One week after the Spring Festival, just after morning exercises had ended, and the mist had yet to dissipate, steam rose from the training grounds of the Red Tide Knight Training Camp.
Instructor Bruck stood on the platform, holding a parchment scroll in his hand: "Every year, Lord Louis selects a few young knights to join his personal guard, which signifies trust, as well as a test."
The training grounds fell silent, dozens of eyes fixated on that scroll.
Bruck unfolded the list with a slight smile, lifting his chin: "This year, the chosen ones are... Kosa Coldfang, and Gray Harlow."
At that moment, it felt as if the air stood still.
Kosa was initially stunned, stuck in mid-air, not even clearly hearing his own name; by the time he realized it, his palms were already sweaty.
Next to him, Gray slapped him so hard it almost knocked him off balance: "Did you hear? We made it into the personal guard!"
