Qiaoqiao awkwardly released Anjerite’s hand and feigned ignorance by looking up at the sky.

Hmm, the sky was still blue. The world was still beautiful.

—Ah ha, had she just planted a massive “the world will collapse” FLAG? No way, impossible.

“What are you spacing out for? Go find the Temple Knight Order’s officer already,” Anjerite murmured as she brushed past Qiaoqiao.

Then, hand in hand, they walked into the left corridor.

Why were their hands linked again? Well, ask Miss Qiaoqiao, who’d suddenly developed a crush on “Lady Temple Knight Anjerite.”

Anjerite was annoyed Qiaoqiao had ignored her and grabbed her hand again—but she said nothing.

Silent approval?

For now, maybe.

The corridor stretched long and quiet, rarely trafficked. Those who did pass were mostly Temple Knights and priests, all clad in silver-white robes. Every silver-white robed figure offered them a polite, smiling nod. This only deepened Anjerite and Qiaoqiao’s yearning for the Sanctuary.

After about fifteen minutes, the corridor opened into a training ground. Silver-white armored knights stood in formation.

“Excuse me… we’d like to join the Temple Knight Order…” Qiaoqiao timidly stopped a silver-robed priest.

The priest paused, glancing between them with surprise. “You’re quite young… joining this early?”

“Yes. We long to become full members.”

“Well, the Goddess teaches fairness to all believers. Age doesn’t measure capability. My mistake.” The priest bowed slightly, then pointed to the knights drilling on the field. “That’s Captain Carlo at the front. Ask him about enlistment.” He addressed Anjerite. Then to Qiaoqiao: “As for the priesthood… follow me. I’m headed to the hall.”

They parted ways.

Anjerite approached Captain Carlo. Qiaoqiao followed the priest back down the corridor. Different paths for different callings.

“Do your best! Let’s both join the Order and serve the Goddess!” Qiaoqiao called before leaving.

Anjerite scrunched up her face. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll pass easily. But you? Really?”

“I will too. Trust me, little Anjerite.” Qiaoqiao grinned confidently.

After Qiaoqiao vanished, the blonde knight—flustered and proud—stole two glances back.

“Are we… friends now?”

*Friends~*

A sweet, tiny smile curled her lips.

The Temple Knight trials were strict. But for Anjerite? Child’s play.

Vocation assessment. Strength test. Faith examination. Combat trial.

When she—merely level 16—sent a level 19 Temple Knight flying with a single strike, Captain Carlo’s skepticism turned to genuine admiration.

*How?* he wondered. Moments ago, she’d been losing… until her opponent whispered something. Then she’d exploded with power. Utterly baffling.

“Your trial’s over. All scores: Excellent.” Carlo clapped her shoulder. Anjerite’s face flushed crimson.

*Thrill. Triumph.* This was step two of her dream: joining the Temple Knight Order.

Now, only the insignia and squad assignment remained. She’d memorized every detail of the process back in the Village of Egramote, and grilled every veteran she met during her time with Sharon’s group.

*Finally.*

She ached to share her joy.

She scanned the unfamiliar faces around her.

Only one person waited at the corridor’s exit—the short-haired girl mirroring her own eager expression.

“Did you pass?!” Qiaoqiao bounded over, seizing Anjerite’s hands.

“I did! Barely scraped by, but I passed!”

“Hmph.” Anjerite scoffed. “I scored *all* Excellent.”

“So what? We both made it~ Congrats, *Temple Knight* Anjerite~”

“Pfft—*cough*—ahem.” Anjerite choked back a snort-laugh, forcing calm. “Meh. Average. Congrats too, *Temple Priest* Qiaoqiao.”

“Ooh, I like that title! Wahahahaha!” Qiaoqiao’s boyish laughter rang out. Anjerite watched, envious.

*Why must I hide my happiness behind pride?*

—*But… we’re both in. That’s what matters.*

A soft smile escaped the knight.

“We passed… but with so many recruits, we’ll never be in the same squad…” Qiaoqiao’s eyes dimmed.

Anjerite’s smile faded too.

Five days later.

They waited in the Sanctuary for assignments. On the fifth day—

“Fifth Squad…”

“Sixth Squad…”

“Seventh Squad…”

Captain Carlo announced squads from the podium.

“Tenth Squad!”

Anjerite and Qiaoqiao snapped to attention.

“Members: Anjerite Sneak, Lina Tobia, Murray Psyduck, Solomon Redbull… and—”

“Qiao Qiao! Squad leader: Anjerite Sneak!”