The exam ended, and the candidates began to disperse toward their chosen squads. Yuno left with the Golden Dawn, Asta followed Yami toward the Black Bulls, and Dave stood among the Crimson Lion King recruits as their captain clapped him hard on the shoulder.
"Welcome to the pride, kid. Don’t let me down."
With a booming laugh, the captain strode off toward the balcony exit, already discussing missions with his lieutenants.
That left Dave with the other new recruits, most of them nobles wearing smug expressions. One in particular, a slim, sharp-featured boy with neatly combed blond hair, looked Dave up and down with undisguised disdain.
"Tch. A commoner... in the Crimson Lions. What a disgrace. Our house breeds warriors of legacy, not peasants who rely on cheap tricks of speed." He scoffed, turning away with his nose high. "Don’t slow me down, village rat."
Dave didn’t reply. His calm gaze passed over the boy, unbothered. Words weren’t worth his breath.
Instead, he followed quietly as the group was led out of the coliseum and onto a waiting carriage enchanted with speed runes. The noble recruit kept muttering insults under his breath the entire ride, his pride still smarting from having to share space with someone who had outshone him without even using magic.
When they finally arrived, the Crimson Lion Kings’ base rose before them. A towering fortress of red stone and steel, banners of roaring lions hanging proudly from its battlements. Training grounds stretched wide on both sides, with sparring knights clashing even as recruits entered. The air smelled of smoke, steel, and fire.
The recruits were ushered inside. The noble sneered again. "Try not to gawk, commoner. It’s just a base. Not that you’d know—probably the biggest building you’ve ever seen."
Dave ignored him, though his sharp eyes quietly swept across everything—the grand entrance hall lined with armor displays, the sprawling mess hall echoing with laughter and shouts, and the countless dormitory corridors that branched off into personal rooms.
Finally, a senior squad member guided Dave to his own quarters.
"Here. It’s standard for new recruits." The man smirked faintly, patting Dave on the shoulder. "You’ll find it comfortable enough. Big bed, storage chests, training gear. The captain doesn’t like his lions soft, but he takes care of his pride."
Dave pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was simple yet spacious. A wide bed with clean sheets, shelves stacked with basic supplies, even a window overlooking the training yard. Compared to the bare floors and small huts he had known in the village, it was practically luxury.
On the desk lay a pouch sealed with the Crimson Lion insignia. When Dave untied it, his brows lifted slightly. A bag full of gleaming coins. His monthly pay as a Magic Knight.
The noble boy appeared at his doorway, arms crossed, smirk curling. "Don’t get too comfortable, commoner. This squad is for warriors—real warriors. If you slip, you’ll be tossed out. Money won’t save you, and neither will luck."
Dave didn’t even look at him. He closed the pouch, set it down neatly on the desk, and sat calmly on the bed, eyes shutting as he exhaled.
The noble sneered, waiting for a reaction, but when none came, he clicked his tongue and stormed off.
Left alone in the quiet, Dave leaned back slightly, his silver-black grimoire pulsing faintly on the desk beside the coins. For the first time since the exam, he let a small smile curve his lips.
A squad, a base, and coin in his pocket. The beginning of a new path in a new world.
" I hope, this one is fun too" He mumbled as he wondered what should he do next and just flipped on the bed.
" finally a comfortable bed" he mumbled as he laid on it.
Dave sank into the mattress, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. The quiet was strange. Back in the village, nights had always been filled with the crackle of firewood, the distant noise of beasts, or the chatter of neighbors through thin walls. Here, inside the Crimson Lion base, it was silence—broken only by the faint clang of training weapons echoing from the courtyard below.
His body relaxed for the first time since the exam. Muscles that had carried him through countless battles, both in this world and beyond, finally unwound.
Not bad... not bad at all.
But the calm didn’t last long.
Before Dave could even open his eyes, the door creaked open. The same noble recruit from earlier poked his head inside, wearing a smug grin. Behind him stood two more new recruits, also nobles by the looks of their clothes.
"Oi, commoner," the blond one said mockingly. "Hope you’re not thinking you can just lie around. Real Crimson Lions are training, not sleeping."
One of the others laughed. "Probably too tired from running like a rat in that exam. Thought you were fast, huh? Without that little trick, you’d be nothing."
Dave stayed where he was, eyes closed, breathing slow. He didn’t move, didn’t answer.
The blond noble scowled at the lack of reaction. "Tch. Don’t ignore me." He stepped fully into the room, boot heels clacking on the floor. "You may have fooled the Captain, but you don’t belong here. Don’t think your coin pouch or fancy room changes that. You’re still dirt under our shoes."
The second noble leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "Let him be. He won’t last long anyway. The first real mission will break him. Bet he cries for his village mommy before a week’s done."
Dave finally opened his eyes. Slowly. Calmly. His silver-black gaze flicked toward them, sharp for only a second—like a blade being drawn. Follow current novᴇls on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
All three nobles froze. The room suddenly felt colder, heavier. The air itself seemed to sharpen around them.
But then, just as quickly, Dave shut his eyes again and exhaled softly. "Close the door. You’re blocking the air."
The blond noble’s lips twitched, caught between anger and unease. But he didn’t say another word. Clicking his tongue, he turned on his heel and left, the others following quickly.
Dave let the quiet return, the faintest smirk touching his lips as he turned to his side.
Kids playing soldier.
He pulled the blanket up lazily, letting the warmth settle over him. Tomorrow would bring training, missions, and more tests of strength—but for tonight, he allowed himself the luxury of rest.
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