During the short break between training rounds, all candidates were assigned temporary quarters.
Our group, for some reason, was placed in the guest wing reserved for those chosen for the Royal Army.
Our rooms stood next to each other, close enough for anyone to drop by and talk without much effort.
That night, Soren and I somehow ended up hosting a small party in our room.
Snacks, cheap beer, and loud laughter filled the warm, cramped space.
"Isn't this amazing, Kyran?" Soren cheered, raising his mug high. "We actually made it into the Royal Army! As real warriors! This feeling… is incredible!"
I shook my head and couldn't help a soft laugh. "You're drunk, Soren."
Just then, a finger lightly tapped my shoulder. I turned to find Lyra standing behind me calm, composed, annoyingly perceptive as always.
"Hey, Kyran," she said, her voice serious.
"When you fought that high demon… how did you kill it? I saw your power surge and then… well… after that…"
Her question froze the room.
The noise died instantly. Everyone turned toward me, waiting.
I forced a smile, took a long sip of beer, and exhaled.
"Honestly… I don't know. I remember only one thing in that moment, wanting revenge for the people it killed. My will was so strong I didn't feel fear anymore. And then… some kind of strange mana flooded into me, filling every vein…"
"So you defeated the demon thanks to that unknown mana?" Aria asked, frowning.
I lowered my gaze as a heavy shadow crept into my thoughts.
"No… I couldn't even touch it. I was so close, but my blade never pierced it… I was too weak."
Soren grinned and slapped my back hard enough to knock the air out of me.
"What are you talking about? We all saw you slash it! One hit bam! And then it dissolved! Maybe your own mana disintegrated the thing!"
"…Slash it?" I blinked, stunned.
"You saw my blade touch it? Are you sure…?"
Everyone except me looked confused.
Lyra folded her arms.
"Of course you did. That's why I asked. I can't understand how you managed to land a hit without taking any damage. Kyran, you're overthinking again."
But their words only made my chest tighten.
I never touched that demon.
I couldn't even graze it.
So why… why does everyone remember something that didn't happen?
Was I the one remembering incorrectly? Or…?
As the unease churned inside me, Lyra suddenly sighed.
"Whatever happened, it's over. What matters is that we're alive. If we keep training, we'll get stronger. Then demons won't be a threat."
Aria snorted: "Right, says the one who cried about not being able to kill it."
Lyra shot her a glare sharp enough to cut steel: "Someone here also screamed 'I'll die if I can't kill it!' didn't they?"
Their gazes clashed like fire and ice.
Soren and I instinctively stepped back to a safe distance.
To break the tension, I quickly asked: "Wait… where's Mira? Didn't she say she was going out for a bit?"
Soren froze: "Oh crap. Don't tell me she got lost?"
Knowing Mira, that was absolutely possible.
Worry crept across the room…
Then the door burst open.
Mira bounced inside holding a large basket of fruit: "Everyone! Someone gave me this! Looks yummy, right?"
Soren and I rushed toward her instantly and snatched the basket away.
"You didn't eat any, did you? Spit it out! What if it's poisoned?" Soren panicked.
"Mira, why would you take food from a stranger?" I flicked her forehead lightly.
She blinked innocently: "Poison? But… I ate it already. It tasted good…"
Soren and I groaned in unison.
After inspecting the basket with her Frostring Poison-Test skill, Aria finally said: "It's safe. High quality, actually."
Everyone sighed in relief.
"So Mira, why were you late?" Someone asked.
"Oh! I just went to wash my hands. Then I ran into… Everen."
"WHAT!?"
The entire group exploded.
Soren grabbed her shoulders.
"Did he do anything to you!? Tell me!"
His eyes blazed with murderous intent. "If that bastard touched you, I'll end him."
Mira panicked: "N-No! He didn't do anything! He was really kind. Super gentle even. I don't know why…"
Aria smirked: "Maybe Everen's type is cute and innocent girls like Mira. Love at first sight."
Lyra nodded awkwardly: "Yeah… that sounds possible…"
Soren stared at everyone like they'd lost their minds: "Seriously!? Mira and Everen!?"
Everyone turned to him simultaneously: "Why not?"
Soren choked. "Because he's not worthy! Someone like him with someone like Mira!? Never!"
Everyone nodded fiercely.
I almost laughed.
And while we argued like fools, far above us, a pair of golden wings unfurled across the sky so beautiful it felt unreal.
The owner of those radiant wings whispered:
"Oh, what a charming, foolish little world… And such trivial praise can make my master happy? Interesting. Very interesting indeed…"
His soft laughter echoed like a hymn.
But then…
A crimson aura flashed behind him.
He stopped. Wings trembling.
"…So you've come. I'm delighted to see you again… my beloved friend."
A week later, the Badge Ceremony took place.
We officially became warriors of the Royal Army.
According to tradition, each of us had to choose one of the Seven Holy Divisions, the strongest forces in the nation of Lumerious.
Division assignments were made.
Aria joined Division One under Killan.
Lyra was assigned to Division Three with Prince Michael under Commander Kago.
Mira, Kaelino, Everen, and Damian oddly all chose Division Seven.
Soren and I along with Lady Sharian joined Division Two under Commander Camesis.
Even though we were split apart, we all shared the same vow.
To become the finest warriors of the kingdom.
But before our new journeys began.
"Everyone, gather!"
Killan's commanding voice filled the hall.
He stepped aside and announced: "Before your induction, allow me to introduce someone special—the great military advisor of Lumerious, master strategist of this fortress."
A tall man stepped forward.
White cloak and sharp features.
Eyes bright like a blade.
A presence that dominated the room.
Killan stepped aside, his voice filled with respect.
"Presenting… Lord Lucien Kastalias."
The man smiled calm, confident and untouchable.
"Greetings, young warriors. It is my honor to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself properly… my full name is Lucien… Kastalias."