the era of calamities
Chapter 63: The eleven prodigies

Chapter 63: The eleven prodigies

"Let all those who hear their names step forward and join me on this stage," ordered Gramm.

The candidates were completely bewildered. They had no idea what criteria had been used for this so-called promotion. Some even began to believe they might be among the chosen.

As Gramm spoke the first name, the anticipation reached its peak.

"Elizir Mist, step forward."

Murmurs spread among the candidates from the Empire. The surname Mist was exclusive to the imperial family: the first to be called was therefore a prince. He was a young man with golden hair and a princely demeanor, like something out of a fairytale. He walked gracefully to the stage.

"Ronel."

This time, it was a woman. The moment the screen zoomed in on her, every man present was shaken. She was the kind of woman said to be blessed by nature from head to toe. Her wild green hair and an outfit that revealed more skin than it covered sent blood rushing to the heads of many young men.

"Lucy."

Since Lucy was a common name, several female candidates, along with a rare male one, stepped forward at the same time. As the director hadn’t specified a surname, they clung to the hope that their performance in the first trial had caught attention. However, the illusion didn’t last. Gramm snapped his fingers, and a golden fireball danced through the crowd before engulfing the real Lucy and lifting her onto the stage.

"Gracia Snowtail."

A pretty white-haired girl in a tracksuit took her place beside the others on the podium.

"Ereis Victara."

A hooded man standing in the back rows was also teleported onto the stage by a spell similar to the one used for Lucy.

"Rana."

"Fidri Cost."

"Ana Lebert."

Eight names had now been called. The remaining crowd crossed their fingers and toes, hoping to be among the final three.

Without prolonging the suspense any further, Gramm concluded:

"Sirius, Iris, Kritos Franklin, join me."

Once all eleven had gathered on the stage, men in green coats brought out eleven sealed wooden chests.

The chosen candidates turned to face Gramm, their backs to the crowd.

"By the authority entrusted to me by His Grace, I hereby declare you admitted to the entrance exam of the Order, and destined for the rank of Enforcers of the Order. Let the traditional ceremony of knighthood begin."

Gramm paused, letting the weight of his words settle in their minds.

"Kneel," he ordered.

At once, as if unable to resist, their bodies complied.

Gramm opened the first chest, revealing a black coat embroidered on the back with an open book bearing an eye watching over the globe.

The first to receive the coat was Sirius, to whom Gramm then pinned the Initiate badge on the shoulder. He did the same with Ronel, officially assigning them both to the Bureau of Archives and Exploration.

Then he opened two more chests containing the silver coats of the Chancellery. The embroidered crest depicted a map of the world framed by two golden palm trees.

By dressing Lucy and Elizir in them, he officially enrolled them into the Bureau of Administrative and Political Affairs.

Gracia Snowtail and Fidri Cost received the coats of the Bureau of Internal Affairs, bearing the emblem of a scale flanked by two crossed swords.

Kritos Franklin, Ereis Victara, and Ana Lebert were each knighted with the white coat of the Bureau of Ethereal Applications Research. However, when Ereis’s turn came, he received only a white badge labeled "Intern" instead of a coat. That could only mean one thing: Ereis had never undergone awakening and remained an ordinary human.

Iris and Rana were the last to be adorned with the green coats of the Bureau of Military Affairs, whose symbol showed a man wielding a spear and shield before a dragon.

Once all had been decorated according to tradition, Gramm allowed them to rise.

The image of these chosen ones, now robed in their respective colors, sparked envy among the other candidates, who would still have to pass the second trial before being granted such an honor.

Without sending the crowd away, Gramm began the explanation of the second trial:

"Two months ago, the Bureau of Archives and Exploration detected suspicious movements from the Kingdom of Vermin, one of the Calamities’ realms located across the ocean. My agents stationed there have reported that a duchy has broken away from its king’s authority and is preparing to invade human lands. The duke and his men could arrive in a week, perhaps a month. The exact date is uncertain, but one thing is clear: they won’t pass through this military base but through a point where the Order holds no influence."

Images appeared, projecting a map of a country, its cities, and villages.

"This is a nation that refused to sign the treaty 300 years ago. Because of that, the Order cannot assist them. If an invasion occurs, this country will be the first to fall to the duchy’s forces."

A heavy silence fell over the crowd. Some were already regretting not quitting earlier.

"The second trial will be to stop the attack from this duchy. As for the means and methods you’ll use, you have full discretion."

---

("This is a nightmare,") thought Sirius, standing at the front row and watching the panic overtake the candidates.

("Thank goodness I passed the exam. I have no intention of getting involved in that madness.")

Indeed, to any rational person, it seemed absurd: sending thousands of Initiates to stop a duchy... Even without barons, counts, or marquises, the duke alone could have wiped out all the candidates.

("This is madness, pure madness...")

Sirius then realized how lucky he was to have succeeded in the first trial. Had he been forced to take part in this second one, he would have dropped out and tried again next year.

---

While Sirius and the others criticized the impossible nature of the trial, Elizir Mist couldn’t stay silent.

"Director, with all due respect, don’t you think this is absurd? You’re sending all these people to certain death. I’m sure no Absolute would ever allow this."

Elizir spoke with confidence. As the son of an Absolute, he believed he had the right to intervene. His father had always protected his citizens, and many in the crowd were citizens of the Empire.

---

"Silence," Gramm whispered again, silencing even the thoughts in the minds of all present.

"Did I ever say I was sending you to certain death? This exam is a real-world simulation of what it means to be a member of the Order. And as members of the Order, you will never be alone.

These eleven newly promoted Enforcers will serve as your commanders. As for the duke and his marquises... Since when does a human fear an insect? I, and this man beside me," he said, pointing to a man in a black coat bearing the badge of a Master, "will take care of the duke and his marquises. You, you will fight... and you will triumph.

Above all, remember this: anyone who fails to prove themselves in my eyes will be deemed to have failed."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gramm prepared to step down from the stage not without snapping his fingers first to have mission dossiers handed to the eleven chosen ones. He simply added:

"This is your first mission. I expect nothing less than exceptional results."

---

Elizir Mist felt proud of having spoken up until Gramm’s voice echoed directly in his mind:

"By joining the Order, you have renounced your nationality. Your privileges as a prince or as the son of an Absolute hold no value here. Only merit matters. The next time you behave so disgracefully..."

The voice stopped. Only Elizir had heard it. He clenched his fists, keeping his thoughts to himself.

---

Once Gramm had left, the candidates were left alone in the vast parking lot. Only a few Enforcers from Military Affairs remained to prevent chaos.

Sirius descended the stage with the others. All of them opened the contents of their first assigned mission. As soon as they finished reading, they collapsed to the ground, all struck by the same thought:

("We’re dead.")

Indeed, although each had received a directive specific to their bureau, their missions could all be summed up in a single sentence:

"Ensure that no candidate dies during the trial while making sure the majority pass the exam.

P.S.: You are free to choose the methods and how you act."