Chereads / The Banished Angel: Vengeance and Forbidden Passion / Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: A Wide Range of Choices

Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: A Wide Range of Choices

After his refreshing bath, Luzbel headed to the dining room to have breakfast with Titus, Placida and Morrigan. The aroma of food filled the air, whetting his appetite and preparing him for the day ahead. Sitting around the table, they shared laughter and lively conversation, enjoying each other's company. Though Luzbel still maintained a distance from the family.

Once they had their fill, Luzbel made his way to his room and not seeing Ember used a trick they had developed in their time together. Luzbel whistled with his fingers and suddenly a black shadow at full speed landed on his shoulder. Tenderly, she stroked its feathers, noticing how the small animal wrapped itself in a spell that rendered it invisible. This peculiar ability of Ember's always amazed and fascinated her.

At that precise moment, Vlad burst into the room to inform her that the carriage and Titus were waiting for him at the entrance. It was time to leave for the barracks.

Inside the carriage, as they moved along the road that led them to the barracks, Titus turned to Luzbel with a serious look. "I know you've barely been in the Initiate squad for a day, but today is the day the initiates choose their squads and are assigned to their actual squads. The other initiates have been training for months, but with your skills I think you should join right into practice alongside them," Titus expressed, conveying his confidence in Luzbel's abilities.

Arriving at the barracks, Titus went his own way while Luzbel headed towards the initiates' barracks. There, he greeted Lancelot, his training partner, and shortly thereafter they were summoned by Olaf in the main courtyard.

"Today, boys, you will choose the brigades in which you will do your training and, in the future, where you will develop your military life. Within each Division, three types of brigades are deployed, each representing a different path in the army. Those who possess an innate talent for magic may opt for the mystical and powerful Mages brigades. Those whose combat skills are outstanding may join the valiant Warrior brigades. And finally, those blessed with a skill in logistics, be it in the medical field, transportation or another non-combatant quality, will be able to find their place in the indispensable logistic brigades", proclaimed Olaf, making clear the transcendence of his words.

At that moment, Luzbel's mind was plunged into an internal debate. While he possessed the talent to become a wizard, he remembered his fencing lessons with Roland and the passion he felt for the art of the sword. Honoring his grandfather and preserving his legacy became powerful reasons to lean toward the warrior's path.

Lancelot, sensing Luzbel's hesitation, approached him and asked quietly, "Luzbel, which way do you plan to go?"

With cold determination in his gaze, Luzbel replied firmly, "Warriors."

Lancelot, who also possessed exceptional talent, decided to stay on the path of the warriors, challenging himself to surpass his friend and rival.

After Olaf's talk with the squad of initiates, they all headed for the imposing amphitheater where the election of the brigades

would take place. The place was an architectural marvel, built of white stone and similar in design to ancient classical Greece. The amphitheater stood majestically, radiating a sense of grandeur as thousands of recruits filled their seats.

On the center stage, Titus, the army commander, waited alongside seventeen experienced-looking men and women, each dressed differently. Some wore full armor, others elegant tunics, while a few more were dressed in attire similar to that of a sea captain. There were also those dressed in green camouflage, adorned with leaves and branches, as well as others in a yellowish garb, the color of sand, complemented by turbans.

Lancelot, seated next to Luzbel, pointed to the men and women on the stage and said admiringly, "Those are the captains of the sixteen brigades of the army."

Luzbel, among the captains, could distinguish Placida, dressed in a brown tunic that enhanced her beauty and voluptuous figure. In her hand she held a wooden staff with a blue sphere to match her eyes. Perceiving Luzbel's gaze from the amphitheater, Placida smiled at him and waved.

Luzbel nodded in response toward Placida, causing surprise in Lancelot, who exclaimed in stupefaction, "Luzbel, the captain of the mage brigade and the mistress of the Tower of Arx Regni, Lady Placida, has saluted you!".

With indifference, Luzbel replied to Lancelot, "Yes, I live in the house of Placida and Titus."

The words left Lancelot speechless, as he began to question what kind of monster he was dealing with. This one lived in the house of the First Army Commander and a brigade captain and was taking it like it was no big deal.

At that moment, Titus approached the lectern in the center of the stage and began his speech. "Recruits, bearers of the future of the army and the empire, allow me to share with you a few words of profound importance.

Joining a squadron is only the beginning of a momentous journey. With dedication and hard work, you can rise from mere members to squad leaders, brigade captains and even one of the four future commanders of the empire, charged with leading each of its divisions.

Success will require effort and sacrifice, but through your perseverance, you can reach unimaginable heights of greatness. Your names will go down in the annals of history as examples of leadership and courage.

Look to the horizon and visualize your destiny. Under your command, the empire will reach new heights of glory and splendor. You are the architects of a legend to come."

As Titus spoke, excitement was palpable in the air and most of the initiates were ecstatic at the opportunities before them. However, Luzbel remained calm at all times, maintaining a serene and reserved demeanor.

At the conclusion of his impassioned speech, Titus was silent for a moment, allowing the recruits to clap and cheer before continuing. When the roar of applause finally faded, Titus solemnly resumed speaking.

"Today it is your turn to choose the brigade where you will complete your training and of which you will proudly and dedicatedly be a part. Surely you already know the brigades, but for those clueless, I will tell you about them," Titus announced, looking towards the sixteen captains who stood behind him.

"Our army, as you well know, is divided into four divisions, each led by a commander. These divisions are headquartered in major cities and are charged with defending our borders with neighboring countries," Titus explained.

Turning his gaze to the four men dressed in turbans and robes the color of sand, he added, "In Urbs Potentiae, our second division, they are in charge of defending the border against the orcs."

Then, fixing his eyes on the two women dressed as ship captains, and the woman and the Man in sailor's garb, he continued, "In Agrisventus Urbs, our third division, is our navy, charged with protecting us from the Sirens."

Titus then turned his attention to the two men and two women dressed in camouflage clothing adorned with leaves and branches. "In Auri Habitat, our third division, protect our borders from the elves."

"In Arx Regni, our first division, we defend the empire from the dwarves," Titus stated, looking at the two men and two women dressed in heavy armor and brown battle robes.

Finally, Titus fixed his gaze on a man standing away from the other 16 captains dressed in gleaming gold-colored armor adorned with the emblem of the empire on his chest and a white cloak. "And finally, outside of the four divisions, we have the special group charged with the protection of the imperial family and the palace: the Praetorian Guard."

The recruits listened intently as Titus described the various brigades and divisions of the army. The election loomed, and anticipation grew in the air. Each of the initiates would have to make a crucial decision that would determine their future in the army and their role in the defense of the empire.