Tohgi stood there, astonished by the fact that he was not chosen for any squad.
Tohgi: (huh? What the hell is going on? Did I miss my name?)
Sabueso: As you all know you have been chosen based on merit and potential. The grade you received is but your starting point, your end point is going to be solely determined by your hard work and self growth.
Tohgi looked at the candidates lined up, there were ninety of them, ten for each squad. The reality of the situation was one he could not wrap his head around.
Tohgi: (there's 90 of them)
Sabueso: It doesn't matter what page you were on, If you have been chosen today, you have the potential to become a captain. Don't let your rank define you, define your rank.
Tohgi began murmuring to himself completely befuddled.
Tohgi: This is some joke right? Or a dream?
Candidate: what the hell is he saying, how dare he speak when a captain is speaking, peasants should know their place.
Winfell: (Tohgi)
Sabueso took note of the interruption caused by Tohgi's confused state. He paused his speech and engaged with Tohgi.
Sabueso: What is bothering you?
Tohgi: I scored better than 89 of the candidates you've selected, how is merit and potential judged? What was the point of this exam?
Sabueso: Aaahh you must be Tohgi, you were very impressive indeed, but you were deemed to have no potential.
Tohgi: No potential? Let me guess because of my reiki?
Sabueso: unfortunately, you're right
Diaz: I wouldn't mind keeping you with me, I'm sure there are certain things you can provide for me.
Tohgi: I apologise, but I would have to decline, I didn't come here to be anyone's pet
Squad 3 captain: you should learn self control lecherous witch, to be rejected by a peasant is beneath even you.
Captain Diaz: He's a fine specimen, seems like a waste for him to go all the way back, I was giving him a very fun alternative.
Squad 3 captain: unbelievable
Tohgi: (is this some kind of sick joke) there are three squads with fighting almost entirely independent from reiki, I can understand being exempted from the mages and the Lancers as I have no experience with a spear but what conditions made me unfit to join the swordsmen or the martial arts squad?
Captain Sabueso: I'll let their captains explain
Squad VIII captain: there is nothing to explain, we only accept those who are well versed in the noble styles of the blade or the fists.
Tohgi laughed in disbelief.
Tohgi: So basically, to become a knight you must have C class reiki or higher which a southerner would practically never have, or be versed in specific swordplay or martial arts that is only taught in the north.
Captain Sabueso: I understand your disappointment but..
Tohgi: I really don't think you do. What is the point of the southern quota? To pretend that the southerners have the opportunity to become knights?
Sabueso smirked.
Captain Sabueso: As for squad seven through nine, I cannot speak on their behalf. However, I personally believe that at some point there would be a southerners born with enough reiki to prove they can be worthy knights.
Tohgi: Reiki again, we have three squads that have proven that reiki is not the be all and end all of battle.
Squad Ⅶ captain: and do you believe you have what it takes?
Tohgi: More than anyone else you've chosen, yes!
Squad VII captain: How dare you look down on our way of the blade, if you're so confident in your swordplay are you willing to prove it?
Tohgi: Anytime!
SQUAD VII captain: Very well then, If you are capable of showing anything noteworthy against a clan art, I would be more than willing to admit you into my squad.
The captain called a member of his squad to battle Tohgi.
Squad VII captain: Lorenzo
Lorenzo: Yes captain!
Squad VII captain: Come to the inauguration, I wish to show our aspiring candidates what it means to be a noble swordsman?
Lorenzo: Sure thing!
Candidate: vice captain Lorenzo? He is the heir to one of the leading clans
Candidate: He is also known to be one of the most ruthless among the vice captains, the peasant really wants to die.
Tohgi overheard the other candidates conversation.
Tohgi: (A vice captain huh? I expected a knight but not a vice, do I have a chance? He would definitely be stronger, but if I win here, there would be no other choice but to accept me. All I need is one opening)
Whilst they waited for Lorenzo's arrival, Tohgi focused all his energy on mentally preparing for an uphill battle. He was determined to prove he was not just a worthless southerner with no potential.
Squad VII Captain: clear the centre of the arena for a trial.
Lorenzo arrived at the arena and the candidates had surrounded the stage he and Tohgi were to battle.
Lorenzo: Say, even if you're unsure what to do, you can at least take a hint from your fellow candidates and leave the stage.
Tohgi bowed and informed him that he would be his opponent. Lorenzo confused, turned to his captain.
Lorenzo: Opponent? I thought this was an exhibition.
Squad VII Captain: The young man standing before you believes himself capable of combatting a clan art through his might alone, I wish to see how he intends to do so.
Lorenzo laughed when he grasped the situation that was playing out.
Lorenzo: oh boy... I don't really know how to hold back, you can just go home now and we can all go back to our lives.
Tohgi drew his blade in defiance.
Tohgi: That is not option.
Lorenzo drew his blades in response to Tohgi.
Lorenzo: well then, try not to lose a limb
The battle began and through the clashes Tohgi instantly realised he was outmatched in speed and strength. Lorenzo's reinforcement was clearly a level above his, but the difference was not beyond Tohgi's reach. The battle dragged out with Tohgi constantly on the defensive.
Tohgi: (I can't match his speed and strength, but if I keep evading and blocking his attacks I should find an opening)
Lorenzo: (he's actually not half bad) I'm impressed you kept up for this long, but...
Lorenzo threw his blade at Tohgi, which was easily dodged and quick stepped to Lorenzo believing he had found his opening. He attacked Lorenzo with his blade, Lorenzo blocked it and smirked.
Lorenzo: Aren't you focusing a bit too much on me?
Tohgi: What?
Tohgi realised the thrown blade was coming back at him and quickly dodged it, but in that second, he lost concentration, Lorenzo did not hesitate to take advantage of Tohgi's panic. Lorenzo attacked with his second blade, while controlling the direction of the first. Tohgi blocked the strike but his reinforcement was weakened and his blade broke leaving him completely open to the incoming levitating blade which Lorenzo aimed at his head.
Squad V captain: Enough.
Lorenzo stopped his blade right before it struck Tohgi's head.
Lorenzo: Captain Aspen, is there a problem?
Aspen: there's no point continuing this unnecessary farce
Lorenzo: understood Sir! Do you now understand the gulf between nobility and peasantry? Kitenryu style: dancing blades
Both blades Lorenzo brought to the battle were floating in the air.
Lorenzo: Do you have any technique of this sort in the south?
Tohgi remained silent through his embarrassing defeat.
Lorenzo: No answer huh? Captain Padraig I hope you're satisfied
Padraig: Satisfied? I am disappointed that a peasant could think himself worthy to be part of our squad.
Aspen: Go home kid, you don't belong here
Tohgi maintained his silence throughout the conversation between the captains and the vice-captain.
Captain Diaz: (I can't remember when last I saw Aspen be serious, Tohgi huh? What a shame, he would have been fun to have around it seems)
Candidates: There would always be a difference between us. You have no potential, go back to your barnyard or whatever.
Winfell: (There is nothing I can say.)
The candidates and squad captains left the arena after the inauguration had been finalised. Dante picked the other half of Tohgi's blade and brought it to him
Dante: Sorry man.
Dante left and Yamna bursted into tears at the inauguration.
Yamna: It's not fair
Tohgi noticed her tears, whilst holding his in and could not understand the reason she stood before him in tears.
Tohgi: what's this supposed to mean? Why are you crying?
Yamna: I don't deserve to be here, not over you.
Tohgi: I really don't want sympathy right now...
Yamna: it's not sympathy! It just doesn't feel right, I feel ashamed to call myself a knight with this report card.
Name: Yamna Saatchi
Rank. 172 Grade Class
Agility 47 E
Strength 26 F
Durability 36 F
Stamina 49 E
Reiki Quantity 86 A
Reiki Quality 58 D
Combat skill 31 F
Battle Rating 333 E
Winfell was shocked to see Yamna's report card.
Winfell: (people outside the top 90 candidates are usually picked if they suit a squad well enough, but 172 must be a record, 86 reiki? How is she E class and so low)
Tohgi: ("The board shows how you would be graded, E-class and below is an automatic fail", they would rather admit an E-class than a southerner)
Tohgi chuckled after reading through Yamna's report.
Tohgi: stop crying, you have been chosen based on merit and potential, be proud.
Yamna continued crying, whilst Winfell stood there silently.
Tohgi: you should go cry to your captain, I am going home.
END!