CH-13: RAVEN GETS RECRUITED

Arthur hovered over Axel as the latter sat on the stone flooring. His gaze fell on the Grand Duke's broad chest as the white shirt he wore became practically transparent due to the sweat. However, while Axel couldn't catch his breath, Arthur didn't look tired at all, just heavily perspired.

"So muscular! I need to get his workout routine!- Axel wondered in awe. Just then the system window popped up with a notification-

<𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴! +20 𝘈 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵 ﻪ(òﮦó)ﻡ >

"Axel looked at it, first, puzzled and then had a furious look on his face as he mumbled quietly in an annoyed manner- "20 points for meeting the bastard but 0 for my hard work? Damn you!"

Perhaps he was cursing the system much longer than he expected because as he turned around to look at the judges, he saw their perplexed faces, screaming the words Are you Crazyyyy?

Arthur had returned to his seat and had a really ugly look on his handsome face, while the other three stood there, baffled. Poor Jean-Pierre's face turned red, probably due to the extreme temperatures fluctuating between scorching hot and freezing cold. And, Reynauld would probably fall ill due to this. But nevertheless, they were quite impressed at his unique talents.

Sebastian cleared his throat before he spoke.

"Excellent job Mr. Odion, you did amazing. So I, Sebastian des Ombres and all the judges, hereby declare that you have been... recruited!"

Axel was aware that for obvious reasons that he was to be recruited successfully. But he was truly delighted that his hard work and training actually paid off. He bowed down before all four of them respectfully, as he said - "I thank all of you for your consideration. It is truly an honor for me and I shall not disappoint you in my upcoming days."

Even though he meant all of his words to the four of them, his gaze remained fixed on Arthur's plain blue eyes as the latter too, gazed at him sharply with a soft smirk on his porcelain face.

Axel finally rose and left. He idled down the hallway as he noticed a familiar figure standing around the corner of a pillar. It was a hooded figure and gave those who looked their way the creeps, for this anonymous figure had a negative aura surrounding them.

But looking at her and her deadly purple eyes, Axel quickly realized who this figure was and his hair stood on end. "What the absolute heck is the conjurer doing here?" - he questioned himself as he gulped quickly. The thought that crossed his mind at that very second really creeped him out.

"What if she is actually following me? Wait- is she trying to predict my next move? Does she...know that I come from- Wait I mustn't think like that! She knows telepathy."

Axel tried his best not to think and desperately strode to find Elias. He could spot him from a distance, talking to someone, but he had no time to waste at this place anymore... for explanations. He approached Elias and dragged him out of the big black gates.

Elias was bewildered by such an act. He squealed- "HEY! I WAS EATING A SANDWICH!!" What's going on Odion?! Did you get-"

He was cut mid sentence by Odion- "I'm sorry for your sandwich...I'll buy you lunch today, okay? We shouldn't stay there anymore, after all our job there is done." He said as the two of them sat in an open cafeteria.

"Odion? Did you get recruited? I was really worried..." Elias said in a concerned tone. Axel stared at him sternly at first, and then a big grin finally appeared on his face and he let out a soft chuckle. "Do I look like I didn't?"

"Really? That's amazing! I can't wait for us to start our new life at the legion headquarters!! Imagine how fun it will be when the two of us spellbind everybody with our exceptional talents!"

"It isn't going to be that easy you know... Difficult missions, hardcore training and defending the honor of our kingdom aren't exactly easy..."