Nuhem stepped forward to a round of applause from the rest of the candidates. He stood next to the other five as the major began giving a speech thanking the rest of the candidates for their time and asking them to visit the military recruitment office for a letter of recommendation at a later date.
In the meantime, I examined the commoner team members in search of someone who could be Huros’s champion. Nico had referred to her as a ‘she,’ and there were two young women among the candidates. Maybe it’s neither of them; Huros’s chosen could have failed to secure a seat – I’ll ask Nico about it later.
“Now, for the noble team candidates. Step forward when your name is called!”
It was time for me to get nervous. Sure, she said I passed, so I am probably fine. But what if Durreg or Nico don’t make it?
“Candidate Nicotris Sept, step forward!”
…Well, that was a worthless concern.
The other candidates clapped politely as Nico strode forward with confidence, standing a short distance away from the commoner’s team in front of the major.
“Candidate Durreg, step forward!”
Unlike the last time, no one groaned or grumbled about a dragon being given a seat. The major’s demeanor on that kind of behavior was crystal clear. The claps began anew and Durreg followed soon after, taking his place next to Nico.
“Candidate Kiara Azoth, step forward!”
It was my turn to step forward, and I winked at Nico when we made eye contact. She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway at my antics.
“Candidate Aptera Rehu, step forward!”
The young man in question strode ahead with a smug smile on his face as he combed his ridiculously shiny hair. I sincerely apologized to Nico in my heart for accusing her of wearing flashy, impractical armor, which looked downright basic compared to whatever the hell this guy was wearing. Everything about the guy seemed to scream ‘it’s only natural I got selected.’
“Candidate Astekhu Amenrut, step forward!”
A short, young beastwoman wearing thick glasses approached us, and I did my best to take her in. She had short brown hair, long dog ears, and adorable freckles. She was also wearing what seemed to be street attire rather than armor or mage robes. The girl walked forward but almost tripped on her own feet, leading to a few chuckles.
Why did the major choose people like those two? What was she thinking?
“Finally, the candidate I’ve decided will be the captain of the nobles’ team: candidate Asten Hatshepsut, step forward!”
My eyes widened as a barefoot falconman in simple rags stepped forward, with only a basic iron khopesh attached to his side.
Since when was this guy on the nobles’ team?!
An austere intensity gently flowed off the unkempt man as he took his place beside us. Despite his ragged appearance, not a soul so much as gave him a look that was anything less than respectful – reverent, even.
I tried to analyze him, but my appraisal was blocked. He glanced at me momentarily, then went back to staring at the wall behind the major.
Why is this team so full of weirdos?! Only Nico and Durreg look like proper nobles, and Durreg isn’t even one himself!
“Thank you all for your applications. For the noble candidates who weren’t selected, rest assured that the Pharaoh has agreed to compensate your houses for your time and effort. I also ask that you be prepared to substitute for any of the team members, should they be expelled from the team or otherwise incapable of continuing before we leave for the Latium Republic. For those of you who were selected, including the commoners’ team, I expect you to be in this room tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp for training. I will not be taking any questions or objections today – you can bother me with all of that tomorrow or during my office hours, which you can find in the officers’ academy in the administrative district. Dismissed!”
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Everyone began walking towards the door with a variety of expressions as I went to join Nico and Durreg.
“What do you think of our new teammates?” Durreg asked me as we started following the rest of the crowd out of the room.
I shrugged.
“Looks to me like we got a basement dweller, a narcissist with a god-complex, and a hobo for teammates, if appearances are anything to go by.”
“For better or worse, they aren’t. The major wouldn’t have chosen candidates Amenrut and Rehu if she didn’t see anything in them. And ‘the hobo’ you referred to is the champion of our nation’s patron god, the son of the pharaoh herself, and possibly the greatest fighting genius to grace Tamery in a hundred years. You’ll see for yourself what he’s capable of soon enough.” Nico said.
As we stepped out of the building, the sun was already at its zenith, and the day was still young.
“Is there anything else for us to do now?” Durreg asked.
***
We ended up returning to the Sept family manor to report to Duke Sept and mom about the results of the test. Immediately after that, we went out of Thebos into the desert to hunt for high rank monsters for some experience and team-fighting training. We returned later at night to sleep in the guest house of the Sept manor before heading straight for the meet up the major had asked us to attend.
“Welcome back. I am glad to see everyone arrive here early.” The major said exactly when the clock turned eight.
We had lined up for her nearly ten minutes early, though everyone was at varying degrees of attention (or lack thereof.)
“We will be setting off for the Latium Republic in three days, but your expedition begins immediately. You will be spending the next three days getting familiar with your team members and their abilities, as well as developing strategies of your own with minimal oversight from me. At the end of the third day, I will hold a team battle between each team – the losing team and members of the winning team who fail to carry their weight will all run to Romellus on foot. Fail to show up on time or try to cheat by flying or using transportation and your replacement will be happy to take your place in the republic’s capital.”
Immediately, I felt the entire commoner team as well as Lady Amenrut wince. They all gave Asten bitter and chagrined looks.
“Asten, you will not participate in the team battle. You will run to Romellus barefoot and wearing weights anyway. Do you have any objections?”
The man shook his head.
“None, Major Amset.”
The worried parties all gave a sigh of relief at that.
“Good.” The major responded curtly.
“Now, members of the commoner team, you will take the arena on this floor. My adjutants are available to manage the arena’s controls for you. Now get to it!”
They all hurried to enter the arena to begin training.
“As for the rest of you, follow me. You will be given an arena of your own to practice with.” She said as she walked straight out of the room.
The six of us and a few of her aides followed wordlessly into an identical room, where the aides entered after us.
“If you need my presence, you can get to me through my adjutants. But if you end up wasting my time with something trivial, I will have you crawl a lap on the noble district with your arms and legs tied behind your back.”
Without waiting for a response, the major stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.
“…Let’s go inside. Discussing our capabilities in the arena will let us demonstrate them more easily.” Lady Amenrut said.
***
We stood on an empty field in a circle facing each other near the Line River. Lord Rehu held a hand mirror and was combing his hair while everyone else looked to Lord Hatshpesut, since he was our team leader.
“Let us start with a short description of our abilities. We can discuss the specifics later on, but a general picture of our team composition will help. We can start with Lady Amenrut and move left from there.”
With all eyes except Lord Rehu’s on her, Lady Amenrut spoke up.
“My name is Astekhu Amenrut, though you already knew that. While out of the public eye, you may simply call me Astekhu. I am an arcane mage specializing in the transmutation branch. Specifically, I am an alchemist. My concoctions will support you and hinder or strike down our opponents.”
Next, we looked to Lord Rehu.
“I see it’s my turn. Pay attention, for it will be your pleasure to get to know me! Since I cannot allow Miss Astekhu to outdo me, you may also call me by my first name, Aptera.”
Astekhu’s brow twitched, but Aptera carried on anyway.
“My affinity is atypical – charm, and words cannot adequately describe what only a demonstration can portray. I worry that language will not be able to forgive itself!”