Alec now Aerion stood in the midst of over new recruits of the frost guards, this world was not entirely new to him but he was still scared unable to understand why this was really happening to him. He looked forward and saw the female captain from earlier standing on the podium beside a man who looked like the main boss standing on the pulpit and addressing the crowd of new recruits. His name is Grand Knight George de marvel.
"What is happening in Zlataria is no longer news to us, we have or we know someone who has lost a friend or family to the cold hands of the Cryovores and it is our duty to protect the land and fight against the Cryovores whether as knights or frost guards." Grand knight George de marvel said.
"You are here today because of your desire to help save this kingdom and your love for this kingdom and for that I am really grateful, but I want to also apologize for something that is unfair to you" he continued pausing for a moment to read their faces.
They new recruits all turned to one another not sure what he meant by that but the looked at him with anticipation.
"The trainings for new recruits would normally last for a whole month so as to allow you learn all you need to learn and become one with your weapon but during the last attack we lost a lot of our soldiers and with this new development we have less than 5 days before the next attack"
There was silence everywhere
"I am saying you have less than 5 days to learn all you need and become one with your weapon
There was murmurs everywhere
Aerion turned and saw that the girl standing beside him was all smiles unlike everyother person that look like they were regretting their decision as he was unsure of what to feel himself, he turned to face her
"Why do you look excited?"
"This means I don't have to wait one whole month to fight the Cryovores, I have waited my whole life"
"You do know that less trainings mean possible death right?'
"It would be an honor to die fighting"
"Aerion shook his head, "I better stay away from her he said to himself.
"Attention! Attention!, the female captain said, "My name is Elite Captain Alita a member of Frost Knights and I will be in charge of this second face of the orientation, Ranking."
There was excitement back in the air
"Despite everyone's zeal and desire to be a Knight not everyone would be qualified, the ranking enables us match you with the proper weapon, the good news also is that whatever rank you are today, you can grow and get into a higher rank.
There was chatter in the crowd everyone excited for their rank
"The ranks are from rank A to G with A being the highest and G being the lowest and then we have people whose power is beyond any ranking system and we call them the Zero or Infinity Rank but it has been years since we last saw an Infinity rank as the last one sacrificed himself to save his crew. Please now form a line and come into this chamber one after the other so the machine can check your flame aura and know your rank"
One by one they stood in line and went into the chamber and it slowly became quiet again, except for the low sounds the machine made every time someone stepped inside.
Each person stayed in there for only a few seconds before coming back out.
Some walked out smiling proudly.
Others looked disappointed.
A few looked completely shaken.
"Rank C!"
"Rank D!"
"Rank E!"
One of the officers standing near the chamber door called out the ranks loudly as each recruits came out of the chamber.
Aerion watched everything carefully, his arms folded as the line slowly moved forward. He still felt like he didn't belong here.
Just few hours ago he had been Alec, standing in his office trying to forget about his terrible day at work and then he saw that book, that devilish book.
And now here he was.
Standing in another world.
Waiting to be ranked as a soldier in a war he knows absolutely nothing about "This can't be real," he murmured quietly to himself.
"You say something?" the girl beside him asked, turning to face him
Aerion quickly shook his head.
"Nope, nothing."
The line continued to move.
Soon it was the girl's turn.
She walked into the chamber confidently, almost excited.
A few seconds passed.
Then suddenly a bright red light flashed inside the chamber and the machine made a loud buzzing sound.
The officers near the door exchanged surprised glances.
"Rank B!" the officer announced loudly.
The crowd immediately burst into whispers.
"Rank B on the first day?"
"That's impressive."
"She might become a Knight someday."
The girl stepped out of the chamber with a wide smile on her face like she had just won a prize.
She looked straight at Aerion.
"Told you," she said proudly. "I've been waiting my whole life for this."
Aerion let out a small sigh.
"Congratulations," he said, though he wasn't sure if he meant it or not.
Soon it was his turn.
"Next!" the officer called.
Aerion hesitated for a second before stepping forward.
He walked into the chamber and the heavy metal door shut behind him with a loud clang.
The room was small and cold.
In the center stood a strange machine made of metal rings slowly spinning around a glowing crystal.
"Place your hand on the core," a voice from outside instructed.
Aerion swallowed nervously.
"Alright… here goes nothing."
He slowly reached out and placed his hand on the glowing crystal.
For a moment… nothing happened.
Then suddenly the crystal burst into flames.
Not normal flames.
Bright blue flames.
Aerion jumped slightly in shock.
"What the—"
The metal rings around the crystal started spinning faster and the machine began making loud warning sounds.
Outside the chamber the officers immediately stood up.
"What's going on?" one of them asked.
Elite Captain Alita frowned as she stared at the monitor beside the machine.
"That's… strange."
Inside the chamber Aerion quickly pulled his hand away from the crystal.
"I didn't break it, did I?" he asked nervously.
But the machine didn't stop.
The blue flames burned even brighter.
Outside the chamber the screen that displayed the rank result began flashing rapidly.
Letters appeared and disappeared quickly.
G…
F…
E…
D…
C…
B…
A…
The recruits outside leaned forward trying to see what was happening.
Then suddenly the screen froze.
The entire area went silent.
Everyone stared at the result.
Elite Captain Alita's eyes widened slightly as she read the symbol on the screen.
"…Infinity Rank."