XV

Dylan slept deeply the night they returned. 

The fight with Vlad had taken a lot out of him.

It took nearly three days to escort the Baron back to Dawn Guard HQ, but upon arrival Dylan forked over his passenger and went to his room.

He needed a good nights rest after being alert for nearly a week straight, in enemy territory.

At least here, he knew he was now considered too valuable to just kill in his sleep.

-

He awoke to the sound of a light knock at his door.

He was still fully dressed from where he had just came in, and fell asleep after sitting down.

He was still human after all, even considering his amazing battle strength.

Dylan wasn't surprised to see Sandra when he opened the door.

"Hello Grain," she began. "Michael sent me to get you."

"He wanted to personally debrief you on your mission. I am told it was a resounding success"

Dylan only nodded in response.

"Well, I guess if you'll follow me," she continued. "I'll take you to his office."

Sandra led Dylan through the Dawn Guard HQ to a section he had not yet been.

This area was supposedly meant for higher-level personnel only.

It housed the living quarters and offices of anyone ranked officer or above.

After arriving in front of a large door, Sandra lightly knocked and Michaels voice could be heard in response.

"Come in!"

Sandra opened the door, and gestured for Dylan to enter.

After which she closed the door behind them, leaving him alone with the captain.

"Grain!" Michael resounded. "I was hoping you would be here soon. It's not often a new recruit meets with me this many times, so early on in their career."

"However, just as Thomas informed me you would, you preformed perfectly during your entrance mission."

"Not only did you eliminate numerous enemy soldiers and rescue the hostage, you also managed to defeat a high ranking captain of the Seacrest kingdom."

"These are no small accomplishments."

"Your deeds single handedly, caused the border of our kingdom to increase. After you defeated their leader the remaining soldiers fled, allowing our men to infiltrate the area, and set up our own base in the stronghold."

"We gained a few hundred kilometers of land!"

"Under normal circumstances you would receive and award from the king himself. Sadly, the king is far to busy, with current war, to hold a ceremony."

"I've been informed you will receive your reward in due time, and I am permitted To give you the rank I see fit."

Dylan only nodded and continued to listen patiently.

"That being said, part of me wants to make you a lieutenant right away."

"Then i could deploy you with a squad, and really make use of your abilities. However, Thomas informed me that you're not much of a team player."

"Is this true?"

"Answer honestly, i have no intention of making you work in a way that would hold you back"

Dylan locked eyes with Michael as he considered his answer.

"I would have to agree with the headmaster's assessment." he responded.

Dylan referring to Thomas as 'the headmaster' wasn't lost on the captain.

He thought it weird, but attributed it to Grain's weird personality.

"Well alright," Michael continued. "With that being the case, I would suggest making you an officer with higher level clearance."

"This would allow you to join any squad you choose, or go solo."

"Obviously due to your accomplishments and potential, you will be given the highest level clearance possible."

"Allowing you to come and go as you please, along with access to the highest level of merchandise."

Dylan was slightly surprised by all of this. 

He knew he would be given a good rank, considering he succeeded in the mission.

He didn't realize however, think that he had accomplished such a monumental deed for the war in general.

He was under the impression he had just preformed well on a test.

Not an actual mission that had varying degrees of success rates and rewards.

He had heard some other guards discussing the mission, and learned that a few new recruits died trying to retrieve the same Baron.

Dylan had essentially, served the Dawn Guard better than most officers during his entrance mission.

That was unheard of!

Most recruits would just return after some reconnaissance, being given the lowest rank and having to grind their way up.

"Alright," Michael said, breaking Dylan out of his spiraling thought process. 

"You can go find Sandra again, and she'll show you to your new quarters."

"She'll also explain how to find missions for you to complete, and general know-how for a member of your rank."

"You'll be receiving your reward for the mission by tomorrow afternoon."

With a nod, Dylan simply left the office.

He hadn't walked but a few meters, before Sandra appeared in front of him.

"How'd it go?' she asked.

"It went well," Dylan said plainly.

Sandra stared frustratingly at him for moment before responding.

"Alright well, Ill show you the officer living quarters and your new room.' she continued. 'Other than that, take this."

She handed him something resembling a thick playing card.

It had his name and rank on it, and felt like it was made of a dense metal.

"That's your Badge." she said

"The Badge allows you to access the market and mission boards corresponding to your rank. Since you technically possess the highest rank possible, this card will allow you to use any facility in the whole facility!"

"Mission boards are located in the building next to the marketplace. All you have to due is take a mission from the board, and present it to the clerk with your Badge. They'll have you sign some documents, and give you any further details."

"After completing the mission, take it to the same clerk to receive your reward. Any questions?"

Dylan shook his head and remained quiet until they arrived in front of a large building.

He only seen the one door and was confused.

"This whole place is mine?" he asked.

"No silly," Sandra responded. "There are four apartments here. Yours is apartment D, upstairs and to the left."

"Just use your Badge to unlock the main door, and the one leading to your own section."

After providing directions and assuring he could get in, Sandra left him to settle in.

His new place was much more than just a room.

In fact, it had its own bathroom, living space, and office area.

He even had a master bedroom along with a full sized kitchen!

'Seems like officers don't use the cafeteria,' he thought. 'I wonder what rank that Emily is.'

After unloading his equipment and eating some rations, he decided to just relax until tomorrow.

He was broke until he got his reward or monthly payment, so he didn't have much to do. 

The office space was large enough to do sword drills, so that's what he did.

After a few hours of training, he laid down in the large bed provided with the apartment.

'Man, days like these I miss weed like crazy,' he thought. 'Granted, maybe I wouldn't enjoy it like I used too.'

'After all, I'm running towards something now, not away'

-

Dylan awoke the next morning to a light knock at his door.

'Everyday with this shit,' he thought. 'I slept-in enough in my past life I guess.'

He was clothed in only a black shirt and shorts.

Unlike the night before, he actually removed his armor before falling asleep.

He opened the door expecting Sandra, but was surprised to find Emily on the other side.

"Hey, Grain!" she said in a playful tone. "I'm supposed to deliver this space ring to ya!"

"It's a higher tier than the one I gave you before, and it also has your rewards from the mission."

Dylan accepted the space ring, and transferred the contents of his old one to the new one.

Returning the original one to Emily, he began to speak.

"Thank you Emily," he said in an even tone. "This ring helped me immensely, and I can't imagine why you'd be willing to help me more."

"You showed me around and have now twice, given me a gift."

"Well, i was ordered to do all those things," Emily responded while blushing. "I'm just doing my job!"

"Okay either way," Dylan continued. "I appreciate everything you've done. Just let me know if you ever require my assistance."

Dylan felt weird talking this much, but he genuinely felt thankful towards Emily.

He wanted to show his appreciation, regardless of how much it made him uncomfortable.

"Actually," Emily chirped. "I heard you're an officer now right?"

Dylan nodded.

"Well," she continued. "A few of us other officers formed a squad and we're short one person for a big mission."

"It would mean a lot if you signed up!"

"You'd receive a fifth of the reward, and we'd be willing to discuss the percentage based on performance."

"You seem really strong, and Sandra said we would be able to rely on you."

"What ya think?" 

Dylan thought it over for a moment.

Yes he preferred to work alone, but one could say working with others had it's advantages.

He would be able to take on bigger challenges, while having support to fall back on. He knew he couldn't trust anyone, but he also wasn't naïve enough to think things would always go as easily as they have. 

He couldn't see that many cons so he gave her his answer.

"Give me a day to get supplies and recover," he said

"Then ill make sure you guys pass the mission"

Emily jumped and hugged him in response.

'Well,' Dylan thought. 'This isn't horrible.'