The Oreans

Chapter 12

Chapter 12
The Knighting Ceremony

The commander had told Rafim to stay behind so Alen went out of the office along with the senior masters. Alen had expected them to ignore him once no longer in the commander's presence. He was surprised therefore when they gathered around him and congratulated him, talking to him as if he was of their own level. Alen could only smile in embarrassment at this expression of acceptance.

Alen only felt relieved when they left him alone as they went back to their respective offices. He headed out of the building, somehow dreading meeting the other Oreans, particularly the trainees. Would they be pleased to have him as a fellow, or like Troydes be threatened by his presence here? This question was soon answered as...

"Here's our new member," someone said as Alen stepped out of the door.

Before Alen could take in what he was seeing, someone took him in a bone-breaking hug.

"Nice work, Alen," said the round-faced man he had met earlier. "I'm Roder. I've long been wishing to do what you just did to that Troydes. I just didn't have enough guts."

When Roder released him, he saw that the courtyard was filled with Oreans: junior masters, apprentices and trainees. Soon, he found himself surrounded by everyone there, shaking hands and receiving pats on the back. All were saying: "Congratulations, Alen!"

The crowd seemed to be in the mood for celebration so, when the bell from the building rang to signal the start of training, the Oreans broke up to their respective troops hesitantly. Only the trainees, who no longer had a mentor for the meantime, were left with Alen.

"You're still a trainee, aren't you?" asked a curly-haired boy of ten.

"Yes, of course, I am," replied Alen.

"But you can already do that aurea thing," said a thickset boy about his age. "I heard the apprentices talking. You could be made a master already."

"No—No, I'm too young for that." Alen, in fact, felt that what happened a while ago was just by some sheer luck. He seriously doubted if he could still do it again.

"Would you show us your aurea?" another young trainee asked.

"Er—I—I don't think..." Alen began to answer.

All the trainees had assumed an expectant expression.

"Yes, why don't you show us your aurea?" It was Dreiden with his gang tagging along.

The trainees turned in alarm in his direction, but Alen only watched him steadily.

"Don't tell me you can't do it anymore," Dreiden added mockingly.

Alen felt blood rush to his head, but knowing it was not appropriate to lose temper again, he just held his fist tightly beside him, telling himself: He's not worth it. He's not worth it.

"Why are you still here, trainees?" Bruno suddenly spoke from behind Alen, who felt a rush of gratitude at the man's intrusion. "Shouldn't you be in your post already?"

Everyone turned to face him, with a hand on their chest. Alen knew they were doing it because he was a master. But he also remembered what Troydes said about him: Was it true that Bruno was royalty? How curious that he was here serving as an Orean junior master!

"But, sir, we don't have a mentor anymore," a trainee spoke appealingly.

Bruno gave the boy a wide smile. "Don't worry; I will be your mentor from now on."

This declaration was greeted by a collective murmur of approval. Only Dreiden and his companions did not seem pleased at this.

When the noise died down, Bruno said, "Trainees, go to your post. Wait for me there."