1 The Gate of Knight

One afternoon, the sky filled with a color of violet rays and clouds, enhance the charms of a sun. A pretty strong wind, blowing leaves through the west forest of Logard.

Where stand a majestic building with black metal-walled. The building became a headquarters and academy of the independent forces named 'Cerberus'.

Not far from it, a young man with straight-face and straight black hair a little longer than the ears, facing a man who looks a few years older than him. Based on the condition, they are in the middle of a fight. But judging from their expression we could tell that they are just training. Normally, the scholar or Cerberus troops train in the practice room which available in the headquarters. But for now, the room is packed with the other academics who are also improving their ability.

The young man look quite tired while on the opposite, the man who is facing him looks calm. "What's wrong? Aren't you gonna take graduation exam tomorrow? If you're worn-out just from this, what about tomorrow?" Said the man with short brownish black hair which was neatly combed backwards. He looks clam even though they have trained for hours.

Hearing that, the young man who is being trained as preparation for his exam tomorrow immediately take a deep breath, clench his fist and back to his steady position.

"Come on Ain! Give me your best shot!!" shouted the man giving encouragement to the young man named Ain.

Ain dashed faster than before. He strikes the man with his left hand. But the man easily skims it, Ain quickly pulls back his hand, then crouched down and moved to the side to target the man rib. Ain was fast, but not fast enough to actually cast the attack on him.

"Ain, your move is good, so does your reflexes. But you haven't found your 'identity'. In martial arts, each person has their own style. In physical abilities, you are qualified enough. But you haven't mastered your fighting technique."

The man kicked Ain stomach when he's ready to launch another strike. Ain bounce back a bit far to the ground. And then he just lying on the ground after being hit by this lethal attack; while staring at the evening sky without any strength to stand up.

"Master Heim. Am I worthy enough for tomorrow exam?" said Ain while looking blankly at the evening sky. A flicker flashed of anxiety suddenly entered his mind.

The man who trained him, Heim. Squat beside Ain while looking at him with a furrowed brow.

"Tonight, come to my place. I will teach you how to find your own fighting technique."

After saying that, Heim went away leaving Ain still lying staring at the sky. A beautiful evening sky, but not for him who is shrouded with pessimism.

[•X-Code•]

The next day, Ain along with a few people in the same age of him stands in the middle of a class who has hologram monitor in every desk and a big monitor on the front which display a logo with a shaped of three-headed dog and pronouncing'CERBERUS' below it. After every candidate filled the classroom, then some people arrive from the right automatic door.

A man standing in the front ready to give an explanation. The man is the head of the academy. The scholars called him 'Maestro', a title for the highest person in every branch of Cerberus.

And there are teachers which called 'master' are standing behind him. They are Cerberus troops who are assigned to train the candidate member of Cerberus. Heim, as a trainer in martial arts academy also participate standing there.

The Maestro starts explaining. "Today is a fateful day for you all. As you all know, Cerberus is an independent special force in Logard. Cerberus's job is to carry out every given mission and all the missions we receive is very important, sometimes it involves the safety of many people. For that, a candidate with sufficient abilities is needed so that these missions can be successful. Therefore, if you successfully complete this test, you will be officially appointed as Cerberus troops. There are now 150 candidates registered to take the exam. However, only a few will be accepted. We will judge by your attitudes, abilities, way of thinking, and the actions you take during the exam. It could be that only one person will be accepted, or even none at all. It all depends on how you carry out the mission. I'm just going to say, fight! We will be waiting for you at Cerberus."

After the Maestro finished speaking, he left the room escorted by two of his bodyguards.

Then, a woman who looked very young, stepped forward to replace the Maestro spoke. Her long black hair looks charming in a ponytail, matching her cute yet cold face. "My name is Vabica. I am in charge of the exam this time. I will explain the system and rules of the exam. But before that, I warn you. You might lose your life in this exam. We don't want half-baked candidates to join Cerberus. I'll give you 5 minutes to rethink this exam as well as possible. For those who are still in doubt, please leave the room immediately. "

Some of the candidates were annoyed by Vabica's words. They mutually discuss with each other, some immediately stand up to leave the room and are followed by several candidates who feel they are still not ready. They don't want to lose their lives just to join Cerberus. Naturally, they resign without thinking. Their time at the academy wasn't that long. In contrast to Ain who had been in the academy since childhood.

Ain had never taken the exam because his age had not met the requirements. Therefore, it was only this year that Ain was able to take the exam.

[•X-Code•]

"Yo, Ain!" A young man tapped on Ain's shoulder from behind. Ain turned his head back to see him. Riev, a candidate who was also Ain's good friend, leaned over from the bench behind. Ain and Riev have been friends since childhood. "Do you think I get along with Master Vabica?" Whispered Riev with his flirtatious face.

"No," Ain replied briefly as he returned his gaze forward.

"Huh! Look, she's younger than us. But already in a Cerberus troop. She was accepted without a test. I heard she's from East Cerberus."

Riev bent down so that he rested his chin on Ain's shoulder, hoping that his friend would support him. But Ain ignored Riev's babbling. His mind was on the test he was about to face.

"Hey! Are you listening??" Riev got a little bit angry.

"Yes, I'm listening," Ain replied briefly.

Ain does have a quiet nature and seems cold. Because of that, Ain didn't have many friends. Even so, Riev, who had also been in the academy from childhood, still chose to have good relations with Ain. Indeed, their nature is opposite to each other. However, this doesn't become a problem for Riev. After all, Riev who had lived with Ain for a long time, knew very well that his best friend was actually very wise. Ain did not say much but never overlooked important matters. Especially when it comes to a matter of justice, Ain will not remain silent if he sees injustice in front of him.

"Hey, how was your training with Master Heim? I heard from Lyona that you still haven't found your own fighting style huh? I can't believe it, I just found my own fighting style a few years ago," Riev poked Ain's cheek with his index finger, teasing him a little. Ain was silent with his cold face not bothered by it. He was used to being treated that way by Riev.

"Last night I was only given a few suggestions. Master Heim said if possible, in this exam, I will find my fighting style," Ain replied followed by a change in facial expression. From what was originally cold, now he has a serious face with slightly wrinkled brows.

"Okay, 5 minutes have passed," Vabica spoke again, interrupting Ain's conversation with Riev as well as making the candidates who were busy chatting now focus on her. Vabica observed the candidates in the room that had been reduced by a lot. Only less than half still had the confidence to stay seated.

"I purposely didn't tell this. Anyone who resigned would be declared a failure for life. In another sense, they could no longer join the Academy for the rest of their life. If they weren't ready, they shouldn't have participated in the first place. Wether you like it or not, you have to be ready to take the risk of your decision. That is the attitude required to become Cerberus troops. Now, I will continue to explain. "

There were only 60 people left in the room including Ain and Riev. But they were unaware of the change in the number of candidates in the room. Neither Ain nor Riev, paid any attention to the surroundings. Riev was busy teasing Ain, while Ain was busy focusing his thoughts on the exam that day.

"As we know, Cerberus has three Academics. East Cerberus, which were also become the headquarter, South Cerberus; Right Head, and Center Head; where we are right now, West Cerberus; Left Head. All Cerberus academies are also having their own exams.

We will join the Cerberus academy from various parts of Logard for this exam. To this point, is there any questions?" All the candidates were silent, ready to listen to the next explanation.

"Very well, I will continue to explain the exam. Just as the 'Cerberus' (mythical Three-headed Dog creature), each Cerberus will serve in a group of three. Therefore, in this exam you will be united with other Cerberus academies to form a group. So you will not meet your friends here. Remember, a Cerberus must be able to move in any condition. Now, your first test. You are given 3 days to get to Center Head, the headquarters of Cerberus. That's where you will find your respective groups. However, not only that. Only the fastest 10 people will pass. After 10 people arrive there, the rest will be declared null and void. There is only one rule, you have to move on your own. Although you are free to do whatever it takes to get to the Center Head in a maximum of 72 hours. Starting from now. "

No one expected the exams start so quickly. The candidates immediately left the room remembering they had not packed their stuff. But Ain and Riev still didn't move from their seats. It turned out that it wasn't just Ain and Reiv. Several candidates were also still in the room with furrowed brows. Seeing this, Vabica asked those who were still in their chair a question, "Why are you still here?"

Ain stood up and asked permission to ask a question. Vabica smiled, allowing Ain to ask.

"From here to Center Head it will take at least 7 days. That is by car or motorbike. Indeed, we are free to use any means to get to Center Head. But the only way to get to Center Head from here in a maximum of 3 days is only using a Trava, the special anti-gravity vehicle of the Cerberus troops. While we are not yet a Cerberus troop. We don't have the authority to use Trava. Besides, only 10 people will pass the stage test this time. Whether it's a coincidence or not. , but the total number of Masters in this room is also 10. I think there is something on the exam this time. Isn't that right?" Ain asked, representing another candidate who also thought the same.

Vabica smiled, which make her face look more pretty.

"Hmm... Only 7 people?" said Vabica while observing the remaining candidates in the room.

"Well, it's true what was said by… Sorry, what's your name?" Vabica approached Ain.

"Ain." he replied briefly.

Vabica was stunned to hear the young man's name. But she didn't show a surprised expression. As much as possible Vabica keeps a calm face, but looks firm.

"Yes, it is true what Ain said. The first test this time is a test of general knowledge. Also the level of observation of the surrounding conditions. A basic attitude required by the Cerberus army. With this, I declare. All the candidates who are in this room now, pass! "

Cheers sounded chaotic in the room.

"But, the next test will arrive soon. Well, you are indeed assigned to Center Head for the next stage of the test. You will be accompanied by a Cerberus troop who is here to go to Center Head using Trava," said Vabica while looking at the master who had been standing at the front.

"We will negotiate to determine who you will go with in 10 minutes, we will announce the results. Please leave the room, and wait outside to be called," Vabica continued.

The candidates left the room immediately. They felt so enthusiastic, but also curious about the continuation of the graduation exam.

Now there are only 10 Masters there including Vabica and Heim. They are in the middle of discussing who they will bring. A Master may only bring 1 candidate.

Vabica felt a little disappointed, at first. She wanted to test the candidates again if there were more than 10 people. But it turned out that only 7 people remained in the room.

Heim volunteered to take Ain. He stated the reason that in fact, Ain had not yet found his own fighting style. Among the other Masters, Heim was the most skilled in the martial arts there. The other masters agreed with Heim's decision.

It didn't take long for them to determine the distribution of these candidates. After that, the other Masters went outside to prepare the Trava that they would use to get to Center Head.

Only Heim and Vabica were in the room. Vabica is indeed in charge of summoning the candidates one by one. Meanwhile, Heim stayed behind because Vabica asked him to. Vabica wanted to ask Heim something.

"Brother... That... 'The' Ain right?" asked Vabica. Her attitude changed drastically when she was alone with Heim.

"Yes," Heim replied briefly.

"I see ..." Vabica smiled happily. She really expected Ain to graduate into the Cerberus troops. It turned out that Vabica already knew Ain. It's still unclear what kind of past she went through with Ain so that it could turn her cold face into a sweet blush when she found out that Ain participated in the Cerberus exam she was holding.

Heim smiled faintly while rubbing Vabica's head who was his younger sibling, before finally going after the other Masters.

[•X-Code•]