The Knight Orders of Solaris.
For every aspiring Knight, it was the dream destination. Every cadet in the Knight's Academy was working towards that goal. And just with every vocation, each Order had specialisations, some more prestigious than others.
The Green Dragon Order, or in short, the Green Order, was the most populace and generalised profession. Think of it as the Solaris House's standing army. They did everything under the Sun, from eradicating Demons to sentry duty and disaster relief. If there was a need for raw manpower, the Green Order were the one for the job.
The vast majority of cadets would join the Green Order as their first posting, and when they gain enough experience, they could switch to other Orders if they prove themselves worthy. Unfortunately, due to its generalised nature, it could be considered the least prestigious Order for a new cadet to join.
Talented cadets would be directly scouted by the 'higher' Orders, giving them an early headstart in their career.
The Blue Dragon Order, more popularly known as the Solaris Navy, was the next populated Order. Popular amongst those who wished to sail the oceans and set forth on long voyages, it was a powerful force that helped protect the Solaris House's naval assets.
But, for most average cadets, they would dream of the most popular Order among the standing forces… The Grey Dragon Order. They were Aerial Knights who tamed Wyverns and ruled the skies with their technique and aerial domination; they were a beacon of the Solaris House.
Those three Orders were by far the easiest to enter, and average cadets would usually be posted to them due to their need for manpower. However, for the other Orders, one had to be classified as an elite even to get a consideration to enter.
The Violet Dragon Order, or simply put, the Solaris police force. The Judiciary branch directly controlled them, and they upheld the law of Solaris. In many circumstances, they had to be stronger than most Knights, given they were given the authority to arrest anyone if they committed a crime.
The Brown Dragon Order; the rangers of the Solaris House. They patrol Solfea and land controlled by the Solaris House. Frequently, they are the first point of contact between Demons and humans, and their ability to scout had to be first class.
The White Dragon Order, also known as the Guardians of Solaris. With their signature white-gold uniform, they protected the Solaris House and were the last line of defence for the monolithic organisation. They often protected strategic assets and usually served as the bodyguards to the Solaris House's most influential figures.
The Black Dragon Order was the most secretive and feared of all the Orders simply because few people knew what they did. Officially, they were the Solaris House's intelligence wing. However, there were rumours that they were trained assassins who used anything in their arsenal to extract information. It was said that torture and murder were in their blood, making them the most feared among all the Orders.
It was the Order that Amon was posted to and has stayed with ever since. The Black Order suited Amon, as most missions are kept under wraps; he could use it to hide his movements when gathering intelligence about the Demon Cult.
And finally, the Order that all Solaris Knights dreamed of joining… the Golden Dragon Order.
Controlled directly by the Solaris Lord, it was the most advanced and powerful Order in the Solaris House. No, it was the most dominant Knight Order in the entire world. It only accepted Guardian Knights with Five Suns condensed, and even then, they would select the most elite Guardian Knights they could find.
These eight Orders were the pillars of the Solaris House, and their foundation would be weak if they lost a single one. It was an honour for any Knight to join any of the Orders, and it was the same for Leon. However, as the future Hero of Solaris, each Order scrambled to recruit Leon.
Ascalon was the mark of Solaris' greatest heroes, and if they trained Leon, their Order's prestige would unquestionably be raised. If they became Leon's personal teacher too… their names would likely be recorded in the history books too.
Unfortunately, even though each Order has its merit, only a few realistically stood a chance of getting Leon. The Green Order was large and had the most resources, but at the same time, they were too general and couldn't bring out Leon's inner potential. The Blue and Grey Orders were in the same boat. While they had gimmicks that may tickle at a young man's heartstrings, they knew they didn't stand a chance.
The Violet and Brown Orders had a better chance but were too specialised. The Violet Dragon Order trained their recruits on how to fight other humans, while the Brown Dragon Order were masters of scouting. As the future hero, Leon's potential would be wasted if he joined them.
Hence, the only Orders that stood a chance were the White, Black and Golden Orders.
The White Dragon Order were the Guardians of the Solaris House, and they were given plenty of resources to train their cadets. While their jobs were mainly protecting the Solaris House, they often crossed paths with Demons and Corrupted Beasts. They were taught to be the best, and many of their talented Knights would be poached to join the Golden Order.
And if one were to compare prestige, the White Dragon Order had once trained the Solaris Saint, the previous wielder of Ascalon and widely considered the most powerful human of all time.
The Black Dragon Order was also a good choice, as its training techniques were brutal but effective. Most Knights who emerged from the Black Order would become prominent figures in their own right, and many former legends are alumni of the excellent Order.
Finally, the Golden Dragon Order. By their own limitations, Leon could not join their Order as he hadn't condensed Five Suns yet. However, Leon's potential alone was enough for the most mythical Order in the Solaris House to waive their restrictions. Plus, it was directly controlled by Alrock, the Solaris Lord and Leon's grandfather.
No other organisation could beat the Golden Order when it came to resources. Their training techniques were also top-tier, given that everyone there was a Guardian Knight or higher. His protection was also guaranteed, as most Knights were the best warriors on the planet.
All signs were pointing to Leon joining the Golden Order.
And in [Bright], Leon did indeed join the Golden Order. Through that, he learnt many disciplines and was dispatched on missions that grew his character and individual powers. Leon would also encounter the Demon Cult regularly, as the Golden Order often crossed paths with them.
Alas…
"Amon… From now on, Leon will be your squire."
Amon stood at attention in the familiar Solaris Lord chambers before Alrock, who was busy signing papers and completing documentation. Alrock's aged face had turned haggard, and his dark eye bags had deepened further. He was swamped with stress and work, barely able to spare a few moments to even speak to Amon.
"I'm sorry… I think I misheard you. Did you say…"
"Leon will be your squire."
It took Amon a good few seconds to register what Alrock had said.
It was common for commissioned Knights to receive squires for training. It was part of raising Knights, and Amon had once served as a squire before graduating, too. However, given that he was only eighteen, he was far too young to receive any squires, who were often around his age.
So for him to receive a squire, and Leon no less… It reeked of a conspiracy.
But first, Amon wished to confirm one fact.
"Are you saying… Leon will join the Black Order?"
"No, he's going to learn under you as a squire. Since he's technically still a student, we won't be assigning him to any Order just yet. Once he completes his program, we will graduate him and make a decision based on his improvements."
Alrock clarified solemnly, but it only brought more confusion to Amon.
The moment Leon claimed Ascalon, his status in the Solaris House exceeded that of any regular cadet. If he wanted to, Leon could even go for the Lordship position. So, for the future Solaris Hero to become a squire… it didn't make much sense.
"Forgive me for being direct, but… is it really necessary? Leon is powerful enough to be a Junior Knight; if anything, he would give most True Knights a tough time. Add Ascalon into the mix; he could fit into any Knight Order like a glove. So, is there a need for him to be a squire?"
Alrock lifted his chin to meet his eyes directly for the first time since Amon entered the chambers. Amon felt a sense of helplessness within the Solaris Lord's eyes as he sighed:
"Your points are valid, but you're missing something important."
"... What is that?"
"Leon's feelings." Putting down his pen, Alrock stood from his desk and stared straight at Amon. "I feel the same way as you, young'un. Leon could easily become a fully-fledged Knight if he wants to. I was even willing to waive the Guardian Knight rule so he could join the Golden Dragon Order."
"If that's the case, why not let him serve as a squire under one of the Knights from the Golden Order?"
It was a valid question. Amon was far too inexperienced to teach someone, let alone the Protagonist who would save the world. For Leon to grow effectively, he had to enter the Golden Order as he did in [Bright], learn under some of the best Knights in the world, and take on missions that would push him through the main scenario.
But alas…
"You aren't hearing me, young'un… Leon wishes to learn under you."
"Huh?"
"My thoughts exactly. When you saved him in the Troll cave, he became inspired by your abilities. Now, he's only willing to serve as your squire."
"..."
Yet another deviation. However, this time, Amon couldn't blame anyone else but himself. If he wasn't the person who saved Leon in the cave, perhaps Leon would have followed his original path and joined the Golden Dragon Order. Unfortunately, it was too late to change anything now.
"In all seriousness, putting Leon under you is a bad choice. Both of you are talented Knights who will go on to influence the Solaris House for years to come. From a risk management perspective, splitting you into different Orders would be better. But, honestly… I agree with Leon's choice."
Alrock's voice was firm but laced with a sliver of kindness.
"You're talented, Amon. More so than Leon. While I trust Leon would do great wherever he goes, having a formidable rival would drive him to greater heights. I do not doubt that."
"..."
"And the same could be said about you, Amon. You've never been pushed in your life. Even among the talented young'uns of your age, you stand out. If Leon and you are placed in the same place, it'll serve as a catalyst for your growth."
There was one part that Alrock left unsaid. The Solaris House needed Amon and Leon to foster a good relationship. Having two alpha tigers in the same den was a blessing and a curse at the same time. The pair would lead the Solaris House into a new golden age if they grew up cordially. However, if they had any disputes and dislike for one another…
It could lead to the decline of the mighty family.
To prevent that from happening, Alrock bet on Amon and Leon bonding while they were still young and hopefully forming a lasting brotherhood. Needless to say, there was no need for such complications as Amon was already doing everything in his power to help Leon, but there was no way the Solaris Lord could have known that.
Moreover, Amon didn't care about becoming an influential member of the Solaris House. So he wouldn't threaten Leon's claim to the throne.
Nevertheless…
"I understand… I shall respect your orders."
Amon's face turned blank, making it difficult for anyone to read the man's thoughts.