Chapter 4: Chapter 4: One Thing to Another
-Dante's POV-
"Do you have any idea how many complaint's I got this time!...the villagers we're furious about all of that ruckus. They thought an earthquake hit...Daisuke! You took it to far!...I don't care if he passed or not. You treat him better when you get there!.." the extremely soft but stern voice was yelling though it wasn't really much, the tone was so soft you could barely consider it yelling at all. "He's been asleep for Two days. You can't put him through rigorous training and expect me not to react!.."
'Jeez, what are they even talking about?..get where..' I couldn't help but think that, as my dreams had already disappeared minutes ago; at this point I just kept my eyes closed to try and sleep again but failed horribly. All this sleeping's making my eyes hurt a bit anyway. My eyes flutter open, as I sit up in my bed 'ah...I'm still in my armor...Daisuke must've put me here quick...wait, did I pass?!..oh crap! Don't tell me I passed out!' Getting up quickly I noticed a ton of my stuff was already packed up making me get strange feeling in my chest 'did mom do that?...but why?..' shaking it off I began my daily routine of brushing my teeth, taking a much needed lukewarm shower. Freshening up completely, as I finished up after about 20 minutes their was a silence. Their conversation must've already ended...I need answers, finishing getting dressed in fresh new clothing I walked down the staircase of our cabin home and could see My mother.
She was sitting in the spacious and open living room, she really didn't look to happy. Daisuke was by the front door, leaning on the doorframe; on the phone with someone though I couldn't tell who. I cracked my neck and made my way to the kitchen; I gotta get food before I even attempt at figuring anything out. I heard something about two days. Two days?! No wonder my stomachs growling like crazy, but I can't help this feeling that something isn't okay right now.
-Third POV-
The White haired Knight Apprentice, grabbed an empty clean bowl and poured a good amount of cereal in it, along with some cold almond milk. As he ate spoonfuls for several minutes his thoughts wandered as he tried to remember what happened two days ago 'The Spar! It was my pre-test with Daisuke!...I used that technique I made up on the spot...I don't remember if it worked!..' he thought frustrated he had enough, and when his bowl was finished and he felt satisfied the Male washed it clean.
Leaving it to dry, he walked over to the living room and slowly took a seat beside his mother Angil with a raised eyebrow "Good Morning, Are you okay Ma?..."
"You're leaving me...aren't you?..." Angil spoke with an extremely sad expression, something he had rarely seen which through him off guard. "I-I know it's what you want..but why so far away from home?....can't you just stay where your at and be a guard in the village or something?"
"What are you even talking about?....I don't even remember if I pass-...wait! I passed! No way!!" Dante's eyes sparkled in awe and joy, he was thrilled, excited and even relieved but he suddenly toned down as he saw his mother sort of look away which made him sigh "Ma...if I gotta go, I gotta go...I can't be cooped up in this village anymore. I've gotta Yah know. Spread my wings, I wanna fly..I know it sucks you won't see me much. But I promise to call you, and write you if I can't call."
"That's not the point Dante!..." Angil spoke up suddenly raising her voice exponentially, as she paused and looked down at her hands this was clearly bothering her. "Your..my Son! And...not being able to be there for you after all this time! It just feels empty.."
"Ma..." Dante's Face softened, he had been so focused on passing and becoming a Knight that he didn't take into account just how this would affect her. He was an only child, her only child. To have him go away and so dangerous things must not be easy. The blue eyed male scooted over and placed his hand on her shoulder "I know..I'm your son. I'll always be your son...that's never going to change. Okay?..look at me." Her eyes shakily looked over to him, honestly he could tell all she saw was her child from years ago. "I want to follow my dreams...continue Dad's legacy. And I can't do that here. You know it. And I know it. But out there...as a Knight with Daisuke. I can keep this country peaceful, protect people. Fight for others, it's what I was born to do.. but- if you want me to stay. Then I'll stay"
"No. I know you won't be happy otherwise..." Angil sighed in that instant she puked him into a warm embrace "Just promise me. Promise me! You'll live! Your Father never came back too me! And I can't lose you!...so promise me! You'll come back..."
"Haha..Fine. I promise I'll come back...I always will...look on the brightside! Now that your not worrying about me so much! You can start teaching kids in the village how to play music. Right? I know teachings always been something you wanted to do. Well...now you'll have more time for it!" Dante returned the hug, this would technically be the last time he would ever see his Mother for a while. For who knows how long; he couldn't help but Shed a tear, until several more came out. "Ugh!...I'm gonna miss you. You know that Ma!..."
"Aww...I'll miss you too...don't forget to call me. All the time...and please! Do me a favor! Get a girlfriend...I need Grandchildren before I get old Yah know!" Angil said with a small giggle, as Dante grunted pulling away with an exasperated sigh "Why do you always gotta say stuff like that? I'll get a girlfriend when I damn well feel like it okay?...and Grandchildren! I'm 17!!!!! What are you nuts?"
"Don't mean to interrupt the heartfelt moment...." Daisuke finally ended his phone call, before turning toward them both with small amused smile "If you've said your goodbyes...it's time to go. You slept for Two days, so I asked Angil to pack your things. The Exam Facility is waiting for us..at Titan City"
"Titan City? Wait that mega tech City!....where The Order's HQ is?...I've seen pictures it looks insane! I've always wanted too go there!" Dante stood up as his excitement skyrocketed, making his uncle chuckle "Titan City. The Capitol of the Human Realm, a Technological marvel of the modern world. Though you won't be going to HQ so relax on that...we're going to an entirely different place, where the Entrance Exam's is too take place. I'll brief you on the chopper..go grab your stuff..."
"Chopper...what chopper?-..." The young Apprentice's words we're cut short at the sound of spinning rotor blades loudly getting closer and closer. Peaking outside their window, a jet black helicopter was preparing to land. The air from the rotor's causing leaves and grass to move, part ways. As it finally landed with several individuals opening the door and standing outside assault rifles in hand "woah...what a change of pace? I've never seen one up close!"
"Your from a relatively unknown small village out in the middle of nowhere. You haven't exactly been exposed to much...just wait until we get there. It'll blow your mind..." Daisuke chuckled as he opened the front door and waved at the soldiers waiting for them, as he glanced at his nephew "well. What are you waiting for? Go get your stuff already!"
As Dante practically bolted upstairs, the protective mother just spoke with more strength than before "You take care of him!...please?...watch over him." Angil was as stern as she could possibly be, she was an extremely soft hearted woman after all. That's why her name was a loosely an off shoot of 'Angel'.
"You know I will...What sort of uncle would I be if I let my brothers kid get hurt out there" Daisuke shook his head glancing at Angil with a sigh "He'll be fine. He's not a baby anymore Angil. Let him walk the path he chooses...support him"
Before long, the Young Apprentice rushed back downstairs now in his Armored Attire and two Duffel bags worth of stuff; it contained necessities such as extra clothing, hygiene products and cosmetic things. As he made his way too the door; Angil followed suit embracing him one final time 'Please. Kami!...give him strength...Kisuke-Kun watch over him from the Heavens..' she praye do mentally as Dante chuckled pulling away and turning around giving a small wave "I'll call you when the Exams are over...I swear" with that he took off, entering the sleek helicopter and as he ascended into the sky slowly he could see her waving and eventually it was nothing but the visual of an ant as the Chopper sped off.
Dante looked around the Soldier's we're quite; pretty professional and strict as Daisuke continued to text on his cellphone device "The Entrance Exams...is their anything I should know before hand?"
"No....nothing important. Everything will be explained in detail when you arrive for the Orientation. But keep in mind...you aren't the only person taking it. Their are over 30 individuals that take it...on average only 15 or less ever actually pass..being a Knight is different than becoming a Soldier. Anyone can sign up for basic training and hundreds can become regular Soldiers but A Knight; we are the Blade that's sharpened and protect this country at the forefront..." Daisuke explained merely glancing at his nephew as he explained a few things to help him understand better "As I said before..not much News get to where you are. We're currently in a scuffle with a terrorist militia, mercenaries that decided to up the fight in honor of our Last War enemy 'Arogoto Kingdom' despite them being at peace with us. Their are still extremists that believe in their old Dictorialship ways...reasons such as this are why Knights have the most pressure in being passed for the military. They have to be the most passionate and the most ready to die for our Nation..Knights are typically well versed in Mana while soldiers are Mana-less.."
"I get it. Soldiers are the infantry while Knights lead the charge in a sense...while Soldiers protect our countries infrastructure. We protect it entirely.." Dante replied understanding pretty quickly what it meant to be a Knight and why it was so significant. "Over 30 people taking the exam...doesn't that mean. It's competitive!"
"That's correct. Only several of you will be chosen. So their are many that will do their absolute best to get ahead of everyone else..but that is also a flawed mentality. Many Knights Third and Second Ranks are put into teams as it's more efficient. Only First Rank knights are allowed to work alone. Your Father Kisuke, Me and a few others of our group. We we're and still are first Rank, have been for a very long time and naturally as siblings we we're out together for most assignments. So the Entrance Exam isn't about being Selfish, in fact it's also about who can uplift people around them. Who can actually strengthen bonds and fight together as one. It's important you remember that. But that's not something the upper brass will tell you..most of the time. They keep that to themselves till the very end. I'm only telling you..because coming from where your from you may not know the customs of the inner city and an actual military"
"So! If I work with others! I can increase my chances of passing and even maybe help them pass with me?..." Dante asked curiously if that was truly the case, then he would have to choose who he could work with wisely even though he had no clue what the Exams entailed, especially if their we're some that would stab him in the back just to be able to successfully become a Knight.
"Precisely...being a Knight also includes Knighthood, a variation of brotherhood.." Daisuke nodded in agreement, he was quite glad that His nephew could understand so easily. His nerves have probably overpowered the stubbornness in his brain "A bond is forged between knights that is unbreakable but it can only be Honed by the ones that are a part of it. If not..as a team...they'll be doomed to fail and perish in the battlefield"
"Sir!!....ETA 20 minutes until we reach the landing zone..." the pilot announced as the helicopter sped quickly moving past the Forest geography and not to far ahead was an extremely bright technological city, making the Veteran Knight look at Dante as he put his phone away "well...their's still time if you want to turn back...if you don't think you can handle it. I'm giving you need to know basis information to give you a better chance. But if your feeling nervous-.."
"What? Are you crazy?!..." Dante nearly cussed as he raised his eyebrow and an excited smirk reached his lips, blue eyes filled with determination and raw passion "I was born for this! I'm not running back! I'm going to pass this Exam..no matter what! I didn't come this far just to quit!...I'll
Show them. That I belong as a Knight! I was born for this!...I'll crush that Exam in my bare hands!...just sit back and watch! Daisuke...I am Dante Kudo...and I'll be...a Knight of the Order!!"
"Hmph...now that's the spirit...start getting yourself ready. Just because I said teamwork is an important factor doesn't mean it'll be that easy..." Daisuke reminded him closing his eyes, as if resting them for a small duration when Dante blinked a couple times as he just got a hit of realization "Wait! 20 minutes! How fast have we been going in this chopper?"
"Helicopter's relatively hit 160 mph as its fastest. The Order have specialized choppers, engines revved by the pilots Mana. They've been reengineered for speedy rides in and out of war zones. We can go from one city to another in no time at all...for example. Your home village 'Eden'...it's 50 Miles South of Titan City. And we've been talking for 10 minutes. We arrive in 20..which means we just blew past 50 miles in 30 minutes or less."
"E-Eh?!!!!....what kind of sorcery is that?!.." Dante exclaimed shocked by how quickly they traveled in the small amount of time they're been talking, it even made him feel slightly nauseous at the thought of moving so quickly "Agh..I'm gonna hurl!"
"Oh relax! It's not sorcery. It's science...engineering. Pure unadulterated Human resolve...imagine a Knight throwing up on a Rollercoaster. That's ridiculous! Heh!" Daisuke chuckled he couldn't help but be amused by his Nephew's countryside intellect "just wait till you see the actual city.. it'll blow your mind. Literally..you might get a stroke.."
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