(4th Week of February 2018 --- Friday --- Morning)
(Graduation Day and Promotion Day --- Knight Academy Main Hall)
The grand hall of the Knights Academy is adorned with banners and flags, celebrating the achievements of the new graduates. Rows of seats are filled with students (NMA, Freedom Fractions, and Neutral Fractions), instructors, and guests. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation.
(Graduation Hall)
[The hall is filled with students, instructors, and guests. Accel stands among his peers, feeling a mix of pride and excitement. In front of them, a stage is set up with a podium and a line of chairs for the instructors and guests of honor.]
Instructor Kai: [Stepping up to the podium] "Welcome, everyone, to the Knights Academy Graduation and Promotion Ceremony. Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students, who have completed their training and final tests. They have proven themselves worthy of their new ranks."
[The audience applauds. Kai continues, introducing the guests of honor.]
Instructor Kai: "We are honored to have several esteemed mid-rank military officers who have come to congratulate our graduates. Please welcome Knight Commander Arthur Maximilian Cruz, Knight Commander Isabella Aurora Reyes, Knight Commander Nathaniel Gabriel Santos, Knight Commander Elias Michael Valdez, and Knight Commander Olivia Sophia Martinez. They are all part of the Philippian Ironclad Sentinels Brigade."
[The officers stand as they are introduced, nodding to the audience. Colonel Cruz steps forward to give a short speech.]
Knight Commander Arthur Maximilian Cruz (Military Rank: 39th): [Taking the podium] "Thank you, Instructor Kai. It is a great honor to be here today to witness the accomplishments of these fine young and older individuals. I know already that some students from National Mastery Academy joined the Knights Academy Training Course for personal reasons, but that is alright. If you have a choice to join the army, after you graduate from the NMA, we from the Philippian Imperial Army welcome you all."
[He pauses, looking out at the graduates.]
Knight Commander Cruz: "You have all shown exceptional skill, courage, and perseverance. The military and noble fractions, along with the Freedom and Neutral fractions, are proud to welcome you into their ranks. Today, you are not just students; you are the future leaders and protectors of our world. Remember the values you have learned here: honor, humility, and protection. Carry them with you always. Remember this from the National Mastery Academy students, even if you are not part of the army, as the students of the NMA, remember the values that you have learned."
[The audience applauds again. Knight Commander Cruz steps back, and Instructor Kai returns to the podium.]
Instructor Kai: "Thank you, Knight Commander Cruz. Now, we will proceed with the presentation of certificates and the announcement of new ranks. As I call your name, please come forward to receive your certificate."
[Instructor Kai begins calling names. And after calling several people to receive their certificates and ranks, Accel was called next.]
Instructor Kai: "Accel, you have done an outstanding performance throughout the training course, especially your strategic planning and tactical skills. With that performance you have done, you will rank twice instead of once. You are now Brave Squire Accel of the 2555th Stormbreaker Squad Leader. Congratulations, Student Accel."
[Accel receives his certificate, shaking hands with Instructor Kai and the mid-rank officers. The audience applauds for his success.]
Knight Commander Cruz Thought: "For a 12-year-old to become a Brave Squire is an amazing feat and recognition. Based on the reports on Royal Squire Kai, the reason I agreed was because of his performance in the strategic planning and tactical skills he has done. I hope that if one day he manages to unlock his Sub-Class, he will receive the Commander Class... I have high expectations for you student Accel in the near future..."
Knight Commander Isabella Aurora Reyes Thought: "Despite his young age, he is now one of the Squad Leaders of the Stormbeaker that has a total of more than 3000ths Squads. He can now command a total of 5 Brave Squires and 10 Squires."
[The ceremony continues with more students being called and receiving their certificates. After all the names are called, Instructor Kai addresses the graduates one last time.]
Instructor Kai: "Graduates, you have completed your training at the Knights Academy. You are now ready to take on the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and of course, to the students of NMA who joined and took part in the training course, you are welcome here and in the army. Congratulations!"
[The audience erupts in applause and cheers as the graduates salute their instructors and the officers, celebrating their achievements.]
(Noon --- Knights Academy Main Entrance)
After the Graduation and Promotion Day, Accel took some pictures with all his friends who took part in the training course, whether they were from NMA or outside or some of his seniors from NMA. After that, Accel went to his dorm and packed his things to head out immediately back to the National Mastery Academy.
He went out to the entrance and met one of his seniors from the NMA. His name is Ash Mondragon the Eldest Son of a Count Family from the Noble Fractions. I met him coincidently during the Combat Simulation Arena, he has a Unique Class called [Arcane Strategist] that uses advanced magic to manipulate battlefield conditions and tactics.
But, he was amaze that he was beaten by Accel. And ask Accel that he must have a class similar as his, but no he do not have. Accel told him that he was an Level 125 Trainee Knight, that gave him shock about it and acknowledged his defeat...
Ash Mondragon: [Drinking Cold Choco] "Are you heading back to the Academy, Accel? You do know that there will be a party after this, right?"
Accel: [Stops] "I know, but I need to do preparations for next month. I think you already know, Senior Ash?"
Ash Mondragon: [Smirks] "Of course, its the upcoming Battle Royale Final Exam. I'll tell the rest of them, that you went ahead. Hope we don't meet on the Battle Royale Final Exam and become enemies, Accel. Good luck [Waves his hand]."
Accel: [Waves back] "I hope so, Senior Ash. I'll go ahead!"
And that, Accel left the Knights Academy and head towards the Western City Fortress to ride the transport terminal heading back to the National Association to check something, to buy something, and some other personal stuffs...
(End of Chapter 16)