"Mh... Balasyr, what do you think?"
"Certainly, the structure leaves much to be desired... not exactly on par with the capital's academy."
"I agree."
"Still, if I'm not mistaken, Sir Glasgow should be training here."
"T-The Glasgow?"
"Do you know any other? Hahaha!"
Glasgow Zieghart, the king's right hand. Over the years, he'd earned his name by crushing ranks of enemies and expanding territories under the royal family's banner. At 48, Glasgow decided to retire and return to his hometown.
The knight quickly dismounted, his gaze fixed on a modest building to the side of the academy.
"Captain, who are you greeting? There's no one there..."
"Oh, don't worry. He already knows we're here."
The man replied, striding forward.
"W-Wait up, Captain!"
The boy shouted, rushing after him.
___________________
Boom
With a resounding bang, the doors burst open as two armored men strode in.
"Isn't that... Clarence Brown?"
"From the Brown family?"
"Yes! Heir of Kevin Brown, Achilles' Disciple!"
With that revelation, the entire class plunged into chaos.
Only two boys seemed unfazed.
Leaning against the wall, Rayliar looked almost on the verge of falling asleep.
Tock
"Stay awake!"
Morlowe commanded, elbowing his half-brother in the ribs.
"It's an honor to meet you in person, sir," Clarence said smoothly.
"Don't mention it, kid, looks like you've come a long way! Hahaha!"
Glasgow laughed.
"Yes, sir."
The young man bowed deeply, bending at a precise ninety degrees, his arms pressed close to his sides.
If Rayliar had to describe him, he'd start by saying he was... good-looking.
Messy blonde hair fell over his shoulders. A sharp, high nose separated two tired, dark brown eyes. Thin lips completed a perfectly proportioned face, broad shoulders, and his leather armor gave him an otherworldly, regal quality. A wolf fur hung over his shoulders like a mantle.
"Alright. Who are the Chosen Four?"
Clarence started.
"They're over there, just a bit farther in," Glasgow answered, gesturing to a small group on the side of the room.
Instantly, the young man's eyes locked onto them.
Mh... let's see what we're dealing with...
Suddenly, the knight released a lethal aura into the air.
Thump-Thump
For a second, Rayliar felt his heart tighten, like prey trapped by a predator.
The boy stopped yawning, raising his eyes toward Clarence.
Rayliar's eyes narrowed to slits, his body tensing, ready to leap.
Beside him, Morlowe seemed unperturbed, his cold expression only hinting at his refusal to back down—or even his sense of superiority.
Ah, someone interesting...
Clarence thought, smiling as if it were nothing.
"I don't think I need an interview... I've seen enough."
With a swirl of his cape, he strode towards the exit.
"C-Captain, you can't keep doing this!"
Balasyr pleaded, running after him.
___________________
That evening, Clarence and Glasgow found themselves in a small tavern, not far from the village center.
"So, what do you think?"
The ex-knight asked, wiping beer foam from his lip.
"You know what I think... the candidates are two; it's obvious."
Clarence raised his mug from the table.
"And how can you be so sure?"
"You already know why..."
"Are you talking about my little trick? I see you copied it."
Glasgow rocked back in his chair, a slight smile on his face.
"Let's say I picked up a few moves..."
Clarence replied with a knowing look.
Ten years ago, Glasgow had done the same thing with him.
At that selection, there had been eight of them. Five had fainted, one had wet himself, leaving only two.
"It takes more than a good title to make a great soldier."
That was what Glasgow had said when he asked why he was chosen.
It's true...
Clarence thought, sipping his beer.
...but first, you need a good title to become one.
The boy added in his mind.
___________________
That night, Rayliar couldn't sleep.
A thousand questions and doubts filled his mind.
What if I don't get a good Job?
What if I'm not up to the role?
What if I choose the wrong one?
Panic took hold of him.
Suddenly, the young man got out of bed, throwing on a dirty shirt and some shorts.
As quietly as possible, he slipped out of his room, down the hall, through the living room, and reached the door.
He put on his shoes and did what he always did when his demons haunted him: he headed to the training grounds.
Even though the grounds were closed after sunset, Glasgow had given him a spare key so he could come and go as he pleased.
Rayliar walked in, the familiar scent of wood and straw filling his lungs.
First, he began stretching his muscles, as his grandfather had shown him hundreds of times. Then he started his routine: an hour of running, 100 push-ups, 100 pull-ups, and 2000 sword strikes.
And then he did it again.
And again.
And again.
Until the moon gave way to the sun.
Lying still in a puddle of sweat, Rayliar raised his head to the ceiling.
Alright... now I feel at ease.
___________________
That evening, Morlowe let himself fall onto the bed, sinking a few inches into the mattress.
The moonlight lit up the room, filtering through the large window beside his bed.
It looks so small...
The young man thought, stretching his hand toward the pale celestial body, trying to grasp it.
They're just like us... the sun and the moon... Rayliar and I...
When his father told him the truth about them being brothers, Morlowe hadn't felt anger or shame—quite the opposite.
The idea of having a brother had excited him so much he convinced his father not to send him to the royal academy.
"I want to live close to my people."
He'd declared in his father's presence.
How could I be a good lord to my subjects if I don't know their ways, their stories?
That was the excuse he used, maybe more for himself than for his father.
But the reality was different, and he knew it well.
Good luck, little brother.
___________________
At eight sharp, a crowd had already flooded the town streets, streaming into the main square.
Normally, the Choosing Ceremony was a solemn, private affair, but today would be different: the heir of the Deligt house was among those to choose his path.
In the center of the square stood a handsome, blonde-haired boy with his arms crossed, accompanied by a knight. Next to them, a group of four children looked around, waiting for the man to speak.
"Here we are. This time, we're lucky that you all were born before noon... last time, I had to wait until 11:33 PM... don't get me started."
Clarence muttered, shaking his head.
"So, who was born first?"
He asked impatiently, glancing at the group of children.
"I-I was..."
A girl with black hair answered, her face covered in freckles and her eyes lined with dark circles.
"When?"
"8:12 AM, sir."
"Good... step forward to the center."
And she did just that.
All eyes fixed on her.
Suddenly, a message only visible to her appeared before her eyes.
___________________
CONGRATULATIONS! CHOOSE A "JOB" CARD AND BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE!
___________________
Thud
The girl fell backward with a thump.
Visible only to her, a series of cards floated before her, ready to be picked.
Her hand moved slowly, reaching for one, and finally, she touched it.
Boom
A thunderclap split the sky, illuminating the girl.
"Go on, Balasyr... do your job."
Clarence said, pushing the knight forward.
"O-Okay!"
Awkwardly, Balasyr approached the girl, offering her a hand.
When their fingers met, Balasyr turned sharply to his captain.
"Two stars. Thief."
He announced in a neutral tone.
Half an hour later, it was the second boy's turn.
"Three stars. Fire Mage."
"Only you two remain," Clarence said, looking at the brothers.
"Go ahead, step forward."
He gestured toward the center of the square.
And they did as ordered.
Thump-Thump
Thump-Thump
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
Rayliar's heart hammered like never before.
He tried to swallow, but his throat felt like sandpaper.
Around him, a tense silence filled the square. It was as if no sound existed.
For a moment, Rayliar and Morlowe glanced at each other.
Then, the message appeared before their eyes.
___________________
CONGRATULATIONS! CHOOSE A "JOB" CARD AND BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE!
___________________
And their destinies lay before them.
"W-What?!"
"W-What?!"
The two exclaimed in unison, eyes darting between the cards.
Finally, they both reached into the air, grabbing something invisible to the others.
And then, light enveloped them.
When it faded, everyone could see clearly who had been favored by fortune.
Thud
One of the twins knelt on the ground, staring vacantly ahead, lost in thought.
The other raised his hands skyward in triumph.