Ervin went down to the Mage Enforcer estate right after washing up. He was called down to come into a specific office, where his new team would be formed.
Nobody stopped Ervin from walking right inside the main building since he wore the Mage Enforcer's uniform robes and had the badge to prove his identity.
The interior of the main lobby was as spacious and majestic as ever. Numerous splendor of beautiful magic insignia symbols stayed glistening across the wall, floor, and ceilings.
The warmth of magic filled every inch of this building. Walking through here was like walking through a world with air that gives one life.
The magically enhanced environment wasn't only to give Mages a luxurious space befitting of their title. It also served as a constant reminder to all Mage Enforcers that they were working to protect their homeland.
It reminds them all that one day, they can possibly be at a level of power where any magical symbol of theirs can heavily alter the rules of the world.
Ervin could see that the magical environment had an overall intended effect on the Mage Enforcers.
It was a common sight to patrol teams all with smiling faces and eagerness to start their rounds. Others were more calm, treating what they did with the utmost seriousness. Many had cocky, arrogant attitudes, believing themselves to be the only special people in society.
And some Mage Enforcers' eyes held fatigue, and weariness on a variety of things. Whether it came from a long day of work, feeling trapped in their jobs or they had seen horrors they never want to recount.
Ervin simply studied the look on people's faces. But he never really made an attempt to talk with any other patrol team or the new recruits of other teams. There wasn't any innate pull or drive he felt towards doing so.
As per usual, when Ervin arrived in the main lobby, he directly made his way down to the business.
With a few twists and turns, he went inside one of the offices specifically called for his meeting.
Inside, he found that Dylan, Jorge, Jerry, and Sydney were already there. Each of them was casually talking with each other in a harmonious atmosphere.
When Ervin arrived, they directed their smiles over to him.
"As expected, you would come first. Today is going to be a big day for you, man." Dylan spoke as he walked over to give a reassuring pat on Ervin's shoulder.
There was no dissatisfaction in his gaze. Everything he saw from Ervin made him truly deserving of having a real patrol team.
At the same time, Sydney quietly sighed. The beauty of her smile made for a mesmerizing scene that instantly pulled in the gazes of Jorge and Jerry.
"Mn. Your life will change from today. I have no worry you will rise up to the challenge. But never forget to be careful no matter who you face." She seriously spoke, expressing great concerns about who she considers to be a reliable friend.
Ervin gave a calm smile. Nodding at them all, he sat down in one of the chairs and said, "With all of your teachings, I am sure our team will be able to keep our lives."
There was a knock at the door. Flinging open, Harvey stepped inside, his expression far less calm than Ervin's. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that only Ervin and Dylan's team had arrived.
"Thankfully, I actually managed to get up in time. I was both dreading and eagerly awaiting this day for this entire month." He wearily smiled while speaking.
The nerves in his body couldn't quite relax no matter how much he tried.
Dylan shook his head with a reassuring smile. He gave the same pat on the shoulder to Harvey and said, "Being less nervous is more worrisome than getting cold feet. Working through this nervousness only shows your willingness to step up to the challenge."
"Yea...yea. I suppose you're right." Harvey lightly chuckled.
While Ervin already began to tune out the proceeding conversations.
Dylan's team to him were just people he'd probably see on occasion during his time as a Mage Enforcer.
They weren't anything more than that. There wasn't really anything valuable Ervin saw in them.
Time passed with Harvey and the others talking until another group entered the office.
Ervin noticed that Dylan's team was a bit surprised to see this patrol group as they had some kind of history with each other.
But this group's purpose was to drop off the two Novice recruits meant to join Ervin's new patrol team.
As the other two senior patrol teams talked with each other, the new recruits began to introduce themselves.
Ervin and Harvey came face to face with one other sharp-looking young man. And a beautiful girl whose eyes were gentle and her presence exuded a calming warmth.
Harvey was the first to introduce himself. "So it seems we're on the same team, huh? My name's Harvey."
"And my name is Ervin. A pleasure to be working together." Ervin faintly smiled while extending his hand out for a handshake.
"Right." The sharp-looking young man nodded. He solemnly nodded and firmly grasped Ervin's hand. "My name's Kane. Looking forward to working with you as well."
Taking his hand back, Ervin reached over to the gentle young woman.
"Ah." The young woman's eyes seemingly glinted, her smile faintly lighting up as if she had come to a conclusion.
She firmly shook Ervin's hand with a slightly eager pep as she said, "My name's Jane and it really will be a pleasure to work together. We managed to get bits and pieces from our patrol team, but from what they described, you two are certainly no slouches. Ervin, right? Some in my group even say they wished they had your calm when first becoming a Mage Enforcer."
"Is that so? I guess you two are more thorough than me. I haven't really got the chance to ask about my new partners." Ervin could only shrug.
As Kane shook hands with Harvey while introducing himself, he gained a sheepish smile when saying, "Well, it was mostly due to her instance that we learned this much. With how heavy being a Mage Enforcer is, I would never think to do it."
Harvey chuckled as he shook hands with Jane. "Can't say I had gotten the chance either. But hey, at least we can take the time to know each other before they us to those monsters."
With the casual introductions out of the way, Ervin went back to his usual quiet style. He responded here and there to make it seem like he wasn't ignoring his new teammates.
Since they already knew something about him, Ervin could tell they weren't put off by how quiet he was compared to Harvey.
Some more time passed until the door flung open again.
This time, a cold air swept through the entire office. Everyone immediately stopped talking.
The pressure of unfathomable magical energy tingled their minds, causing them to snap their eyes over to a noble man standing at the entrance.
This Mage Enforcer radiated a powerful presence no less domineering than that of Dylan.
A single breath of his was far superior to any non-mages and all other Novice Mages. His gaze could see through everything, exuding an indomitable will that could crush weak minds.
Those piercing eyes of his directly settled straight on Evin, Harvey, Jane, and Kane. Tingles of pressure coursed through their bodies.
Harvey, Jane, and Kane intently focused up, feeling a genuine sense of fear from this Mage Enforcer.
While Ervin used Mana to keep himself calm, evenly matching this Mage Enforcer's gaze.
The Mage Enforcer took one look at the new recruits and then briefly swept his gaze over at the senior patrol teams.
"Dylan. Terry. I'll take over from here."
"Right." Dylan's team and Terry's team gave one last nod to the fresh recruits before quickly leaving the office.
The veteran Mage Enforcer slowly walked over to the fresh recruits. Every step of his created this magical rhythm that stole the center of attention.
With a strict nod, he began to say, "Ervin, Harvey, Jane, and Kane. For the time being, you can refer to me as Captain John. I am your senior who is at the Late Stage of the Adept Mage realm, but I am expecting for us to have growing cooperation against the monsters out in the wild."
His powerful voice rippled into their minds. His tone was an equal mix of stern, but calming, giving an aura that felt like it was impossible to not be swayed by his momentum.
Despite being a senior and a bit arrogant, even the veteran John knew he had to bring his team up and even rely on them for support at times.