That day when Marcus got called by the co-leader when he's showing Caelus his Headquarters.
***
When the morning sunlight spilled through the wooden blinds of the Band of the Eagle's office, glinting faintly against the polished desk.
Marcus sat silently across from Nathaniel Valor, his co-leader, strategist, and one of the sharpest minds in the mercenary world.
Nathaniel was 28, silver-haired, and impeccably dressed in a dark vest and long coat. His fox-like eyes glimmered behind his square glasses as he flipped through a stack of reports. The room smelled faintly of ink and paper, the scent of responsibility.
"So… it's as I imagined,"
Marcus muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Nathaniel nodded slowly.
"Yes, leader. 'The Children of the Tower' have made their move again."
Marcus exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair.
"I was afraid you'd say that."
Nathaniel poured tea for both of them, calm, precise, before setting a cup in front of his superior.
"The Knight Guards confirmed multiple sightings. And… there's more."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me, those kidnapping incident too?"
Nathaniel hesitated.
"…Yes."
A long silence filled the room.
"Bloody hell…"
Marcus muttered under his breath.
"That's getting serious."
He took a long sip of his tea before continuing, his eyes narrowing.
"The monster we fought last week, it wasn't normal. I've been a mercenary for twenty years, and I've never seen a creature like that. It took 30 peoples, with a combination of Grade VII and VI, to bring it down. That monster strength was terrifying."
Nathaniel nodded grimly.
"Exactly. The Knight Guards believe it was a ritual product, a creature infused with corrupted mana. A sacrifice."
Marcus clenched his fists.
"Then it's really them… The Children of the Tower."
Nathaniel stared at the floor for a moment, memories flashing behind his eyes.
"They appeared centuries ago, the so-called cult of immaculate power. Back when the Empire was just being formed. They called themselves the 'keepers of ascension,' preaching that humanity had fallen from its former height, weaker, dumber, more corrupt with each generation."
Nathaniel added softly,
"They believed that through suffering, humanity could return to its divine intellect, to be who they once were again."
Marcus snorted.
"And by 'suffering,' they meant human sacrifice."
Nathaniel leaned back, rubbing his chin.
"When the Kingdom of Valdria declared a crusade against them, thousands were killed in the purge. But those who survived vanished into history. Until now."
Marcus's tone turned grim.
"If they're resurfacing… then something's coming."
Nathaniel nodded.
"The Knight Guards want us to assist in an investigation tomorrow night. They've found traces of missing civilians near the northern walls."
Marcus finished his tea and stood up, his face set.
"Then we need to prepare. Get my team ready, and keep this quiet. We don't want to start a panic."
"Understood, leader."
***
Later tomorrow morning.
I arrived again at the Band of the Eagle headquarters, ready for training.
The air outside was crisp, the clang of metal echoing from the training field.
"Hello, Sir Darius!"
I greeted.
The man grinned.
"Finally showed up, huh? Let's not waste daylight. Warm up first!"
And so, my day began, sweat, breath, and bruises. I practiced basic strikes, footwork, and blocks. My movements were clumsy at first, but Darius's patience was endless.
After a few hours, I was drenched in sweat.
"Good,"
Darius said, nodding.
"You've got spirit. You'll make a fine fighter one day."
"Thank you, sir!"
I replied, catching my breath.
After a quick bath, I changed and headed toward the library. Samantha was already waiting by the desk, a few books and a chalkboard prepared.
"S-sorry, Samantha!"
I said, slightly panting.
She smiled faintly.
"You're right on time. Sit."
As I sat down, she began to write numbers on the board.
"Today, we'll cover arithmetic,"
she said with a teasing smile.
"Do you know what arithmetic is?"
I smirked.
"Of course. I might not be a scholar right now, but I know my numbers."
"Oh? Confident, aren't you? Then, "
she wrote on the board, 15 + 30 = ?
"That's 45,"
I said immediately.
Her eyebrows rose.
"You already know that?"
"Well, yes. I can count more than ten, just for you know."
She laughed softly.
"You're full of surprises, Caelus. Then what about this?"
She wrote ½ + ¼ = ?
"That's ¾,"
I answered without hesitation.
"Unbelievable,"
she muttered.
"You're far ahead of your age. Why are you even here?"
I grinned.
"Because I have other questions."
Her eyes lit with curiosity.
"Oh? What kind?"
"I want to understand the Grades. You know, the ones used by mercenaries and the Knight Guards."
"Ah, now that's interesting,"
she said, setting down the chalk.
"Listen carefully."
Samantha took a deep breath and began explaining as if she were narrating a sacred text.
1.) Grade IX — 'Initiate'
Those who have just "heard" their Soul Tone. They can't control mana yet, only feel its pulse. Their aura flickers, warm or cold depending on their element.
2.) Grade VIII — 'Attuner'
They can now move mana through their body. Lighting a spark, freezing a drop, or strengthening their limbs. They practice simple Vocemantica words like Ignis or Aqua.
3.) Grade VII — 'Resonant'
They've learned to align breath, body, and mind with their Soul Note. They can perform basic Poses and Runes. Most trained soldiers and mages reach this level.
4.) Grade VI — 'Harmonic'
Masters of Minor Harmony, two elements moving in sync, like Firewind or Stone Shield. Officers and scholars often stand here.
5.) Grade V — 'Virtuoso'
Complete mastery over their Resonance. They can channel mana directly into weapons or body, creating unique variations of their element, Crimson Flame, Silent Wind, and so on.
6.) Grade IV — 'Arcanist'
Able to form Major Harmony, merging two elements seamlessly. They understand Dissonance Control, the art of surviving clashing Resonances.
7.) Grade III — 'Maestro'
They no longer repeat spells, they compose. Their magic shapes the world, storms without clouds, rivers flowing upward.
8.) Grade II — 'Arch-Resonant'
Their Resonance shakes entire regions. Words and poses become unnecessary, the world answers their will.
9.) Grade I — 'Mythic / Primarch'
Legends, beings whose souls are mana. Deities, founders, or calamities. Their names shape history.
When she finished, Samantha smiled softly.
"That's called the Ninth-Tone Hierarchy. Few ever rise above Grade VI. It takes more than power. "
I nodded slowly, absorbing her words.
Each rank wasn't just about strength, it was about understanding one's soul.
Right after that, Darius appeared at the doorway, his expression unusually tense.
He called Samantha over, speaking in a low, urgent tone.
"Sam, I need a word."
Samantha blinked, surprised, but followed him a few steps away.
Their voices dropped, muffled whispers carried by the faint breeze from the open window.
I tried to listen, but all I caught was a single word.
Kidnapping.
My chest tightened.
I quickly looked down at my book, pretending to read, though the letters on the page blurred before my eyes. I forced myself to keep calm, to act as if I hadn't heard anything.
A moment later, Samantha returned, clutching her notes against her chest. Her smile was still there, but faint, strained, like she was holding something back.
"So, Caelus… it seems there's a duty call,"
she said softly.
"I'll have to end our lecture here today. We can continue tomorrow, alright?"
"O-okay,"
I replied, trying not to sound curious.
She nodded quickly, then added with a gentle tone,
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
Before I could answer, she turned around and hurried out of the room, waving goodbye over her shoulder.
As the door closed behind her, silence filled the air once again, but that one word still echoed in my mind.