The meeting was concluded and the association left dejected. Some of the nobles wanted to ask when he accepted Seven or if he is willing to accept another one. He only said 'will see!' making them excited.
The emperor and the 4 Marshall went to congratulate them personally, behind them were their grandchildren and of course, the ones in front of these kids were Magus.
"you two shock the whole empire once again" they said, to Maddox and Cross. The two are indeed promising despite their young age.
"thank you for the praise, your majesty, Marshalls" Cross saluted while Maddox bow down his head and put his hand on his chest.
Seven who saw this were confused about where to bow or salute, seeing this the old men chuckled. This one is another promising seedling. In the end, Seven decided to salute just like Cross.
"you must be Seven" The emperor said and ruffled his head. He has always had soft spots for cute children or more like everyone in their family is. This can be easily seen from the laws they made on how protected they are with children.
"yes your majesty" he said cutely, Maddox and Cross silently snickered. This kid really knew how to act. It seems that they don't have to worry about Seven.
The children born in their family were all expressionless and too stoic. They would prepare reading and practice all day long instead of acting like a normal child. That's why seeing such a cute child made him want to spoil him.
Of course, a trained assassin like him didn't act cute just because he felt like it, people often let their guard down in front of children and women. In order to make a good impression he was trying his best to act cute and innocent.
"keep up the good work child" he said and handed him an insignia of recognition, this broach was given to people who had a huge contribution to their empire.
Though Seven didn't know what this was, he guess this held importance since it came from the Emperor.
He tilted his head and cutely ask, "your majesty what is this?" blinking his eyes again and again he looked at the broach.
"It's your reward for helping the empire"
"but I didn't do anything" he feign ignorance.
"hahahahaha, no you did something really great, better than us" he laughs at his cuteness.
"woah then I must be really awesome just like what teachers said, I thought he was just joking with me" he 'shockingly' said, his eyes widening making his amber eyes shine brightly.
"yes indeed you are awesome"
"thank you for your praise your majesty"
Magus who was looking at them was silently observing Seven, he was impressed by this kid's acting, if he didn't meet him earlier he would probably believe this.
When the two were finished talking, they give out a simple pleasantries and once again congratulated them.
"Congratulations on your promotion Cross, you deserve it, be proud and let's continue protecting the empire. You two Maddox and you little Seven" Marshall Wimbroase sincerely said and patted his back.
" Thank you Marshall" he saluted.
When the charades were finally over they sat on a chair to take a break before going back.
"With this, you are officially a soldier in the 2nd army" Cross said as he relax his back.
"yeah" he answered.
But before the two could celebrate a dark aura seemed to surround Maddox.
"you two, you ate without me didn't you?" he said, eyes looking at two dead men. He slowly approached them.
" i.. We can explain... Seven hurry and hand it over to Maddox"
"there is none left general, we ate all of it ...what should we do?"
"let us run on the count of three"
"OK"
The two look at one another but when Cross was about to say 1, Seven suddenly said, "three" and runs off immediately leaving him alone still in shock.
"you brat"
'general you shall be missed'
...
When they got back to the military, everyone heard of the news and learned that seven is going to join. Though skeptical, they didn't ask any more questions, the kid was part of the big three, he was someone the general brought and become a student of Dr. Maddox. Who would argue with this lineup?
They prepared a short welcome party for Seven to make him feel more comfortable with them. Afterward, he went to Maddox's house and cook him a meal to satiate his anger. Following beside him was Cross who bought all the ingredients.
Maddox was sitting on the couch brows scrunched together. He look at the two intently as he looked at them heading to the kitchen.
Seven was planning to cook a simple sweet and sour fried chicken today. He asked the general to help him cut the meat since the smart robot was confiscated by Maddox to vent his anger. He then removed the impurities in them together with the other ingredients. Cross being the adult did most of the work, he did what Seven ask him to do.
"Now let's fry them... You must put them one by one" he instructed, they watch as it turn golden before taking it out.
On the other side, he made a cream soup with sweet corn and bacon.
"Why don't you taste it first" Seven suddenly said confusing Cross, but later heard a cough from behind.
"I'll try it, the general doesn't know how to fully describe what is lacking in the food" he said and took the fork and took a bite. The two smiled seeing Maddox finally forgiving them.
"hmm it's fine I guess" he said but was feigning to be unbothered.
" hahahahaha" the two couldn't help but laugh.
After they fried everything, Seven prepared the sauce, seeing it thickened he ask Cross to add the fried chicken.
"it's finished" he said.
At the dining table, Maddox finally let the smart robot work and order it to set the table. On the table was the sweet and sour chicken and the cream soup. Since they don't have any cola here, Seven could only prepare fruit smoothies.
The three sat down and look at the meal, it was colorful and warm. Grabbing the glass, Maddox raised it towards the seven.
"Congratulations on joining the army Seven" he said, they might have only met Seven for weeks but he was thankful for the happiness the two brought. He didn't have any family to join him for a meal or prepare him food. Everyone at the association was jealous of him but in fact, he was empty inside. Unlike them, he didn't have a family to celebrate his achievements with.
"and to Dr. Maddox for successfully finishing project 7(pertaining to the spiritual energy theory) " Cross followed, it has been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal with his family before his dad died and passed away, leaving him all alone to fend off the so-called relatives who only care about usurping their wealth, he didn't have any siblings so it was only him and his mother but the only family he had left died, that's why he couldn't help but felt glad in meeting the two.
Seven saw this and smiled, he grabbed his glass with both hands.
"and congratulations to the soon-to-be Marshall" Seven haven't smiled sincerely ever since the death of Ares, and he had to admit that he didn't mind this warmth.
A clink can be heard as their glass collides.
"Congratulations to the three of us" the three said in unison and happy laugh. Three lonely hearts joined together as they enjoyed the warmth of having someone to share their success with.