Cattleya laid on the grass just behind the tent, watching the night sky. She holds the sheathed sword close to her. The peaceful night silence with occasional wind breeze felt like bliss. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, paying attention to every inhale and exhale. Every once in a while, Cattleya feels the need to meditate to sharpen her mind. This is a habit that has grown on her from her father.

It didn't take long for her to be fully absorbed into the act. She felt like she had just started but the faint light that trickle into her eyes begs to differ. Slowly adjusting her eyes to the dim lights, Cattleya sat up and looks around. She stared into the red scarlet horizon for a while, admiring it's sight before scanning her surroundings. Some of the soldiers had chattered among themselves, some still sleeping.

Then she pays attention to the short sword she's given. It's not exactly short, just a little bit shorter than a typical iron sword. Surprisingly, it's light and she can wield it with only one hand. It felt really comfortable. The handle is different than the usual metal-like handles of the iron swords. It's wrapped tight and carefully with sturdy dark blue cloth, having a unique pattern on it too.

Curious, she draws the sword.

The blade is also different. The iron sword that's used by soldiers are usually edged on both sides, but this sword only has one sharp side, with the other being a little thicker, and having no capability to slash and cut efficiently. Cattleya got up and swings the sword a few times. Her movements feel light and she felt as if she can channel her energy just right. Nodding in satisfaction, she continued to practice slashing.

--

The sun is starting to rise and so does all the birds, filling the entire area with noisy chirping. What people call it to be the peaceful sound of the morning seemed more like a nuisance of an alarm to Iris' ears. She sat up straight on the bed, looking like she'd gone through some rough night. But no, that's just how she always looks like in the morning, tired and done. With two unamused, sleepy yellow eyes, she looks around and found no trace of the recruit. Slightly disappointed, she rubbed her eyes and got off the bed.

Iris poured herself a cup of water and sat on one of the stools. After taking a sip, she sighed and closed her eyes, still reluctant to fully wake up. Then she heard the tent drape flails as someone entered her space.

"Oh, you're up. I wanted to get you some breakfast before I wake you up, here", Cattleya came closer to her and handed her a bowl of warm stew. She has another bowl on her other hand for herself, though it's covered with a small tray with cut up bread on it. Cattleya put down the tray on the short-legged table and joins Iris, sitting down in front of her.

Iris blinks a few times, before breaking a smile, 'Breakfast in bed, well, almost in bed. Not bad.'

Iris muttered, "Thanks, recruit", and she starts eating. Cattleya smiled and nodded, her mouth full of stew.

After a while, Iris set her bowl to the table and drank her water. Then she looks at Cattleya, "So, have you tried out the sword?"

"Yes, this sword must be a high quality sword, it felt so light and easy to wield, I should return it back to you-"

Iris cuts Cattleya off before she could finish her sentence, stopping her from untying the sword from her belt, "You keep it, recruit."

Cattleya felt a slight discomfort in her heart, she felt bad for being given something valuable, not to mention the sword's uniqueness. It must have some kind of value to the commander if she kept it around her but didn't use it, and yet she's giving it to her now.

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"I can't take this, Commander Iris. It must be precious to you"

Iris scoffed, "That's fine. I don't use it anyways and it's going to rot in the chest forever. Besides, I think it likes you."

"Likes.. me?", Cattleya tilts her head slightly to the side.

"Yes, a lot of people refuse to believe so but each weapon chooses their owner, not vice versa. There's a lot of people who gave names to their weapon, me included. This is Aether", Iris draws her sword and strokes the blade slowly, smiling softly.

Cattleya looks at Iris' sword, then back at hers, "A name..."

With one swift motion, Iris sheathed her sword, then looks at the girl in front of her who seems to be lost in thoughts. Smiling, she poked Cattleya's cheek with her index finger, "You can name it later, silly. Now let's go, I have things to do and you should swing that sword a little bit, familiarize yourself with it", Iris got up from the stool and heads out, with Cattleya following closely behind.

Iris goes to the loot table and converses with the soldiers there, discussing the rewards and such. As for Cattleya, she wanders around and found her group among the crowds that have gathered there.

Riv waved, "Hey Cat!", with all the members nodding in unison.

Cat smiled softly, "Hey guys, did you all have a nice rest?"

Hugh grinned widely, "Yeah sure we do, but not as nice as the one who got to spend the night with the commander! So tell us, how did it happen? How was the steamy night?", he added with a wink.

Turning into a furious shade of red, Cattleya was at a loss for words, "Wh-wha? I didn't!!"

Kee hit Hugh's head lightly and sighed, "It's none of our business, Hugh."

Rubbing where Kee hit him, he looks back at the taller man, "Geez, Kee! I was joking...hehehe, sorry Cat."

Cattleya looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment, "It's alright...", though for a second there she did imagine how nice it would be to caress Iris' smooth, pale skin. She shook her head and quickly dispersed the image in her head.

"Hey, I think they're calling for everyone to gather, let's go", Riv points to the crowd forming in front of the loot table.

Just as their group arrived, one of the soldiers spoke, "Good, I think that's all of em."

Behind him was Iris, who looks a little disappointed, "Alright, we got quite the bunch here, I honestly thought it would be lesser than this, but oh well. All of you passed, from now on, you are a part of the Kingdom's Army and you should walk with your head held high. But don't be too arrogant yet, as each and every one of you will be sent to the Army Academy scattered all across Thorne and must pass the final test before you can earn the right to wear the army badge publicly."

She then gestured her right hand to one of her soldier who's holding multiple scrolls, "Berne here will call out your names and hand you the recommendation scroll to be admitted to the Army Academy. Please do not lose it as they won't accept you if you do not have the scroll. Inside, you can find the branch of the academy that you will be enrolling to, as well as details on how to get there."

--

As the members of Cattleya's group have all gotten their scroll, they huddled up and opened them together.

"Damn it, I got Tailgate", Hugh clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Kee nodded his head for a bit after opening his scroll, "Sparkwire, not bad."

Riv smiled wide after hearing where Kee went, "Guess I'll be stuck with you, eh Kee? Sparkwire too for me."

Luis shrugged and rolled his eyes, "Oxley, where there's only pasture and cattle, great."

All of them turned to Cattleya, "Well, where did you get, Cat?"

Sheepishly opening her scroll and reading it's contents, Cattleya read for a bit and said, "It says Temperee here."

In that instant, all four of them had this look of sympathy towards Cattleya. One by one, they pat Cattleya's back, Hugh was first, "I feel bad for feeling bad now, stay strong Cat," he chuckled.

"What, guys? Why? Isn't Temperee the capital of Thorne? What's wrong with it?", Cattleya sounds confused.

Riv sighed, "Well, think of it this way, you're going to the most prestigious academy in the whole continent, filled with the heirs of nobles, successors of merchant groups, strongest members of famous guilds, maybe even the prince or princess of the damn kingdom itself. Not to mention they must have a higher standard and I heard the passing rate isn't friendly. What do you think?"

Cattleya gulped. Straight into the fire, huh... What fate.