The Third Party - Chapter 99

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs., 9 months)

“Greetings Captains, it’s good that you could finally join us.” said Klein approaching the bunch, might as well start the conversation, the pause is creeping them out.

Or maybe it’s because these people are not used to feeling such mana output. Captain Erwin shook his head out of his caging thoughts.

“Y-yes, uh…” gaze flickering before him. “The pleasure is ours.” as was his response, eyes a myriad of emotions swimming, but with a blink, his countenance from before returned, that calm and composed aura..

His fellow captains hearing his voice, snapped out of their trance as well, and following their head captain’s lead.

“Come, the class has just started, the new students can join them.” said Klein, the seven new ‘students’ whom finally settled themselves at the front of the red soldier’s formation.

‘Are they students of the same house? They have similar clothing as the Red Guard, albeit looking more scholarly. Fit that of a knight in training.’ thought Klein, quietly assessing the new students.

“Right.” nodded Erwin. “We present to you the Knights in training of the Lagon household.” the kids stepping forth. “Ace Lagon of the Lagon Household.” the one called as ‘Ace’ stepped forward.

‘I like the name, but so sorry, the attitude’s a big no no, even if he looks attractive.’ thought Ken, well, there are those that are just born into a wealthy house and are almost created by the gods themselves with the looks and charisma.

“It’s nice to meet you young master, I am Klein Yvel, leader of the Continental Snakes.” Klein bowed to their guest, the one called Ace smirked, but since he was here as a guest, he refrained from acting high and mighty.

Especially with this person whose mana he can’t quite sense, a master of the magic arts indeed for there are few people who can hide their mana signature without any aid of a treasure or an enchanted object.

And that dream invader, or maybe this adult is using the latter one, Ace bowed as well.

“Thank you sir Yvel for receiving us well.” the slight intention on the last part did not pass Ken, in fact, it almost made him snap. Even with the previous encounter with him, the guy still has lots of confidence.

Klein gave a nod, gesturing towards the field, unbothered. “This way please, do meet your fellow students.” He gave a look at his son. “Allen.” he said, more of a command but in a coaxing manner.

Allen nodded, and stood up from his position, both Ken and Allen standing up at the same time, even with the sheer distance between the both of them Ken still heard the conversation, with Allen directly in front of where the group of Avian and other beasts gathered.

“FALL IN LINE!” voice clear, the rest of the ten students within seconds gathered in front of Allen forming two lines horizontally, consisting of five students each. Body upright, arms at the side, eye straight, with a distance of an arm from one another.

Allen turned around, once determining that the formation is in order.

Of course, the soldiers before them were a bit stunned and in awe at the situation, imagine, running or dashing from that location in such a large area, it would take them a long time for them to assemble.

‘Are they trained in military?’ as were the similar questions surfacing in their heads.

‘Heh, lapdogs.’ such is contrary to snickering bunch of hot-blooded youngsters at the front, or is it just from one of them.

“These eleven people right here will be your fellow students, for as long as what your stay would imply, I hope you’d get along well with each and everyone.” said Klein, showing a pleasant smile to everyone, more of his business smile.

“Everyone, meet your new fellow students, this is young master Ace Lagon of the Lagon household accompanied by other six youngsters as Knights in training.” the group of eleven nodded, as they understood what their new fellow students are.

Knights in training were commonly exchange students from different households, as what was depicted in the Guardian Avians Culture, as they primarily focus on their military strength backed up by their role as Guardians.

Exchanging disciples or young knights with other households became a norm to gain valuable and essential knowledge and experience, more so in combat and other essentials to military strategies thrown into the mix.

Sensing the recognition in their eyes, Ace’s temperament felt satisfied, a condescending look on his face.

“Do introduce yourself.” per their Master’s command, the eleven in the formation nodded and bowed once.

“Greetings.” they said, simultaneously raising their heads.

“I am Allen Yvel.”

“Wilbert Talon.”

“Celine Edelgard.”

“Saber Neas.”

“Lila Neas.”

“Glen Tris.”

“Flin Gwiyo.”

“Princess Lang Wyvern.”

“Ri-.”

“Ah yes, the Doran twins, I know them both, what about the last one?” that caused them a little bit of pause, Riyah slowly in a retracting manner.

“Ken Rogers.” nevertheless, Ken didn’t back out from the slight intrusion, for him, there’s nothing wrong with giving his name.

The other clicked his tongue in annoyance, catching Ken’s attention, raised eyebrow, but he quickly dispersed both the thought and reaction, before the other catches on. Seeing as he’s more prone to getting lost within his own world.

‘Sad for him that he’s not that attentive.’ mocked Ken inside his head. Klein nodded, and turned to the other six, urging them to do the same.

“Hello, I am Neo Fen of the Fen Household.” said a guy with a streak of green on his fairly short black hair, stepping up to Ace’s side to introduce himself, a little bit of an athletic build, as do the rest of them have, but more on the boy next door kind of vibe for him.

“and I’m Hendrix Cole of the Cole Household.” said by a slightly deeper tone of voice from the cold looking teen that stepped to Neo’s side, his deep charcoal hair paired with those striking eyes and a monotonous sharp face made him seem a bit oppressive.

“I’m Erick.” said by another one with raven hair, a cheery voice into it.

“I’m Mar.” another with half his hair green and the other black, with a bit of a bad boyish vibe.

“I’m Gill.” another red-head, but with a pleasant smile.

“I’m Heath.” and the last one with complete green hair and a soft countenance.

‘Wow, these are some stunning visuals… meh not falling for it.’ thought Ken, almost breaking his acting with his constant prejudice of the bunch. Despite that, they all looked good in red uniform.

‘Hope it gives them a good amount of mobility or it will suck.’ Ken added.

“Great, now that your all acquainted, do join us in this exercise for this afternoon, for if we are going to indulge in the regime you seven had undergone while under the wing of the Lagon Household, then you would fit well into the class.” said Lorna, taking the lead, as she was indicated by Klein.

Klein gave a grateful smile to his companion before walking towards the three captains, gestured a hand towards the village, the three captains nodded, and followed Klein, Oldin joining him right after.

The soldiers left on their own formation, busied themselves in groaning and fishing out some refreshments and sitting down to rest for a little bit. Being a Knight is tiring.

With the basic information given to Lorna by the captains just a few minutes ago, she thinks that using this time as combat practice would be nice to further get the students acquainted.

“All you seven, please join the formation.” she said, to which the group followed.

“I’m out of here.” said Ace, walking the other way.

“Ace? Where you are you going?” asked Neo.

“Somewhere not here.” he replied, without looking back, closing his eyes while walking.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” said Ken in a singsong voice, abruptly stopping Ace from walking any further, he turned his head, with his back still facing Ken.

“And what does it have to do with you?” a smirk on his face, and a mock on his tone, he scoffed, and turned to face the direction he was intending to walk to.

“Because…” Ace abruptly stopped, eyes wide from the sudden fluctuation of magic and the person appearing in front of him. “It would be rude for you to treat the people trying to indulge you.”

A frown plastered itself on his face.

“And I would not let you off, remember what I said the first time we met? I’d like to see you try.” adding a bit of a challenging tone on the last part for effect, coupled with the sudden change in Ken’s temperament of an oppressive vibe.

“Okay?” returning to normal.

“S-So it was YOU?!” outraged, he was.

“Yes.” Ken said in a sweet voice, sickening Ace to the bones.

“Mark my words, I will defeat you! One day.” He said knowing full well the extent of this gi- boy, what’s up with the long hair?! Is he bent or something?! Why does he have long hair?! Long hairs are only for girls, can he not understand that?

Whatever, gotta get out of here. Ace stomped to the side intending to walk away, but Ken just grabbed his collar, almost suffocating Ace out of air.

“Didn’t I tell you that I would not let you off.” that oppressive tone once again, and when Ace turned to look at the person, he felt shivers run down his spine from the sheer pressure he felt just from that interaction.

The other’s face looked so dark, even with that pleasant look on his face as if coaxing a child from crying. The others did not know what to feel or how to react, it’s almost a normal situation for them since they almost always encounter that situation when it comes to Ken.

They come to the conclusion of treating it as a form of joke by Ken because the situations he use that oppressive tone is when the situation is bound to be funny in a way.

Seeing him use it for real, kind of… leaves them speechless.

“I-.” the guy yelped as Ken yanked his collar some more dragging him from behind.

“Shut up, or I’m going to make you.” said Ken, quite literally doing the latter when he’s forcefully pulling the guy’s collar rendering him unable to protest.

“Please fall in line.” Lorna could only say to the other six, stunned on their feet when they saw their leader getting dragged like nothing by that thin looking person, but more importantly, because this was the gu-… girl-… ahh just the one who knocked them out earlier.

The six hurriedly joined the formation, or they’re afraid that it would be their turn next if they’d resist. With a tug, Ken threw the guy to the formation, Ace catching himself soon after, Ken giving him that two eyed finger.

Clearly indicating that he will be watching him.

Ken contentedly stood on his previous location, listening to the grumbles form the other party.

‘That’s better.’ He thought.

“Okay, so now that we’re settled, we shall start the class. Combat Tactics and Prowess, let’s see what you lot can do.” said Lorna cheerfully, a magic circle the color of brown formed in front of her at the end of her speech.

Rumblings of the ground reverberated around them, but more importantly, behind them. The group turned around, coming face to face, with a large contraption, or obstacle course as what Ken would like to call it.

“Nice.” Ken said softly, his blood getting the rush it wanted, due to various reasons.

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