After spending 5 days in the infirmary, Dom and Dae were both discharged, leaving a now conscious but still healing Sam behind.
A week later, the Formal Induction Ceremony took place, introducing the 22 new magic knights.
As part of their Academy clearance requirements, the newly inducted magic knights were also required to make a formal request to join a Royal Knight Division with at least two second choices.
Disclaimer: The Southland's first Royal 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?" Dae 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.
"Let me guess, because of Tony?" Dae asked with a sarcastic tone and Dom glares at him as he chews on his food.
Once he swallowed, 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." As he writes, Dom raises his head with a little smirk.
"What happened to us very unlikely being in the same division?" Dom asked with his best Dae impression and Dae sighs.
"As much as it gives me a migraine to think about, I've decided to go along with you."
"Why?" Dom asked, genuinely curious and Dae pauses his writing to answer without making eye-contact.
"When I was young, 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?"
"Basically, when someone is stupid enough to risk their lives for the sake of saving others." Dae said with a judgmental look at Dom who only grins.
"I think you meant that as an insult, but I'll take it as a complement."
Dae rolls his eyes as he continues filling his form. "He believed 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?"
"Don't tell me you're scared, future greatest knight?" Dae asked with a smirk.
Dom grins. "Not a chance."
"Then it's not an issue." Dae said as he turns back to 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 look. "Oh, you're serious?"
Dom narrows his eyes at him. "The Emperor was the one who created the first magic 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. The third division already has 16 sub-divisions. To make a new one, not only does it require clearance by the division's Head Captain, Royal Knight Commander and the Royal Council itself, the sub-division's captain needs to be at least an A class knight with 5 years of field experience. You're absolutely under-qualified."
Dom places his forms on the table. "Not if you're friends with the Monarch Head-Captain who promised to help him any way he can." He said with a confident smile and Dae pinches his nose.
"Not this again." Dae grumbled.
"You said you'd follow me, right? So, when I get my own team, you're going to be my Vice-Captain."
Dae laughs. "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." Dae said with an amused smile and Dom evilly grins at him.
"Deal." Dom said and the two shake hands...
After submitting their documents, the two along with the other new knights were asked to wait for the response which came a week later. Being the best recruits, it was no surprise that they both got accepted to not just the third division but all the other divisions they applied for.
They both obviously chose to go for the third division. As such, the two packed up their stuffs and said 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 were escorted by horseback outside the Capital and arrived at the headquarters after about a day's journey west from the Capital city.
The base was unsurprisingly large with three floors and a thick wall surrounding it. They arrived early in the morning, so the two were asked to rest for a couple hours before getting ready for a tour of the building in the afternoon.
Around the allocated time, Dae stands in front of a mirror to examine his new official magic knight uniform with the characteristic black slim fit shirt, trousers and matching boots, each covered with a beautiful blue colored outline.
As he turns around to pick up a brush, he narrows his eyes at Dom who substitutes his uniform shirt with his favorite dark-blue hoodie which he paid a tailor to modify, allowing it to bear the same dragon and number 3 logo on its back just like the official uniform.
"You're supposed to wear the complete uniform." Dae said as he begins to brush his hair while
Dom laughs as he sits on his bed. "Relax. I heard from Miss Sandra that most knights don't even wear the uniform." He chuckled 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 and before Dae could speak again, the door to the room swings open.
"Good. You're ready." A man said as he enters the room and the two boys get a good look at his appearance, with Dae blushing in embarrassment while Dom smiles cockily.
The light skinned man was about 6'4 tall with 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 were substituted for grey shorts and his boots were replaced with black sandals. His red hair was 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 turns around and leaves the room.
"Told you so." Dom said as he pats Dae on the back before moving past, leaving Dae who sighs in defeat as he follows after them.
During their tour of the building, they not only got to see the various rooms, training facilities, cafeteria, health services and other things the base had to offer, they also got to know their tour guide to be the S class Captain of the First Sub-division, Jasper Garfield.
About 30 minutes later…
Jasper sits on a barstool in front of the bar in the central parlor where a few other knights were relaxing. He lights a cigar and places it in his mouth while looking down at the two sheets of papers in his hands.
"Now that you know your way around, I'll tell you about your sub-divisions. Dae, you're-"
"Actually, I want to make my own sub-division." Dom said confidently and Jasper along with the knights close by give him a sceptic look.
"Idiot." Dae grumbled with a hand on his head while Jasper narrows his eyes at Dom as he sets the papers on the bar-table.
"Listen, kid. I don't know what they taught you in the academy but you're still rookie. As casual as things may seem here, there's still a system to respect." Jasper said with a stern look and
Dom nods with similarly serious expression. "I know but I only said that because Tony promised to help me years ago."
"Tony?" Jasper mumbled in confusion.
The spectating knights suddenly laugh at him. "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. "That's enough. You're embarrassing yourself."
Dom just shakes him off to step closer to Jasper. "I know it sounds crazy but just tell Tony I'm here. He'll understand." His serious tone made knights laugh even more.
Meanwhile, Jasper continues to stare at Dom's face, the vague feeling of resemblance he's been having since the beginning of the tour lingering intensely in his mind… until it finally clicks.
"Dominic." Jasper said as he lifts his shades up, revealing his widened eyes which catches their attention. "You're that kid." He said with a growing smile and Dom first stares in confusion… before gasping as he finally recalls a young knight with a punk hairstyle being among Anthony's horseback 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. Damn, that means I owe him half a million bucks now. Great job, kid." Jasper sighed with sudden disappointment.
"Sorry." Dom chuckled and as the two laugh, Dae along with the other knights were left shocked and speechless.
"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 join your allocated sub-divisions."
"Okay." Dom said with a slightly disappointed look and Jasper nods as he looks at the papers.
"So, Dae, you'll be in my sub-division while Dominic goes to sub-division 4. You know where they are, right?" He asked and while Dom nods normally, Dae nods with a still shocked look on his face. "Then… that's all. I'll get to you about your proposal as soon as I can."
"Thanks, Jasper." Dom commented and Jasper smiles as he puts his shades back on.
"Don't mention it, kid. Welcome to the knights." He bumps his fist into Dom's shoulder and leaves the room.
"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.
His black hair was now cut short with multiple grey strands and despite a few early signs of old age on his pale looking skin, he still had a fresh look especially emphasized by his thick 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.
"Wondered when you'd be back." Jasper said as he closes the door and Roy sighs as he moves to his neat but still document filled office table.
"I've barely even sat down. What do you want?" Roy grumbled as he takes his seat.
Jasper approaches the table. "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 which strangely begins to bring emit some chilly mist as he pours it into a cup. Once Jasper sits on the other side of the table, Roy coughs from the smoke produced by Jasper's cigar. "How many times have I told you to stop smoking that shit in here?"
"Relax. I'll be quick." Jasper drops two familiar papers on the table which Roy picks up.
"These are our new recruits, right?" Roy asked as he stares at the papers while sipping from his cold wine.
"Doesn't one look familiar to you?" Jasper asked with a smirk and Roy narrows his eyes at the papers, especially Dom's picture until he realizes it.
"It's that boy." Roy mumbled in shock as he recalls the little white-haired boy from years ago. "I'm the one who approved his request, but I didn't even recognize him even with his hair."
Jasper takes out his cigar and lets out some smoke with a laugh. "Looks like he's not that little weak kid anymore." Jasper chuckled.
"It seems so." Roy goes through Dom's paper properly. "I guess this means that Tony was right. I owe him a lot of money now." He frowns in sudden frustration and Jasper gives him a sympathetic nod.
"Anyways, that's why I came. The kid wants his own sub-division."
Roy drops the papers. "Doesn't he know what it takes to make one?"
Jasper sighs before putting his cigar back in his mouth. "He does but because a certain someone made a promise all those years ago…" Jasper trailed off and Roy's brow twitches once he remembered Anthony's promise.
"That guy." Roy 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 and Roy sighs as he sets his frozen drink down.
"Unfortunately, it's not up to me. And knowing that old man, I already know what he'll say." Roy said as he opens his desk drawer while Jasper laughs.
A brief moment of searching later, Roy pulls out a familiar communicating device and opens it up.
With some infusion of the device with his arctic blue mana, the mirror begins to distort… before forming an image after about a minute of waiting.
"Yo, Roy. I wasn't expecting a call." A familiar voice echoed from the device, drawing Jasper's attention.
"And I wasn't planning to. How was the mission?" Roy asked as he looks at the mirror, trying to decipher the dark shadowy figure displayed.
"Not bad." Anthony said and Roy sees the image shift, displaying a distant building which was completely engulfed in flames. "I finished a while ago and decided to enjoy the view."
"Good work, boss but can you at least report back first like an actual commander? You're setting a bad example for others."
"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 and Anthony laughs.
"It's about our two new recruits." Roy commented.
"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 chuckled.
"Well, one of them is that boy from the Cannibal Job." Roy said and Anthony's laugh suddenly stops. A brief moment of silence passed, and Roy narrows his eyes on the device. "Tony?"
Anthony suddenly chuckles again. "He's finally here, huh."
"Yes." Roy said as he sets the device down on the table.
"And not only that, but he's also requesting his own sub-division." Jasper added.
"Is that right?" Anthony asked before laughing loudly.
"Seriously, he's barely joined and he's already trying to give us more paperwork." Roy sighed with a hand on his head.
"We always do end up attracting troublemakers. It must be because of how troublesome you are, Boss." Jasper said with a smile.
"I'm beginning to think that too." Anthony responded.
"So? You gonna approve?" Jasper asked.
"I did promise him, didn't I?" Anthony asked and Jasper glances at Roy who sighs heavily.
"Of course you did." Roy grumbled and 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 opens up a drawer filled with documents.
"Well, knowing the Commander, he'll go along with-it anything Tony says. The problem will be the Council." Jasper said as he leans back in his chair.
"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 grins. "You're going to threaten them again, aren't you?"
Anthony laughs 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 added and Roy sighs as he opens the folder.
"You mean I'll take care of the paperwork while you drink yourself to stupor." Roy grumbled and Anthony chuckles as Roy ends the call before closing the communicating device. "Now, can you go? You're the making the air stuffy."
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.