Although the listeners were silent at face value, many were collapsing mentally. A chilling silence enveloped the hall.
A fight... to the death?!
I don't have any kind of powers though!
Is that all? Where are we going to go?
I don't want to die! My family!
Fight!!
Death!?
I can't wait!
I want to go home!
Killing and not receiving consequences? Now that's what I signed up for!
Are we going to fight here?
What if I don't kill anyone and let them battle it out themselves? Maybe I can win then!
I can't wait to kill people; I'm going to try all the moves Father taught me!
These guys don't look strong; I think I can take them!
These guys look so strong; how am I supposed to beat them?!
A mix of reactions, whether good or bad, was circulating through the shaken audience. Some are afraid, some surprised, and others excited. Their faces perfectly represented how they felt about the bombshell of an announcement that was just dropped.
Samuel, however, didn't know what to think. He just watched Carmel's sinister expression blankly. Diallo, his seatmate, was in the same predicament.
It wasn't until a cry broke the silence of the hall. "Ahh! What's wrong with you!? Killing each other to the death? I just want to become a Protector, not risk my life and have only a slim chance of winning!"
Carmel paused; mild shock mixed with delight spread across her face. She then asked calmly, "What's your name, sir?"
Feeling her intense glare, the boy shuddered and meekly replied. "John…"
Carmel exhaled, "Enlighten me, John. What do you think a Protector does on a day-to-day basis?"
John's shallow lips quivered. He had short brown hair, nice facial structures, and a visible unibrow that darkened the bottom of his forehead. "Uh… Protects the king…?"
Carmel remained stone-faced. "How?"
The hall turned their attention toward John, who felt compressed and targeted seeing all these people wait for a simple reply after his objection.
He didn't answer. Instead, John darted his eyes to the boys sitting nearby, hoping one would give an answer. None did.
Carmel sneered before answering her question.
"You see, John. A Protector, the bodyguard who serves the monarch himself, must be ready to kill at any time. Whether it may be an intruder or a 'friend' of yours, you must cold-heartedly end their life in an instant. This change in the exam will help us figure out which one of you will be able to flip the switch and kill instantly. Those of you willing to put your lives on the line for his Majesty will be rewarded tremendously."
She paused, then narrowed her eyes on John as she deepened her voice. "Frankly, I have no idea why you decided to apply, John. People like you have no business becoming a Protector." Carmel didn't bother mincing her words as she spat the comment at John.
As his eyes dilated, John felt the blood rush from his face. Samuel felt a hint of pity but also understood where Carmel was coming from. It's better if John leaves.
Carmel interrupted Samuel's thoughts as she doubled down on her assault toward John, whose eyes were beginning to swell and dampen. "Leave my hall, John. Never show your face in here again."
John did as he was instructed and left the hall immediately. Carmel eyed one of the security guards standing by the entrance. The latter noticed the superior's signal, nodded his head, and followed John.
Carmel exhaled as she faced the audience this time. "Reactions like that will not be tolerated. Understood?"
Before the audience could answer, Carmel replied to herself. "Of course you do."
What a powerful woman… Samuel was shook. He had never witnessed someone's gaze be so intimidating. John, at the beginning at least, didn't seem like a meek and timid boy. It was only after Carmel glared at him that all pride and dignity vanished completely.
Samuel knew that Carmel was one of the strongest and smartest individuals in the whole Western Cradle, easily on the level of Leopold Sorin, Lebrad's emperor.
After returning to her podium, Carmel placed both hands on the rests, leaned in, and ordered. "The written portion of the exam will happen shortly. Proceed to room A for inspection before waiting in room B. Any sort of dishonesty caught will result in an immediate termination from the Protector's exam."
In an orderly fashion, the boys lined up to enter room A for a checkup. They were told to bring their bags with them, so that's exactly what everyone did.
Groaning at the soreness of his knees, Samuel reluctantly got up and swung the bag in his hands to his back.
The boys around them began to chatter as they lined up to enter room A. Samuel scanned the area. Most of them are 15-16 years old... Am I the youngest one here? While it was a disheartening observation, Samuel didn't let the age gap get to him.
I can still win this.
Despite all the commotion, Samuel had never really taken into consideration the fact that in this year's Protector's exam, he would most likely have to kill other people.
Killing... people. I don't know what I should do.
Samuel relaxed his brown eyes and looked back at Diallo. To his surprise, the once energetic and explosive seat partner was still frozen in shock.
After deciding to wake him up, Samuel called out Diallo's name multiple times, but it was to no avail. Diallo didn't respond nor show any sign of acknowledgement.
"Diallo... It's time to move on." He shook the frozen boy by his shoulders.
Samuel picked it up and read it. An ID card... why would Diallo have one?
ID cards were common to have in Lebrad, but only for adults that have become parents or are caretakers; it made no sense why Diallo would have one.
Samuel tried to rack his brain as to why Diallo would carry this.
Wait, Diallo said his mother killed his father, then she left him and his siblings alone... Maybe he has this because he became their provider?
It wouldn't be surprising even if a 15-year-old had this, as long as they were a caregiver. The reason Lebrad orders people to have this is because of the incredibly high kidnapping rate.
It was a stain on Lebrad's reputation, so the government that Leopold delegated most of the country's tasks to had come up with this idea.
If you claim that someone is your child but do not have this card with you, the government has full authority to take the child back.
Samuel's eyes scanned the white, plastic card. He then read the name: Diallo Haidar. Samuel paused while his eyes shrank.
A familiar last name.
Haidar... where have I heard that before?
Samuel looked towards the stage; Carmel was instructing people on where to go.
His face twisted, Carmel… Haidar…
"Diallo!" He shook his neighbor, who finally jolted awake.
They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before Diallo broke the silence.
In a cold, broken tone, he somberly revealed, "She's… my mother."
Samuel didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything. All he could do was try to swallow the lump in his throat.
Diallo continued.
"Carmel Haidar is my mother.
"She's the one who brutally murdered my dad in front of me and my siblings.
"S-she then stood there, and..."
Tears fell from his eyes.
"...She laughed."