After explaining to Ben, Charlotte showed him around the rose garden. After a while, both of them entered the base while chatting, mostly about the interior and exterior of the base.
"This is a common space where you can spend time with our squad members to bond with them," Charlotte explained.
She took Ben to the vast common room where several squad members were chatting happily, playing games, and enjoying refreshments.
"Sure, the room looks very lively," Ben remarked, looking at the atmosphere in the room with a smile on his face.
A large, intricately designed rug covered the center of the floor, featuring the Blue Rose emblem surrounded by floral patterns.
The room was adorned with a color scheme dominated by shades of blue and white, aligning with the squad's emblem and overall theme.
Large arched windows allowed natural light to flood the room during the day, offering a breathtaking view of the enchanting forest outside.
The walls were decorated with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of nature, emphasizing the squad's connection to the environment.
Nearby, a circular table was often set with refreshments and snacks for members to enjoy. Intricate vases filled with fresh blue roses were strategically placed around the room, infusing the air with their sweet fragrance.
Then, Ben crossed paths with Mary and Annie, who had just come to the common room after familiarizing themselves with the secret base.
"Where were you all this time? We were looking for you," Mary, who was impatient, asked Ben, who had just entered the base after nearly an hour.
"Captain!!!" Mary called out when she saw Charlotte standing near Ben.
"____"
"Oh... sorry if something happened. I was with the captain; she was showing me around the base," Ben explained with a light smile on his face.
"No. It is time for us to receive our magic knight robes," Mary declared happily because she was going to receive the robe.
"It is the proof you are a magic knight," Annie added, standing beside Mary with a determined look.
Puli came up behind them, carrying a few sets of robes in her hand.
Everyone in the common room started to gather around them.
"Captain, it's time to distribute the magic knight robes to them," Puli said, walking over to Charlotte with a wide smile.
Charlotte nodded and took the robe, placing it on Mary, who now looked very happy to receive it from her idol.
The Blue Rose emblem was prominently displayed on the robe, typically on the left breast area.
It featured a beautifully stylized blue rose surrounded by graceful, swirling patterns, giving it a sense of delicacy and strength.
The central point where the petals met was highlighted, emphasizing the unity and cohesion of the squad.
"Strive to be strong and become a powerful magic knight," Charlotte encouraged Mary, patting her on the shoulder.
Clap...clap...clap...
Everyone in the common room started to applaud to congratulate her.
"Yes, captain! I will become the strongest magic knight in the kingdom," Mary declared, touched by her captain's words.
Then Charlotte moved towards Annie and took another robe from Puli's hand, placing it on Annie, whose face was bright with happiness even though she didn't show much emotion.
Clap...clap...clap...
"Chase your dream with hard work. There are no shortcuts to achieving one's dreams, and that will last longer," Charlotte advised Annie, looking at her with a knowing look.
"I won't let you down, captain," Annie nodded firmly.
Lastly, Charlotte turned towards Ben with a gentle smile on her face.
"You might feel awkward being the only male here. But don't feel that way; everyone in the squad is like a family. Strive to become stronger," Charlotte said as she placed the magic knight robe on Ben.
Clap...clap...clap...
"Thank you, captain. I won't let you and our squad down," Ben declared happily with a serious look on his face.
Some of the members narrowed their eyes, looking at Ben, while others treated him like a kid, spoiling him.
After congratulating the new members, the crowd started to disperse.
"Ben, let's go. You need to familiarize yourself with the other places in the base," Charlotte said, leading Ben through the base.
To welcome the newcomers, the squad held a welcome party for Ben, Mary, and Annie. The party was grand, with many different kinds of food served.
Seeing this, Ben didn't waste any time; he took a huge plate, filled it with a variety of dishes he wanted to try, and sat at one of the dining tables.
"Sol, can I ask you something?" one of the members approached Sol.
"Sure, what?" Sol replied while eating the food on her plate.
"Why did our captain select a male magic knight for our squad? She seemed to have great expectations for him," she asked Sol, looking confused.
"Sister Risacca, don't underestimate his strength just because he's a male. During the Magic Knight exam, every captain competed to get him, except for Golden Dawn..."
Sol began to explain about the Magic Knight exam.
Hearing Sol talk about the Magic Knight exam, everyone started to listen with interest, even those who were not happy about Ben being in their squad.
"What!!! You mean every captain raised their hands to get him, except Golden Dawn?" Rocca looked at Ben, who was devouring his food in the corner.
Everyone started to exclaim in surprise because it was a very rare occurrence in the Magic Knight exam.
"Then why did he choose Blue Rose?" Selena asked, puzzled. She thought he was selected for Blue Rose because it was his only option.
"I never thought little Ben would be this impressive," Peggy nodded in satisfaction.
"Why are all of you surprised? He has four left grimoires. He chose the Blue Rose because of our sis... Captain skillfully persuaded him to join us,"
Sol said with a grin, indicating that she was closer to Charlotte than them.
Hearing Sol, everyone was shocked, including Peggy, who looked at Ben with wide eyes.
Next day...
Hage Village...
Orphanage...
"ahhh! It's here. It's here!" Everyone in the orphanage heard Father Orsi's loud voice, and they all hurried toward his room.
Sister Lily, who was drying clothes in the backyard, heard Father's voice and came running towards his room. Even the kids in the orphanage stood outside his room.
"Father Orsi, what happened? Are you all right?" Sister Lily asked with a concerned tone.
"____"
"No...sob... it's a letter... sob... from Ben." A tear ran down his face as he held a letter in his hand.
"Ben, how is he? Did he become a magic knight?" Asta, upon hearing it was a letter from Ben, asked excitedly.
"Which squad did he get selected for?" Yuno looked at Father Orsi, eagerly awaiting his answer.
"Yes, he passed the test. He's now a magic knight. He's the shining star of our village," Father said proudly, puffing out his chest.
"As expected of Brother Ben, he got selected as a magic knight," Asta exclaimed loudly while Yuno nodded in approval.
"He explained everything in detail," Sister Lily, who took the letter from Father Orsi's hands, said with a smile.
Then she started to explain how Ben reached the Grand Colosseum where the Magic Knight exam was held, how he performed in his test, and how captains wanted to recruit him.
She also explained how he chose the Blue Rose Magic Knight squad.
Hearing the explanation, both Asta and Yuno clenched their fists with a look of determination in their eyes.
Hearing that their big brother had become a magic knight, everyone in the orphanage became very happy.
"Why are you looking confused, Sister Lily?" Seeing Sister Lily looking puzzled, Father Orsi asked.
"According to the letter he wrote, he chose the Blue Rose Magic Knight Squad even though he had a better choice. I heard only females are accepted in that squad,"
Sister Lily expressed her confusion.
"Now, I am going to tell everyone in the village the good news, including Grimorie Master." Father Orsi started to move towards the Grimorie Tower while informing villagers along the way.
Blue Rose Squad's base...
Ben was talking with his squad members to familiarize himself with them in the common room.
Soon, Captain Charlotte entered the common room with Sol, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Ben, Mary, and Annie, you are going to do your first task as magic knights. Selena, you are responsible for leading them," Charlotte instructed, calling all three of them to give them a mission.
"""Yes, captain.""" All three of them saluted her.
"This mission is about an orphanage. You guys need to investigate it," Charlotte explained the mission in detail.
"You should depart immediately." Sol handed the sheet containing mission details to all three of them and Selena.
At the rose garden courtyard, Ben, Mary, and Annie were waiting for Selena with brooms in their hands.
After some time, Selena came to the meeting spot.
"Did you guys take the necessary things for the mission?" Selena asked them to confirm they didn't forget anything.
"No, senior," Mary nodded her head.
"You guys don't need to call me senior. Just call me Selena or Sister Selena," Selena said with a gentle smile.
All four of them boarded their respective flying brooms and launched into the sky, heading in the direction of the reported orphanage.
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(Author's POV)
Thanks for reading the chapter! please give a review and power stone!!!