikhail and Penelope.

Although those people always added a 'but,' Alexis was still very happy.

She squinted at Penelope, who was standing at the front with her head held high, and thought that today would definitely be a pleasant day.
-
The Church of the Night acted very modestly during the awakening ceremony... the outsiders came first, the Church of the Earth second, and they third.

Then we continued on in a long, winding path.

This is not incomprehensible.

After all, guests should be given priority... These outsiders are both the financial backers of the Kingdom of Emilia Highlands and their newborn descendants. Both churches are working hard to increase their goodwill towards them, so naturally they show them great respect.

The Earth Church... as the main funder of the materials for the Awakening Array, should also receive some preferential treatment.

The Dark Night Church, which only contributed land and the people who built the formation, should give way on the surface; that's only natural.

So when the awakening magic circle platform rose in the very center of the central square, Penelope, led by the nun, walked up to it with great momentum.

Alexis closed her eyes slightly.

Although she never had high expectations for her children's future, she was still a little nervous at this moment.

"Huh?" Euphemia, who was standing next to her, exclaimed in surprise.

Alexis suddenly opened her eyes.

A familiar blue light rushed towards me.

"How is that possible?" Euphemia asked, puzzled.

Penelope, who relies entirely on intuition, is actually a legal professional?
Study, a scholar?

Even the usually composed Mikhail couldn't help but look up at the sky... At this moment, only the guiding halo of a certain deity could soothe his doubts.

However, the sky was calm.

No god stepped forward to take responsibility for this.

“Penelope, always so clever.” Antirochus didn’t know whether he was reassuring Euphemia or himself.

Alexis was truly dazed... What the hell was going on?

Lowry's accident was only for himself.

She and Yages weren't entirely without suspicion... but as long as Lori didn't know about it, he could keep it a secret from everyone.

Penelope, what's going on?
If Lowry still showed even a hint of the characteristics of a magic-based professional, Penelope... had absolutely nothing!

For a mage, rational thinking is very important, right?

A true mage is someone who remains calm and composed like Lori when faced with problems, quickly devising the most suitable solution, and never losing control!

Penelope...

This world must be crazy.

Penelope herself was quite surprised.

But she was a capable child; she didn't linger in the middle at all, happily walking out from the other side of the square, and then rushing towards Alexandra: "Mommy~ Mommy! I'm a mage!"

“Huh?” Euphemia, whose reaction was even more intense than Alexandra’s, turned to her brother: “Antirokos, has Theodoric Lantana become friends with Penelope?”

Rather than Penelope becoming a mage, she felt more that it was her lively and cheerful magical plant who had done something.

Moreover, she had just recently seen Theodoric secretly extend vines to the opposite window.

Mikhail ignored him, but Penelope played a long game of 'See if I can cut you' with him.

If it weren't for the certainty that Ms. Ariges had no objection, Antirochus would have rushed over and knelt down to apologize on the very first day of the discovery.

This is quite different from them going into the house and befriending the two children.

What's the difference between placing magical plants outside someone's window and spying on them?
Even after receiving forgiveness, Antirochus still brought gifts to Ms. Alexandra to express his apologies and gratitude... He was very grateful and moved that the lady believed he truly meant no harm.

His previously hesitant heart was completely settled at that moment... The lord of Qingfeng Territory who could make such a lady as Yariges follow him so loyally must be a good lord.

Antirochus, who never dreamed of becoming a king and ruling over a region, only ever thought about finding a suitable place to live with his sister.

It would be even better if he could find a job where he could utilize his strengths.

But Emilia City really wasn't right for him.

The two major churches here seem calm on the surface, but in reality, there are many undercurrents... If he were just a fugitive nobleman from abroad, it wouldn't be a big deal for him to plunge into the Church of the Dark Night.

Unfortunately, he also became involved with the Earth Church.

Antirochus was not foolish enough to believe that the two churches were as close as they appeared to be.

No matter which church he goes to, he might become cannon fodder... If he hadn't become the Son of the Sun, Antirochus would have already run away with Euphemia.

But leaving with Ms. Alexandra would be a good choice.

His hesitation stemmed only from Lori Montes's personality.

Antirochus knew that his suspicious and overthinking nature could easily lead to misunderstandings.

But... Ms. Alexandra's actions gave him immense courage.

Turning to look at the great knight who was welcoming his daughter's glorious return with open arms, Antirochus patted his sister's head: "He's not that capable."

(End of this chapter)