Chapter 17
Imperial Knight Institute Headquarters: Cafeteria
The Next Day
Deon and his friends were at the cafeteria having breakfast while talking to each other.
"When is the knighting ceremony again?" Caleb asked
"It's around 10 am when the imperial knights arrive," Deon replied
"I heard that the head of the imperial knights is coming," Caleb excitedly said
"For what I know, the head of the imperial knights always attends the knighting ceremony for high knights," Lucien said
"Oh. Really?.... Bah…. They really do treat high knights very differently," Caleb said, losing his previous excitement and turning into an annoyed look
"Of course, the high knights are the pillars of the imperial knights and the kingdom," Lucien replied
"Why are annoyed for? Do you not want to be a high knight anymore?" Deon mischievously asked
"Of course I do. I just feel like it's unfair for the regular knights," Caleb said
"You can't really blame the imperial knights. There is a total of 30 institute branches. You cant expect the head of the imperial knights to be in every single one of them," Lucien said
"Yes, that's true, but regular knights could also do their knighting ceremony here at the capital," Caleb said
"If they do that, it would take a lot of time and resources. I mean, it took us five days to come here to the capital," Lucien replied
"I agree, it would be pointless to send all the top 100 of grade 10 apprentice knights for a one-day ceremony," Deon said
Every year, The top 100 grade 10 apprentice knights of every institute branch can become Regular Imperial knights, which means every year, there are 3000 new Regular Imperial knights
"I guess," Caleb said as he sighed at the misfortune of the Regular knights
"I'm more curious about how many apprentice knights successfully awakened," Lucien said while looking around. "I wish the institute would reveal that."
"Why would you need that?" Caleb asked
"I just want to know about the overall success rate," Lucien said
"You should focus more on how to awaken than thinking about stuff like that. All right, Scholar Lucien?" Caleb mockingly said
Deon and his friends chatted over breakfast, anticipating the upcoming knighting ceremony. Deon made sure to eat a hearty breakfast to avoid feeling hungry in case the ceremony lasted longer than expected, as he learned from a past experience at the awakening ceremony.
"Hey! They are here!" one of the apprentice knights burst out from the cafeteria while shouting to his friends, which drew a lot of attention to the loud apprentice knight.
"What are you fussing about?" one of the instructors in the cafeteria asked, quite annoyed by the startling shout of the apprentice knight
"The Imperial Knights are here. They just entered the gate" The apprentice knight seemed not to notice the annoyed face of the instructor and said what he saw earlier.
"What?"
"The imperial Knights?"
"Where?"
After hearing the loud apprentice knight, the cafeteria immediately became uproar as everyone began talking to each other in excitement, with some apprentice knights immediately running out of the cafeteria to look at the imperial knights.
Deon and his friends also became excited when they heard about the arrival of imperial knights.
"Should we go too?" Caleb asked as he saw other people running out of the cafeteria while standing excitedly, ready to bolt out.
"Yes, Let's go" Deon also stood up excitedly as he cleaned himself up
"All right, let's go," Lucien excitedly said
Deon and his friends immediately left the cafeteria while following the other running apprentice knights.
The apprentice knights quickly arrived at the entrance of the institute, where they saw the imperial knights dismounting from their horses.
The sight of 21 imperial knights in full-plated armor left the apprentice knight in awe. Their attire exuded an aura of authority and strength that commanded admiration.
The head of the institute is also at the entrance and seems to welcome the imperial knights before him as he talks with the forefront of the imperial knights.
"Is that the head of the imperial knights?"
"It should be, right?"
"But how come his armor is almost the same as the other imperial knights."
"Of course, many enemies would target him if he stood out."
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"No. Look closely. There are few differences in his armor."
"Hm? Oh. Right. I can see it."
"Where?"
The crowd of apprentice knights began to whisper amongst each other as they spectated the exchange of the head of the imperial knights and the head of the institute.
The full armor of the imperial knights concealed their faces, sparking the imagination of the apprentice knights, who envisioned themselves donning the same impressive attire as these powerful figures.
One of the imperial knights looks toward deon or at least where the crowd of apprentice knights is, to which the apprentice knights also notice the gaze of the imperial knight.
The apprentice knights immediately fell silent and grew anxious as the imperial knight directed his unwavering stare toward them.
The imperial knight gave the crowd of apprentice knights a small nod as a greeting which immediately turned their nervousness to delight, with their whispers becoming louder.
"Did you see that? He greeted me."
"What do you mean greeted you? That was obviously meant for me since I'm at the front."
"Stupid! It was for us."
"Who are you calling stupid?, Stupid."
"Shush, Shut up!"
"You shut up!"
"Why are you guys arguing in front of the imperial knights?"
"You guys do realize that they can hear us, right?"
"No, They can't."
"Yes, They can"
Deon, along with the other apprentice knights, gazed at the imperial knight with admiration and excitement for the upcoming knighting ceremony.
The head of the institute escorted the imperial knights inside, causing the apprentice knights to instinctively follow. However, a staff member halted the apprentice knights before they could enter.
"All right, That's enough, go back to your stations, give the imperial knights some space to rest."
The staff didn't give the apprentice knights time to retort him as he walked away after saying his piece. Most apprentice knights hesitated, but in the end, they complied and returned to the cafeteria, including deon and his friends.
As deon and the apprentice knights walked back to the cafeteria, instructor cain approached deon seemingly in haste.
"Deon, Wait a moment!" instructor cain said
"What is it, instructor?" Deon asked as he and his friends stopped
"The imperial knights came early, so we will start our preparation now, come with me! there is still a lot to be done before the knighting ceremony starts," Instructor cain explained
"Yes, Sir," Deon immediately complied and followed instructor cain in another direction, but before he could go further, he stopped and looked at his friends
"What are you staring at for? Go!" Caleb said as he gestured for deon to hurry
"Shoo, Just go! We'll be fine," Lucien said as he shooed deon away.
"Heh… All right. I'll see you guys later." Deon smirkingly said and ran toward instructor cain, who was already quite far.
As deon grew further, the smile on Lucien and Caleb's faces faded as they saw their friend becoming a high knight, alone with them falling short.
Lucien and Caleb looked at each other and saw the dejection in each other's eyes. Lucien couldn't help but sigh, disappointed at himself for falling behind.
"Dammit," Caleb said under his breath, equally disappointed about himself.
"Don't worry. It's just a year. We will catch up soon," Lucien said. He didn't know whether he was saying it to Caleb or to himself.
"Hmm" Caleb didn't say much and only stared at deon's back
"Let's go. It's pointless being bitter about it here," Lucien said, walking toward the cafeteria, not waiting for Caleb to follow him.
'I won't fail next time.' Lucien and Caleb thought as they walked toward the cafeteria. Their courage and determination increased with every step. They were determined to fortify themselves for the future.
…
A Few Hours Later
Imperial Knight Institute Headquarters: Knighting Ceremony Hall
The Knighting Ceremony Hall is the most reputable building of the institute as it is where high knights are born, making it a landmark of the Kingdom, but unlike the other landmarks of the Kingdom, only knights and people with authority are allowed to enter the hall as it is considered the sacred place of all knights in the Kingdom.
Anyone that enters the knighting ceremony hall will be greeted with grandeur and opulence. The hall is adorned with rich tapestries, intricate chandeliers, and magnificent frescoes. The ceiling soars high, and the walls are covered in elaborate carvings and embellishments.
At the end of the hall is a raised platform with three throne-like seats occupying it, and at the side of the hall, countless spectators are standing as they wait for the knighting ceremony to start, with the spectators being the apprentice knights that failed to awaken and other knights.
At the other end of the hall, a grand entrance leads to a courtyard where the apprentice knights will gather before being called forward to receive their honor. Towering statues of legendary knights flank the entrance, their swords raised high in salute.
*Trumpet sound*
As the ceremony begins, a hush falls over the room. The head of the imperial knight enters the hall, followed by a few imperial knights, the institute's head, and his advisors.
The apprentice knights watched in admiration as the head of the imperial knight and the imperial knights walked past them. This time, the imperial knights weren't wearing their full body armor but instead wore a formal knight uniform.
However, even though they weren't in their armor anymore, their aura didn't change as they still emitted an aura of authority and strength with their formal uniform, even giving them an aura of nobility as they walked.
They took their place on the platform with the head of the imperial knight sitting at the center of the three thrones, the head of the institute sitting at the throne on the left throne, and another imperial knight sitting on the throne on the right side.
*Trumpet sound*
Another bout of trumpets resounded after the head of the imperial knight sat on his throne.
One by one, the awakened apprentice knights entered the hall. They formed eight lines, with each line having more than ten apprentice knights as they faced the raised platform.
A total of 122 apprentice knights awakened successfully during the awakening ceremony, with all of them becoming high knights.
The spectating apprentice knights couldn't help but be jealous of the awakened apprentice knights as they got to be the knight of their dreams, including Lucien and Caleb, who were in the crowd.
They couldn't help but be jealous of their friend, but at the same time, they also felt proud as their friend was becoming a high knight, especially Lucien, who is deon's childhood friend and an orphaned child like deon.
Deon is in one of the lines and wants to find his friends among the spectators, but he resists the urge as he doesn't want to disrupt the solemn and formal formation.
The head of the imperial knights rose from his seat and confidently delivered his speech:
"Fellow knights and apprentice knights of the Kingdom,
Today marks a momentous occasion in the history of our great land. We gather here to witness the knighting of these brave and honorable individuals who have proven themselves worthy of the highest honor that the Kingdom can bestow.
To be a knight of the Everwinter Kingdom is not just a title. It is a sacred trust. A trust that carries with it the responsibility to defend the realm serve the people, and uphold the ideals of honor, courage, and loyalty.
Today, we welcome these brave souls into our noble order. They have earned this honor through their deeds, their courage, and their unyielding commitment to the ideals of our great Kingdom.
And so it is with great pride and honor that I stand before you today to bestow upon these worthy individuals the title of High Imperial Knight. From this day forward, they will bear the weight of the Kingdom upon their shoulders, and they will carry it with honor, courage, and loyalty, no matter the cost.
Let us now begin the knighting ceremony, and let us pledge our support and our loyalty to these brave souls as they take up this great mantle of responsibility. May the blessings of the King be upon us all."
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Thought for Thoughts
* 3000 new knights every year
* 100 to 200 new high knights every year