After his conversation with Titus, Luzbel returned to Morrigan's room to tell her what had happened. The girl was surprised to hear that Ember was such a peculiar magical beast.
"That's amazing!" exclaimed Morrigan. "Ember is really a strange beast.
Ember, hearing Morrigan's words, showed her anger by snapping her beak and flapping her wings. However, the tension quickly dissipated and both Luzbel and Morrigan couldn't help but laugh at the bird's reaction.
After spending a pleasant time sharing laughter, Luzbel said goodbye to Morrigan and retired to rest. The night was peaceful and full of dreams, anticipating the new paths that would open before them.
At dawn, Luzbel awoke and decided to wake Ember. The magical beast emitted a dissatisfied squeak, but finally settled on Luzbel's shoulder, ready to face the new day.
While she was dressing, Vlad, the butler, informed her that she would not have fencing and magic classes that day due to the election of brigades in the barracks. Luzbel thanked him for the information and went to breakfast with the family.
During breakfast, Placida caught a fleeting glance at Ember, but didn't give it much thought. It seemed that Titus had already told her all about the revelation of the magical beast. The conversation passed normally, though the excitement of the day ahead filled the air.
After breakfast, Luzbel boarded a carriage with Titus and Placida. The trip passed in relative silence, each immersed in their own thoughts about the choice of brigades.
Finally, they arrived at the barracks, where Titus guided Luzbel through the hustle and bustle of the election. The barracks of each brigade lined the horizon, and the atmosphere vibrated with the energy of the recruits.
"It's time to choose your posting, Luzbel," Titus said with an encouraging smile. "Each brigade has its own essence and purpose - which one would you like to join?"
Luzbel pondered for a moment, letting his intuition guide his choice. In the end, he answered with determination, "I want to sign up for Interventus Celestis, in the First Division."
Titus smiled broadly at Luzbel's choice. "Fate always has a plan for each of us, and it seems you have chosen the right path," he said in an enigmatic tone.
Luzbel was puzzled by Titus' reaction to his choice to join the Interventus Celestis brigade. However, he had no time to inquire further, as his mentor directed him to Barracks Number 7, where the election of that particular brigade was taking place.
The young warrior entered the barracks, marveling at its imposing structure. Great Doric marble columns stood inside, framing friezes that recounted the past glories of the warriors who had belonged to the brigade. Statues of upright and fierce warriors, carved in white stone, adorned every corner, lending a sense of majesty and power.
As he walked through the barracks courtyard, Luzbel spotted a blond boy who looked familiar. He approached him, recognizing him as Lancelot.
Lancelot, seeing Luzbel, greeted him with a smile and asked, "With nerves?"
Luzbel shook his head, showing serene confidence. Lancelot sighed and commented, "I figured as much. With your talent, I imagine this is a cakewalk for you."
Before they could continue their conversation, a familiar figure appeared in the box that towered over the barracks courtyard. On the stage, stood Olaf, the captain of the Interventus Celestis Brigade. Behind him, four men dressed in imposing muscular armor and wearing copper masks with a laurel made of different materials on their heads.
Olaf waited for the murmuring to cease and turned his gaze to the audience gathered in the courtyard. "I am Olaf, captain of the Interventus Celestis Brigade," he announced in a firm voice.
Luzbel was surprised to recognize Olaf as the captain of the brigade. Excitement and amazement mingled inside her as she paid attention to the leader's speech.
"Interventus Celestis is the most elite brigade in the army," Olaf continued. "Our brigade gathers only the best warriors, those who can act anywhere in the Empire in case of need."
The recruits present were thrilled to hear of the brigade's importance and the momentous role they played.
However, Olaf changed his expression to a sterner one, striking reality with his words. "But you should know that Interventus Celestis training is the hardest and most excruciating in the entire army," he warned. "Many of the recruits drop out before completing it."
The public reacted in different ways to this revelation. Some remained eager, determined to face the challenge. Others were reluctant, while some, after hearing Olaf's harsh words, decided to leave and seek their luck in other brigades that seemed more accessible.
Luzbel's gaze remained steady, his determination unwavering. While he understood the harshness of the training and the challenges that awaited, he knew their purpose went beyond comfort and ease.
Olaf waited patiently for the initial turmoil to subside and those who wished to leave the Interventus Celestis selection to withdraw. With a calm gaze, he surveyed the numerous recruits gathered in front of him, anxiously awaiting his words.
"Of the many brave men who have applied, we will only be selecting about 100 recruits," Olaf announced in a firm voice. "The places and the squads to which they will be assigned will be divided based on your performance in a dueling contest."
After his statement, Olaf ordered all recruits to sign in with their names and prepare to duel in a specially prepared space in the barracks courtyard. Meanwhile, makeshift registration counters were set up, and the recruits lined up to give their details.
After a while of organization and registration, the excitement in the air was palpable. Of the initial 400 recruits, only 100 could remain, which meant that 1-on-1 duels would be held to eliminate half of the participants in the first round.
Luzbel and Lancelot were among the outstanding recruits who advanced smoothly in the first round. Their skill and combat prowess were evident, and both seemed to be a step ahead of their opponents.
As the second round approached, the tension grew. This stage would be decisive, as only those who made it through would have the opportunity to officially join the Interventus Celestis Brigade. Luzbel, confident in his swordsmanship and precocious training, mentally prepared himself for the challenge ahead.
At the decisive moment, Luzbel met his opponent with determination and mastery, overcoming him with ease and demonstrating his prowess in the art of combat. Meanwhile, Lancelot engaged in an intense battle that lasted for about 15 minutes, but finally emerged victorious.
Upon successfully passing the second round, Luzbel and Lancelot were overcome with excitement. They looked at each other, sharing a smile and a hug full of enthusiasm. At that moment, Luzbel dropped his cool facade and revealed his former self, showing his genuine joy for his friend and comrade-in-arms.
Now, the next rounds would determine the rank within the recruits, with the goal of assigning each to a squad based on their ranking. Combat took place among the 100 approved recruits, filling the air with the excitement and energy of battles.
Luzbel advanced smoothly in the engagements, standing out among his peers with his innate skill and the knowledge passed down from his grandfather, Grandmaster Roland. His combat prowess made him a true swan among the ducks, leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed his performance. As the competition intensified, the recruits who had failed to qualify watched in admiration and applauded the combatants facing each other on stage.
Despite his hard-fought battle, Lancelot placed tenth in the final standings, losing in an extremely close fight. Still, he congratulated Luzbel's first place finish with sincere camaraderie, recognizing his friend's talent and skill.
From the box, Olaf watched the progress of the recruits with a smile on his lips. His imposing figure radiated authority and respect. Finally, he announced to all present: "From this moment on, the one hundred selected recruits will be part of Interventus Celestis and will be distributed in squads according to their ranking. The top ten will belong to the first squadron, while recruits from 90 to 100 will be assigned to squadron 10."
With these words, he concluded the selection and assignment process. Olaf instructed the recruits to return to their homes and report to Brigade headquarters the next day. Luzbel and Lancelot, full of joy and enthusiasm, walked together towards the exit of the barracks, where a carriage awaited Luzbel.
After exchanging farewells, Luzbel leaned back in the carriage, exhausted by the intense fighting, but with a heart full of satisfaction. He felt that he was getting closer to the path of strength and thus to the revelation of the hidden truth he so longed to discover.
The carriage slowly pulled away from the barracks, leaving behind the excitement and challenge of the selection. Luzbel contemplated the landscape passing quickly by the window, reflecting on the experiences lived so far and the promising trajectory ahead.
Destiny had mapped out his path and, with determination and courage, he was preparing to face the challenges that awaited him as a member of Interventus Celestis. His dreams and his destiny were intertwined, and he was determined to reach the highest heights and gain revenge.
With hope and passion burning within him, Luzbel closed his eyes, as the carriage moved forward into an uncertain but promising future.