Way of the Knights

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Anne gestured towards the servants, once again they placed another pill crate over a stand. Anne moved over beside it and gave a deep gaze on the crowd in front of her.

"This is it Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now on our last product." Anne said with a trace of regret in her voice. The crowd, though long since shocked numb, perked up and paid close attention.

"We save the best for last." Anne said and instantly took out a paper, there were a list of names provided in here. Without further ado, she started calling out these names one by one to have them join her on stage. In the end, she called at least people over.

The people called were puzzled, nevertheless under the close urging of their guardians, they too stepped onto the stage and waited for further instructions. If one paid close attention to the people who were called, they might notice a few common things they share. First is that none of the people reached 20 years old. Second is that all of them came from a relatively humble background. And finally, none of these people were walked the path of knighthood, which means that even the someone who entered the beginning stages of cultivation could easily trample them over.

"I won\'t say too much and just allow our product to speak for itself." Anne then handed a white round pill to each and every single one of the invited people. After she made sure that everyone has a pill, she then instructed them to consume it.

As the pill slid onto their throats, it settled down on their digestive track. There weren\'t any sound nor any energy fluctuations, just a calm and peaceful air remained.

Just as when everyone thought that the pill was a failure, they were surprised to realize that all of the sudden, the bodies of the participants started emitting a brilliant light. It illuminated the entire hall with a resplendent brilliance which made it hard for some to see clearly. After a while, the light coming off from their bodies went away. The crowd looked over to see 10 people with faces drenched in tears, looking somewhat blankly on their bodies. Some were puzzled about their reactions, it wasn\'t until they heard...

"H-heavens! Their Energy Network is active! How is this possible!"

The one who reacted was a bit frightened when he realized this. When others heard his exclaim, almost all of them probed the bodies of the ten youth standing on stage only to find out that it was real! Their Energy Networks were alive and active!

How in the world was this possible?It had to be known that people who posses an active energy network are only those who could be considered as true cultivators. During the talent test for youths, one of the results is Null, which means that they don\'t have an active Energy Network and couldn\'t possibly cultivate for the rest of their lives, deeming them cripples or mere mortals. A large population of the Kingdom is composed of mortals, this is why being a Knight is considered as a very honorable occupation, since only a few chosen one\'e could do so.

None of these people, common nobles or Royalties alike, had ever thought that it was possible for a dried energy network to become active, so seeing this result in front of them was somewhat hard to believe.

"The name of this pill is Network Rebirth Pill. It allows one to awaken their inactive Energy Network, enabling them to cultivate and walk the path of Knighthood. Just a reminder for everyone, this pill has to meet some requirements before it\'s consumed. One, the consumer must not be over 2o years old. Two, the consumer shouldn\'t have any missing limbs. Finally, the consumer must go through a thorough applications provided by Director Richard before purchasing the pill."

"The only exception for the third rule would be these ten people beside me, not because they are special but because this a way of Director Richard settling debts. When almost everyone left the pavilion\'s side due to a recent incident, the families of these people remained by his side. With that in mind, this is just a small gift of appreciation from Director."

"Each Network Rebirth Pill is worth 50 gold cards per pill, please show the proof of application prior to any purchase."

Once again, another ground breaking creation was revealed. Everyone gazed at the pills displayed with wolfish eyes. From now on, Richard\'s name was bound to be incredibly famous because of these pills. Each pill here was a treasure, an extension of one\'s life. Every single one was just as miraculous as the last, add the fact that they were affordable to boot makes everyone here panting in excitement.

"I know that everyone here is getting impatient and want nothing more than to take these pills home. But before we proceed onto the selling part, I\'m sure that Director Richard has some things to say."

With that being said, Anne graciously stepped back and allowed Richard to face the crowd.Everyone looked at him with gleaming eyes. Those who were skeptical at first became completely convinced by now. It was no doubt that this man\'s reputation was destined to soar through the heavens. Everyone started planning on how to curry favor to him now in hopes of riding along his coattails when he rise. From what they heard earlier, Richard places a very deep importance on bonds. They thought that if they could get onto his good side, they might experience an unexpected benefits as well.

"I\'ve been an alchemist for a long time." Richard said, his tone was full of melancholy and reminisce. "I work at the pavilion for many years, hoping to achieve many things in order to help our home to become a better place."

"I faced many challenges, discovered many things and experience many setbacks as well. The worst of those happened with the recent events that transpired." Richard\'s tone became a little solemn as he spoke up until this point.

"The one that I\'ve trusted the most, betrayed me. The people that worked with me, turned their backs against me. Those who attempted to stay, were swayed into leaving because of malicious slanders and temptations from those who wanted nothing more other than to see me fail and hopefully replace the organization for their benefits." A disgusted expression surfaced on his face as he spoke about the most recent event. Some of the guilty people felt their hearts tighten in nervousness. They hoped to every saints, sages and gods that Richard won\'t move against them now more than ever.

"And to that I say... you win." Rather than expressing bitterness about the situation, Richard instead smiled. "What can I say? You people got me. And so, I stand by my word." Richard inhaled sharply and announced.

"From this point onwards. There will no longer be a Pill Saint Pavilion. I, Richard Palestine, current Chief Director of the Pill Saint Pavilion, hear by disband this organization after this last sale!"

"Anyone who had been eyeing this hall during these past few days, could go ahead claim this. I have no use for it anymore."

Many people\'s heart sank after hearing his mighty announcement of his. Everyone was disheartened, even Balmung was similarly helpless. He might be the current Crown Prince of this Kingdom but he too was helpless about these matters. If Richard decided to disband this organization, he had every right to do so and he couldn\'t force him otherwise. Some people felt bitter. His announcement were like a tight and loud slap on their faces. These people were the precisely those whom he was referring to earlier. Good thing that the Mort Family wasn\'t invited in this, or else they will be the main enemy of this whole event.

"Fret not." Unbeknownst to anyone, Richard wasn\'t done. "It\'s not like I\'m going to stop concocting pills for everyone. The Pill Saint Pavilion might not be around anymore but who says that I can\'t build an organization of my own?"

Shocked, the crowds eyes lit up when he spoke these words. All of them looked up and saw Richard wearing a profound smile on his face. Before anyone could even ask about what he means, Richard already explained it for them.

"Everyone, I would like to personally invite you the grand opening of Sacred Leaf Tavern. For now, I can\'t say when will be the exact date since we have nothing more than a empty warehouse, I don\'t even have any personnel aside from a single apprentice that refuses to leave my side." He chuckled.

"We\'re open for applications on different positions. Any youths who wanted to learn more about alchemy are welcomed to apply. I will cover all of the expenses for your studies. After that, you will become one of the resident alchemist of our Sacred Leaf Tavern and enjoy myriad of benefits that we offer."

"All of the pills that was revealed earlier will be available on our tavern upon opening, who knows we might release more."

"With all this being said, let\'s begin the sale."