Chapter 1 –– One Day

"Congratulations, Haru," said an instructor while placing a badge on the right side of his uniform.

"Thank you," Haru replied.

Haru had just graduated from the military after four years of training in the academy. Despite having spent his childhood in a small town in a remote island far from the capital, he managed to graduate as the valedictorian of his batch.

He took a look at the badge that was given to him. It was shiny. Unlike the others, his badge was a little different that only a valedictorian of each year may receive it. He looked proud of himself.

"What are your plans after this, Haru?" the instructor asked.

"I think I––"

Right before Haru was about to respond, somebody interrupted him.

"Are you ready to take a photo, Haru?" a girl shouted at him.

She was one of Haru's best friends, Meixia. They had been friends since they were first enlisted in the academy.

"I'm coming!"

Haru shouted while running towards her. Behind her, two more people were waiting for him. They were planning to take a group photo for the graduation.

"Say qisi!"

The four of them took a photo as a memory before they part to different paths of their lives.

Little did they know, that was not the end of their story.

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A few months later, Haru arrived at Amber City, the capital city of the nation. It was the city where everybody from all across the nation met other citizens of the nation coming from different backgrounds, a truly multicultural city.

After wandering around the city and asking the locals around, Haru finally arrived at the place he had been aiming for his whole life. The Temple.

He arrived at the gates of the Temple. Upon the entrance, he met several guards who were guarding the gates.

"May I see your letter, please?" said one of the guards standing by the front gate, asking for a token of permission.

Haru handed him his letter of recommendation from his master when he was working as a protégé for a Sacred Sorcerer during his final year of academy.

"Right this way."

The guard led him the way, entering the area. He led him to the one in charge of the job he applied to.

"Oh, this is the new guy, huh?"

The guard handed the letter that was given to him by Haru to the person in charge, a woman with long red hair. He then left to get back to his post.

The woman then approached Haru. She smiled at him and gave him a big hug.

Haru looked surprised. He never expected to be hugged by a woman right when he just arrived.

"Welcome to the team, Haru!"

Haru took a glance past her, to see other members of the 'team' she mentioned. There was no one else but her around.

"I'm Saaya, Chief of Garuda Squad. Come."

Saaya then asked Haru to follow her to show him his room. Haru then followed her just as she told him.

Located in the capital city, the Temple was the central government of Virtue Vault Federation. It held the regular meeting for the Temple Members involving political affairs of the nation. In addition, it was also the place where the leader of the nation resides, the Premier.

After having worked as a protégé of a Sacred Sorcerer during his final year of academy, Haru had recently been appointed as an official Sacred Guard in Amber City. He specifically applied to be a member of the Garuda Squad, the team who personally guarded the Temple Members, including the Premier.

Garuda Squad was known to be the most elite and prestigious division of the Sacred Guard Regiment. The squad consisted of 9 most talented and dedicated individuals from all across the nation. After the previous chief of the squad passed away, Saaya replaced his position as the new Chief of Garuda Squad and Haru filled the vacant position.

Coming from a small town, Haru had dreamt of coming to this city from a very young age. Haru was raised in a monastery by the monks who served as civil servants of the nation. After he turned 17, he enlisted in the military academy and trained to become a military officer. During his final year of academy, he worked as a protégé before he could finally become a Sacred Guard and work at the Temple. Now that he'd gotten to this point in his life that he's been yearning for all along, he felt like he was a step closer to achieving his dream–– to reunite with his long-lost brother.

There are multiple buildings within the area, including the Premier Palace, Assembly Hall, utility building, as well as residence for workers of the Temple. Haru takes a careful look at each building he sees, trying to memorise the area.

"Here's the key to your room. Everyone here has their own room, so just knock on their door if you ever need anything."

Saaya handed Haru his room key and helped him move his belongings into the room.

The room was empty. It looked like nobody had been using it for the past few months.

"By the way, we will be having dinner at 6, so don't forget to come to the dining room when you're finished."

Saaya then left Haru on his own.

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After having spent the entire afternoon unpacking his belongings, it was finally time for dinner. Haru walked downstairs to the dining hall to meet the rest of the team.

Haru did not expect that he would be the last person who came to the table, despite the fact that he came 10 minutes earlier. There were 8 other people who were already sitting at the table, including Saaya.

Unlike the rest of the Sacred Guards working in other divisions, Garuda Squad was the only team that had their own designated dining room. The rest of the members of the regiment dined along with other workers of the Temple in the dining hall. This was done due to the nature of working directly under the Lord Commander of the Sacred Guard Regiment, for reasons of confidentiality.

The dining room for Garuda Squad was a long rectangular table with 4 seats at opposing sides, and one seat at the very end of the table. Saaya was currently siting on the seat between the two sides, with the remaining seats filled except for one, which was supposed to be Haru's seat.

Haru was standing still in front of the door, not knowing what to do.

Saaya then got up from her seat, followed by other members of the squad.

"Welcome, Haru from Rhea Town. Please, have a seat."

Haru then went to the remaining seat, at the right side of the table. Before sitting, Haru was asked to give a small introduction for the team.

"Hello everyone. I'm Haru from Rhea Town, Emu Island. Nice to meet you."

Everyone clapped for him.

"Alright. Thank you, Haru. Everyone, please have a seat."

Saaya led the dinner like she always did, as the leader of the squad. After everyone was seated, the staff served them dinner.

While being served, Haru noticed a familiar person in front of him. That person was.....

"Meixia!?"

Haru got surprised to his own shouting voice. Everyone halted due to sheer shock.

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