The morning light crept through the edges of the curtains, casting soft golden lines across the wooden floor. Kael was already up. The comforting scent of warm bread and herbal broth filled their home as he finished preparing breakfast. He moved silently, placing a plate before Veila's usual spot at the table before heading out, leaving a note beside the food. It stated that he had gone to try the options she had presented him with.
He made his way through the early bustle of the market, heading toward the small food stall tucked neatly between a pottery shop and a spice vendor. It was run by a young woman who had no flaws in her beauty. She had always known Kael's order, served it with a smile, and never asked questions . Her eyes widened slightly when he approached—not just for food, but with a question.
Kael stood calmly and spoke in a low, even tone. "What does someone need to join the soldiers?
The woman blinked, surprised not by the question itself, but by the fact that he had chosen to speak and how his voice sounded.
"Hmm... usually, you need to register with the garrison," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "They'll put you through some tests—physical, magical, tactical. Depending on your strengths, you're assigned to one of three branches."
Kael nodded, already knowing what she meant.
"Why are you asking do you want to join one? Not everyone makes it in."
"Just a favor I'm granting to someone "
Kael thanked her with a small nod and turned, heading toward the city's military training grounds.
---
The training grounds were enormous—an open expanse of structured stone arenas, wide dirt tracks, and distant magical wards glowing faintly at their borders. Several towering flags marked the divisions: red for Attack, blue for Research, and green for Custom Operations. The place pulsed with excitement and pressure.
Hundreds of aspiring soldiers gathered, ranging from talented mages to physically trained warriors. Captains in uniform moved through the crowd, organizing lines and directing individuals. The entire field buzzed with spells being tested, physical trials underway, and commands echoing from officers.
Kael blended into the crowd, quiet but observant.
A series of tests commenced:
— Agility through obstacle courses — Magic control by targeting specific glyphs at range — Tactical tests involving simulated scenarios to gauge instinct and decision-making
Magic casting which involves showcasing your most potent magic skill,
All these were sure to grant points for placement to the divisions.
Then came one particular test that filtered out most hopefuls: a combination test of speed, reflex, and magical endurance. Participants were placed inside a rune-inscribed chamber, where illusion magic summoned combat conditions that shifted every few seconds. Fire, ice, electric hazards, and sudden opponents all simulated at once. Many couldn't finish. Some even fainted. It was a clear message—being a soldier here was no easy task. Kael and among few others had qualified for the next test, but the original number had dropped to half.
At last came the final test—direct combat trials. Each participant had to be evaluated by a magical sensor held by a registered mage, who read the individual's magic levels through a crystal. Based on their output, opponents were matched.
Kael observed keenly as every mage held the crystal and discovered that his true power might be visible to it. He had to come up with a plan and quickly before his turn came.
When Kael's turn came, he stepped forward calmly. The mage held out the crystal.
Kael didn't move.
"I won't take this test," he said.
A few heads turned. The mage frowned. "Why? One cannot proceed on without taking part in all the tests.You will be disqualified"
Kael spoke clearly.
"I came to join the Research Division. I won't need to engage in combat. My skills lie in analysis, strategy, and investigation. A soldier's sword is only one form of strength. Knowing where to strike—and why—is another."
A few people in the crowd snickered.
"Why would someone go through all these tests to choose the least ranked division?" Someone murmured
"What a waste."another uttered yet softly.
These led to a series of tiny talks creating tension.
Kael had taken a risk, inwardly he said he had to at least try because he had nothing at all to lose.
One of the captains stepped forward, arms crossed. "We don't usually allow skipping the test. You'll be working with soldiers—you'll be trusted with classified data and wartime decisions. We need to know what you're capable of."
Another captain stood up firmly and looked sharply at Kael and asked a question
"What if the enemy comes to the research facilities and attack you in your own base because you posses valuable information that might be the way to destroy them or put an end to their work? What then? How will you prove to be useful in defending your research?"
Kael didn't waver.
"Based on the tests of before, I have proven to be strong and able to help during attacks and besides there's no way a powerful Kingdom like this will not guard heavily their research facilities, now all I require is tests through logic, tactics, research. I'll pass any of those."
There was a pause.
After a quiet discussion among the captains, the lead one spoke. "Very well. You'll be temporarily placed in the Research Division. If your evaluations there meet our standards, you'll be kept."
Kael bowed his head slightly. "Understood."
As he walked away, the crowd behind him buzzed with murmurs. Coward. Genius. Fool. Nobody could decide what to make of the boy who refused to fight but got in anyway.
But Kael already knew where he belonged.
He stepped steadily to the side where the research division was. He sat quietly thinking that maybe he had drawn attention to himself, but what was done was difficult to undo.
"I have to strengthen my mind abilities too, maybe this was not a bad idea" Kael thought inwardly and gave an unnoticeable grin.