10 days have passed, and the money I had is gone—spent on having fun after graduation. And it's not yet time to ask my parents for more.

  I've been going around looking for work, but no one will hire me. There's no shortage of workers anywhere because so many of my peers, along with graduates from knight academies, are applying for even the most common jobs. As someone from a general academy with only average grades, I simply can't compete.

  There's nothing I can do. Maybe I should just go back home and help my parents with their farm.

  But I can already imagine the look on my father's face... Well, that's just how it is.

  My second older brother is already teaching at the knight academy, while my eldest brother manages the domain alongside our father.

  If I go back, there won't be a place for me.

  My family are border barons in the kingdom, ruling a territory called Taiser.

  We have farms and land there, but my capable brothers are more than enough to handle it all.

  And because of my situation—a noble's son with no clear role—I've always been looked down on. Both for my status and my family's wealth.

  Right now, I only have three silver coins left. It's not even enough to travel back home.

  And the inns in the capital... they're ridiculously expensive.

  Three silver coins will barely last me seven days.

  I kept walking. Store after store. Place after place.

  But no one is hiring. Am I really going to end up a beggar on the streets?

  That's when I saw a flyer. An announcement. They're recruiting Lesser Vow Knights from the lower classes.

  Wait—why? Isn't the Lesser Vow a sacred thing? Why is there a public recruitment like this?

  From what I learned at the academy, Lesser Vow Knights are called that because they swear a holy oath to an entity that grants them power.

  But what caught my eye was the payment amount. And the slaves they're offering.

  Until now, I'd only ever seen high-ranking nobles with their slaves at the academy. But this time... I have to seize this opportunity.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  But who am I supposed to swear my vow to? Gabriel the One? Or some other entity?

  For commoners like us, the names of these entities are a mystery. Only high-ranking church officials and palace nobles know them.

  The only one we know by name is Gabriel the One—because of folk tales and histories that always chant his name. And because bandits who invoke his name for power keep appearing in stories.

  Maybe those stories are just exaggerations.

  I have no way back. So, let's move forward.

  The next morning.

  I put on the most formal clothes I own.

  I arrive at the central cathedral and see a long queue stretching toward the entrance.

  Looks like I'm not alone.

  Cramped. Tight. Suffocating. Noisy. That's the only way to describe it.

  The line is incredibly long. I register my name and join the queue.

  That's just how the system works here.

  While looking for a place to rest in the shade, I run into someone. An old acquaintance from the academy—someone who was also bullied.

  "Aister! You're interested in this event too?"

  James Roleiger. The son of a Viscount.

  "What about you?" I ask back.

  "Obviously! Who wouldn't want to become a Lesser Vow Knight?" he replies enthusiastically.

  "Did you know... I heard they're looking for sacrifices."

  He leans in and whispers.

  "Seriously?!" I exclaim.

  Panicked, James clamps his hand over my mouth. "Ssssttt! Idiot, keep your voice down! I got this from the black market!!"

  "Then why are you here too?" I ask after he pulls his hand away.

  "That's a secret..." He winks.

  "Tell me why!!"

  "I'm not telling you, idiot."

  "Let me guess—it's the power. You've always wanted to be a knight."

  "Don't act like you know me."

  He denies it, but his face says otherwise.

  We make small talk until my name is called.

  "AISTER FONDAL!"

  "Good luck, buddy!" James shouts as I step forward.

  Inside the interview room, a long table separates me from three examiners.

  The atmosphere is oppressive.

  In the center sits a man in pure white robes—most likely a high-ranking church official.

  To his left, a nobleman with a sword at his hip. To his right, a knight in full royal regalia.

  "What do you want? Wealth? Treasure? Women? Or do you have some other reason?" the nobleman asks without preamble.

  "I want to become a Lesser Vow Knight," I answer firmly.

  "And your goal?" the knight interjects.

  I pause for a moment. "What I want... Honestly, I'm not entirely sure."

  "How utterly foolish," the nobleman sneers.

  The mysterious church official finally speaks. "Do you know what a Lesser Vow Knight is?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "At least you're not that stupid," the nobleman mutters, his eyes filled with disdain.

  "Then why are you willing to take this risk?" the priest asks again.

  Having failed to answer the first question well, I know I have to be honest.

  "Because I'm in a desperate situation, Your Grace."

  "Do you have any sword experience or combat training?" the knight inquires.

  "No. I don't."

  The nobleman sighs loudly.

  "Which child are you in your family? Is your family noble?"

  "The third son of the Fondal family."

  "Oh... the border nobles from that Taiser territory," he murmurs dismissively.

  "Why are you so bold despite having no experience?" the knight presses.

  "Exactly because of that. I feel I need to seize this chance to prove myself."

  The room falls silent for a moment before the priest speaks again, his tone heavy.

  "Can you bear the punishment of the vow? Even if it might kill you?"

  "YES!" I answer loudly, with conviction.

  I know an opportunity like this won't come twice.

  The interview continues with trivial questions—about lovers, children, family ties—until finally, I'm dismissed.

  Time passes with no news.

  My money is running low. When will they announce the results?

  Then I hear rumors that the church will make the announcement in the city square this afternoon.

  I head there with burning hope, convinced I'll be chosen.

  The square has become a sea of people.

  The sun is almost setting, and still no sign of any messenger. The crowd doesn't thin—it only grows more chaotic.

  Just as the sun dips below the horizon, a lavish carriage stops at the edge of the crowd.

  A robed man steps out. He looks like a sorcerer.

  Using a levitation spell, he flies into the center of the crowd and chants another spell—one that instantly silences thousands of voices.

  Silence.

  A terrifying stillness.

  Then his voice booms, amplified by magic:

  "LISTEN UP, YOU FOOLS! I SHALL NOW ANNOUNCE THE NAME OF THE MOST UNFORTUNATE SOUL HERE TODAY!"

  People exchange bewildered glances, confused by the sorcerer's rudeness.

  "THE ONE CHOSEN TO BECOME THE LESSER VOW KNIGHT IS... AISTER FONDAL! SON OF BARON TAISER!"

  My heart stops.

  "AISTER FONDAL, REPORT TO THE CHURCH TOMORROW AT THE LATEST—OR RATHER, TOMORROW AT THE EARLIEST! AND THAT MEANS TOMORROW! REMEMBER THAT! THAT IS ALL, AND THANK YOU."

  The sorcerer floats back to his carriage and leaves without another word, abandoning the sea of people who now glance around in confusion, searching for the one named Aister Fondal.