CH-14: HOW RAVEN BECAME 'RAVEN'

It was an early morning where the sky was decorated with white and fancy clouds. The weather was quite pleasant with cool breezes and beautiful butterflies surrounding the moon zinnias of the legion's courtyard. Four days had passed by after the recruitment trial.

"I'm so excited! Aren't you? It's finally the day we get officially declared as the Dorwine Legion members. We are going to get our very special code names based on our skills! Isn't that so cool?"- Elias spoke with a grin from ear to ear as he was unable to hide his anticipation.

All the recruited members were standing on the ground, with lit faces, looking quite forward towards their new codenames and dorm rooms. In his excitement, Elias was almost acting like a ten year old in his grown and fine body, which drove Axel crazy. He was starting to get really annoyed at such acts but he managed to maintain his composure with a soft smile. Nevertheless, Elias was his first friend in this world, not to mention a good one. He had now started wondering whether Elias drank an energy drink or not. Suddenly, a loud sound of a trumpet came from the Legion Headquarters' main gate as a tall and fair man emerged from behind the tall metal doors.

"All hail his grace! His highness, Arthur La Franciszek!" The royal trumpeter cried out.

"All hail the Grand Duke! All hail the Grand Duke! All hail the Grand Duke!"- all the people cried out in unison. Perhaps, Axel was the only person who didn't cheer for him. He couldn't stand that man.

" Cheer for that traitor?! Pftttt...Please! After what he did to my poor character? Gosh, I can feel Odion's pain."- Axel thought as his blood boiled when he remembered all the paragraphs that highlighted Arthur's gruesome cruelty and mercilessness and all those nights he had spent, crying his eyeballs out due to the trauma.

Arthur put up his exemplary smile, and spoke with utmost grace, his white royal coat glimmering in the sunshine, making him look even more handsome-

"My dear legion recruits! Your presence has been welcomed heartily at the Dorwine Legion...Your heartfelt dedication and vision are exactly what our legion requires. As you know, I have formed this legion to guide the talented psionic users and together help to defend our motherland. We will strive to great lengths and conquer our enemies."

After about ten minutes, Axel fought to stop himself from yawning at the utterly boring lecture of the man. He couldn't take it any longer. The silver haired man had been talking for ten minutes straight. But as Axel scanned around, he saw most with blank expressions. Even the hyper-active Elias could no longer bear such a boring lecture.

"Might as well continue for thirty more minutes"- Axel mumbled.

"Trust me Odion...Judging by the glazed-over eyes here, I think his grace has successfully discovered a cure for insomnia."- Elias said in a low, deep voice.

"And now, the moment you all have been waiting for, selecting a codename for each of you based on your certain skills."

Suddenly a wave of enthusiasm rushed over like the sea, bringing back the lost spirit, and again everybody seemed just as excited as before. Soon, one by one, new members started to go up the stairs to the high platform and received their very own nameplates.

After about thirty-five people, finally the Grand Duke called out Elias's name. And one could see the sheer excitement on his face.

"I bestow Mr. Elias Auclier the name 'Anvil' for his remarkable strength and heavy metal manipulation. Your dorm room will be three-six-four" Arthur said as he put the nameplate on Elias's white shirt.

"Now, the next recruit is Odion..." Odion gracefully walked up the steps onto the platform as Elias climbed down, giving him a big grin.

Arthur looked at him and gave him an irritating smirk and spoke eloquently.-

"Everyone, Mr Odion today, shall receive a very special gift from me alongside his codename." This announcement caused a stir in the crowd; everyone wondered what this special gift could be.

"Oh no...I can't die now, he will kill me for sure! What if he- I can't die! System help!!!"- Axel screeched internally, trying to prevent himself from getting killed.

"Aren't you excited for the gift Mr. Odion?"- Arthur gave a hearty smile. In response, Axel could no longer speak out of fear, choking on his own words. He just smiled awkwardly, having nothing else to say.

"For his perceptive intelligence, possessing beauty, power and effortless grace, I bestow Mr. Odion with the name Raven."- He said as he handed him over the nameplate.

Axel couldn't quite recall the actual codename in the original novel but it didn't bother him. He found the name quite chic and mysterious.

"And now for the special gift... Odion, since you have no surname, I hereby give you the surname Aubert... Odion Aubert."

This sudden gift baffled Axel. He was left speechless, and the smile on the duke's face further stopped him from speaking.