[Saint Precinct. . .]
As Lluvia Gallitusio passed the walkways and entered the Houtis Land Military base, she couldn't help but try to calm her beating heart. Just yesterday, she'd received a letter from her superior, Commander Alvaron Saint, telling her to report to his office at 9:00 AM sharp.
The second her eyes left the letter, dozens of questions emerged. Fired? Demoted? A sudden deployment? Was a war brewing with Gliasia, and now she must risk her life? Not that she was afraid to battle for her country's safety—Lluvia welcomed it, but the stress hadn't disappeared even after a night's sleep.
Lluvia clutched a bag of basic necessities and pushed open the large oak door. Officials hurried past her, left and right. The base entrance was split into two divisions, each run by a commander: Alvaron Saint and Omestilla Ariadne.
Luckily, Lluvia's office was in Alvaron's division, which conveniently housed General Alanus Diogenes, her superior and the man she went on the most missions with.
A dark brown center wall spanned the distance, followed by hallways in both directions. Constructed from wood and cement, the base was stable enough to endure heavy storms and sorcerer attacks.
A paper stamped to the center wall caught Lluvia's blue eyes:
"Promotion: Claire Bersebus. Soldier → Lieutenant.
"Achievements: Located a reliable location to conjure Trusted Scrolls. Lessened congestion at Trila Municipal Hospital. Saved a father and son from terrorists."
A picture of a woman Lluvia had never seen was affixed below.
Terrorists again? Lluvia's jaw clenched. Awesome work, Miss Claire.
Lluvia knew the detriment those accursed terrorists brought to Houtis. Pretending to be military folk, demanding inspections, only to kill civilians.
Why hasn't the government warned the citizens? The potential lives saved. It was a wasted opportunity. For some baffling reason, the government barred any military official from telling civilians about the terrorists and how to avoid them; penalties were severe. Why did Magnus Selwyn, Houtis's reigning king, decide not to better his people?
Then the thought entered Lluvia's mind: Has the Commander called me for a promotion?
No, no, no. Commander Alvaron would never promote her; they already had enough generals. She thought about the powerful Alanus. He alone was honestly enough, why did they have four?
Lluvia shook her head and checked her pocket watch. "8:57 AM. I should get going right away." She took off, her eager footsteps echoing on the furbished wood.
After turning left, the first section of Alvaron's division became clear: the Soldier's Department. It was comprised mostly of cubicles and a throng of ardent-looking new recruits. Lluvia remembered her own days as a new military member, particularly a moment when she stumbled and landed face-flat in front of Alanus.
Not a good first impression.
She thanked her lucky stars that Alanus didn't get weirded out. He had been the person she was assigned to assist her first few years, and their relationship flourished.
Next was the Lieutenant's Department, where a small commotion took place in a corner. The desks here were larger and more modern, with each person having their own.
She could hear from a distance,"Welcome to being a lieutenant, Claire Bersebus!"followed by multiple cheers. It's her, the girl who got promoted. Should I go congratulate her?
Time stopped Lluvia: 8:59 AM!
She sprinted past the training quarters—a massive field dividing the Lieutenant and Captain's Departments—and ran toward the General's offices. It wasn't a formal department, just four isolated offices.
She peeked inside the first office and smiled. He's here early.
The subject of her gaze lifted his head from piles of papers and wrinkled his nose. Was someone here?
Lluvia, with thirty seconds to spare, made it to Commander Alvaron's office, located at the very end of the long hallway. She knocked on the wooden and glass door three times.
Please don't let me get fired. Please don't let me get fired. Please don't let me get fired.
Creak!
The entrance to Commander Alvaron's office opened. "You asked for me, Commander?" Lluvia bowed her head and stood by the door. "I hope I wasn't too late. Please forgive my tardiness."
Alvaron beckoned her forward. "Take a seat." Despite the urge, Lluvia didn't look around Alvaron's mundane office. From the periphery, she noted a couple of bookcases and award cabinets.
Alvaron sat at a large timber bureau, sunlight illuminating from the rear to cast him in a great shadow. He wore his usual dark green jacket and polyester navy pants. The ragged, gruesome scar on his face did nothing but repel Lluvia.
I think he lost his eye from a battle with a Chronicle user? I'm not sure. . .
Despite being of top rank, Alvaron Saint wasn't the mightiest fighter in the Land Military. However, his bravery and leadership secured him the role over anyone who sought it.
"Captain Gallitusio, where was your last deployment?" Alvaron broke the awkward silence.
"On the west border next to Itolon. There were sightings of a Chronicle usage, so General Alanus asked me to come along."
"Who else was present?" Alvaron already knew the details, but he wanted to hear it from her.
Lluvia ruminated. "Going down the list, it was me, General Alanus, General Lour, and twenty-five lieutenants." She prayed Alvaron wouldn't ask for their names.
"Who were your opponents? Was the battle successful?"
"Six fighters total, sir. As for their abilities and the battle, I wouldn't know. General Alanus told the lieutenants and me to secure the area while he and General Lour fought them. I assume they won with ease, as neither general came back with severe injuries."
"What do you know about the Chronicles? Any new information that Alanus told you?"
"I only knew the basics: Cursed scriptures that grant supernatural abilities to whoever recites them. Each Chronicle is ruled by a Tyrant, and there are nine total."
"What about the Trusted Scrolls?"
"They are derived from lost Chronicles that we, with the help of external forces, changed to make safer and remove the required pledge to a Tyrant. They mimic the Chronicle's power, but on a lesser scale."
"I see." Alvaron dug through some papers.
"Your calling today was for one reason." He handed her a large piece of beige paper with black and red ink. "Due to high demand from a particular general and the fact that you have excelled in your role over the past few months, a promotion to general under my authority will be granted."
Promotion to general. . . Disbelief. There was no way she would be promoted. My accomplishments aren't worthy of general rank!
"I'm sorry, what? General, me? No way, there has to be a mistake!"
Alvaron glared, and Lluvia instantly covered her mouth. "I deeply apologize!" She bowed so deep that Alvaron's shoes under the table became visible.
"Lift your head. Do not speak to me informally again," Alvaron groaned.
"Yes, sir." Lluvia restrained any blush from appearing on her cheeks. So embarrassing! "Thank you, Commander. I'm thrilled to take on the role of a general."
She contemplated for a second. "If I may ask, who was the person who pushed for this?"
Alvaron stood up. "You can see for yourself. Close the door when you leave." It seemed he wanted her to leave immediately. She had been jittering and antsy the entire time, so it made sense why the Commander was impatient.
I'm. . . a. . . General? Lluvia gathered some composure and left Alvaron's office. The Commander seemed to walk past his division's hallway and enter Commander Omestilla's division.
Commander Omestilla. . .
Lluvia had only seen the female Land Military Commander once, and she sincerely hoped never again. If the epitome of spine-chilling fear were personified, it would be Omestilla Ariadne.
Back when Lluvia was a lieutenant, Gliasia and Houtis had been on the brink of war. The general consensus was that King Magnus Selwyn was not pleased with Quinton Maxi's forsake of the Laplace Sea, fearing Gliasia would instead try to take over the Desby Sea and its monumental fishing resources.
To prepare, the now dead Queen Bianca Selwyn sent hundreds of troops to the border. Both divisions of the Land Military merged, and Lluvia was set to report under both Alvaron and Omestilla.
A couple of hours later, Gliasian troops appeared and fired sorcerer attacks Lluvia was unfamiliar with.
The Houtis military needn't worry; Commander Omestilla shot up into the sky and wiped out the Gliasian front line with a single sword swing. The look on her face was one of genuine rage. To Lluvia and the remaining Gliasians' luck, a message came from both King Maxi and the Selwyns, deciding on a ceasefire earlier than expected.
No one knew why.
Lluvia woke from her memory and went to the General's offices. The paper Alvaron handed her contained all the information: where her new office was, who her subordinates in the Soldier's Department were, and her new authorizations.
Most importantly, she would be subjected to many more missions with Alanus!Wait, why was she this excited?
"–via."
Blood rushed to her cheeks, warming them. Focus, Lluvia. You haven't achieved all your dreams yet. Next: a promotion to commander. After that, find the translocating island of Preole Grye. Lastly, raise a beloved family! She'd need to find a good husband for that, though.
"–uvia!"
One at a time, Lluvia. You mustn't, mustn't, run into this with an unclear conscience!
"Lluvia!"
A pair of hands shook Lluvia's shoulder, knocking the daze from her. The person in front of her had luscious golden hair parted down the middle, two radiant blue eyes, and unmatched beauty.
"General Alanus!" Lluvia staggered out of his grasp. "W–What do you need?" Did he hear me mumble?
Alanus stepped forward, grinning. "I thought I saw you! How was your talk with Commander Alvaron?"
Lluvia averted her eyes. "It went well, really well! General Alanus, I managed to get a promotion to general!" She anxiously awaited his reaction.
Was he happy now that he had a new direct colleague? Sad? No, why would he be sad? Lluvia knew Alanus, he wasn't the type to get envious.
"Finally," he whispered, before speaking normally. "That's impressive, General Lluvia. How was the quick test Commander Alvaron gave you?"
"So that's what it was!" Lluvia recalled the rapid-fire test Alvaron Saint had put her through. Most of the knowledge had been basic for a captain.
After reflecting, she said, "Nothing too challenging, to be frank. I'm excited to learn more, especially about Trusted Scrolls."
Use of Trusted Scrolls was only permitted for generals and higher ranks. Other ranks were familiar with them, but none—from soldier to captain—had the authority to use them.
Alanus scratched his chin. "I haven't personally used them, but I did see Jasmine in battle with one. I'm foggy on its title–"
"–Hiya!"
At that cue, another presence approached. It was a short, fiery woman: Blazing orange hair, pierced ears, and a freckled face. Jasmine Lour, one of the (now) five Houtis Land Military generals.
"Good afternoon, Jasmine." Alanus greeted her first, bowing. Lluvia followed suit, placing a hand on her chest.
"Oh! I guess we're going all formal now, heheheh!" Jasmine reciprocated, bowing even lower than the generals. "If we had a competition on who bowed the lowest, I would've won!"
Lluvia's lip twitched. "Hahah, yeah. . ." She had never spoken one-to-one with General Lour, which was strange considering they went on missions together constantly. It was probably because Jasmine Lour had an. . . eccentric personality.
"Jasmine, guess what." Alanus sounded giddy.
Immediately, Jasmine's pupils flared. "You're pregnant?"
What. . ? Lluvia's eyes turned pale as she stared at the eager General.
Alanus smoothly shook off General Lour's unrestrained guess and shook his head. "Not funny. Guess for real."
Jasmine erupted in laughter. She turned to the frozen Lluvia, who hadn't recovered. "I'm just messing around, Gallitusio. I'll guess like my heart depends on it now."
She went into deep thought. "Hm. . . Did you move? Buy a new carriage?" Jasmine paused, staring at his attire. "Did you get a new cape?" Her guesses continued.
"No, no, no. It had nothing to do with me." Alanus looked toward Lluvia. "On second thought, it might, heh heh."
Jasmine followed his gaze and studied the newly appointed general. "Argh! I don't know, tell me."
"Alright," Alanus put his hand out. "Lluvia, do you want to tell her?"
Lluvia nodded. "Sure, I'll say it."
Jasmine's eagerness radiated off her. "Tell me, tell me."
Lluvia took a deep breath. "I–I'm a general now!"