Chapter 25: First Day in the First Squadron

After finishing his morning training with Placida and Morrigan, Luzbel headed to his room to shower and get dressed. As he put on the appropriate clothing for the day, he picked up Ember, his little black feathered companion, and placed her on his shoulder. The magical bird seemed content to accompany him.

Once ready, Luzbel went downstairs for breakfast before heading to the barracks. He took a carriage alongside Titus and Placida, enjoying the ride as he took in the bustling alleys of the city of Arx Regni. The sun was beginning to shine, illuminating the cobblestone streets as the carriage made its way through the crowds.

Finally, they arrived at the imposing gate of the barracks. Luzbel said goodbye to Titus and Placida, thanking them for their support, and headed for the barracks of Interventus Celestis. With a firm and determined step, he entered the barracks, where the atmosphere vibrated with anticipation and excitement.

Luzbel headed towards the seventh barracks but before continuing on his way he remembered Ember and thought he could stand out a lot. So he told her that while he trained he had better explore the area. Ember was reluctant to leave but gave in and flew off. Luzbel continued on his way and met Lancelot, his training partner. The two friends greeted each other and began walking together towards the barracks, sharing their expectations and emotions for the day.

When they reached the courtyard of the Brigade headquarters, they found ninety other recruits waiting anxiously. Excitement could be felt in the air as everyone prepared to begin their training as part of Interventus Celestis.

Suddenly, Olaf, the captain of the brigade, appeared along with ten men and women wearing copper musculata armor, lightweight and allowing for great mobility. But most striking were the masked helmets with a golden laurel wreath covering their faces.

Olaf turned his gaze to the one hundred recruits and congratulated them, "Congratulations to all of you for joining the most elite brigade in the entire army." Then his gaze fell on Luzbel and the other top nine qualifiers. "And especially to Luzbel and the other top nine qualifiers. You will be the pride of our brigade."

Olaf's words filled Luzbel with a sense of responsibility and determination. He knew he had high expectations to live up to. However, he didn't let that overwhelm him and remained steadfast in his resolve to do his best.

After congratulations, Olaf announced, "Now you will each go with your squadron leader." Luzbel and Lancelot, along with the other eight recruits, followed a tall man dressed in armor to the headquarters of the first squadron of Interventus Celestis.

Following the tall man down a cobblestone path, they walked away from the squad's headquarters and into a lush wooded area. During the ten-minute walk, Luzbel was able to grasp the immensity of the brigade headquarters and, more impressively, the imposing size of the Arx Regni Barracks, which alone could be considered a city.

In the middle of the forest, stood the majestic headquarters of the first squadron. An imposing temple with Doric columns stood before them, adorned with a large frieze depicting knights mounted on pegasus and griffins, a sight that filled Luzbel and his companions with awe.

The tall man finally removed his helmet and addressed the ten recruits gathered in front of the temple. "Welcome to the first Squadron. I am Oliver and I will be your Squad Leader," he announced authoritatively. Luzbel couldn't help but be surprised to see that Oliver bore a strong resemblance to Alistair, with the same blue hair, albeit shorter, and a more mature facial expression.

Oliver caught Luzbel's gaze and they shared a brief exchange of glances before he continued his introduction. "The first squad is made up of the thousand most competent men in the brigade. So they should be proud to be the best of the best."

Concluding his speech, Oliver added firmly, "I just hope they are worthy and put forth the effort necessary to live up to expectations."

After finishing the presentation, Oliver began a tour of the recruits' new abode. He showed them from the rooms where they would rest, the dining room where they would gather for meals, the training arena where they would hone their skills, to the stable where majestic pegasus and griffins of various sizes and shapes rested.

Once the tour was concluded, Oliver indicated, "Good, now go to the dormitories and leave your belongings in your assigned rooms." Luzbel, despite not having any possessions to leave, set out to accompany Lancelot. Before he could do so, however, Oliver suddenly called out to him.

"Luzbel, you stay here. You and I need to talk," Oliver requested earnestly. Luzbel was surprised by the invitation and nodded in agreement. As the rest of the recruits moved away towards the dormitories, Luzbel remained beside Oliver, waiting to hear what he had to say to him.

Oliver looked at him with a mixture of sadness and determination. "I know you are the only survivor from the village outside Arx Regni, where my brother died. I want to know what happened, I want you to tell me from your mouth."

The revelation took Luzbel by surprise, but he pondered for a few moments before he began to tell Oliver the story of the attack by the mysterious bird-winged man. However, Luzbel deftly omitted the detail of his own wings, which he had kept secret since that incident.

Oliver looked saddened as he listened to the narrative. "So my foolish brother died protecting you," he muttered regretfully. Luzbel was surprised to realize that Oliver was the brother of Alistair, that brave young man who had lost his life defending him.

Worry gripped Luzbel, fearing that Oliver was blaming him in some way. However, Oliver shook his head at his reaction. "It wasn't your fault, Luzbel. It was my brother, who decided to go in search of the Magical Beast on his own and willingly sacrificed himself."

Oliver patted her shoulders comfortingly and spoke to her sincerely. "I only hope your sacrifice is worth it and you accomplish something great, something worth my brother's life."

Luzbel nodded, feeling a new burden on his shoulders, an even greater responsibility to honor Alistair's memory and reach his own potential.

Oliver gave him a gentle smile and instructed, "Now meet up with the other recruits and let them know to head to boot camp."

Luzbel quickly joined his fellow recruits, relaying Oliver's message. They all headed to the training camp with a mixture of determination and enthusiasm, aware that they were beginning a new stage in their lives as members of the prestigious first squadron of Interventus Celestis.

***

The group of recruits arrived at the spacious courtyard of Interventus Celestis' first squadron headquarters. They were met by an imposing formation of soldiers: around 900 tall, muscular, battle-hardened men and women. All wore the unit's signature armor, with the same strange helmet as Oliver, but with a silver-colored laurel wreath adorning their heads.

The sight of these veteran warriors filled the new recruits with a mixture of admiration and determination. They knew they were in the presence of the best and that they had to do their best to live up to it.

Training at Interventus Celestis was tough and intense. The recruits underwent grueling physical tests, running long distances through the forest while carrying heavy backpacks and wearing armor. They then engaged in intense sword fights, pitting them against each other in hand-to-hand combat. The day concluded with military theory sessions, where they were taught combat tactics and strategies.

Luzbel ended their training with a whistle into the air, calling Ember back to perch on his shoulder. The bird stroked its head in joy at being reunited with its owner.

Exhausted from the physical and mental exertion, he bid farewell to Lancelot and the other recruits, and headed back home. Upon arrival, he headed straight to his room in search of rest.

***

His worn and tired appearance did not go unnoticed by Morrigan, who was concerned about him. She decided to visit his room to check on him.

Arriving at the half-open door, Morrigan could see an unexpected scene. Luzbel, with a gentle smile lighting up his face, was playing with Ember, his faithful companion. The atmosphere in the room seemed to glow with positive energy as he shared the details of his day with his beloved pet.

That image struck Morrigan in a profound way. She had never witnessed that expression on Luzbel's face, a mixture of joy and warmth that contrasted with the seriousness he usually displayed. Her chest began to throb rapidly, feeling an unfamiliar emotion overwhelming her inside.

Unable to control her own feelings, Morrigan felt overwhelmed and quickly fled to her own room. There, she lay on her bed, trying to comprehend the emotions that gripped her. Her mind was filled with questions and doubts about what she had just experienced and what meaning it might have.

The image of Luzbel smiling and sharing his day with Ember kept replaying in her mind. Morrigan was at an emotional crossroads, unable to fully understand her feelings for him and confused by the sudden impact she had made on him.

Thus, in the solitude of her room, Morrigan faced her own whirlwind of emotions, trying to find answers and find her own way amidst the magic and uncertainties of her destiny.