Col. Damien Renzellern. January 1731 City of Ber, Province of Ciresia, Osterian Empire.
"That was… weird." I mutter to myself as I walk through the hallways of Ber's City hall. It was a modest building, whereupon the city's leaders gathered and exerted their influence.
I unconsciously look towards the city, my mind abuzz with confusion and thought. The Generals' turn in behavior leaving me in a predicament.
For whatever reason, their hostility turned into a welcoming smile. A disconcerting act, if I ever saw one. It would have even been understandable. The magic I showed was phenomenal.
Yet, strangely, General Klein remains impassive, his eyes never once looking into mine, as if he was consciously avoiding my gaze, a fact that leaves me in confusion.
After all, if my magic really was the reason for their behaviour, then General Klein would have been just as welcoming and excited, just for having me as his subordinate.
Yet he did not, which was weird.
Shouts and screams then interrupts my thoughts as officers ran outside the city hall. They hurried out with grim determination towards what seemed to be a crowd.
I then continue on my walk, my saber helping me up as I try to see what the ruckus was all about. Only to be stopped by Forst. His hand is on my chest, stopping me from moving any closer.
The crowd then flings stones through the windows as shards and stone explode around me, Forst eyes the light up as a barrier shimmers before us, leaving us both unaffected.
I step forward, intent on quashing their dissent with a show of force, only to be stopped by Forst's hand.
"Let go, Forst."
"Sir, I think we should leave. The officers can handle this." Forst says as he looks down at me, our height more than apparent.
I glare, "Stand aside, Forst."
"Sir, I insist." His eyes harden.
I shrug of his hand, "You do not have the authority to order me around lieutenant."
His hand grips my shoulder, "Sir, if you exhaust yourself anymore than you already have it will affect your performance for the next battle."
I stop from his words, the irritation bubbling within me quashed. I grunt out an acknowledgment before looking back with an impassive smile.
"Fine then. You do it."
He widens his eyes before nodding in affirmation and stepping forth into the crowd, briskly walking behind the other officers.
I watch his every movement through the door, examining his capabilities compared to that of his peers.
It took a few steps for Forst to arrive before the crowd, his eyes scanning as rocks fly through, striking against his barrier.
He took a deep breath, his eyes lighting up before unleashing a powerful roar, "ENOUGH!"
The crowd stills as magic congregates around them, the rocks flung stop mid flight up on the air, threatening to strike against the crowd.
"Anymore attacks will be seen as aggression against the Drissian army."
He raises his arm as the soldiers beside him raise their muskets, "And any aggression done will be met with equal force."
The crowd quietens before dispersing, their grumbling more than apparent and I give a satisfied nod. It seems my assessment of him was correct.
That was certainly done quite well, though vocally threatening them with physical harm could've been avoided with a little more show of force.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have such luxury as I. My mind then returns to such question. Do I reveal my methods of achieving my current state?
No, such questions shall be answered later, when I have the proper base of operations or at least when I gain access to my mother's meager estates.
Forst then walks back to my position, his breathing heavy as his eyes dull in light, the magic around him dispersing out to the world.
"Bravo, colonel." I say to him. My expression a polite smile.
He sighs in exasperation, "Thank you, Si-."
He stops in his words, gaining an incomprehensible expression as he looks to me in confusion, his eyes examining me and the title I gave him. It gives me a mild sadistic delight to see his gruff face so confounded.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
I tap the insignia on my shoulder, "High Command has given me a promotion to that of a Brigadier General, a special title fitting for the five thousand men under my command."
With a nod, I pass unto him his new insignia, one depicting the title of colonel. "With such title, I have gained the right to promote men based on my discretion."
I tap the cane at the door, "Your experience in battle and your proper handling of men in both battle and civilian setting gave me enough reason for a promotion."
Forst could only nod numbly. His expression a confounded mess, a stark contrast to the gruff and grim expression he always held. A contrast that I cant help but laugh at.
Despite my quick ascent, It does make sense. After all, achieving the rank of colonel in your late twenties is anything but an honor, especially for those with humble origin.
It did take a long while for it to sink in as I watch his expression go to various emotions. A rare occurrence if I ever saw one.
Unfortunately, it was not to last since a voice interrupts us both.
"Ah, colonel. That was certainly an excellent way to disperse such a crowd."
I look to the voice to see a man with charming features, his hair slicked back and his smile, charming if a not bit disconcerting.
He turns his back to me, cutting us both off as he shows his hand to Forst.
"A delight to meet you, colonel. The name's Gorgi." They shook hands. "Your exploits have been stellar to say the least, such feats of magic that no man could ever dream of."
Forst freezes at his words, glancing at me. His mouth was ready to reply before I glared, stopping the words out of his mouth as I smile telling him to nod and agree.
Because there was no way a simple man would come up to a Drissian colonel with such a casual demeanor.
Unless there was something about to happen.