For Our Cherished One

The journey to the second castle was quieter than I expected. The air grew heavier as we traveled, the anticipation of what awaited us weighing on each of the recruits. The golden recruits—those who had performed exceptionally in the tournament—were to be honored by Countess Shanis Mysetria herself. But even as we stood there, eager for the recognition, an unsettling feeling gnawed at the back of my mind.

I had won every match, and even the exhibition against Eren had been a success, leaving me with the coveted title of "Golden Recruit." The crowd had cheered, and the praise had been overwhelming. But I couldn't help but wonder if I had earned it for the right reasons. There was something deeper, something more dangerous about this place that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Fulgur, while he hadn't won, had still proven himself to be a promising recruit. His strength, discipline, and resolve had been undeniable, and he was ultimately recruited into the ranks. I couldn't deny he was capable, but I still wondered about the man beneath that polished surface. Perhaps his true potential had yet to be fully realized.

As for Willhelm, his story was a bit more complicated. Although he had shown tremendous spirit, he had not made it into the upper brackets. Still, his resolve was something that could not be ignored. After much deliberation, we had gone to Igor, asking him if he would consider vouching for Willhelm, offering his mentorship. The decision wasn't just about talent—people liked Willhelm's fire, and some wanted to break it.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with him, I thought, a smile tugging at my lips.

Now, the three of us—Fulgur, Willhelm, and me—stood at the entrance of the hall, along with twelve other recruits. We were all waiting for our moment to be called in, to stand before Countess Shanis and receive the recognition we had worked so hard for. It wasn't just a formality; this was the beginning of our future in the castle, and I could feel the weight of it in the pit of my stomach.

The door creaked open, and the room beyond was bathed in the soft glow of torchlight. The air smelled faintly of incense, mingling with the cold stone of the castle. The faint echoes of footsteps signaled the arrival of Countess Shanis, and we all stood straighter, waiting for her to enter.

And just as I had written in the novel, she appeared.

Her long, flowing red hair bounced with each step, catching the light like strands of fire. The soft rustling of her gown, delicate yet commanding, filled the room as she walked toward us. The veil she wore was thin and white, draping around her face with an almost ethereal grace, but it did little to conceal the sharpness of her gaze. Those black eyes, piercing and intense, scanned each of us with a cold precision that made me feel like she could see right through me.

And then, those eyes locked on me.

I blinked, confused for a moment. Was it my imagination? There was no way she could be looking directly at me. But sure enough, her gaze lingered, piercing through the veil as though she were examining my very soul.

A shiver ran down my spine, but I quickly suppressed it. I couldn't afford to be distracted now—not with everything on the line.

Countess Shanis passed by us, the soft rustle of her gown the only sound as she walked to the chair in the middle of the room. She sat with an air of regal composure, her posture flawless, her presence commanding the attention of everyone present. As expected, Eren, who had been by her side during much of the preparation, took over the conversation.

His voice rang out clearly, filling the space. "Welcome, recruits," he began, his tone formal but warm. "As you know, your journey has only just begun. You have been selected not only for your skill but for your potential to grow and become a part of something larger than yourselves."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle over us before continuing, "Your quarters are ready, and you will be assigned to various duties based on your skills. There will be training, assignments, and trials for each of you—tasks that will push you to your limits."

I noticed how Eren's voice carried a subtle authority, his words measured and calm. He was clearly comfortable in his role, yet there was something about his demeanor that made me uneasy. His gaze occasionally flicked toward Countess Shanis, whose eyes remained fixed on the recruits, her expression unreadable behind the veil.

As he spoke, I couldn't help but steal another glance at the Countess. There was something about her presence that was captivating, yet unsettling. She exuded power, the kind that could command armies with a single word. But beyond that, there was a coldness to her—a distance that made it clear she was untouchable, unreachable.

I shook my head, focusing back on Eren's words. This was no time to get lost in my thoughts. The future was here, and it was unfolding before us.

"Your assignments will begin tomorrow," Eren continued, his eyes sweeping over the group. "For now, get some rest. Tomorrow, you will begin to prove yourselves in earnest."

With that, he turned to Countess Shanis, awaiting her approval. She nodded once, but said nothing. Her silence was just as commanding as any spoken command.

Eren bowed his head slightly and gestured for us to leave. "You are dismissed," he said, turning on his heel.

As the recruits filed out of the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. The road ahead wouldn't be easy—not by any means. And though we had earned our places here, there was a deeper game being played, one I wasn't entirely sure I understood.

But I would find out. And I would be ready.