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Novel Catalog
Chapter 36
Bonnie’s eyes locked onto the six-foot-five man’s gaze, and she didn’t look away. His brief glance at her had caught her attention, and she was determined to understand why he was so familiar. The man flinched and quickly turned his focus back to the front, pretending nothing had happened.
Alfred, oblivious to the tension, called out, “The test will begin now. Form two rows, and we’ll hold the duels one by one.”
The bodyguards followed his instructions, lining up for the first round. As they squared off, Bonnie observed the fierce competition. Half of the bodyguards were eliminated after the first round, and by the time the second round finished, only twenty-four remained.
Alfred was pleased with the outcome. “Good. Everyone take a break. I’ll choose the captain in twenty minutes.”
Bonnie nodded, but her mind wasn’t entirely on the break. She watched the bodyguards carefully as the next round began. The six-foot-five man stood out. He was swift, precise, and in no time, he had his opponents flying across the room.
As Alfred moved to crown him captain, Bonnie spoke up. “I don’t think it’s enough for the Knight family’s bodyguards to just be good at fighting. That’s too easy. They should have some medical knowledge as well.”
Alfred raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. His tone remained respectful, but his words were laced with disdain. “You’re just a student, Ms. Bonnie. This is about the security of the Knight family. Perhaps it’s best if you didn’t interfere.”
Bonnie, however, was unfazed. She needed to test something. “In 1998, Nox Turner, the wealthiest man in Aquilonia, died of poisoning. His bodyguard had no medical knowledge, and didn’t recognize the symptoms of food poisoning that led to a heart attack.”
She continued calmly, “In 2005, the royal princess of Xentara accidentally inhaled an odorless poisonous gas and fell into a coma. She’s been in a vegetative state ever since. These kinds of incidents happen all the time. Do you think you’ll be able to take responsibility if someone tries to poison one of the Knights?”
Alfred’s face tightened with annoyance, but Bonnie’s words had struck a nerve. Her challenge to his authority didn’t sit well with him. In an effort to put her in her place, he retorted, “Perhaps you should test them yourself, Ms. Bonnie. If you’re so knowledgeable, maybe you have something to prove.”
Bonnie accepted the challenge without hesitation. She ordered some pens and paper, quickly scribbling down ten questions. When she handed them to Alfred, his eyes widened in surprise. He had expected her to make a fool of herself, but the questions were no trivial matter. They were profound, well-researched, and specifically tailored to test knowledge of toxicology.
The hired doctor, who had been assisting Alfred with the tests, looked at her with admiration. “I’m amazed, Ms. Bonnie. You have an impressive understanding of toxicology. Would you consider giving me some pointers?”
Alfred’s shock deepened, and he had no choice but to watch as Bonnie’s test continued. One by one, the bodyguards took the exam, but only a few could answer the questions correctly. The six-foot-five man, however, seemed unfazed. He breezed through the test, scoring a perfect result.
Bonnie walked over to him with a smile, checking his answers. “What’s your name?” she asked casually.
“Tim Reid,” the man replied, his voice steady.
“Tim Reid…” Bonnie mused, a grin playing on her lips. “Hmm, what a fine name. It reminds me of someone.”
The man’s fingers twitched slightly, his composure slipping for a moment. Bonnie’s grin widened. “It reminds me of the King of Combat, Jim Ray.”
Alfred’s face went pale, and his displeasure was clear. “Watch your tongue, Ms. Bonnie!” he snapped. “If Ms. Bonita and Mr. Jim find out what you just said, it’ll spell disaster for the Knight family. You’ll be the one to cause their downfall!”