After spending 5 days in the infirmary, Dom and Dae are both discharged, leaving a now conscious but still healing Sam behind.
A week later, the Formal Induction Ceremony takes place, introducing the 22 new magic knights.
As part of their Academy clearance requirements, the newly inducted knights are required to make a formal request to join a Knight Division with at least two second choices.
Disclaimer: The Southland's first Magic Knights originally consisted of only 8 mages whose magical powers were unrivalled and feared across the entire Great Land, granting them the title of Monarchs.
To capitalize on this, the Royal Council decided to expand the Knights once the Peace treaty was signed, creating 8 divisions with each division being Captained by a Monarch and Vice-Captained by the Monarch's right-hand or descendant, earning them the title of Monarch Successor.
With time, the number of knights grew even more, causing the 8 divisions to create multiple Sub-divisions with their own captains and vice-captains.
In the middle of the day, back in Dom and Dae's room...
Dae hums in thought as he stares at the request form on his table.
"What Division are you applying for?" He asked as he turns in his chair to find Dom confidently filling his form on his messy bed.
"Third, obviously." Dom said as he reaches for one of three pastries on a plate beside him.
"Let me guess, because of Tony?" Dae asked with a sarcastic tone.
Dom glares as he chews on his food. Once he swallows, he points the bitten end of the snack at Dae. "Hey. I believed you when you said you were related to a Monarch… so why can't you believe me?"
"Because my claim at least has some believable foundation. Other than your words, can you really prove that you met him?" Dae asked and Dom bites into his meal with a frustrated look in his eyes. "I want to believe you, but I need some kind of proof."
"You'll see it when we meet again." Dom said as he cross-checks his filled form.
Dae sighs before turning back to his form and picks up his pen. "Then I guess I'll apply for the third division too."
Dom raises his head with a smirk. "What happened to us very unlikely being in the same division?" He asked with his best mocking impression.
Dae sighs. "As much as it gives me a migraine to think about, I've decided to go along with you."
Dom frowns, curious but also confused. "Why?"
Dae pauses his writing to answer without making eye-contact; "A couple years ago, I asked my grandfather how he became the strongest swordsman. He told me that the biggest reason is because he followed Ethan Maximus, the Mage Emperor, whom he said had a savior complex."
"A what?" Dom asked, his expression even more confused.
Dae taps the pen against his temple as he answers, "Basically, when someone is stupid enough to risk their lives for the sake of saving others." He throws a judgmental look at Dom.
"I think you meant that as an insult, but I'll take it as a complement." Dom said with a smile.
Dae rolls his eyes as he continues filling his form. "He believed…" Dae added. "… that as if the heavens were constantly testing the genuineness of his savior nature, it sent different difficult situations for him. Situations that the other members of his team were exposed to and thus, helped them get stronger."
Dom frowns as he gathers his completed forms. "Why do you make it sound like I'm destined to suffer?"
Dae smirks. "Don't tell me you're scared, future greatest knight?"
Dom scoffs. "Not a chance."
"Then it's not an issue." Dae frowns as he cross-checks his form. "The only problem now is that we'll most likely get put in separate sub-divisions to space out their forces."
"Not if I make my own sub-division." Dom said as he stands.
Dae laughs but then stop once he sees Dom's sceptic expression. "Oh, you're serious?"
"The Emperor was the one who created the first knight squad, right? If I want to surpass him, then I need to create my own badass team too." Dom said as he moves to his table some paces away from Dae's.
"Dom." Dae said with a shake of his head. "The third division already has 16 sub-divisions. Making a new one, not only requires clearance by the division's Head Captain, Royal Knight Commander and the Royal Council itself… but the sub-division's intended captain needs to be at least an A class mage with 5 years of field experience. You're absolutely under-qualified."
Dom smirks confidently as he places his papers on his table. "Not if you're friends with a Monarch."
Dae pinches his nose. "Not this again." He sighed.
Dom claps Dae on the shoulder. "You said you'd follow me, right? So, when I get my own team, you're going to be my Vice-Captain."
Dae scoffs. "You know what… fine. If you somehow get your own division before this year runs out, I'll not only become your vice-captain, but I'll also do your laundry for a month." He said with an amused smile.
Dom's grin widens even more. "Deal."
After submitting their documents, the two along with the other new knights are asked to wait for the response which came a week later.
Being the best recruits, it is no surprise that they both got accepted to not just the third division but all the other divisions they applied for.
Their choice is obvious. As such, the two packed up, said their goodbye to their colleagues, trainers and the academy itself as they depart for the third division headquarters.
Being the only two recruits that got accepted by the third division, they are escorted by horseback to the headquarters which lies about a day's journey west from the Capital city.
The base is a huge 3 Storey building with a long thick wall surrounding it. Though the infrastructure is not as articulately designed as those in the Capital city, its design is still that of a formidable fortress.
Arriving early in the morning, the two are allowed rest a little before getting ready for a tour a couple hours later...
In one of the many rooms of the base, Dae stands in front of a tall mirror. He examines his new official magic knight uniform consisting of the characteristic black slim fit shirt, trousers and matching boots, each covered with beautiful blue colored patterns.
As he turns to pick up a hairbrush, his eyes fall on Dom who substitutes his uniform shirt with his favorite dark-blue hoodie which he modified, allowing it to bear the same dragon and number 3 logo on its back just like the official shirt.
"You're supposed to wear the complete uniform." Dae said as he brushes his hair.
Dom smirks as he sits on a bed. "Relax. I heard from Miss Sandra that most knights don't even wear the uniform." He replied as he laces his white sneakers.
Dae glares at him. "What's the point of uniforms if we don't wear them?"
"Will you just quit with the formalities?" Dom sighed as he stands.
Before Dae could get another word in, the door to the room swings open.
"Good. You're ready." A man said as he enters the room.
Once they get a good look at this stranger's appearance, Dae blushes with embarrassment while Dom smiles cockily.
The 6'4 tall, light skinned man bears a bulky muscular physique evidenced by his opened uniform shirt which revealed the dragon symbol boldly tattooed between his hairy chiseled chest and abs.
His uniform pants is substituted for grey shorts and his boots are replaced with black sandals. His natural red hair is arranged in a slick back undercut punk style with piercings on his left eyebrow and nose as well as dark sunglasses that partially conceal his pine green eyes.
"Let's go." The man said with a very deep voice as he exits the room.
Dom pats Dae's shoulder with a grin. "Told you so." He said and Dae shrugs Dom's hold off with a scoff, making him laugh.
During their tour of the building, they not only get to see the various rooms, training facilities, cafeteria, health services and other features the base had to offer, they also get to know their tour guide to be the S class Captain of the First Sub-division, Jasper Garfield.
30 minutes later…
Jasper sits on a barstool in front of the bar in the base's central parlor. A place where the weary soldiers of so-called justice come to drink themselves to stupor, leaving their worries away.
Jasper lights the cigar in his mouth and blows some smoke on the two sheets of papers in his hand.
"Now that you know your way around, I'll tell you about your sub-divisions." He said as he looks between the two. "Dae, you're-"
"Actually, I want to make my own sub-division." Dom said confidently.
The room goes silent as Jasper along with the few knights close by stop to give him a sceptic look.
Dae slaps his forehead while Jasper narrows his eyes at Dom as he sets the papers on the bar-table.
"Listen, kid." Jasper said, his voice laced with authority. "I don't know what they taught you in the academy but you're still rookie. As casual as things may seem here…" He gestures to a drunk knight collapsed on the floor on the other end of the room. "… but there's still a system to respect."
Dom matches Jasper gaze with an equally serious expression. "I know but I only said that because Tony promised to help me years ago."
Jasper raises a brow. "Tony?" He asked.
The spectating knights suddenly laughs, drawing their attention.
"Did this kid seriously call the boss; Tony?" One of them said.
"Who does he think he is?" Another knight chuckled.
Dae grabs Dom's arm, his expression a mix between shame and frustration. "That's enough. You're embarrassing yourself."
Dom shakes him off and steps closer to Jasper. "I know it sounds crazy… but just tell Tony I'm here. He'll understand." His serious tone makes knights laugh even more.
Meanwhile, Jasper stares at Dom's face, the vague feeling of resemblance he's been sensing since Dom walked into this place lingers intensely in his mind… until it finally clicks.
"Dominic." Jasper said as he lifts his shades, revealing his widened eyes.
Dom turns back to Jasper, his expression now confused by Jasper's smile.
"You're that kid." He said.
Dom first stares in confusion… before gasping as he finally recalls a young knight with a punk hairstyle being among Anthony's escorts the day he left his town.
"I remember you." Dom said with a smile.
Jasper laughs. "When Tony said that you'd be coming here one day, I thought he was saying bullshit." He suddenly frowns. "Damn, that means I owe him half a million bucks now." He glares at Dom. "Great job, kid."
Dom rubs his neck with a laugh. "Sorry."
Meanwhile, Dae along with the other knights remain speechless at the sudden shift in Jasper's interaction.
"Well, kid. Knowing that guy, I'm sure he'll keep his promise but there are still other requirements to meet for the proposal to go through." Jasper said as he picks up the papers again. "Unfortunately, Tony is out on a job, but I'll tell Roy about it. For now, you'll just have to join your allocated sub-divisions."
Dom's smile deflates a little. "Okay." Dom said with a slightly disappointed look.
Jasper nods as he looks at the papers. "So, Dae, you'll be in my sub-division. Dominic goes to sub-division 4. You know where they are, right?"
Dom nods.
Dae nods as well, but his reaction is robotic as he holds the same shocked look on his face.
"Then… that's all. I'll get back to you about your proposal as soon as I can." Jasper said as he stands with a grunt.
"Thanks, Jasper." Dom said.
Jasper smiles as he puts his shades back on. "Don't mention it. Welcome to the knights." He bumps his fist into Dom's shoulder and leaves.
"What the hell just happened?" One of the knights finally managed to say and Dom turns to them with a cocky grin…
A couple hours later...
By evening that same day, in the building's Head Vice-Captain's office, a man with a familiar scarred face sighs as he closes the door of the office behind him.
He takes his hat off, revealing his short black hair covered with multiple grey strands. And despite a few early signs of old age on his pale looking skin, he still has a fresh look which is even more emphasized by his fancy looking white jacket which pulls off, revealing his buttoned up black corporate shirt.
As he hangs the jacket on a coat rack, a few quick but loud knocks were heard on the door which then opens up, revealing Jasper's cocky smirk.
"Roy… Wondered when you'd be back." Jasper said as he closes the door.
Roy sighs as he moves to his neat office table, despite the numerous documents filling it. "I've barely even sat down." Roy grumbled as he takes his seat. "What do you want?" He asked, his expression already annoyed.
Jasper approaches the table with his smile still bright. "Come on. We've been working together for years now. Can't I just stop by to say hi to a friend?"
"No." Roy said as he takes the half-bottle of wine from his side-table.
As Roy turns the bottle over a glass, some chilly mist strangely escapes from the once lukewarm drink. By the time it pours into the cup, it's cold enough to fog up the glass.
Once Jasper sits on the other side of the table, Roy coughs from the smoke produced by Jasper's lit cigar.
"How many times have I told you to stop smoking that shit in here?" Roy asked.
"Relax. I'll be quick." Jasper said as he drops two familiar papers on the table.
Roy picks them up. "These are our new recruits, right?" He asked as he stares at the papers while sipping on his cold wine.
"Doesn't one look familiar to you?" Jasper asked with a smirk.
Roy narrows his eyes at the papers… his gaze then falls on Dom. First on his white hair… then on Dom's face. His eyes quickly widen once he remembers.
"It's that boy." Roy mumbled as the image of that young eager boy flashes in his mind. "I'm the one who approved his request, but I didn't even recognize him…"
Jasper takes out his cigar and blows out some smoke. "Looks like he's not that little weak kid anymore."
"It seems so." Roy whispered as he goes through Dom's paper properly. "I guess this means that Tony was right." He suddenly frowns. "I owe him a lot of money now."
Jasper gives him a sympathetic nod.
"Anyways, that's why I came." Jasper said as he points his cigar at the paper. "The kid wants his own sub-division."
Roy drops the papers with a glare in his eyes. "Doesn't he know what it takes to make one?"
Jasper nods as he smokes on his cigar. "He does… but because a certain someone made a promise all those years ago…"
Roy's brow twitches once he remembers Anthony's promise. "That guy." He grumbled as he tightly squeezes his glass with his drink now completely frozen solid.
Jasper leans back on the chair with his eyes facing the ceiling as he lets out another smoke. "So… what do you say?" Jasper asked.
Roy sighs as he sets his frozen drink down. "Unfortunately, it's not up to me." He said as he opens his desk drawer. "And knowing that old man, I already know what he'll say."
Jasper laughs while Roy searches through his items until he pulls out a familiar communicating device which open. With some infusion of his arctic blue mana into the device, the mirror fluctuates like ripples in a pond.
Almost a minute later, a blurry figure forms on the display screen.
"Yo, Roy. I wasn't expecting a call."
A familiar voice echoed from the device, drawing Jasper's previously distracted attention.
"And I wasn't planning to. How was the mission?" Roy asked as he looks at the screen, trying to decipher the dark shadowy figure displayed.
"Not bad." Anthony replied.
Roy sees the image shift, displaying a distant building which was completely engulfed in flames.
"I finished a while ago. Just decided to enjoy the view."
Roy sets the device down on the table as he responds, "Good work, boss but can you at least report back first like an actual commander? You're setting a bad example for others."
Anthony scoffs. "No need to be so stuck-up. So, what's the problem? Did Jasper do something wrong again?"
"Nobody's perfect, boss. Not even you." Jasper said with a grin.
Anthony laughs.
"It's about our two new recruits." Roy said, his expression serious.
"Oh yeah. You said that they were the best in the entire Academy's history. Looks like we got our hands on some real geniuses." Anthony said.
"Well, one of them is that boy from the Cannibal Job." Roy said.
The other end suddenly goes dead silent.
Jasper and Roy share a confused look as the silence drags on for a bit… until Anthony's loud laughr suddenly cuts through the silence.
Roy raises a brow, his expression now curious. "Tony?"
"He's finally here, huh." Anthony said, his tone still very amused.
"And not only that… he's also requesting his own sub-division." Jasper said as he sits up.
"Is that right?" Anthony asked before laughing again.
Roy rubs his forehead with a sigh. "Seriously, he's barely joined and he's already trying to give us more paperwork."
"We always do end up attracting troublemakers. It must be because of how troublesome you are, Boss." Jasper commented.
"I'm beginning to think that too." Anthony chuckled.
Jasper turns the comms to look at Anthony's still blurry face. "So? You gonna approve?" He asked.
Through the shadowy view on the screen, Jasper makes out the eerie red glow of two eyes looking right at him.
"I did promise him, didn't I?" Anthony asked.
Jasper glances at Roy who sighs heavily.
"Of course you did." Roy said.
Anthony laughs as Roy gets up from his chair. "But even though he has your approval, he still needs the approval of both the Acting Commander and the Council." Roy added as he opens up a drawer filled with documents.
Jasper leans back on his chair again. "Well, knowing the Commander, he'll go along with-it anything Tony says." He blows out some smoke into the air. "The problem will be the Council."
"Especially for someone like him." Roy added as he pulls out a folder and Jasper's expression darkens a little.
"Just make the request for the Commander. Leave the Council to me." Anthony said.
Jasper smirks. "You're going to threaten them again, aren't you?"
Anthony chuckles as Roy retakes his seat.
"Anyways, since I'm done here, I'll start heading back and make the appeal myself. We'll take of the paperwork once that's done." Anthony said.
Roy sighs as he opens the folder. "You mean I'll take care of the paperwork while you drink yourself to stupor." He grumbled and Anthony chuckles as Roy ends the call by closing the communicating device. "Now, can you go? You're the making the air stuffy." He said with a glare fixed at Jasper through the now misty air around them.
Jasper sighs as he stands. "You know what you need? You need to get laid, man. Relieve that stress." Jasper stops once he notices Roy's dark glare. "Okay, okay. I'm going." He chuckled as he leaves while Roy begins making arrangements.