Chapter 1: A New Path Begins
The sun barely peeked above the horizon as Synoh stood at the gates of the Division 10 barracks. His fingers gripped the hilt of his sword as he looked back one last time. Lux stood a few steps behind, arms crossed, a faint smile on his face.
"So... this is where we part ways," Synoh said.
Lux nodded. "Different divisions, different roads. But we're still rivals, no matter how far apart."
A grin tugged at Synoh's lips. "You better not slack off, Lux. I'll be watching."
"Same to you, Black Knight," Lux smirked. "Don't embarrass Division 10."
With a final nod, the two clasped hands, then turned away—Lux toward Division 7 under Captain Alistair, and Synoh toward the unknown that awaited him.
Inside the Division 10 barracks, all eyes turned as the doors creaked open and Synoh stepped in. The room buzzed with quiet murmurs.
"That's him, huh?" Meth whispered, arms folded. Her sharp blue eyes flicked over Synoh with scrutiny. "The so-called prodigy?"
"He doesn't look like much," Aloy added, twirling his short spear idly. "Too clean for someone who's seen real war."
Vice Captain Ursa, tall and commanding with fierce eyes and twin swords on her back, said nothing. But her gaze locked on Synoh with the weight of judgment.
Dred, built like a boulder with short red hair and a deep scar down his cheek, stepped forward. His voice rumbled like distant thunder. "You the new guy? The one every recruit's been hiding behind?"
Synoh blinked, glancing over his shoulder. A handful of nervous new recruits clustered behind him, clearly using his presence as a shield.
He stepped aside and let the recruits pass. "I didn't tell them to. They're just nervous."
Dred's jaw tightened. "You think being calm and clever makes you a leader? Nah, it makes you cocky. You walk in here like you own the place."
Synoh kept his voice even. "I didn't come to own anything. I came to fight alongside you."
"Then prove it," Dred growled. "Let's see if the shadow blade's more than just talk."
Before Synoh could respond, the heavy doors slammed open. Silence swept the room as Captain Elara strode in, her presence unmistakable. Her long coat fluttered behind her, sword at her hip, and her amber eyes cutting through the tension like a blade.
"What's going on here?" she asked coldly.
Dred straightened. "Just welcoming the new guy, Captain."
"Enough with your macho displays," Elara said firmly. "We have work to do. Synoh, you'll earn your place soon enough. For now, all of you—prepare. We're heading out at dawn."
Her words left no room for argument.
As the knights dispersed, Vice Captain Ursa approached Synoh. Her expression unreadable, she simply said, "Don't get in our way."
Synoh exhaled softly.
This was going to be a challenge.
The atmosphere inside Division 10 headquarters grew tense as Captain Elara entered the hall. Her sharp gaze scanned the room, silencing the whispers and chatter from the new recruits. Her presence radiated authority—fierce, like a lion watching over her territory.
"All new recruits," she called out, her voice firm and commanding, "line up."
Everyone quickly obeyed. Most of them stood stiff, nervous under her intimidating gaze. But Synoh… he stood relaxed, his eyes locked onto Captain Elara—not with fear, but amusement. And then, he chuckled.
The entire room froze. Even the air seemed to tighten.
Captain Elara blinked, caught off guard. "You find something funny, recruit?"
Synoh shrugged, still smiling. "Not really. You just remind me of someone I know—ferocious but reliable."
A small, pink tint touched her cheeks—whether from embarrassment or rising fury, no one could tell. The rest of the division held their breath.
"You've got guts, Synoh," she muttered. "Let's see how long that lasts."
She pointed at him. "You're on sanitation duty for a week."
The new recruits tried to hold back their laughter while Synoh just saluted casually. "Yes, ma'am."
Clearing her throat, Elara shifted her focus back to the rest. "Listen up! Division 10 has only one rule you must carve into your bones."
She raised her hand with a serious expression. "Life is more important than the mission. We protect each other. We fight for survival. Unless it's an emergency mission, you never abandon your own. Understood?"
"YES, MA'AM!" the recruits shouted in unison.
"Good," she nodded. "Now, to see what you're made of…"
She turned to the senior members.
"All veterans—spar with the new recruits. I want to see their skills, strengths, and where they belong."
The old members moved, and murmurs spread again as Dred stepped forward, his eyes locked on Synoh.
"Well, well," Dred said with a smirk. "Still acting cocky?"
Synoh tilted his head. "You're still hung up on that?"
"Shut it. Let's see if you're all talk," Dred growled, cracking his knuckles. "You and me—sparring match. Right here. Right now."
Captain Elara folded her arms. "Fine. Let's see what our new 'Black Knight' can do."