I woke before dawn, Ray's rigorous training now ingrained in my very being. The room was steeped in shadows, save for the faint glow of dawn creeping through the shutters. Despite this, it still felt unnaturally dark.
Kenji lay sprawled out beside me, mouth agape, his sharp canines glinting faintly. Across from us, perched on the top bunk, Yushiro sat in silence, engrossed in a book. I frowned. How was he reading in this darkness?
Sliding out of bed, I tied my bandana to my katana's sheathe. The familiar weight settled against my hip as I stepped into the dimly lit corridor.
"Sir Takahiro?"
A soft voice cut through the quiet, making me spin around, hand instinctively gripping my sword's hilt.
Miss Annette stood before me, her Division Knight uniform blending seamlessly with the shadows. Her auburn hair framed her face, and her eyes, warm and knowing, reflected the flickering torchlight.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Annette," I exhaled, releasing my grip on the hilt.
She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "What brings you out so early?"
"I'm going to train."
Her smile deepened, eyes gleaming with understanding. "Of course. Please train hard." She bowed with effortless grace before gliding past me, the rustle of her uniform barely audible.
I watched her disappear into the darkness, my heartbeat still unsteady. Her movements—silent, precise—were impressive.
Outside, the Division 4 base loomed, a towering fortress surrounded by an open field, with a dense forest stretching beyond the horizon. The air was crisp, and frost clung to the grass beneath my boots as I stepped onto the training grounds.
Drawing my sword, I inhaled deeply, exhaling mist into the cold air. The blade sliced through the silence as I practiced, each strike sharper, each thrust more fluid. Overhead, the last remnants of stars faded, swallowed by the encroaching hues of dawn.
By the time the sun crested the treetops, painting the sky in brilliant shades of gold and crimson, I was drenched in sweat. The morning mist curled around me as I sheathed my katana and made my way back to the barracks.
Inside, Yushiro and Kenji were inspecting their new uniforms.
"What are those?" I asked, stepping closer.
"Our official uniforms," Kenji replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
I picked up one of the black jackets, feeling its surprising weight. A silver bird crest was stitched above the heart, its metallic sheen catching the dim light.
"We need to bathe before changing," Kenji declared, practically vibrating with anticipation.
His grin was infectious. Despite myself, I smirked as Yushiro and I nodded in agreement.
"Let's go!" Kenji bolted from the room, leaving us no choice but to follow.
After a quick wash, we donned our Division Knight attire. The fabric was thick, reinforced, and heavier than expected. The weight of responsibility, I supposed.
Downstairs, the tavern buzzed with the morning's quiet energy. Truth, our senior, greeted us with a lazy grin. His ruby-red hair caught the light as he leaned back in his chair.
"Morning, guys. Sleep well?"
"Yeah, the beds were great," Kenji answered, practically bouncing in place.
Truth chuckled. "Good. Today's your first day, and according to Division 4 tradition…" He smirked. "We're going flying."
I blinked. "Flying?"
Marko, the archer, leaned in with an amused expression. "With a dragon."
My stomach dropped.
Before I could react, Kenji froze. His trembling hands clenched into fists, his entire body quivering like an overcharged spring.
Then, he exploded.
"DRAGONS?! DID YOU SAY DRAGONS?!" His voice shook the entire tavern. His eyes sparkled, pure, unfiltered excitement radiating from him.
Our seniors exchanged glances, startled by his enthusiasm.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Kenji, calm down—"
"Taka, Yushiro, he said dragons!" Kenji grabbed my arm, shaking me. "Are they wind dragons? Fire dragons? Earth dragons? Ice dra—"
Before he could go on, Truth clapped a firm hand on his shoulder, grinning.
"You'll see for yourself, kid."
As Truth's team prepared to leave, Kenji stuck to him like glue, bombarding him with an endless stream of dragon-related questions.
Meanwhile, Miss Annette arrived with fresh dishes, effortlessly replacing the empty plates. We murmured our thanks as Kenji tore into his meal, his excitement refusing to wane.
Today was going to be a long day.