"Next, Yuder."
"Yuder!"
Finally, Yuder's name was called. As he stepped out of line, a conspicuous redhead in the crowd outside the open space, Gakane, waved at him with a beaming smile.
Those Cavalry members who already had a last name didn't need to attend the ceremony, but most, like Gakane, watched from the sidelines, offering unabashed applause and cheers.
Imperial Knights passing by with sneers at their private ceremony were occasionally seen, but no one paid them any mind.
Yuder glanced at Gakane before continuing to ascend the platform. Standing there was Kishiar, wearing an imperial ceremonial cape over his usual white uniform.
Underneath his golden hair, akin to the sun, his shining red eyes were as beautiful as a Sun God depicted in a temple.
But the gaze he cast on Yuder sparkled with a distinctly human curiosity.
"You seem to be without nervousness, as I expected."
"Should I be nervous?"
In response to Kishiar's quiet voice, Yuder tilted his head slightly and replied, eliciting an even deeper smile from him.
"No, I would have been disappointed if you were."
"That's settled, then."
After all, this was his second time going through this. Had he trembled a bit the first time? He couldn't quite remember.
Without looking at the paper Kishiar held, Yuder already knew what was written on it. Kishiar raised his voice and began to speak, his gaze fixed on Yuder's impassive face.
"I decree that the honorable last name 'Aile' will be bestowed upon Cavalry member Yuder."
"Thank you. I accept the honor."
The given last name, as expected, had not changed. It was 'Aile,' derived from the place where he had lived. Nevertheless, the name Yuder Aile, a member, not Yudrain Aile, the commander, seemed not too bad. He decided to think of it that way.
Without looking back at Kishiar, Yuder descended the platform. Not far away, Gakane was shouting cheers of congratulations with a wide smile.
"Yuder! There's going to be a celebration party. We should go too."
After the ceremony ended, Gakane, who had run after Yuder heading towards the dormitory, shouted cheerfully, patting his shoulder.
"...Where?"
"We've decided to go to the pub outside the grounds of the Imperial Knights. Juan has already contacted them to make sure it's entirely vacant. It's a three-story building, so we won't run short of space. Everyone's already gone."
Yuder asked just in case, but the answer was as expected. He listened with one ear to Gakane's excited chatter, recalling old memories.
'I remember turning down the invitation before and training alone.'
Yuder, who had just joined the Cavalry, didn't understand his peers who were eager to form relationships. What mattered to him then was proving to himself how far he could develop his power.
Having no interest besides growing stronger, he rejected someone's invitation and spent all day training at the grounds.
Even now, he didn't enjoy social gatherings or drinking parties. But after becoming the commander and being dragged around by the emperor's orders until he was sick of it, he understood there were occasions he had to attend, whether he liked it or not.
Compared to the foul meetings he had attended back then, this was nothing.
'Back then, and now, my goals were different.'
At present, Yuder's goal wasn't to increase his own power but to prevent as many talents as possible from leaving the Cavalry, preparing for future disasters.
'I can always improve my abilities. But once I lose a person, it's over. I've learned that.'
"So you should go too, Yuder. It'll be fun."
"Alright. Let's go."
Yuder quietly responded to Gakane's final words after he had been chattering for a while. Upon hearing this, Gakane let out a sigh of relief and gave Yuder a tight hug.
"I'm glad you decided to go! I was a bit worried you might refuse."
"..."
It had been a long time since Yuder had been embraced by someone. Startled by the unfamiliar feeling, Yuder blinked, causing Gakane to quickly release his firm grip.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Did that make you uncomfortable?"
"No. ...It's fine."
"Good. Then let's get going. Everyone will be waiting."
With a grin, Gakane took Yuder's arm and led him away.
For the first time since joining the Cavalry, Yuder left the Imperial Knights' grounds. The familiar streets of the capital were as bustling as ever, filled with enough people to give one a headache.
Gakane navigated the crowd with surprising ease. Watching him move forward smoothly, as if he had eyes on the side of his head, Yuder couldn't help but admire him.
"Here it is. The Black Whale! They say it's also an inn, and it's really big, isn't it?"
Finally, their destination appeared. As they approached the neat wooden building Gakane pointed out, the sound of uproarious laughter grew louder. It seemed many people had already arrived.
"I'm here! And Yuder too!"
As Gakane, still holding Yuder's arm, pushed open the door with his chest, cheers erupted.
"Gakane finally brought Yuder!"
"Since the bet's results are out, those who lost, throw your coins!"
"Eh, I bet he wouldn't come till the end."
Someone grumbled and tossed a copper coin. Coins poured down from the second and even third floors, yet the hat-bearer managed to catch every single one.
This wasn't simply a testament to his good reflexes; he had subtly used his ability to create wind. Laughter filled the tavern.
"Gakane. Yuder! Over here!"
Kanna, sitting not too far away, waved her hand. Yuder took a seat next to her, accompanied by Gakane. Familiar faces surrounded them.
Ever, whom Yuder had met during a training session at the Imperial Knights' training ground not long ago, and Kurga, who had a bear-like face and had once been his roommate, were among a few others seated around the round table. The table was already laden with dishes and several bottles of alcohol.
"I bet on Yuder showing up. I'm looking forward to the payout; it's going to be quite salty."
As Kanna beamed, a chorus of disappointed sighs and shouts of joy erupted around them.
"Don't be like that. What will you all do if he says he's not coming next time? You've made your bets so openly," Gakane spoke.
"No. Yuder didn't even care about those fool nobles of the Imperial Knights, so it didn't seem like he would care about something like this, right? Isn't that so?" Ever replied.
With a worried expression, Gakane pushed a cup of rice wine towards Yuder. In response to Gakane's words, Yuder briefly answered, "Yes," in a dismissive manner, his gaze fixed on Ever, who was nodding in agreement.
"I'm fine either way."
"See, Gakane, you're too cautious with Yuder. But thanks to that, we made some money, so I guess we should be thankful for today?"
"Kanna...."
Gakane sighed resignedly, lowering his head.
"Well then, it seems everyone is here except the young comrades who couldn't make it and those with other obligations. Let's officially start the celebration! A toast for our comrades who have been granted a last name!"
"Cheers!"
The Cavalry members all lifted their glasses in unison.
"To the glory of His Majesty the Emperor and our noble commander, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
And with that, the raucous party officially began. As they roamed freely around the tables, eating and drinking to their hearts' content, bright laughter and happiness echoed throughout.
A former wandering band member somehow found an old string instrument and flute that had been left in the corner of the shop and began playing lively music, further lifting everyone's spirits.
One by one, the comrades who had been sitting at Yuder's table left for other tables or ventured out to dance. Yuder watched as Gakane was dragged off by someone, dancing quite well despite his obvious awkwardness, while he leaned against a wall, sipping his drink.
He wondered if they had partied like this even when he hadn't been around. Just watching brought a not-so-bad feeling, prompting him to chuckle bitterly at why he hadn't come before.
'It seems much better than those nauseating noble parties.'
Although hardly anyone directly approached Yuder, any comrades who made eye contact displayed their intent to toast from afar with a light smile.
There was not a hint of negative emotion toward Yuder in their eyes. It was thanks to the fact they knew the full story of the incident that had occurred at the Imperial Knights' training ground two days prior.
The Cavalry members were each somewhat confused, caught between the newfound, overwhelming power they'd gained and their original perception of the world. Everyone believed they could defeat anyone, but in front of the weaker noble knights, they often lost their nerve.
Among the Awakeners, there were those of high status, but those individuals either did not apply to the Cavalry or, even if they did join, they inevitably kept a distance from the common-born members.
In the midst of this, the incident Yuder had caused was more than enough to provide each of them with a tremendous stimulus and a refreshing sense of vicarious satisfaction.
A Cavalry member of common birth had stood up to a knight from a duke's house with nothing but his strength, and Commander Kishiar had demonstrated that, regardless of background, he would protect any Cavalry member.
Regardless of one's origin, from now on, the association with the Cavalry would take precedence. It was a message that had been clearly conveyed.