Inside the barracks, Gellard and I discussed what transpired in the assessment as we explore the spacious building.
"Looks like you're my boss now." said Gellard.
"What are you talking about? Our ranks have little difference, I'm just closer to being a Knight."
"That may be, but it doesn't deny the fact that your rank is higher than mine."
"*Sigh* That just means I get to handle more work…"
As we were walking in the hallway, Knight-Lieutenant Jeinu popped out of a room. He then turned to us as he exclaimed.
"Ah! You two are back, so how was the assessment?"
"The assessment went smooth! We passed the test, but we got ourselves handed to us though." said Gellard.
"Hahahaha! If you did then that's great news! And don't take it to heart if you lost to sir Olyver, he's one of the elite warriors after all. Since you two passed, let's celebrate! Don't worry, it's my treat."
"Really? Awesome!" I exclaimed.
Our group left the barracks as we headed outside at the main entrance. We then mounted our horses as we went to the bustling trade district located at the center of the city. We dismounted and left our horses to a nearby stable as we went inside a tavern named Black Rabbit Oz. The tavern was pretty spacious and has a warm atmosphere, there are also a lot of people drinking and talking, some are also playing board games to pass time, you could say it's a pretty lively place. We occupied an empty table as we sat down on our seats and waited for the server.
"Good day and welcome to our humble tavern, are you here to drink, to eat, or perhaps both?" said by a server as he approached our table.
"We're here to celebrate! I'd like one Pork Rib Stew and a mug of ale!" said Jeinu.
The server nodded and then looked at me and Gellard.
"What about you, sir and madam."
"I'd like a mutton soup if you have those and a cup of tea." said Gellard.
The server nodded at Gellard and then faced me with a questioning look.
"Ah, I'd like a bowl of mushroom soup and refreshing spring water."
"Alright! Your orders will arrive shortly, the costs of your meal and drinks would be 10 silver coins."
Jeinu picked up his pouch as he took ten pieces of silver coins and gave it to the server, "Here you go."
The man then left as he went to the kitchen. Lieutenant Jeinu then asked us more information about the assessment test, "As we wait for our food, let's talk about the assessment test. Since you two passed, what ranks were given to both of you?"
"I was given the rank of Master Sergeant, while Noel, is given the rank of Sergeant Major."
"What! You two jumped ranks! To reach those ranks as a recruit, you guys need to serve the military for 8-9 years…" said Jeinu.
"Eh? Really? I didn't know that... But what about you? You look young though you're already a Knight-Lieutenant…" I said.
"Well, that's because I was commissioned to be a Knight when I was 18. It was the Captain who commissioned me."
"The captain? How?" asked Gellard.
Jeinu scratched the back of his neck as he spoke, "The thing is… Knight-Captain Lyarn is my uncle... "
'Knight-Captain Lyarn Blacktyde is Jeinu's uncle? So he's also a Blacktyde huh… No wonder.'
"Say, Jeinu, are you also a Blacktyde?" I asked.
"Me? Yeah, my full name is Jeinu Blacktyde."
The server then arrived at our table as he placed our meals and drinks on top of the table, we then dug in and ate our food. The food was delicious, as expected from an Inn from the capital.
After eating our fill, we then bid goodbye to the owner and went outside to fetch our horses.
We mounted our horses then headed back to the barracks as the sky is already dimming. When we arrived near the barracks, we saw a brigade of soldiers embarking on a group of ships.
"Hey, where are those people going?" I asked.
"Oh them? They're headed to the port city of Tarif to aid the Kingdom of Elyon from the demon invasion, the one commanding them is Marshal Peare." said Jeinu.
We dismounted our horses and handed them to the stablemaster to take care of, we then entered the barracks to finally rest. But upon entering, we were disturbed by an approaching soldier, "Sir, you're back! The Knight-Captain wishes for you to come to his office, he wants to talk to you, including these two."
"Oh? Alright, we'll head there immediately." said Jeinu as he performs a military salute which the soldier reciprocated.
We climbed the stairs and went to the third floor as we passed the hallway and stood in front of the doors of the office of the Knight-Captain.
"I don't know what the Captain wants with us, but you don't have to worry, I got your backs." said Jeinu as he opens the door and heads inside the room with us in tow. Inside, three people are seen to be discussing.
"Ahem, you called for me, Captain?"
Knight-Captain Lyarn stopped talking with the guests as he looks at our group. "It seems like you guys are back. I needed to talk to you Jeinu, but before that, let me introduce to you our guests."
The Knight-Captain stood up and introduced the two people near him, "Let me introduce to you our regiment commander, Commander Grey Stalhrim, and Lieutenant Commander Marcus Beshire."
Commander Grey is a muscled old man that has greyish white hair and a long beard, while Lieutenant Commander Marcus is a middle-aged man with brown hair and a fit stature.
"Greetings, young ones." said Commander Grey.
Jeinu stood straight and performed military salute, "Knight-Lieutenant Jeinu Blacktyde pays respects to Commander and Lieutenant Commander, sir!"
Jeinu then looks at me and Gellard, then signals us to do the same. I hesitated at first but relented.
I stepped forward and also performed a military salute, "Sergeant Major Noel Flonsch pays respects to seniors, sir!"
Gellard also stepped forward while doing the same action, "Master Sergeant Gellard Arathi, sir!"
The Commander and Lieutenant Commander looked at us with amused faces as we greeted them.
"Say, Lyarn, when did you have young sergeants eh? Don't tell me you're loosening the requirements for recruits." said Lieutenant Commander Marcus.
"No sir, I didn't do such thing, Olyver assessed them himself and I trust his judgement, also one of them carries a Black Rose badge that came from Lord Fordragon himself."
"Oh? Then we got some fine seedlings, Bwahahaha!"
"Ahem!"
"Ah, Pardon my behavior, Commander…"
"Hohohoho, it's fine Marcus, so which one of you carries the Black Rose badge?"
I stepped up and spoke, "That'll be me, sir."
"Hmmm, a lass? Hohoho, tell me, girl, how did you get the badge?"
"It was just given to me by unc- Lord Fordragon, when I met him by chance, sir. He told me that if I needed help within the capital, I just have to show it to the guards."
"Hoooh? You sure are lucky to have met him in your travels," said Commander Grey.
Knight-Captain Lyarn then opened his drawer and picked up a parchment which he gave to Commander Grey Stalhrim.
"This is the report for this week's recruits sir, I say we have some outstanding people within our ranks this time," said Lyarn.
The Commander opens the parchment and examines the written report.
"Oh, we do have some good recruits this week… Hmm? What's this? Noel Flonsch, Female, White-haired, Grey Eyes, can use magic and is a sword wielder, eligible to be trained as a Mage-Knight…"
Lieutenant Commander Marcus then looked at me with sparkling eyes as he approached me and took hold of my shoulders.
"Oooh! You're a potential Mage-Knight!!! Hey Commander, we have a potential Mage-Knight!"
"Marcus, mind your manners, and don't fret about her being a potential Mage-Knight, It's not like we don't have a troop of Mage-Knights our own."
"I know that! But she's a potential Mage-Knight! That means I can have another chance to finally have an apprentice!" exclaimed Marcus.
"*sigh* You do know your luck when it comes to Mage-Knights in training… Well, it's her decision if she wants to learn under you."
The commander then looks at me as he spoke once again.
"Lieutenant Commander Marcus Beshire here is an elite Mage-Knight, you can learn to become a Mage-Knight under him if you so wish. He's been looking for an apprentice for a long time now, but every time a potential Mage-Knight pops up, it's when he's away on another place. Don't worry, Marcus is one of the best Mage-Knights we have in the army, so you'll be in good hands. What do you say?"
I look at the Commander then at Lieutenant Commander Marcus. Lieutenant Commander Marcus looks at me with sparkling eyes as he awaits my answer.
I then faced the commander and gave my decision.
"I accept to train under sir Beshire, sir." The commander then smiled at my decision and so does sir Marcus, albeit with a laugh.
"You hear that old man? I finally have an apprentice! Bwahahaha!"
"Yeah yeah. Well, I guess our business is done here. I'll come by again next week, Lyarn."
Sir Lyarn stood straight and saluted. "As you wish Commander, sir, you're welcome here any time."
Sir Stalhrim smiled and went to the door with sir Beshire. Before going out, sir Beshire turned around and wore a serious expression.
"Sergeant Major Noel Flonsch! You are to report to ground 14 tomorrow, first thing in the morning! Your training will commence once you arrive. Don't be late."
"Yes sir!" I responded.
---End---