The initiation ceremony had finally arrived.
Asa navigated her way through the heavily guarded Royal Garden Tower.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined herself entering one of the main government buildings.
Among the bustling crowd, Asa came to a halt, her eyes wide with wonder.
The grand halls of the tower were vast and airy.
Like a curious child, she tilted her head upward, taking in the stunning interior. The tower consisted of only one full level, the one where Asa stood.
Ahead, small stairs and walkways clung to the high walls, spiraling upwards to the very top.
Huge glassless windows allowed natural light to flood the tower, and the wind freely swept in, creating a refreshing atmosphere.
Climbing plants adorned the walls, stairs, and windows, enhancing the tower's charm.
Lost in her amazement, Asa felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Yes?" Asa turned to see a tall, handsome man before her, a neatly tied white cloth around his neck, making him even more attractive.
"Asa Amerta from the Black Pillar. Am I correct?" he asked.
Asa nodded. "Yes, that's me."
"Please wear this around your neck and gather in the main hall," he said, handing her a black cloth similar to the one he wore.
Following his lead, Asa found herself in a room full of people.
Those wearing black cloths had clearly received information about their leader. When they saw Asa, they made way for her to stand at the front of the group.
In the main hall, Asa's eyes met the handsome man again, now standing at the center of the stage.
"Greetings to our respective new pillars," he announced, his voice resonating through the room, sending a tingle down Asa's spine.
"Joan Eve," the man beside her blurted out.
Startled, Asa turned to her companion, a fellow black pillar member. "Huh?"
"He's Joan Eve, the leader of the white pillar," he explained, his gaze fixed on the stage.
"Oh," Asa replied, her curiosity piqued.
"He's smart, strong, and heartless," her companion continued, still not meeting her eyes.
Impressed, Asa hummed in response. "You seem to know a lot about him."
"I spent more time training than anyone else. I was supposed to be the Black Pillar leader," he confessed, frustration evident in his voice.
Asa chuckled, realizing his annoyance at losing the position to her.
Observing his clean, baby-faced features, Asa deduced he probably hailed from a high-ranking family in Antara's past government system, perhaps a branch of the Dillon or Stein families.
As she pondered this, the actual Dillon and Stein, along with another unfamiliar Main Pillar, took the stage after Joan Eve left.
"Greetings, I am Edgar Stein. As we all know, our land is facing a natural catastrophe for the last few years. It cost us a lot from family members to our peace of mind. Maybe some of us have even lose ourselves."
Edgar Stein continues his speech for the next fifteen minutes. Not being a studious person, naturally Asa felt sleepy listening to the speech but she still pretends to attentively listening to the speech.
The youngest Main Pillar, Joseph Stanley, followed, delivering a brief but impactful message urging everyone to excel in their respective fields.
Joseph is a handsome young man—but to be fair, all main pillars are extremely good looking—and he doesn't talk a lot.
His speech only last for a few minutes and he only highlight that he expect everyone to do their best in their respective fields.
Blue pillar to never stop learning and to never get tired of trying to find the antidote of Crystal Doom.
Black pillar to never stagger in their steps on protecting the land.
And white pillar to never stop being honest and earnest in supervising the pillars below them and helping the pillars above them.
A chuckle from the guy beside her draws Asa attention.
"Pillars below them. This Stanley guy has a rotten mindset," he remarked, his hand toying with his bayonet.
Asa's eyes flickered to his disrespectful actions.
Wasn't it inappropriate to spin a bayonet during a Main Pillar's speech? "Put your bayonet back into place," she ordered, ready to assert her authority.
Prepared to confront him if he dared to oppose her, Asa was surprised when the boy obediently sheathed his bayonet, securing it in its scabbard tied to his thigh.
Returning her focus to the stage, Asa found Theodore Dillon now standing in the spotlight. Remembering their earlier interaction, she listened to his speech attentively, out of respect.
"Are you a fan of the Dillon?" the talkative boy beside her inquired once again, his persistent questioning grating on her nerves.
Exasperated, Asa let out a sigh. "What's your name?"
I will remember your name and make sure you work as hard as you talk.
"My name?" the boy finally turn his head to look at Asa, his eyebrow raises to address his surprise by the random question, "Dunn."
Asa choke on her breathe hearing the answer. "Dan?"
"Dunn. Dunn Blair."
Not sure why, but Asa felt a wave of relief wash over her upon learning that the mischievous boy beside her was not the troublemaker whose sword she had temporarily confiscated.
Soon after, the initiation ceremony came to an end.
Asa, preoccupied with trying to stay awake and responding to Dunn Blair's constant commentary, remained oblivious to the many eyes watching her.
Asa wasted no time briefing her Black Pillar members. She introduced herself, swiftly earning their respect.
"She's the legend who danced under the moonlight," one member whispered to another.
"I'm from the upper north too. I once saw her defeat a thousand Crys without blinking an eye," another member claimed, clearly exaggerating, but the others believed it.
Asa had quickly gained a reputation among her peers, making it effortless for her to command respect within the Black Pillar.
After her briefing and introduction, she instructed her Black Pillar members to pack up and move to the barracks before midnight.
"Why aren't you leaving?" Asa asked, annoyed to see Dunn Blair still lingering by her side even after the other Black Pillar members had departed.
"I don't have much to pack," he replied nonchalantly.
"Do you plan on following me everywhere?" Asa rolled her eyes.
Dunn grinned and nodded. "Yes."
Just as Asa was about to utter the words "Are you an idiot?" a cheerful voice reached her ears.
"Big sister!"