Vol. 1 - Ch. 6 - The Owl and Crane

After Emily's ordination, the deputy commander rose on the platform and raised his voice."I will now announce your assignments!" The new members were going to be assigned to their respective units. Cavalry, infantry, magic, support, and supply units.... Each unit is from the first to the third, and they are assigned according to their aptitudes. Everyone was pleased or sad at the results they were told.

"Next, Rolf Buchman!"

<"Yes, sir!">

"You will be in the Owl and Crane Squadron!"

<"Yes, sir!">

The crowd was in an uproar. The Owl and Crane Corps is a unit under the direct control of the Commander. Named after the saint Lacriamelec's love of birds, especially owls and cranes, this unit exists in all of the first five knighthoods and is made up of only the most talented individuals.

I'm not sure why they would assign someone without magical powers to such an important unit. At least, I didn't have a good feeling about it.

...........

The new members headed to the station to which they were assigned. The fifth Order of Knights' staff quarters are not separate buildings, but rather are sectioned off in the headquarters building. All of the corps' stations were large, but the Owl and Crane Corps did not have a station.

The Owl and Crane Unit is positioned as a superior unit to all other units. It is a small elite unit, and all members are treated as executives and given private quarters. The commander and all other members of the unit are usually on duty and do not wait at the station. Without a duty station, they do not know where to go.

When I told this to the deputy commander, he beckoned a man nearby and told him.

"Yeld, the owl crane unit is gathering too, right?"

"Yes, I'm on my way there now."

"This man is assigned to you. Can you take him with you?"

"Oh, him. I'm listening."

The man called Yeld turned to me. He had a slightly shaved head, long eyelashes, and a high nose. He had the look of a dude.

"Follow me."

<"I understand."> I replied and followed him on foot.

It seemed that he also belonged to the Owl and Crane Unit. He was a member of the Owls and Crane Corps, which is a high-ranking unit, so he was dressed in silver armor.

"You."

<"Yes.">

"I can't believe it, but what do you mean you have no magic?" The man called Yeld did not try to hide the contempt in his eyes.

<"I'm not sure but it seems I didn't receive the blessings of goddess Yona.">

"When you say there is no magic, do you really mean there is none at all?"

<"Yes.">

Yeld asked me as we walked. He seemed to have a hard time believing in the unprecedented case of zero magic power.

"You mean Yona didn't give you anything?"

<"Yes, that would be the case.">

"What do you mean? Why is there such a thing?"

<"I don't know.">

A man without blessings who should not exist. Yeld showed frank hatred towards me who deviated from the world's reason.

"Why would such a defective man come to the knighthood?"

<"To become a knight.">

"You know..." Yeldo turned around and grabbed me by the chest.

"We're all here because we're serious. Do you think this is a place where nobles come only to be knighted? Everyone gives it their all every day while they're here." Yeld's voice lowered with anger. The hand gripping my chest was filled with strength.

<"I didn't come here seeking ordination for my career. I really want to be knighted.">

"Are you kidding me? How can you be knighted if you're defective? You can't fight!"

<"I will fight.">

Yeld clicked his tongue, let go of my hand, turned around and started walking again.

"He not only has no magic, he doesn't know how to stand on his own two feet. A scum is a scum no matter what."

..........

The destination where Yeld headed was the third floor of the headquarters building.

"I think it was explained at the time of joining the unit, but you should normally enter this floor only with permission," he said.

<"Yes, sir.">

Yeld seemed uncomfortable inviting me in now. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Are you sure you're okay? Do you have the brains to understand things?"

<"I'm fine. I'll come in with your permission.">

"Hmmm..." Yeld knocked on a door and entered. There was a plate on the door that said "Commander's Office."

I followed him in.

There were four knights in the room. Yeld called out to one of them, Bert Tarian, Commander of the Fifth Order.

"I'm here, Yeld Kranz," he said.

"I see you've come. Now there are four of you."

I guess Commander Tarian didn't count himself. And me.

"Emily, this is my unit. This is where you will be assigned." With these words, Commander Tarian called out to Emily, the girl who was there. She was dressed in brand-new silver equipment. And she's staring at me with sad, apologetic eyes.

"First of all, this is Yeld Krantz. He is a magic swordsman. He is the oldest in this Owl and Crane unit. He's young, though, as you can see. How old are you again?"

"I'm 20 years old. Regardas , Emily? I'm Yeld. It's an honor to have you in the unit."

"It's an honor to join this unit. Thank you"

Yeld shook Emily's hand.

"At 20 years old, he is the oldest? The Fifth Order of Knights have a high turnover rate, but the Owl and Crane unit seems to have a particularly high rate of turnover. But at 20 years old, he has already been with the Order for six years. I was not sure if he was old enough to be called a young man." I was thinking to myself as the Commander introduced the other members.

"And this is Raquel Nyholm and Sheila Larsen. Raquel is a magician and Sheila is a healer."

"I'm Raquel. You were White Light?"

"Yes, I was. I don't know, but I think so." Emily answered.

"Well, you've got another great one. I'm looking forward to it."

Emily shook hands with one of them, and the other one held out her hand.

"Emily,I'm Sheila. I thank the goddess Yona for meeting you. I look forward to working with you from now on."

"Yes, I am looking forward to working with both of you."

Both of them were a little younger than Yeld. They were about 18 or 19 years old.

Raquel is a tall woman with red hair. Her muscles are toned and supple and can be seen even through her clothes. She is not a magic swordsman, but a magic warrior.Indeed, she has a silver war hammer hanging from her waist.

Sheila is a woman with long, bluish black hair. She seems to be a recovery magician. She is a very valuable warrior when she can use recovery magic, but she seems to have the magical power to be an even more powerful warrior. She held a silver staff in front of her chest with both hands.

"The most important thing is that they are all strong people. And they all come from noble families, just like you. Get along well with each other." Commander Tarian said to Emily, and then explained about the unit.

"This unit, in essence, is to protect me . But if I were to be directly involved in a battle, it would only be the result of a tactical error. That is, this unit should not be fighting on the battlefield. Do you understand, Emily?" , he said.

"Um... yes."

"But the unit that protects me; the commander, has to be the best at what it does. That's what this unit is. We need to constantly improve our skills and train our coordination. I want you to fulfill your duties with ambition."

"I understand!" Emily answered nervously.

"I'm not going to tell you to take it easy today since it's your first day of assignment. I want to see what you can do, and we're going to the training ground right away. Follow me."

"Yes, sir!"

The fifth knighthood, also known as the place for the ordination of a noble's child, can not remain a mere lackey knighthood, as the war with the demon tribe is becoming constant. They headed to the training ground with serious expressions on their faces. They didn't even look at me.

"Excuse me..."

Emily glanced at me as she left the room and called out to Commander Tarian.

"Hmm? Oh..."

For the first time, my eyes met the Commander's. But it was only for a moment and the Commander immediately looked away and said in a voice that contained not a shred of interest:

"Come."

<"I understand.">

As expected of the Order of the Knights. The orders are concise and easy to understand.