chapter six

In the training grounds, Oliver could be seen putting all his strength into practicing with his trusty sword. Each swing, each strike, was filled with determination as he moved through various techniques, sweat pouring down his face from the intense training session. The sound of metal clashing and grunts of exertion filled the air as Oliver poured everything he had into his training. He pushed himself to the limit until finally dropping to his knees, gasping for breath, his chest heaving with effort.

"Come out, I know you're there," Oliver called out, his voice rough from the intense workout. From the shadows of the tree, a figure emerged. It was Arael, a fellow trainee, who flashed a mischievous grin at Oliver before casually settling on a branch of the tree.

"I didn't know you were skilled with the sword," Arael remarked, a look of genuine surprise on his face as he dropped down to join Oliver on the ground. "Who taughty you?"

Oliver twirled his sword skillfully in his hand, a small smile playing on his lips as he displayed his expertise. "My mother actually taught me how to use one," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Ah, so that's where you get it from," Arael mused, nodding in understanding. "Well, forget about that for now. The captain has requested your presence," he added, getting straight to the point.

As Oliver and Areal stroll towards their squad's residence, a magnificent castle on the outskirts of the forest, memories flood Oliver's mind. He recalls the day he arrived at his new home.

○○○ flashback  ○○○○

From the sky, a dramatic scene unfolded before our eyes. Three figures were plummeting towards a castle, two of them in a state of panic as they screamed for their lives. The third figure, their captain, exuded an air of calmness as he casually held onto the two flailing individuals. A lit cigar precariously dangled from his lips, adding to the surreal spectacle.

As the group crashed onto the castle's rooftop, the structure shattered beneath them, sending them tumbling into the dining room below.

Oliver could feel his heart racing as he stood before the ten figures, nervously waving at them. He wasn't quite sure how to react to being teased about his height by the captain, but he tried to play it cool.

"I'm not short," Oliver retorted, hoping to defend himself a little.

The captain seemed unfazed as he dusted himself off and let out a puff of smoke from his cigar. "Meet our newest member," he announced to the group before turning his attention back to Oliver. "What's your name again, kid?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment before responding, "It's Oliver White."

The captain paused, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "Hmm, that's a terrible name," he remarked bluntly, causing Oliver to feel a pang of embarrassment.

○○○ end of flashback ○○○

Oliver steps into the chaotic scene of the castle, the familiar sight of rowdy tavern-goers engaging in boisterous brawls greeting him. The sound of tables splintering and fists clashing fills the air as he navigates through the mayhem.

As he makes his way through the commotion, a sudden movement catches Oliver's eye, and he instinctively ducks just in time to evade a figure hurtling towards him. The collision sends the unfortunate individual crashing into Meg's table, sending her carefully prepared meal flying in all directions. The flames of revenge flicker to life in Meg's gaze, adding an intense edge to her usually warm and friendly demeanor. Without missing a beat, the short and chubby girl springs into action, adding her own unique brand of chaos to the brawl.

Shaking his head in amusement, Oliver can't help but chuckle at the spectacle unfolding before him. Despite the pandemonium, he finds comfort in the presence of his trusted group of friends who are scattered throughout the bar, each engaged in their own form of revelry.

Making his way towards the castle's bar, Oliver spots the familiar figure of his captain holding court amidst a haze of smoke and the clink of glasses. The air is thick with the scent of alcohol and the resonating laughter of patrons, creating a vibrant backdrop for the night's escapades.

As he approaches the bar, Oliver greets the captain with a nod and a smile.

Who are you again? Kisama asks, clearly drunk. It's me, Oliver. Oliver nearly shouts at his captain. Kisama's eyes harden as he stumbles off the chair and drunkenly says, 'I knew this day would come when someone tries to take my throne.' Oliver's eyes widen, knowing what his foolish captain will do. 'Water Magic: Water Cyclone,' Oliver screams as the water cyclone envelopes everyone in the dining room, and they scream.

After some time, Oliver got what the captain wanted from. They were called to the council meeting in the kingdom of ashrone.

○○○○○○

Oliver couldn't believe how far he had come. It had been two months since he passed the knight exam, and now he found himself stepping into the noble section of the kingdom of Ashrone regularly. The grandeur and beauty of the architecture never failed to take his breath away. Every time he walked through the noble section, he felt a sense of wonder and admiration for the craftsmanship and history that surrounded him.

Accompanied by his squad members, Kisama and Jean, Oliver made his way to the council meeting room. The room was filled with other squad leaders and their protégés, all gathered to discuss the latest mission that had been assigned to them.

Kisama, always the laid-back one, put his legs up on the table and lit a cigar, filling the room with smoke. "What's the mission?" he asked, his voice casual but filled with curiosity.

Mia, the mission administrator, stood before the group and began to explain the situation at hand. "We have a situation at Pinesilver," she started, her tone serious. Pinesilver was a town where a powerful priestess resided, whose ability to see the future had always been crucial for the kingdom of Ashrone. The protection of the priestess was of utmost importance, and the sudden silence from the town had raised alarms.

"As you know, we haven't received any messages from Pinesilver for about a week now, and the knight we sent over there has not returned," Mia continued, her expression grave. "A mission has been issued to all the captains, and that's why you are all here today."

She went on to explain that a mission to investigate the situation in Pinesilver had been classified as a C-rank mission, with the potential to escalate to a B-rank mission depending on what they found. The task at hand was clear: they needed to nominate the knights who would be venturing into Pinesilver to uncover the mystery behind the sudden silence.

As the squad captains deliberated, nine individuals were selected for the mission:

From Squad One: Natsu Yuma and Charlotte Koto

- From Squad Two: Nakao Akira and Nikita Krutov

- From Squad Four: Alison Bowen, Helene Williams, and Patricia Navarro

- From Squad Nine: Oliver White and Arial Kramer