Fake Heiress Reborn Drops Masks Finds Family (Noelle and Sebastian) novel Chapter 555

It was the Covingtons' recommendation again.

The bell rang out once more.

There were still 12 people standing in the middle of the arena.

The old man in the gray robe walked forward, counted them, then nodded. "Twelve passed. Recommended by the Covingtons, Lucas and Jasper, you're selected."

Lucas's legs nearly gave out under him.

He grabbed Jasper's shoulder and sucked in huge breaths of air, unable to stop grinning. "I made it... I freaking made it... Damn, I'm amazing!"

Jasper didn't say anything, but the tension finally left his shoulders too.

The two of them walked out of the arena covered in dirt and dust, looking exactly like a pair of filthy stray cats.

Noelle waited for them at the edge of the field, holding the small porcelain bottle.

Lucas flashed her a wide grin, all white teeth. "Told you I could do it, Noey."

Noelle stared at his swollen, bruised face that looked like it'd been run over by a truck. After a brief silence, she handed him the bottle. "Put this on."

Lucas took it and started applying the medicine while hissing through his teeth.

Shirley sat below the stage watching the scene with a dark expression. She'd wanted Lucas and Jasper beaten and thrown out, but instead, every one of her people ended up flat on the ground while those two were still standing.

Her grip tightened around the handkerchief in her hand until her nails dug into her palm.

It's fine.

She took a deep breath and forced the anger back down.

The Guard Department is just a playground for meatheads anyway.

I'm going into the Medicine Department. Once I get in, I'll have plenty of chances to deal with those clueless country idiots.

She stood up, smoothed out her skirt, and headed toward the Medicine Department testing area.

She was going to show everyone who the real prodigy was.

Next came the Records Department exam.

The Records Department didn't test combat. It focused on literacy, math, and essay writing.

Dozens of people sat at long tables. Some scribbled furiously while others scratched their heads in frustration. One chubby guy chewed on his pen so hard that his whole face twisted up, as if he had a personal grudge against it.

The examiner walked around with his hands behind his back, stopping every now and then to glance at someone's paper, his expression unreadable.

The Nightfall Circle gave every recruit two sets of uniforms. The Medicine Department uniforms were green, the Guard Department uniforms were black, and the Records Department uniforms were white. Noelle received two green robes, while Lucas got two black sets. He immediately changed into one on the spot, carefully folding up his loud, floral shirt before tucking it into his bundle. "This shirt went through life-and-death battles with me," he muttered. "Gotta keep it as a souvenir."

Jasper changed into the black uniform too. He looked a lot more intimidating afterward, though the dark bruise around his left eye was impossible to miss, making him look like he'd just gotten jumped.

Lucas wasn't much better. Both his eyes were swollen, and the two of them standing together looked like a pair of survivors who'd just crawled out of an underground fight pit.

After the uniforms were handed out, the old man in gray announced another matter. "Starting tomorrow, all new recruits will undergo seven days of unified training. Training will take place at the practice grounds behind the mountain. Assemble at dawn. Anyone late will be disqualified."

Everyone nodded and headed back to their assigned lodgings.

Just as Noelle and the others were about to leave, a voice suddenly called out behind them. "Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Noelle Kain?"

Noelle turned around.

A man in his thirties stood before her with a Duncans' badge hanging from his waist. He was one of the Duncans' people.

Shirley's eyes lit up instantly. She rushed over in three quick steps, barely able to hide the smug excitement on her face. "He's one of Aunt Christine's men! I knew it! Aunt Christine definitely sent someone for me!"

She quickly fixed her hair and cleared her throat, preparing to greet Christine's summons with perfect elegance. Then the man spoke. "Ms. Kain, Ms. Christine heard about your exceptional medical skills, especially your needle-therapy techniques. She would like to invite you to visit the Duncans and perform needle therapy treatment for her."

The air went dead silent.

Shirley's smile froze on her face as her eyes widened in disbelief.