Chapter 3: Hawk Vs Wolf
"Hm… they seem like a colorful bunch. Hey you-er.. commander, permission to make contact?"
Their voice was monotone lacking any interest only feigning it.
The monochrome-haired youth lifted from beneath their brown cloak a crossbow similar in appearance to a compound crossbow before loading a bolt. Pulling out a slip of paper they began to write a message before their commander could even give affirmation. It was evident that the sniper didn't care about the other examinees and his formalness was just giving his commander an air of power. The paper was tied to the bolt as the sniper didn't even bother to look toward his commander.
The commander was clearly distressed as he looked for any contribution to make.
'This guy took out the Notus leader straight off the bat before the armies could even get in eye sight and he's asking me for permission?'
"You know what, sure tell them we're open to working together closely."
As the order was given the sniper stood from the shoulder of the brute before focusing his gaze toward the distance of Riné's group them being almost dots in the distance, his eyes seemed to magnify with focus pulling the trigger of the crossbow without hesitation and long deliberation.
"Roger, Roger."
The bolt soared with extreme power as it pierced the air creating a loud firing noise. A distance of at least a couple of miles from the space distortion in the field made it a vaster distance than it appeared yet Riné's commander who had only seen their army in the distance suddenly heard the noise of something crashing into the ground next to him.
Astonishment and confusion rose on his face noticing the bolt stuck out of the ground with a piece of paper wrapped around it a couple of meters from his side.
"F-from all the way over there?! There's not even mana used on this thing so it was just a regular shot!"
Pulling the bolt from the ground with one hand he unfurled the message reading it.
-Let's join up.-
Rubbing his temple the purple-haired commander felt a premonition of an irritating next section. Power struggles. Even amongst allies the dynamics of jurisdiction and merit are too sore an issue that of course it's being held here as an examination.
'If I push my power too much and refuse to heel like a dog I'll appear as a megalomaniac. If I submit I lose my ability to gain a proper evaluation as commander..'
"Vanguard meet up with me we'll greet our new allies!"
Riné and Plain gazed at each other. One hunched over out of breath looking at the other with envy and the other calm without a bead of sweat as they both nodded at each other to begin walking.
Riné didn't know what to say in this situation as he began fidgeting a bit with his fingers taking small glances toward Plain with admiration that magnified his soft complexion as he praised the others' achievement internally. However, due to his unusual lack of words and lack of social experience, he didn't say a word.
Riné's thoughts tended to spiral on and on at times without him realizing in interactions resulting in Riné staring down Plain with a friendly smile. Feeling an odd discomfort from Riné's expression and demeanor he slightly squinted.
'Why is he smiling toward me like that? Is he making fun of my sneak attack? Is this some sort of superiority thing? What is this guy's deal..?'
"Is there some shit on my face or is there a problem?"
Confronting Riné for an answer they held a glare as Riné's grin vanished before answering with a confused expression.
"Wait is there?"
Rine stopped in his tracks as he walked closer toward them looking closer toward their face as Plain snapped.
"No there isn't! What's up with you?"
"I just wanted to say-"
'That move was brilliantly executed even if you were instructed to rush forward running that much of a distance and managing to take out a special unit by yourself isn't a feat to be taken lightly. You must have pulled yourself up by your own bootstraps seeing as your clothes aren't expensive or tactical you most likely weren't given formal training or mentorship which makes your own effort that much more applaudable. You're worthy of respect as a rival and I wish you luck.'
"Nice moves..."
" ??? You must be popular with the chicks..."
Rine was stunned for a second confused. What did that have to do with his praise? He knew chicks weren't about the chickens but about other women but the relevance to his compliment evaded his logic. To appear friendly toward his vanguard comrade, and to move the conversation ahead he answered disparagingly, as they were close to the commander and the other examinee group was nearby ready to meet them.
"I'm not… popular."
His awkward smile and chuckle returned causing Plain to facepalm at this weirdo's response who responded to a clearly rhetorical question.
The commander overheard this as he waved his arms greeting them before placing his hand on his chin.
"Well done my magnificent vanguard your efforts clearly show your will and perseverance! Rather than calling you names like our dear Logistics is doing I'd prefer if we all shared our actual names."
"I'll begin since I'm the commander here, my name is Mime. Mime Valle whether you believe it or not."
Rine had never heard of a name similar to thisup until this point it seeing different countries and regions had different naming schemes and customs such as naming after animals, flowers, the day you were born, and even emotions it wasn't that alarming of a name.
Taking a moment to introduce himself Riné took a step forward as the two looked toward him for his answer Riné's demeanor tensed from a cold hardened soldier to a soft-spoken attendant.
'You have an interesting name what country are you from if not here because from what I know about the Daelk empire it's pretty common to find names of figures in history and mythology in Demon Testament. My name is Riné but you don't have to worry about my background and it's nice to meet you!'
"Riné!"
Mime began to chuckle finding his long pause and sudden exclamation hilarious while Plain appeared confused.
Mime wiped a tear as he held his side. Kairi however took a mental note of his teammates' names listening from a distance with intrigue and curiosity along with a slight grin finding the outburst oddly endearing.
"Riné I'll remember that nice to meet you!"
Mime offered a hand out toward Riné who looked down grasping it with both hands doing a double handshake to Mime's entertainment Plain looked at Riné with a shunning expression.
"You know has anyone ever told you you're weird?"
Riné's reaction was slow as he tried to comprehend the meaning behind it as he stood in place for a good fifteen seconds before blushing slightly and nodding his head.
"No I haven't but thank you for the sentiment..."
"That wasn't a compliment! The names Keth."
"Logistics hearing this?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm about to finish this puzzle too. My names Kairi and it's nice to meet you all as well."
Mime clapped his hands as he stood in place shifting from a jovial expression to a stone-like exterior as he shifted his neck to his side.
"And shouldn't y'all greet yourselves while you're here?"
Two figures approached from a distance one wearing a grey coat, with their monochrome hair with a blended black and white hair color scheme stood out with their tanned complexion. and the other a paler youth with a brown buzz haircut and a brown trench coat underneath regular winter clothing. The one in the trench coat was the commander of their examinee squad and the monochrome sniper was a vanguard.
"My name is Gael Aze commander of this squadron!"
Their voice held authority as they emulated the voice of a drill sergeant. Raising his voice loud enough to push his presence while below that of shouting to make himself not look aggressive. Turning to his left the monochrome boy in the grey coat took a bow similar to that of a theatre performer at the end of their show. Large and exaggerated, their face looked monotone.
"Hi. Hello, my name is Holless of the Sight. I won't take shots that won't land so don't bother *Yawn* asking."
Covering their mouth as they yawned with one hand one of their eyes shifted from each member of Riné's group as if it was locking in on each of them examining them.
As Riné's and the snipers' gaze met a strange interaction occurred. The sniper's probing turned into a bright smile as Riné recognized him as someone dangerous the smile not recognized as a friendly gesture as Riné held a serious expression shifting from an awkward demeanor from earlier to a familiar serious one continuing to be apprehensive.
"I've been training and prepped at DOTC for twelve years! Follow my-"
"Let's work separately!"
"Y'know-Instead of getting hung up by semantics we could go as individual units however our logistics can pair up what do ya say?"
An instant shutdown! Riné stepped toward Mimes side. If Mime had allowed him to finish what Gael's proposition they would be placed in an awkward position but now that he had gotten the first word he had gained agency. In certain situations having the first word was an assurance of setting the pace to your rate rather than reacting to it. If they were aggressive in pushing it, that would only help them as they'd go their separate ways and earn them negative points in evaluation. Now Riné seemed to step forward acting as a pressure mentally as a strong arm asserting their position.
'They'll have no choice but to submit but I'll push this ultimatum assisting this assertive commander of mine.'
"I'll have to agree with my commander's suggestion."
All the heads turned toward Keth as he coughed awkwardly.
"Er- A good soldier follows his commander's lead..?"
"Well said my two new brothers bring it here!"
Mime pulled both Riné and Keth wrapping both his arms around them bringing their heads together with a group hug as he acted familiar with them to give the camaraderie feeling that couldn't be broken up.
Riné and Keth were both alarmed at this and while Riné felt put off by the sudden contact for the sake of the exam he put up with it and Keth was having a worse time feeling disgusted yet putting on a facade of smiles.
The commander, Gael, looked baffled as he tried to rebut.
"I feel in my professional experience that by following my lead we can all get a better evaluation-"
"Let's do it like this. Between you and me whoever takes the leader down in the next section claims leadership."
The sudden interjection from the sniper Holless caused his commander to look confused. Holless pointed towards Riné with a blank expression.
'Again this guys cutting in without my permission. But wait if I agree I can at least look good to the evaluators, there's no way this monster misses!'
"What do you say to our proposition?"
As Gael's sentence finished the earthen walls rumbled as rather than one coming down this time three came down.
A vast line of Notus soldiers in rows stood in position ready as high structures could be seen in the distance, several mobile towers with Notus magicians and archers at position.
Tall brutes along with elite soldiers at their sides formed ranks as in the back far from the two groups, was magician Notus holding staffs as they stood around their leader in a group of a dozen, casting a spell.
In an instant, the sniper blurted out.
"Two hundred foot soldiers, Notus. Five brutes. Twenty Elites. Ten magicians. One leader."
Riné looked solemn understanding the reason behind the large number. Mime simply sighed as Keth gulped in fear.
'I've overdone it. Now along with this sniper, we're going to have to pull out some stops here.'
Riné drew their calvary saber, Keth took out his broadsword, and Mime swiped on his tablet.
The commander gambit begins.
Second Section Examination Arena.
"Your royal highness, there are a hundred fifty troops not counting the special units what do we do?"
A man sitting on the back of a clockwork soldier fitted in the shape of a chair waved the tablet as two figures stood behind him. His hair was a dark blonde and his eyes containing a cerulean green hue made his royal air stand out compared to the two figures standing guard behind him.
"What do we do? What a moronic question, you'll die fighting! On my honor as Prince lord heir of the Daelk Empire, any who claims the leader's head will become a royal knight at my side and allow this the word of the true crown prince, Niccoló the Second!"
Saying this a bright sigil flashed in the eyes of the prince of the sun, as bright rays surrounded the examinees embracing them the prince laughed.
"Thus I'll show the true demeanor of a true prince."