Dragon's Blood

Chapter II.

The test began.

Jungkook was surprised at the simpleness of each test but also curious as to what General Jung was expecting to learn about each of them. The first test was one of strength. They would be put into pairs of two, enter a circle and try to use wooden shields to push the other out of the circle drawn in the dirt. Jungkook watched time after time as men around his size or smaller, were forced not only out of the circle but flat on their asses for the crowd to laugh and mock them. Every so often, Jungkook would glance over in the direction of General Jung and the King. Jungkook still couldn't believe how beautiful the man was, he seemed like someone out of a fairytale. Even the way he sat was elegant and had a sense of arrogance – well, maybe confidence was better. His legs neatly crossed and his hands a top one another over his knee. His face voice of emotion, not letting anyone know what he was thinking. When those unearthly eyes turned on him, Jungkook tensed and quickly looked forward. Feeling himself sweat a little at being caught. Jimin's gaze lingered on Jungkook before he looked to Hoseok who was watching the current candidates battle it out in the circle.

"Hobi – I mean, General Jung. Who is that young man?" Jimin said, almost forgetting that in front of the men, he couldn't address the other as casually as when they were alone.

"Hm?" Hoseok asked, looking at Jimin who pointed subtly to Jungkook.

Hoseok stared at him a moment before he lifted his wooden clipboard and sorted through the stack of papers attached to it. Namjoon had done thorough backgrounds of all the recruits. Finding Jungkook's picture, Hoseok read it over before he hummed in thought and parted his lips to speak.

"That would be Jeon Jungkook – he is from some shithole in the mountain. A farming village that isolated themselves and holds no allegiance to any of the surrounding kingdoms." Hoseok said as he looked at Jimin curiously, "Why do you ask?"

"Call him next." Jimin said.

"But – "

"Hoseok." Jimin said, his voice stern.

Hoseok stared at him for a moment longer before he sighed. He swore that Jimin and his whims. Hoseok turned his gaze forward just as the match ended between the two contestants. To Jungkook's surprise, the Dwarf from before was the victor. The crowd cheering for him and mocking his opponent for losing to someone half his height. Once the circle was cleared, Hoseok cleared his throat.

"Next will be Jeon Jungkook and – "

Jungkook's eyes widened, it was his turn now!? Jungkook looked over to Hoseok and then to Jimin and he stilled when his gaze met that of the king's. Jungkook swallowed as Jimin nodded towards the circle, a look of challenge almost sparkled in his eyes. Jungkook's brows furrowed but he looked to the circle. It was fine. He would be fine. Jungkook had always been a tad bit stronger than the average person. Taking a deep breath, he pushed his way through the crowd and towards the circle. Picking up the wooden shield waiting for him, he stepped over the line and looked up to see his opponent. The problem was he had to keep looking to reach his face. Jungkook's mouth hung a little as he realized his opponent was an ogre of a man in size and muscle mass. They were clearly not evenly matched, and the man gave him a smirk and a slow chuckle.

"Piece a cake." The man muttered as he readied his shield.

Jungkook looked to Hoseok who was wearing a sympathetic face but shrugged as if to say there was nothing he could do. Jungkook looked to Jimin, who showed slight amusement in his features. A test then. Jungkook looked back to the man before he prepared himself as well.

"Good luck." Jungkook said.

"I won't need luck, better say that to yourself kid!" The man said as he charged forward and Jungkook braced himself.