The security force had led the candidate through the halls of the main building. Donovan and Elyssia led the group as they turned a corner and quickly trotted through the hallway. Elyssia had to slow herself down so Donovan could catch up with his crutches.
As they come face to face with the door leading to the security force room, Elyssia placed her hand on the handle and muttered the password, "Halstrumg" which promptly unlocked the door.
A few of the candidates nodded in approval. Their way of expressing interest and curiosity. As Elyssia pushed Donovan through the door, they spotted two people in the living room.
Madhav stood at the kitchen counter. Sipping a cup of chai as always. But an interesting guest was sitting by the couch, reading a novel, A girl with gray eyes and brown hair was recognized as the same girl who the security force saw a few days ago.
Gary pushed past Donovan and Elyssia as he opened his arms out, "Aurora-!"
"Hey there sweetie!" Aurora stood up from the couch and fell into Gary's embrace. Returning the hug with the same ferocity, "I'm back. Miss me?"
"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I~?" Gary chuckled.
"Right...Gary's girlfriend..." Elyssia muttered to herself, "Alright everyone! I need you all to follow me!"
As Elyssia made her way towards the hall of room's door. The other twenty candidates followed behind her shortly. Gaining a few stares from Gary and Aurora as they passed by.
Soon enough, all of them ended up in the dorm hall. Showing four luminescent doors. The light within the frame turns and moves slowly. And then six on the other side of the hall. So out of the twenty. There will be ten who will join. Four boys and six girls. An interesting ratio.
The other security force members stood behind Elyssia and Donovan as the two of them turned to face the twenty candidates, "So! Everyone, might wanna pay attention to the names that will appear soon! Those will be the people that the room chooses to be with us! The force! Let's start with the boys...Four people. Let's see here..."
A door on the right rumbled quietly as everyone stared in anticipation, it slowly formed an oak door. With the full name of someone who made it, "Carmilo Garcia"
It was a pleasant surprise to him that he made it. But the fact solidified itself when everyone else, especially his friends cheered for him. Patting his back as he was being congratulated him for making it. But no words were found for him to speak in response to this.
Without any time to settle in, the next door beside Carmilo was announced, "Enzo Harzeno"
"Ha ha! Yes-!" It was a good thing now that Carmilo wasn't alone in this. After all, it was Zhu's idea. But they're both happy they made it in. He was also showered with congrats and claps.
The third door revealed its owner's name, "Prince Mudenda"
"Oh shit, I got in!" Prince himself didn't expect to make it. Given the fact that many other people fought valiantly and probably much better than him. His friends cheered him on as he stood in front of his own door.
And without waiting, the fourth and final door on the right revealed its owner, "Arthur Silbrook"
There were mixed reactions this time. With the confirmation of Arthur managing to join the security force, it was a happy moment for his friends. But not so for the other boys. As it confirmed their failure to join the force.
"Now listen, everyone!" Donovan grabbed their attention, "We do thank those who attempted to join us, it gives us joy that people care now. But don't fret if you weren't successful in joining us! You'll get a letter of reccomendation from us if you want to join some high-level clubs or groups in this school!"
Some people were hesitant about it, wondering if it was true, but Donovan reassured them, "Imagine it as a recommendation letter for college. Except for clubs and possibly even magic path groups! Trust me! It'll work in your favor!" Aziroth and Samuel could see his charisma in action. But surprisingly, he's not using his silver tongue.
The other male candidates seemed to be at ease now. With the mention of boosting their chances of being accepted into their favored magic path group, they don't seem as down as before. This was true as well. Donovan had done some previous research in the past days. Alongside Madhav. Security force suggestion letters were no joke before. Hopefully the same occurred now.
"Alrighty then! Now we have the girls...Let's see here..."
The first door revealed their owner's name, "Yuri Mardiovana"
"Oh? I made it." Yuri was surprised as well with her acceptance. Enzo and Carmilo cheered for her loudly, louder than the congratulatory applause from the other students. Zhu was especially happy with that.
The next spouted its owner's name, "Zhu Shi"
Speak of the devil. It was Zhu's turn to be congratulated. Her friends all clapped for her as Enzo wrapped his arms around her and shook her vigorously. Happy that his friend made it.
The next was, "Mary Sachiel"
This one was expected from most people. After all, she already had a magic path and was an excellent mage. But in her eyes, not as great as people thought of her to be due to the fact Gary made her feel powerless. But it's Gary. He's different, which was what Arthur said to her.
The fourth was revealed, "Anna Becker"
"Haha! Yes!" Anna thought she had lost her chance when she ended up fighting Elyssia for her duel. But it appears that wasn't the case. She has no idea how the selection or room choosing works, but if she made it, she made it.
The fifth was, "Nicola Iyesil"
"Oh fuck, I made it?" Nicola had thought that her fighting style was inadequate. And almost mimicking Rovanne's style. But it appears that maybe they had found potential in her to grow. And maybe to work with Rovanne. But she's happy that she and her friend Anna managed to get inside.
All that is left now is the final candidate. The door still turned and circled. But the outline of the name slowly appeared. Blurry yet visible. As Aziroth stared at the last door, he thought to himself, more people equals more annoyance. Especially since his old friends are here now. He still has no clue why they decided to join. But he just hopes it's not going to affect him in helping the soldiers of Hanlerk in anything.
It was then revealed who was the final member joining the security force. And as the name became clear, Aziroth's heart dropped immediately, "Marlen Eiorila Rosenfield"
"Eio...?!" Aziroth uncrossed his arms and tried to get a better look at the door name. To his disbelief, it really was her. As she stepped forward and stood infront of her door, it gave Aziroth a proper look at her. Everybody ages. But for her, she looked more beautiful than the last he saw her. Her hair had grown far longer. Reaching all the way to the mid back. And it surprisingly appears freshly cleaned.
She still had her gorgeous blue and hazel eyes. One that Aziroth had adored long ago. She turned her head towards Aziroth, and locked eyes with him. The two shared a silent moment with each other in the crowded hall. Letting both of them take in the new look.
For Marlen, she viewed Aziroth nearly the same. Still as handsome as she last saw him. Maybe one? Or two years ago? Even in that short amount of time, it had felt like years had passed between them. She still admired his paler skin and near-natural jet-black hair. Such was the case of being an Avshino. She also must admit that his S-rank uniform, being as special as it is looked good on him.
In the end, they both unknowingly shared the same thoughts of each other;
'He's gorgeous...'
'She's gorgeous...'
Aziroth's heart fluttered from the simple sight of her. Marlen wanted to walk to him, and ask what went wrong, but Aziroth turned his head away and tried to stop him from feeling this at this moment. Marlen's heart cracked even further. And she had no idea why.
Aziroth wanted to tell her. His reasonings why he left them all. But there was no time to do so. And it's for their safety. Usually, he would have no problems leaving people or ignoring them. But when it came to his friends. It hurts. It hurts a lot. And for Marlen? It was agonizing.
His moment of reflection was brought to a halt as Donovan spoke, "Well everyone! Please congratulate our new members for joining the security force!" As the other candidates and security force members gave them a round of applause. Donovan stepped forward with his cane.
"Now, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for participating in joining our force tryouts today. And we would like to pay you all back with recommendation letters to for your Magic path of choice or club!" Donovan pointed towards the end of the hallway, where Madhav stood by, with ten envelopes in hand, "When you make your leave out, Madhav will hand you all your recommendation letters. I hope you find good use with it. Then again! Thank you all for coming. And we hope you have a wonderful day."
"Please make your way out from where we came from!" Elyssia spoke, "And don't forget to collect the letter! Thank you!"
Those who didn't make it were led out of the hall by Rovanne and Samuel. While those who made it stood in front of their doors. Unmoving. As soon as everyone else left, The new members stared at Donovan and Elyssia.
"Alrighty then! So! Welcome, everyone, to your new place. And faces. Hopefully you all had met each other previously. And got to know each other. If not, do that in your own time! Right now, let us take a tour of the place right now!" Donovan walked forward. And headed towards his own door, opening his own room, "If you all take a look inside your room, it should all be the same with each other. And it's all up to you to customize your room as much as you want!"
The ten new candidates all looked inside their rooms. It was the standard room like any other. But it looks much more nicer. With a clean bed with a red blanket. And enough room that usually can fit two bunk beds. But now hosts one single bed. And with a table and chair for work.
"That will be your living space from now on. Anyways! Follow me everyone!" Donovan led them out of the hall. And back into the main big room, "This is the living room, I guess you can call it. We got a kitchen, television, a bookshelf. All that jazz!"
Inside the kitchen, Gary and Aurora were hanging around there. Aurora had made some tea for everyone. As they all turned to the two, she gave them a smile and a quick wave. Right next to her was Gary. Staring at them with a death glare. The stark contrast between both personalities was evident.
"And now you have the different rooms! We got an artifact room and a training room! We just store our weapons, armor, grimoire if you have some, and other small artifacts in the artifact room. Should be obvious but now! We got the training room." Donovan pointed at Yuri, "You! You are Yuri right?"
"Uh...Yes. Yes, I am." The tall blonde nodded.
"Do you like to work out?"
Yuri nodded in response. Leading Donovan to open the training room, "Then this is the perfect space for you to train!"
Enzo pointed someone out, "Who's that guy?"
As Donovan turned around, a boy was present inside the room currently. Doing pull-ups while completely shirtless. His coat and weapon, a katana, were settled near the wall. As he worked out. He had a well-toned and defined body. With numerous scars on his back, and arms.
Soon enough, he let go of the pull-up bar, and landed on the ground before turning around. The boy's face was revealed. A Japanese boy with heavy eyebags. There were even more scars on his chest. With a more bigger and noticeable scar that reached from his right shoulder all the way to his left rib. Which seemed to surprise everyone.
"Uh..."
"Ah! It's one of our newer members as well. I would like you all to meet Karasu Yūga. Quite a swordsman he is!" Donovan introduced them to his friend, "Speaking of swordsmanship...If you guys don't wanna work out for today, there's a really big space with dummies and everything for you to practice magic and your skills!"
To the right of all the gym equipment, an open space was laid out. With specialized gray walls and dummies laid out on the ground, "Hey, Donovan? I got a question." Anna Becker had raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"How can all of this...like exist? There's multiple big rooms and the room from the outside looks small."
Elyssia answered her question, "This room defies all laws of physics. Like how magic does. The outside looks smaller than the inside. The best way I can explain it is just calling it hammerspace. Or something like that."
"Ohhhh..." The collective group understood at the same time.
"Yeah. That's the best way to answer that."
"Well!" Donovan closed the training room door, letting Karasu do whatever he wanted, "And that's really all with the tour. You can ask Madhav for the file room. And that's all. If you're a fan of cooking, we got good stuff for it. All that jazz. And then again, welcome to the security force."
They all just stood there. Staring at Donovan quietly. In Donovan's head, he thought to himself, 'The fuck? What are you all staring at?', "Well, what're you waiting for then? Hop to it, Get your suitcases and shit from your previous dorm and move it in here! Don't just stand there!"
With that, they all snapped out of their awkward stance and followed each other out the Security room door. Leaving the older security force members in the room.
"Thanks for doing all the talking." Elyssia sighed, "Next time we do big speeches, I'm letting you take charge."
"No thanks. Out of everything, I hate doing that." Donovan politely attempted to decline Elyssia, "Specifically."
"Change of plans then. I'm forcing you."
"Awh come on!"
While the others conversed around with each other, Aurora came in holding a tray with a large teacup and multiple cups for everyone, "Well now everyone! Congratulations on attaining new members, come 'ere! I made some tea for everyone."
The others gathered around the dinner table. As Aurora quickly distributed cups filled with tea already. With Gary standing next to her quietly. Aziroth sat near the edge, contemplating to himself quietly, "Alrighty then. I hope everyone enjoys my tea. But it's rude not introducing myself now eh? Aurora Black. At your side. I already know most of you 'ere."
The other security force members took their minute to introduce themselves. Completely ignoring what Aurora had said. That was until Rovanne raised a question, "Hey Aurora, you're from another school right? Transferred for now?"
"That I am! Who told you that?" Aurora picked up Donovan's sly signal. She wouldn't have caught onto it if Gary hadn't told her about it earlier while the newcomers were being chosen.
"Aziroth. He's right over there..." The aforementioned member sat by the edge of the table. Staring blankly towards empty space. Seemingly deep in thought with his mind. On something, or someone.
He stares alot. All shared the same dead blank look in his eyes. But they always meant two things. One could be him pondering over the information he learned in the books he read just recently. Or something about a concept no one can understand properly. But this time, he had a different glow in his eyes. It was like a shine had appeared in his iris. Small, but noticeable.
"Azzy? You good?" Donovan asked him.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm good...Nice tea though Miss Black."
"Just call me Aurora please." She waved it off.
Samuel caught on to his odd behavior, "Are you sure you're ok? You don't look like it."
Aziroth quickly finished his cup before setting it on the table harshly, shaking it slightly, "It's none of your business."
He quickly walked towards the dorm hall and shut the door before him. Leaving the others sitting there, "Yeesh, what's his problem?"
Marlen. Marlen specifically was the problem.