Entering The Moon Goddess Temple Ruins Part 1

"Alright, that ends today's exam! Everyone gather around and listen up!" Clara yelled. She needed everyone's attention for what she was about to say next. It was not until everyone quieted down that Clara continued. "Tomorrow, you will all be heading out to do your practical exam. This year's exam will be held in the newly discovered moon goddess temple. You will need more than just your staves while in there. Also… Girls, be on guard. Goblins have been seen in the vicinity. If you are going through your cycles, it is best that you stay home. They can smell you from large distances and will attack and drag you back to their nest to turn you into breeding horses for more goblins."

All the girls' faces went pale hearing Clara's words. All except for Yue, she had already been dropped in a goblin den by her father and mother at the age of thirteen, under her okay, that is. They, of course, stayed to keep an eye on her, but she still had her clothes almost ripped off many times by the goblins attacking her. By the time she escaped, she was covered in green blood, and her clothes were barely cover the important bits. She felt so disgusted that she refused to leave the bath for three days. But she learned a lot from that experience. She had only agreed to it because she was determined to grow stronger. She did not regret the experience, and it did make her stronger mentally. She felt the stronger she was, the more likely she would be able to cast spells in the future.

Clara smiled and shook her head at these girls, who seemed like they were about to faint. "You need to grow up! Do you think our world is so easy that you can stay children forever!? Girls in our world normally become wives at fourteen and mothers at fifteen, those who don't are sold off or are working as adventures. You girls who come from good families need to learn that our world is not all about tea parties.

"Everyday girls like you are being sacrificed. You are just some of the lucky ones. You are able to wield magic and are able to benefit our Seris kingdom. You can fight on the front lines next to your male counterparts. You are able to protect the people of our lands all because you are blessed. You all need to know that we do not just need to worry about monsters but also other kingdoms who eye our lands and resources, and I don't even want to start talking about the demon lord's domain!

"Go home and prepare. You will need to gear up and make sure you all have a sword with you along with your staves. This is a group assessment. The groups will be made in the morning. You are all dismissed!" Clare finished what she had to say before turning and leaving. She wondered how many students would die this year.

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The streets of Eahnard were as busy as ever as Yue ran down them. She had a big smile on her face as she thought of those rich noble girls all pale faced after hearing about goblins. She had heard from her parents that during assessments, it was not uncommon for students to die. There had also been cases where an entire class was found massacred. Why a country would allow kids to take such a dangerous test at such a young age was for no reason other than they had no choice. The academy lasted for only three years. During these three years, students would embark on many assignments which revolved around killing monsters and putting their lives on the line. If you were able to survive and graduate from the academy by age seventeen, you would be recommended to one of the branches of the military based on your performance. And for those who failed, they had the option to join the adventurers guild. But everything came down to the defense of the kingdom, whether it was a soldier fighting to defend the country or an adventurer destroying monster dens, those of a young age were brought up learning how to fight and defend themselves and their loved ones.

Yue continued running through the cobblestone streets as quickly as she could. She was dodging in and out between the people walking too and fro with great accuracy. "Yue! Tell your mom my offer still stands!"

Yue shooked her head as she yelled out at the man from the meat stall. Her eyes glimmered mischievously when she saw the man's wife standing behind him: "Mr. Han, My mother, already said she was married and would not run away with you!"

The man at the meat stall almost cut his finger off when he heard Yue's yell. "You damn brat who was talking about that!?"

"Honey…." Mr. Han's wife grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. "Care to explain?" Mr. Han's face turned black. He really wished he could spank that damn girl right now! She knew how jealous his wife could get!

In high spirits, Yue arrived home within an hour. Her house was far from the academy. So it always took an hour to get to the academy and to return home. This is if she did not make any stops on the way. "Mom, I'm home!"

"Good, it's good that you are home, Yue. Your father and I have something to tell you." Yue's mother, Iris, announced as she walked out of the kitchen.

Yue frowned. Every time she heard these words, it was always the same thing. The smile that was on her face instantly disappeared. "When do you deploy?"

Iris sighed. She walked over to Yue and hugged her. "Honey, it is not that we do not want to stay home with you. It's just that the Triman Empire has begun stirring up trouble, and war could break out any time soon. If we do not defend our borders, then an enemy could easily bring their forces right to the capital and take it over. This is more of a precautionary maneuver to strengthen our defense to show them we are not to be taken lightly. "

"It's just the same thing you always say. I will not be seeing you off. I have to leave early in the morning to go to the practical exam. You and father need to be careful. I do not wish to be an orphan."