"Blimey, Wood. You're here, of course, to make us both more eager to compete," James retorted with his deadly grin.However, Riley Mackenzie did not seem to be affected. With a lazy expression, the young man said, "I'm not interested at all."James instantly put on a disappointed face, "Why is that? I haven't even mentioned the prize if you win from me Wood. You hurt me.""Don't talk so much! I don't need a prize anyway. Never mind, let's get it over with, James." Riley said as he turned to the match referee.James snorted in annoyance, but he still replied, "Fine. But, you lose. Just so you know."Riley ignored his words and instead nodded at the referee, indicating he was ready."James Gardner, are you ready?" the referee asked.James quickly adjusted his position and turned his head, "Yes, I'm ready."The unnamed referee said, "Okay. The rules remain the same, whoever manages to make their opponent cross the line and can't fight back wins."Riley and James nodded, understanding the

Riley could feel that the bitter tone was also suffused with a deep sense of loneliness. Riley couldn't imagine not having a friend to chat with. He would definitely be very bored."Oh, don't show that pity face! I hate to see it," James said irritably when he saw Riley's expression.Riley shook his head, "But, it's also good that no one wants to be friends with you.""What do you mean?" James replied with a raised right eyebrow."That way of speaking of yours sometimes makes people's ears hurt, so it would be much better if you didn't have any friends around you, right?" Riley said casually.James snorted, but he smiled. He knew Riley was just trying to cheer him up. Uh, how was this? Because of Riley Wood's presence, he felt like having a friend. However, he didn't want to act rashly by asking Riley as his friend openly. He did not want to be seen as needing him too much.After about five minutes of walking, they had reached the palace medical centre. Riley nodded at a few prospec

Riley also heard Diego's words but he preferred to drink his hot chocolate and ignore Diego. James who was munching on his fries stopped chewing them in his mouth, "What happened to the king's daughter?" "Princess Rowena almost died by drowning. Near the pond, not far from the palace health clinic," Alen explained enthusiastically but there was a hint of curiosity on his expression as well.Instantly James turned to Riley, "So, that's why so many servants and soldiers were there?"Riley still did not want to respond, while Alen immediately asked, "You know about it? Were you around?"James nodded, "I don't know what happened but I was around there. With Riley."The young man once again turned to Riley who was still concentrating on his hot drink."Wood, you saw it too, right?" James asked."Really? Come on, tell us!" Alen said excitedly.Diego also said, "How did she drown there? Wasn't anyone watching her? And those servants? They-""Stop it! Do you think Wood is a tree that witness

However, after the king of Ans De Lou Kingdom conveyed all his offers, he still did not get a response from Riley. That made the king say again, "Oh, or do you have another wish? Don't worry! I can definitely fulfill your request."Riley immediately made a bow as a salute to the king, Keannu was immediately enthusiastic, "Yes, say it! Say what you want!""I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. But ... I don't want anything," Riley said in a firm tone.Keannu squinted, looking at the young man probingly, "No way. You want to refuse my generosity?"Steadily, Riley replied, "Yes, Your Majesty.""You can't. You must accept my offer," Keannu suddenly insisted.Riley took a slow breath and let it out before saying, "Your Majesty, I cannot accept anything. However, you don't need to worry. I will keep my mouth shut, I will not tell anything and anyone about the incident at the pond."Keannu still couldn't believe the prospective soldier, but he then heard the young man say again, "If you don'

Riley was not the only one who was nervous. As he looked around, many of the prospective soldiers had anxious and nervous expressions on their faces.Oh no! How many candidates had lied about their identities? And why did they get away with it? Riley wondered.Then he saw James raise his hand, and Janice said, "Yes?"Has there been a change in the rules here? Wasn't everything checked before we entered the palace?" Alen nodded at James, agreeing with what James was asking.Janice explained, "Last night, the palace inspection department found some people who apparently cheated by falsifying the data of some prospective soldiers.""And those prospective soldiers were also sent home last night. Today, we will continue the investigation, except for the unscrupulous palace employees who have been exposed. So I ask you all to wait for the results of the cross-examination, which will take place in fifteen minutes," Janice added.After hearing Janice's explanation, some of the prospective sol