"Amazing!"
Liz exclaimed through the warm summer breeze as Bookie led their pack of fledglings, which currently excluded Zeke, as they approached the imposing Martial City perimeter walls that seemed to span endlessly.
This prolific sight wasn't only admired by Liz, but also by a drove of other martial art cultivators from different schools and factions traveling the beaten path.
A congested line had already begun to form near the wide gates where trained officials informed each group of vying prospects on the behavior expected and where to go when they registered for their visitor's plaque.
Among the thousands who flocked, numerous conversations of various kinds were taking place.
" Master, there are so many competing martial art cultivators here! Do you think we really stand a chance?"
" Nonsense! Don't be intimidated, or you'll find yourself losing the battle before it even begins. I have absolute faith that my students of the Falling Leaf School will not falter."
Liz happened to overhear the discussion being had by a random master and student duo who were in front of them. She couldn't help but feel uneasy, as passing the initial exam was the least of her worries moving forward on this perilous mission.
"Hey, relax. There's no need to think so far ahead. It would be best if we all took it one step at a time for now."
Kenshin patted Liz on the back, noticing that she was harboring doubts.
"He's right, this is only the first step to a long journey that awaits us."
Zeke suddenly added as he reappeared in the fray from out of nowhere.
"Zeke!"
Both shouted in surprise, not noticing his presence until he announced himself. However, there was an individual who spotted him beforehand.
" I see that you concluded your impromptu adventure."
Bookie addressed Zeke in a low husky voice as he responded,
" You can say that..."
"Hmph, no need to play coy. I saw everything."
" Is that so?"
Zeke questioned, pretending to be oblivious to a fact that he was already made aware of. Noticing Bookie's personal raven acting as his eyes and ears while slyly spying on him from above, when they first parted ways.
"Yes. Who knew you were already quite the ladies' man at such a young age!"
Bookie's stern face transformed into a silly smirk, playfully nudging Zeke on his arms.
"What?"
Zeke couldn't help but be genuinely dumbfounded this time around, seeing that Bookie gravely mistook his actual intentions by intervening.
"There's no need to be ashamed. In fact, you can color me impressed. I see that you also prefer them to be much older than you are.
Although the whole hero charade is somewhat childish, it's to be expected since you're still a kid when it's all said and done. I'll be sure to give you some much-needed pointers if you manage to survive this whole ordeal."
"Thanks..."
Zeke mumbled, deciding to let Bookie believe the misunderstanding between them.
" So, you ditched us just to go off and flirt, huh?"
"Well, it looks like our little brother is growing up right before our very eyes. Hey, tell me, how did she look?"
Liz pouted while Kenshin joked as Zeke stood silent, choosing to ignore their comments.
...
Eventually, they made it to the front gates with Bookie assuming the lead. Before they could enter, one of the stationed officials questioned them about their origins, personal information, philosophy, and main practice. Bookie answered accordingly while posing as their master from the Chameleon Clan.
This assumed identity had already been meticulously prepared without error, as everyone was briefed on their roles previously.
"The Chameleon Clan, you say. Hmm, aw yes, I can recall hearing that name before. However, from what I know, your clan is a secluded bunch, rarely choosing to interact with the outside world and its mundane affairs."
The slim, pencil mustached official with glasses mentioned with some suspicion as Bookie assuredly replied,
" Your description rings true in most circumstances. However, that is exactly the reason why our clan's patriarch has allowed these young, valued students to showcase our martial prowess to the world at large by using this rare, illustrious opportunity extended to all who beseech these lands."
Satisfied with his response, which was a commonly occurring motivation expressed. The martial alliance official scribbled in his notes as he asked several more questions.
Soon enough, they were instructed to make their way to the city's northern checkpoint at a designated time upon receiving a visitor plaque. The nine fledglings and Bookie took their staggered steps into the great unknown.
"Wow, would you get a look at this place..."
Under the clear blue open sky. Kenshin whistled, impressed by the vast revolving crowd, multitude of rich aromas, the diverse array of noises, the winding cobbled roads, and the grandiose buildings that greatly surpassed his imagination.
On the other hand, since someone was already privy to similar sights of this magnitude from their past life. Everyone except Zeke was like a deer caught in the headlights.
Compared to the Valley of Light, this bustling metropolis was on a grander scale in every way. Known as one of the largest cities on the Eastern Continent. Even the experienced Bookie couldn't hide how foreign and exhilarating this kind of spectacle was to him.
" You don't seem to be phased at all by the glitz and glam."
No.711 spoke, observing Zeke's actions for quite some time now from afar.
"It's definitely impressive to say the least, but like I already told my teammate, we shouldn't delude ourselves into believing this is some kind of vacation."
Zeke made up a valid excuse for his lackluster reaction. However, the short, Patek female with black bangs that partially cover her red eyes began to lean in closer, prying into another matter,
" Teammate? Oh, you must be referring to Liz or Kenshin, right?"
"Your point being?"
Zeke glared at No. 711 in a foreboding way, unsure if she was fishing for an angle to exploit or threaten him with his, Kenshin's, and Liz's apparent close bond.
"Whoa, easy there. I'm only making small talk since we have a given history together. I thought it would be somewhat strange and awkward if we pretended not to know each other."
No.711 took a step back, waving the imaginary white flag as she quickly noticed Zeke already growing irritable.
" Just because we've crossed paths on a few occasions doesn't mean we know one another. "
"...You're right, I've misspoke, but that fact doesn't have to remain true... Here, how about I formally introduce myself? My name is Rosemarie."
She hesitantly extended her hand towards Zeke's, even though all the fledglings here were briefed on each other's actual names as part of their assumed alias beforehand.
"Zeke..."
He warily shook her hand, deciding it would be best to stay cordial with someone who could prove useful later down the line, as she had shown in trial one. Seeing that the mood between the two had considerably lightened, Kenshin and Liz joined in.
Soon, Rosemarie introduced Sakura and Sayuri from her group as well, who were personally selected by Reaper Ono. Exchanging pleasantries, Zeke still recalled the prior undisclosed meeting between him and Ono.
Back then, after the events of trial two, they vaguely discussed the guidelines of their potential partnership. Not setting anything in stone right away, both individuals ended up tabling their possible arrangement for another date and time.
With Rosemarie being privy to their private meet-up, he knew that his apparent connection to Ono was the main reason for her concerted effort to become friendly with him.
"You sly little rascal, you have no idea when to quit!"
Bookie had randomly mentioned, barging in with laughter, repeatedly nudging Zeke as he pointed out the three beautiful young women encircling him.
"Ugh..."
Zeke uttered, smacking his hand on his forehead.
....
Meanwhile, due north on the outskirts, high up, on a lone plateau overlooking the entire martial city. Deep within the Martial Alliance's inner HQ, a council of well-established peers had just been dismissed.
The elders who participated readily departed as the Martial Alliance leader held a private consultation with his trusted advisor, Oshin, and Vice Leader Machi.
" How are things transpiring down below, Oshin and Machi?"
The Martial Alliance leader, named Rayden, asked in a firm yet magnanimous tone, peering through his silver eyes with intent. Wearing a white embroidered robe, having a cloud full of hair that matched his fluffy beard, atop a fiercely bear-like physique, he patiently waited for a response.
" Everything is going as expected, with martial art cultivators traveling in abundance from the entire continent. We look to hold the entrance examination tomorrow, without further delay."
Oshin spoke calmly, referencing how their initial plan, which had finally taken root, had been pushed back several times because of various internal affairs. Listening, Rayden turned his attention away from the orange-robed monk who had many colorful stringed beads that climbed up his right forearm.
He then sought the input of his vice leader, who wore a long green garb and short hair, resembling a tall Pran mantis in human form.
" The proverbial web has been spun, prepared for him, along with any other undesirable 'bugs' that unwisely venture forth."
Machi confirmed as Rayden nodded his head,
"...Understood."
" I know the days ahead of us will become difficult in more ways than one, but rest assured Leader, what we do in the shadows now is for the greater good overall."
Machi voiced, seeing the dim expression draped across their leader's face.
"I truly do this with a heavy heart in tow, but you're right, Machi, it must be done."
Rayden agreed with his two closest confidants. Soon, they moved on from any deep sentiments felt, conversing on other important matters before all three of them went their separate ways.
Late in the afternoon, Rayden went back to his large private estate, being met immediately by someone he adored and coddled more than anybody else.
" Grandpa!"
His granddaughter Julep Frost exclaimed, rushing in for a hug. She buried her lengthy snow-white hair into his chest before looking up at him with her soothing blue eyes.
Even though Julep was considered a level-headed 22-year-old by her fellow inner disciples and others alike, she always reverted to a pampered child when in the presence of her doting grandfather.
"My little tulip! What brings you here? I thought you were meeting up with that friend of yours who's visiting the city today."
" Well, I haven't heard a word of her arrival just yet. So, seeing that I was free, I thought checking in on you would be the next best thing."
Julep cheekily grinned as they casually strolled through his open garden, which had become routine between them. Since she was a kid, Julia always gravitated towards the vast assortment of vibrant flowers that flourish in the sun's embrace.
The two conversed for a little while before a carrier bird landed elegantly onto her shoulders with a message attached, informing Julia that her old buddy had just made it into the city.
" Finally. I hate to cut our precious time together short, Grandpa, but it seems that my close friend has arrived."
" No worries, don't mind me, go ahead and be sure to enjoy yourself."
"Okay!"
Julep gave him a quick peck on the cheek before she skipped away. Deep in contemplation, Rayden meaningfully gazed at a particular shriveled tulip with a sigh, pruning the discrepancy with just a single qi-infused glance,
'There's no point in second-guessing myself. I know better than anyone else that a single bad branch will needlessly spread disease to those it surrounds if not properly dealt with.'