Notes:
Largusans: collective term to the people living in the land of Largus
Wishbones: presumed as the superior race, their trademark is that they have a bit of purple hair strands
Pure-blooded: anyone who doesn't belong to the Wishbones
Races:
1. Largusan : the setting of the story, white long tresses , silver eyes, taller side
2. Stroman : from the land east of Largus, azure tresses and dark eyes, the strongest before there were Wishbones
3. Lamprosan : from the land west of Largus, wavy raven-black tresses, blue eyes, darker skin tone
4. Hanatudian : from the land northeast of Largus, copper tresses, hazel eyes, the fairest
5. Silvan: from the land south of Largus, red tressesm green eyes, shorter side
XXX
It's a bustling day for the 500 aspiring defenders as they prepare for their maneuvering performance and for the duel later. Officials and Senior Aspirants from the Golden Shield, Bloody Cloaks, and the Fort Amethysts came as guests.
The Golden Shield refers to defenders working closely with the Supremo. Guards of the Supremo (ruler of the land), his family and his Manse (residence) are also under this division. They are dressed in wheat-colored robes, while their Officials are dressed in golden-colored robes. Aspirants for this division are limited and selected.
The Bloody Cloaks, as stated earlier, is the division of the most elite defenders.
The Fort Amethysts encompasses the defenders that don't belong to the Golden Shield and Bloody Cloaks Division. They are dressed in orchid-colored robes, while their officials are dressed in a darker shade. Their main concern is public safety.
While waiting nervously for the formal opening of the program, the aspirants curiously watched the guests as they sat down on their respective seats. Aside from the Officials from the three divisions, around more or less 50 senior aspirants each from the different divisions came as representatives.
As they waited, murmurs were heard among the aspirants.
"Brother, I heard something from our seniors."
Brother is how they call their fellows even if they're women.
"What is it?"
"Apparently, a soon to be training officer from the Bloody Cloaks will be here."
"So?."
"He's not just a regular soon to be training officer. He's the most strict and hard to please official. He is rumored to be the 'Captain with the Stare of Death'. Even his seniors and peers are terrified of his deathly stare. Moreover, they say that he's ruthless. If you ever disobey or disrespect him, he will make you bleed. If you ever hit his head without valid reason, you're dead."
"That's scary. Should we just train under the Fort Amethyst division?"
"Then, who among them is that person you're referring to?" one of them asked as he pointed at the guests seated on the stage.
"I heard that he hasn't arrived yet. Ah! They said that he has a scar on his right eyebrow. That's how you identify him."
"Has anyone seen someone like that?"
"We haven't seen one yet."
"I hope he will choose not to come."
Then, a dominant figure clothed in golden robes made his way to the stage.
"By the way who is that? Is that him? He looks intimidating."
"He's dressed in golden robes so he's definitely from the Golden Shield-" this aspirant choked on his saliva when he saw the insignia of the newcomer guest.
"Are you okay?"
"MM."
"So, do you know him?"
"Based on his robes and insignia, he is the commander of the Golden Shield."
"Haaaa???" all of them exclaimed.
"But he looks like a foreigner and he doesn't look like a Wishbone. He has blue hair and dark eyes. Why was he designated in such a high position?"
"I heard that he's really strong. Maybe, that's why."
"But why does such a high-ranking official attend a small event?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, high ranking officials and the Supremo attend only big events like the culmination of our training."
"Oh. Maybe he doesn't have anything to do-"
"Really? He looks young too."
"Well, he's the youngest defender to take on the role of the Commander. That's how much the Supremo trusts him."
Then, after a few minutes, another dominant figure made its way to the guest area. He's dressed in maroon robes. His long raven-black tresses are braided and held with a golden hair clasp that has a ruby engraved in it. If you look closer, he has a diagonal scar on his right eyebrow. It's a scar that has healed but the eyebrow hair doesn't grow anymore in that certain area. Thus, it looks like there's a diagonal gap at the peak of his right eyebrow. Also, he's a Wishbone.
"The ruthless Captain has arrived," Karisha stated unconsciously.
"Who?" Haelas asked curiously.
"The ruthless Captain-Captain Tobias Karsh!"
"How can you be sure that he is Captain Karsh?"
"That eyebrow scar and terrifying presence- Who could he be?"
"Now that you mentioned his scar. He-he looks like the one who wounded me at the tavern. I could never forget that scar," Nikos, who's sitting behind them, answered.
"That-that, you're right. You can never forget his terrifying presence," his friend added.
"Then you're done. He is rumored to be the incoming training officer of those aspirants entering the Bloody Cloaks here in the North Camp."
"Ca-Captain To-Tobias Ka-Karsh? That Captain Tobias Karsh?" Haelas stuttered in shock.
Nikos and his friends paled.
"Then we're dead. We're dead. We're totally dead," Nikos lifelessly said.
"Totally...Wait, if you're dead, then Sol would be..."
"...dead as well," Karisha said, finishing Haelas' statement and they looked at Sol who was lost in her thoughts.
Sol, who's also silently listening to their conversation, was shocked to find out the identity of the man who just walked in.
Captain Tobias Karsh? That Tobias Karsh?
A year ago, she attended the culmination of the Aspirant Defenders. That's where she heard the name Tobias Karsh. He's the leader of the maneuvering show and the champion of the duels. He caught her attention because of his charismatic presence and incredible combat skills. Also, even though he's a Mixed Wishbone, he still managed to be the number one aspirant. In the hierarchy of strength, pure Wishbones are presumed to be the strongest, followed by Mixed Wishbones, and the regular aspirants or the Pure-Blooded.
Honestly, he's one of the people who inspired her to enter the Defender Life.
Now that she knows the identity of the man in that tavern; she is kind of disappointed in him.
How can he bully those who are weaker than him?
Then, a loud blast of the horn stopped their murmurs.
It is time.
XXX
As the sun climbed higher in the skies, it signaled the event to start. After welcoming the Commander Remus from the Golden Shield, Captain Trajan from the Fort Amethysts, Captain Tobias Karsh, Sir Ka-el Braegen and Sir Dorn Allegros from the Bloody Cloaks as well as the senior defender aspirants, the maneuvering show started.
Commander Remus belongs to the Stroman race. The Stroman race is located east of Largus. They have azure tresses and dark eyes. They are the strongest race to date before there were Wishbones. He is the youngest commander and the only full-blooded foreigner who is in the high ranks, more so the Commander of the Golden Shields.
Captain Trajan serves under the Fort Amethysts. He is Mixed- a half-Largusan and a half Lamprosan. The Lamprosan race is located west of Largus. They have darker skin tone, wavy raven-black tresses and striking blue eyes.
Captain Karsh serves under the Bloody Cloaks and is infamous for being ruthless when punishing people who committed crimes. Despite this, many people, especially women, adore him for his unrivaled visuals and a lot of young men adore him as their hero. He is a Wishbone but he is Mixed- half Largusan and half Lamprosan.
Sir Ka-el Braegen is one of the three close friends of Captain Karsh. He is also a mix of Largusan and Lamprosan. He has darker skin, platinum blond hair and striking blue eyes. He is known to be the crackhead of the group.
Sir Dorn Allegros is also one of Captain Karsh's friends. He is known to be an introvert but brainy. He is a mix of Hanatudian and Largusan. He has copper-colored tresses, silver eyes and even if his skin tone is toned down during the training, he is still one of the fairest defenders. The Hanatudi race is located Northeast of Largus. They have copper tresses, hazel eyes and are the fairest of the races.
The guests and the senior aspirants were continually impressed as the junior aspirants shifted smoothly from formation to another formation.
"These aspirants are not bad. They are doing well," Captain Trajan noted with a satisfied smile while watching those individuals in honey-dew colored robes.
"Indeed," Commander Remus agreed.
Captain Trajan slowly looked at Commander Remus.
"By the way... Sir Commander, are all your subordinates busy that you, yourself, are forced to attend this small event?" he asked, taunting him. Captain Trajan firmly believes that positions should be given according to age and experience. Thus, he doesn't really like the young commander.
"Consider it a change of pace... CAPTAIN."
Captain Trajan smirked and just focused on the show.
XXX
Meanwhile, at the Bloody Cloaks' seat...
"Dorn, he's making me anxious. His eyes kept scanning the aspirants," Ka-el whispered to Dorn, referring to Tobias, "Is he perhaps looking for Aspirant Moraii?"
During private conversations, Ka-el would call his friend with his name. However, when in public, he addressed him with his title.
"There's a chance."
"What will he do now with Aspirant Moraii? Do you think he will make her bleed?"
"Well, she has a respectable father. Even though Captain Karsh is angry with her, I think there's 1% left for consideration before making her bleed."
As for Dorn, private or public conversations, he would always address Tobias as 'Captain'.
"Do you think so? Then, I can enjoy this event more peacefully."
"Mm."
Xxx
The maneuver has just finished and lunch is already served. The aspirants went to get their fill while the guests were served in their seats.
Sol just finished getting her food from the buffet table and was about to follow her friends when she bumped into someone.
"I..I-m sorry," she immediately said and looked up at the face of the person she bumped into, "Ca-Captain?!"
She stared at the man in front of her. Aside from his innocent looking stoic face, he carries an aura of dominance that could intimidate anyone. It kind of made her afraid of offending him.
"We meet again," Tobias said as he gazed at the aspirant before him.
"Again? I don't think we met before Captain-" she tried to deny it.
"You should apologize."
"Why, Captain?"
Tobias gazed at the aspirant before him. She has this nonchalant looking face and she exudes with charisma. People who look and feel this way usually belong to high society. Is it because she is the daughter of Adviser Moraii?
"You forgot?" he asked, staring sternly right into Sol.
"Why would I, Captain? I just brought justice to my brothers…" she said, finally admitting.
"Did your brothers tell you that I deserve such a revenge act?"
"What do you mean, Captain?" she asked, confused.
"So, you don't know? Why don't you ask them?" he stated and walked away.
She confusedly gazed at the Captain's retreating back.
XXX
After they had their meals, the duel on sword fighting started. The duel for the Wishbones (whether pure or mixed) and Pure-Blooded or Regular aspirants is separated. The Pure-blooded are those individuals who does not belong to the Wishbone group, either a Largusan, mixed or a foreigner. The first duel would be started by the Pure-Blooded Aspirants. Both the Wishbones and the Pure-Blooded Aspirants have five challengers. The winner will be given merits (useful for the officership in the future) and will be exempted from the elimination if they wanted to serve in the Bloody Cloaks or the Golden Shield Division.
As the duel ensued, Sol also settled beside her friends but her gaze was still on Captain. She knew that she would meet him again but she never thought that it would be like this. While staring at Tobias, she caught the man with a fairer skin tone beside him, staring intently at her too. She immediately looked away.
Was he looking at me? Did he catch me staring at Captain Karsh?
Duel after duel went on, and winners finally emerged-a man from the Wishbones and a woman from the Pure-Blooded. There was loud cheering among the crowds. The training officer then called the guests to award the scroll of recognition to the winners.
Since the duel ended so early, the host called out for any challenger that could challenge the winners. It will be a special duel.
"Starting from the champion of the Pure-Blooded, Aspirant Gai Barus. Who among you can challenge her? Ah, why don't we have Aspirant Sol Moraii!" the host announced.
A loud cheer came.
Haelas and Karisha looked at Sol who was also shocked by the announcement.
"How can you ask a Wishbone to duel with a Pure-Blood?!" Haelas shouted.
"Don't go. He is trying to humiliate you," Karisha said.
Though Sol is a Wishbone, her strength and agility is only at par with the strongest of the Pure-Blood. That's why she is being taunted by the Pure-Blood and is being seen as a humiliation for the Wishbones. This is also why the host deliberately called her.
Sol looked at Karisha.
"It is better to lose than to be a coward," she said and entered the arena.
The cheers went louder.
The Pure-Blood Champion and Sol nodded as they held their wooden swords.
"The duel begins!" the host announced and moved away from the arena.
The Champion and Sol held their swords tightly as they prepared for their attacks. Sol started the attack as the Champion defended herself. Then the duel begins to heat up with the exchanging offenses and defenses.
Haelas and Karisha looked at each other.
"What should we do?" Haelas asked Karisha.
"I don't know. My mind suddenly went blank. Let's just focus on the duel."
"Mmm."
Haelas keeps fidgeting even though he's trying to focus on the duel.
"Karisha, Sol is making me nervous. I think my heart is going to explode," Haelas stated as drops of sweat broke from his forehead.
"Did you think that it's only you? Me too, my heart is pumping vigorously right now. You could even hear the sound," Karisha stated as she held her chest.
"They've been fighting for almost half an hour. Can she win over her? The Champion is quite strong and agile."
XXX
At the distinguished guests' seat…
"Tobias, who do you think will win?" Ka-el asked.
"Hm. The Champion is stronger and more agile and yet Aspirant Moraii is more skilled."
"Strangely, the way she fights is faintly the same as your fighting style, Captain," Dorn commented.
"Mm."
PAKKK!!
The sound made the audience gasp as the two aspirants held their swords against each other, trying to break each other's sword. As seconds passed by, the tension increased. Sweat dripped from their forehead.
"Will the Champion win or our Challenger? Can I hear a loud cheer for those who bet for the Champion?... and for our Challenger?" the host exclaimed.
The cheer went louder.
TUGGG! Something fell down.
The audience gasped and felt their heartbeat flatten. The Champion and Sol are standing opposite each other and in between them stood the Wishbone Champion, Aspirant Latras Davos. Their wooden swords were thrown to the ground.
Aspirant Davos intervened, by breaking their wooden swords that are pointed to each other, to help them save their faces. The Champion will not be embarrassed if she loses against Sol. As for Sol, she will not be humiliated by losing to a Pure-blood.
The host glanced at the trio inside the arena, confused. Still, he smiled.
"And the winner for this duel is …. The Pure-Blood Champion and our Challenger. It's a tie!!" he announced and the crowd who had also recovered from the nervous-inducing fight cheered loudly.
As the outcome of the duel came out as a shock, the host ended the duel and then they proceeded to the inspiring messages from the distinguished guests.
XXX
After the other officials stated their pieces, Captain Marius walked forward towards the crowd.
"That ends our activity today. Since early morning, I am pleased that you were able to deliver an impressive maneuvering show. This afternoon, I am pleased more with the skills you have shown during the duels. Congratulations for making it till the end. Also, Congratulations to Aspirant Gai Barus and Aspirant Latras Davos for emerging as champions. Aspirant defenders, this is only the start, I hope that you will continue delivering such impressive performance until you graduate and enter the force. With the hard work you have shown today, we prepared the most savory dishes and the sweetest wine. This evening, I am granting you permission to eat and drink to the fullest! Let the feast begin!!"
The crowd cheered louder as they prepared to get the food and wine from the prepared food tables.
XXX
As the aspirants were lining up for the buffet, Sol was pulled by Nikos and his friends.
"What is it? Uh, I have a question," Sol asked.
"Ask us later. This is more important."
"What?"
"We're dead. Th-that Captain Karsh is the one who wounded me at the tavern."
"Yes, you talked about it earlier and I recognized him."
"So.."
"So?"
"Why do you look calm?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Is it because you're skilled that's why you're calm? Look here, we're dealing with a certain Captain Tobias Karsh and that certain captain is rumored to be ruthless. Even his superiors are afraid. I heard that you smashed his head, which you shouldn't have…because anyone who messes with his head will be crippled. "
"Then why did he easily let me go?"
"I don't know. But for now, let's go and beg him to spare our lives."
"Before that, he told me to ask you if he deserves that revenge justice. Did he really deserve it?"
"What do you mean? Did you just doubt us?"
"Well, if you want to be spared, tell me the truth."
"Well… technically no."
"No?"
"Mmm. I was drunk that time and I was really irritated with the loud voice of his friend who turns out to be Sir Ka-el Braegen. I went to tell his friend to shut up but he irritated me more. We exchange punches. I don't know what I'm thinking, I just pulled my knife and was about to stab his friend when Captain Karsh caught my arm. He's insanely strong. I lost my grip on my knife. Then he told me to leave. He really looks intimidating and scary that my alcohol induced bravery faded. Subconsciously, I just ran out of the tavern.
" and you bumped into me. "
"Yes. So, what's the plan? How could we get out of this situation unscathed? What would we do if he sabotaged our careers? "
"For now, let's eat first. I need to think. "
"Okay. Just think faster before that Captain will seize our lives," Nikos said as he prepared to leave. He threw one last glance at Sol. He wondered why she looked so calm compared to him who's struggling to keep his body from trembling.
XXX
Sol found her friends away from the crowd looking for her.
"Sol, where have you been? We've been looking for you?" Karisha asked.
"I just had a short talk with some of our brothers. Why?"
"Why? WHY?! How can you ask that so calmly in this situation?" Haelas asked in frustration.
"Why is he overreacting?" Sol asked Karisha.
"Now that we are done with the leveling up, let us face the real problem. You should go and apologize to the Captain," Haelas said.
"Yes, I will. Truthfully, I met him during our lunch break."
"Haaa?" Haelas and Karisha gasped.
"Did he say anything?" asked Karisha.
"Basically, he indirectly told me that what I did to him is not an act of justice but plain assault."
"Plain Assault? You brought justice to our despicable brothers . It was wrong for him to beat them up when he's older. Moreso, he's an officer."
"It was our despicable brothers who assaulted them first. Nikos exchanged punches with Captain Karsh's friend-Sir Ka-el Braegen. Captain Karsh stepped in to stop the fight."
"Really? Those brothers of ours are really despicable! Now, you're in a predicament. By the way, did Captain Karsh threaten you or anything? I heard that he's ruthless."
"Mmm. Not really. But I really need to apologize to him and take responsibility for what I did."
"But what if you apologized and he still wanted to cripple you? I heard he cripples people who mess with him."
"Don't worry. He wouldn't be able to cripple me."
"How so? In terms of skills, I'm sorry but…you can't compare."
"It's not about the skills but I have something that would prevent me from being killed. Why would I be calm all this time if I don't have it? Don't worry, he wouldn't dare hurt me."
"Then….we can really feast in peace, right?" Haelas asked with a nervous smile.
"Of course."
XXX
At the Officials' table, they were currently eating when Commander Remus arrived after he disappeared just after Captain Marius' closing remarks.
"Commander, here," Captain Marius said as he offered a chair for the commander, "have a feast with us."
"Mm."
"By the way Commander Sir, if I may ask, where did you go earlier? You've been gone for quite some time. If you hadn't come back after the meal, we would have gone looking for you," Captain Trajan asked.
"I just went to take a look around."
Actually, he went to look for someone.
"Sir, It's better to look around during the day," Captain Marius suggested.
"Right."
Commander Remus then removed his hand gloves and went to the washing area to wash his hands.
Ka-el's gaze followed the Commander when he caught a glimpse of a scar on his left hand.
It's the scar. He muttered.
Ka-el calmly observed the Commander and continued heartily chatting with the officials while Tobias and Dorn focused on feasting.
When Commander Remus arrived from the washing area and started feasting, Tobias' gaze, unconsciously, traveled towards the Commander's hands. He also saw the diagonal scar cutting from between his forefinger and middle finger on his left hand towards his wrist.
As soon as he saw the scar, Tobias started to tremble, and a memory of a woman being stabbed began quickly flashing before his eyes. Beads of cold sweat formed all over his body and started having breathing difficulties.
Dorn immediately noticed Tobias' strange behaviour.
"Captain, are you alright?" Dorn asked, whispering as he grasped Tobias shoulders.
Tobias slowly looked at Dorn, still trembling and sweating.
"Mm," he said and immediately stood up. He started walking away from the table while barely maintaining his balance.
It seemed that no one noticed it as they were enthusiastically engaged with Ka-el's chattery.
Dorn immediately followed Tobias.
Maybe no one noticed it, but the Commander's senses are incredible. However, he just gazed at the disappearing shadows of Tobias and Dorn.