There was something strange going on with the current selection of trainees from the Order of the Heavenly Knights. Usually, these kids would be exhausted beyond belief at the end of their training sessions, with some ending up being carried back to their dorms from the intense muscle spasms they incurred throughout the day.
However, some of the instructors realized that these days, the new trainees had been quite energetic, even after making them run laps around the grounds two times the normal amount. They even looked more excited as the eighth candle had been extinguished, signaling their time for rest.
Usually, the instructors wouldn't care about the dealings of the children after training, but they realized that those who had been showing strange behaviors were the ones who were performing quite well in the physical tests.
For example, some of the students who were stuck at the 1-star Physical Arts core were showing signs of having a breakthrough, even though they showed no talent for this a couple of days ago.
This coincided perfectly when the students suddenly exhibited this strange behavior at the end of the day.
Finally, the instructors had enough. They decided to follow the children and see what they were up to.
"Okay, trainees! Wipe off your sweats and go straight to your dorms. We'll have our monthly exam tomorrow to gauge your current levels," a burly man said to his students, returning the wooden sword to its scabbard.
"Yes, Sire!" the kids replied, saluting to him.
And as their instructor left the training grounds, the kids huddled up to each other with excitement bubbling up to their faces.
"Guys. We have to hurry. We can't be late or else it'll be sold out when we get there," one kid said.
"I'm going to need to stock up more for tomorrow. I need it or else I think I'll fail!"
"Just remember. Don't tell anyone or else we'll have more competition."
The rest of the trainees nodded their heads. Then, they put their hands together and cheered silently. "One, two, three, chocolates!"
"...chocolates!!!..." they whispered to themselves.
As it turned out, the reason why these kids had been acting weird was because of none other than chocolate itself.
After a rumor spread that one of the trainees got accepted after eating chocolates, eventually every trainee wanted to eat one for themselves too.
The results were evident, as they felt themselves with more energy to spend after eating a whole bar of chocolate for a single day.
So, at the end of their training sessions, the trainees rushed out to the market to seek out the peddlers selling chocolate and cookies.
However, as the days passed, more and more people found the amazing taste of chocolate and cookies and began buying them en masse. It was unfortunate for the kids as their training only ended by sunset, so by the time they visited the market, the chocolate stocks were almost emptied out.
And as they reached the peddler's stalls, they were delighted to see that there were still some stacks of chocolate on display.
"Excuse me, sir! We would like to buy a chocolate bar for each of us," the trainees shouted.
The veteran peddler recognized the kids and immediately packed a stack for them.
"Will you be buying eight chocolate bars this time?" the peddler asked.
The trainees shook their heads. "Only seven, mister. There's only seven of us."
"Then who is he?" the veteran peddler then pointed to the large burly man behind the kids.
"So this is what you've been buying."
That strict voice made the trainees jump in fear. They turned around and were horrified to see their instructor looking down at them with his arms crossed on his chest. He was mad. That was the look he gave them whenever he would make them do ten more laps.
They eventually had to tell him everything and explain why they sneaked out of their dorms to visit the market.
"Chocolates, huh…"
The instructor felt intrigued after hearing about the effects of chocolate on the trainees. If the kids were to be believed, then chocolates almost had the same effects as cultivation pills and elixirs for a fraction of the price!
"Are we in trouble, Sire?"
The instructor eyed the trainees. "Yes. You are. You shouldn't have kept this to yourselves. It could have helped the other trainees become stronger as well! Next time, buy more for the rest of the class!"
Instead of getting lectured for sneaking out of the dorms, the instructor actually encouraged them to go out and buy more chocolates for other trainees so that they could enjoy the benefits as well!
So, for the next few days, everyone visiting the market would see trainees, Squires, and even some Knights lining up in a queue.
It was a curious sight, with other people finally taking notice of the chocolate bars and cookies that the traveling peddlers sold on the market. After all, if people from the Order of the Heavenly Knights were interested in these products, then it must be something good.
And sure enough, once they tasted the sweetness of the Reborn chocolate products, they were hooked just like the trainees.
It took a couple of days, but the sales finally picked up for the chocolate merchants, with most of their stock getting emptied out by midday.
Of course, this kind of sensation was quickly spread throughout Angora City. It even reached the Lord of the City's ears, who had his attendants secretly buy chocolate for him and his family to try out.
Because of this, the newspaper companies finally took notice. They sent out a rookie journalist to find out more about these chocolate and cookie products that everybody had been raving about.
But, they didn't send out a veteran. They didn't think it could become front-page news.
At most, it would be a good anecdote in their newspaper.
But in truth, who knew what would happen if they dug a little deeper and found out more about the Reborn company?