Old Division
Chapter 3 - 5: The Army

Inside a very large and dark place, there was orange light, yes, it came from a campfire.

There was a person sitting on a small log near the bonfire while looking at the orange fire.

However, suddenly a voice came from within the darkness that seemed to speak to the person sitting near the bonfire.

"Do you still hold fast to that stupid principle of yours?" speak that voice with a tone that sounds very heavy.

"Yes, I don't think I've changed much." said the person, staring at the fire with a slightly cold expression.

"If you stay that way, you won't be able to protect anyone!" say that foreign voice.

"No. like before, I will do it!" said the person while looking a little smile on his lips.

"Well, do what you want to do!" say that foreign voice again.

Then the man took his eyes off the bonfire and looked ahead and slightly raised his head up, the image of a very large creature shaped like a wolf with white eyes on the right and black on the left looks slightly lit up with a pitch-black aura that is all over the body of the creature.

"Yes." replied the person with a small smile.

Suddenly a very bright white light appeared before his eyes and brought him into the light, then it became very dark instantly.

"Hey, he's up!" I heard someone's voice.

Zaki opened his eyes slowly, he saw Linda who looked worried about him.

"It turns out you can wake up too yeah, you idiot!" casta said towards Zaki with her cold tone.

Then Casta walked over from the window where he was standing towards Zaki who was lying down and looked a little confused.

Casta immediately held Zaki's forehead with the back of his right hand.

"Is it still hot?" ask Linda to worry.

"Slightly, it looks like he'll be cured soon!" casta replied with a slight smile towards Linda.

"Ah... thank goodness then.." said Linda relieved.

Zaki who was still confused saw them could only be silent and pay attention to the surrounding room.

Then the door of the room suddenly opened, and they turned their eyes toward the door.

It turned out that Ayla who came brought some food for them, and brought a bowl of warm porridge for Zaki.

"Zaki..this is for you.." said Ayla softly as she extended her right hand and gave the porridge to Zaki.

The confused Zaki then asked them while holding a bowl of porridge in his hand.

"What's going on?" ask Zaki in a slow tone.

"You've been asleep for 3 days" Ayla said.

"I don't think you're gonna wake up anymore. hmph!" said Casta threw his face away and turned his body towards the exit.

"Casta... Where are you going?" ask Linda to be curious.

"I'll tell Colonel Mervis," Casta replied casually.

Casta leaves the room to go to see Mervis and tells him that Zaki is awake.

"Well Linda... What happened?" zaki asked still curious.

"You fainted after protecting me and Yuichi as well." Linda said worriedly.

"Fainted?" zaki was confused.

"You tried to confront Colonel Richa when he wanted to attack Yuichi and Linda" Ayla told him as she tried to pick up a spoon and gave it to Zaki.

"Then..Where is Yuichi?" ask Zaki while looking around the room.

"Ah...he's again in the bathroom!" linda replied with a smile.

"Oh yes Zaki. The meeting was postponed because the higher-ups were waiting for you to wake up!" ayla said as she took back the porridge bowl that was in Zaki's hands.

"Meeting?" zaki asked in confusion because he did not know what he had missed during his sleep.

"Yes, the Division candidates are already determined. and we will be gathered in one room, but delayed because you are asleep and do not wake up. hahaha!" said Ayla while sitting next to Zaki's bed and feeding Zaki porridge.

Ayla continued to provide information that Zaki wanted to know, but, Linda looked a little sullen while puffing her cheeks at the sight of Ayla who continued to feed Zaki before her eyes.

Not long after, the door of the room opened, then they turned their eyes to the door, it turns out that Yuichi has returned to the room where Zaki, who is, Linda and Ayla were bare-chested and holding a towel with her right hand and rubbing it against her waist-length hair that was red and slightly glowing.

"Ah Yuichi, you're back!" ayla's greeting is gentle.

"Hmm.." he nodded as he looked at Zaki.

"Heh?.. Have you woken up Zaki!!" he shouted again and ran towards Zaki.

"H-hallo." said Zaki as he raised his right hand to greet Yuichi.

"Are you okay now Zaki?" ask Yuichi slowly.

"Heh?.. What's wrong with you?" ask Zaki confused.

"Hahaha, I talked to that stupid Colonel!" tell Yuichi.

"Hee?. Good thing he's not here, if he hears it I think he's killing you now" Zaki said in a cold tone.

"Yuichi, you have to be polite to the Colonel, because he has given us a place to stay" Linda said slightly scolding Yuichi.

"Hahaha.sorry Linda!" yuichi apologized to Linda.

"Then?... What are you talking about?" ask Zaki.

"Yes, if you still haven't woken up yet, I plan to start training with him personally!"

"Huh?.. You want to get ahead of me?... horse hair!" zaki shouted in an annoyed tone but slightly smiled.

"Hahaha. since you're awake. let's do our best to uncover what the world really is!" yuichi said with a smile and showed a bit of his teeth.

"Hmph..you are too excited." said Zaki as he looked at Linda.

"Aren't I like this. Kap-ten!!" yuichi said again with a small laugh.

"Heh?... The captain?" ayla and Linda were confused.

"Why do you call Zaki Captain Yuichi?" linda asked confusedly and slightly tilted her head to the right.

"Hmm... I think he'll be our leader later on the team what's his name?" yuichi said as he calmed his chin and looked a little thoughtful.

"Division!" tell Ayla.

"Ah that!"

"Why can Zaki be a leader?.. and us?" ayla asked confusedly.

"Hmm... Because he saved us over and over again, remember... Zaki always fainted in a precarious situation" said Yuichi kept thinking and holding his chin.

"Ah.. You were right Yuichi. and when Zaki fainted, somehow things got better!" linda said with sparkling eyes.

"Hmm... I can't deny it. Could it be that Zaki had to faint to change things?" ayla asked confusedly.

Zaki who saw them continue to speculate about him could only fall silent without a word.

"Hmph.I don't want to be led by a fool."

 Suddenly a voice came from the direction of the door, and it turned out to be Casta and Mervis.

"Well?.What do you mean?" yuichi asked as he looked towards Casta with an annoyed expression and tone.

"Ah... Casta you're back." Linda smiled.

Then Yuichi approached Casta who was leaning against the wall near the door.

"Don't you see if we're always saved by Zaki?" ask the annoyed Yuichi.

"Hmph... I don't even see him doing anything, it can't be considered saving anyone.. After all, aren't there people who are more important when we're always in trouble?"

"As in Bergorm, wasn't it Major Misca and Colonel Mervis who saved us?" casta asked Yuichi again with a tone and expression that also looked upset.

"Again...all he can do is faint in times of precarious situation..doesn't that add to the problem... we're just waiting for him to wake up for three days to get together with the other Division candidates?"

Yuichi could only be speechless hearing Casta's rambling towards him. The room was suddenly quiet and seen Mervis just reading the book he brought from his room.

"Because being with the two of you somehow I'm always involved in a problem...power?.. don't joke... You two might not even be able to use any Artifacts," clasped Casta while looking towards Yuichi in a slightly toned tone.

Yuichi clenched his hand and reflexively wanted to hit Casta.

"Yuichi, that's enough!" zaki shouted trying to stop Yuichi.

"Casta.." said Linda and Ayla with sad expressions.

"Cih.." said Yuichi while holding back his punch and anger.

"Hmm.. can you not be noisy," said Mervis in his relaxed tone while still focusing on reading the book he held.

"As much as you!" casta said to get out of the room and leave them.

Seeing Casta leave, Linda tries to chase him, however, being held back by Ayla.

"No Linda.. Give Casta time for himself.." said Ayla tried to hold Linda who wanted to pursue Casta.

"What's wrong with him today?" linda was confused.

"I think he's exhausted because lately he's rarely rested. So I guess we'll leave him alone first!' ayla smiled softly at Linda.

Zaki lowered his head and looked at his palm.

"That artifacts?" said slowly.

Mervis who heard those words then turned his gaze from the book towards Zaki while smiling lightly.

"Ehem..all right then...." Mervis pretended to cough while closing the book he was reading.

They all looked towards Mervis.

"Colonel.." said Ayla confused.

"Zaki... have you been able to move?... to shorten the time... Today I will gather the candidates Division," said Mervis with a casual tone.

"Today?" ayla asked in shock.

"Yes.. but. today in..." Mervis has not finished speaking, heard someone cut his words.

"Today's meeting only discusses the rules and your introduction!" cut out sounds coming from outside.

"J-General!!" salute Ayla and Mervis to Celiona.

"How are you, young man." asked Celiona as she approached Zaki to check on him.

"I'm okay!" zaki replied nervously.

"I'm sorry to introduce myself to you guys so late. I'm one of the top brass in the country... Celiona Yosaku!" tell Celiona to Linda, Zaki and Yuichi.

"High?" linda was confused.

"Hmm. more precisely that helped him to set up the system in this country," replied Celiona with a slightly flushed face.

"Health?" ask Zaki confused.

"Yes... The supreme leader of the country is known as The Void!" reply Celiona again.

"The Void?" ask them three confused.

"He is the owner of the Artifacts with the highest Rarity ever!" said Celiona with a reddened face and a little blush of embarrassment.

"Highest rarity?" ask Zaki again.

"Mythical Artifacts.." Reply Celiona with a tone turned a little serious.

"Mythical.." Linda and Ayla were surprised.

"Yes, only a few people in this world can use the pure power of the object... Artifacts with Rarity are only about 15 to 20 Artifacts!" clears Celiona to them.

"Well, isn't that cool.." said Linda with sparkling eyes.

"But...how can such things appear in this world?" linda was confused.

"Hmm. if that's not me, because a story like that was never heard by me" replied Celiona.

"Well Colonel.." said Yuichi who was still silent by clenching his hands and facing the wall.

"Hmm?"

"When will our training begin?.. I will show him my strength and make him acknowledge it.." asked Yuichi while looking at Mervis in a tone that sounded a little serious.

"Haaaah.you still think about it.." said Zaki with a long sigh.

"You will undergo training for three months first to see your potential and eligibility, if you want to take the exam to become a Division member... but today there will be a meeting between candidates who will take the exam with you later!" Celiona.

"You've heard it. If you want him to admit you, you must show first your eligibility to join the army" Mervis said with a small smile on Yuichi.

"Yes.I will show it and make him regret for insulting me!" yuichi.

"That's the new spirit of young people." said Celiona while smiling a little at them.

"Well, if you can move, go clean your body first, Ayla will take you to her meeting place later. Because I have to get ready first!" mervis said casually.

"Good Colonel!" say Zaki and Ayla.

"Yosh.. I also have to get ready.we will meet again in the hall of the west building at 2 o'clock!" said Celiona as she walked towards the exit.

"Ready General!" said Mervis and Ayla while saluting.

Mervis followed out and walked behind General Celiona.

"J-General.." call Mervis.

"Hmm?"

"Why do you give them three months of practice?. Doesn't that mean the exam that was scheduled for the 25th has to be postponed to three months?" ask Mervis confused.

"Yes, I will talk about it to the other higher-ups, because I think they need time for them to remember!" helena replied a little seriously.

"Re-remembering?" asked Mervis again with a puzzled expression.

"I think in his day they were soldiers too!" call Celiona again.

"They?.. soldiers?" asked Mervis in surprise.

"It feels like that.. because they became laboratory tests it is not?.. and they were sent here because of something we do not know...." reply Celiona with a serious tone.

"Trial?. Isn't the freeze using one of the Artifacts?" ask Mervis confused.

"When I met them firsthand, I noticed something unusual... maybe they used one of the Legendary Artifacts namely Freezing Hall!" celiona replied with an expression that was being seen thinking of something.

"Legendary Artifacts: Freezing Hall?" mervis said in a surprised tone.

"Yes, according to the ancient record books I met while on duty. There is a little note discussing some of the powerful Artifacts of antiquity... there it is said that if using these Artifacts, the desired target will freeze for thousands of years and cover a very large area and be guarded by a very large Ice Golem!" celiona.

"Unbelievable General.you can know these things!" praise Mervis.

"No. If there are no such historical records I cannot confirm what Artifacts they used!"

"Then?..is their memory loss also affected by the freezing?"

"I don't think so." said Celiona stopped her steps.

"Could it?" mervis said in a surprised tone.

"Yes, they didn't use one Artifacts at the time, because the laboratory was newly discovered and visible now... it could be that they were using three or four other Artifacts with different Rarity!" obviously Celiona with a focused expression of thought.

"Could anyone be able to use three to four Artifacts alone?" ask Mervis in shock.

"I don't know about it. Because there are many other things I want to solve. So I'll solve it later!" reply Celiona continued her steps.

"B-good General!" mervis.

They walked until they reached the intersection of the road in the building.

"Well Mervis..you gather them in the place mentioned earlier.I will go to my room first to prepare some files!" celiona's orders.

"Alright General!" mervis said while saluting.

"Other one.don't tell anyone about our conversation just now.because it should be a secret to the higher-ups!" call Celiona relaxed.

"Eh?. b-good General... I will not talk about it to anyone!" reply Mervis.

Celiona went to her room on the third floor.

"They.. is it the army?"

Mervis looked a little smiling, then he again walked towards the exit to gather the candidates in the hall of the western building.

Meanwhile, in the room where Zaki, Ayla, Linda and Yuichi are located, Zaki is getting ready by wearing a black T-shirt with a picture of a deer on the front of his shirt.

"The clothes here have been prepared by Colonel Mervis and you can wear them" said Ayla who was looking for clothes for Linda.

"Hmm... How many people will we meet later, Ayla?" ask Linda who is being seen trying on some clothes.

"I don't know about it, because they were chosen by some colonels and were also secret!" ayla shook her head.

"Then, are you the only two chosen by Colonel Mervis?" ask Zaki.

"No. I ask Colonel Louis to be allowed to follow his selection.if Colonel Mervis... so there are five in total" Ayla replied with a small laugh.

"Casta?. Then who's the other one?" ask Linda again.

"I guess... Vernica.." replied Ayla doubtfully and placed her index finger on her chin.

"Vernica?" linda was confused.

"Yes... Vernica Luya. She's in a group with Casta, "Ayla replied.

"Heee... women again?.. Does Colonel Mervis like women very much" Zaki said with a foolish expression.

"Hahaha, I think it's just a coincidence, because in the group there are also some men, but still the Colonel chose them based on potential...." ayla said again putting her index finger on her chin.

"It's almost 2 o'clock, let's go there. and get together with them!" take Ayla.

"Hmm.." nodded Linda.

They went to the hall of the west building where the selected candidates would gather.

Meanwhile, in the western building, there was a very large hall and there were many people gathered there.

A fairly large door suddenly opened, people who were in the hall then turned their eyes which previously they were busy with their own business and there were also people who were busy chatting.

Apparently, the Colonel and the General entered the room, where General Rayfox, Eugine, and also Celiona entered the hall first and were followed by several Colonels behind him.

The candidates who were gathered immediately lined up neatly facing the stage while saluting them the heads of the generals and Colonels who were walking towards the hall stage.

And the last one to enter the room was Casta and also with one friend.

On the stage there are four chairs that look very elegant with red on the foam and backrest and shiny golden yellow on the frame of the chair.

The generals sat in that chair and were accompanied by the colonels standing in line behind the chair.

"Celin... I did not see Sekar... Where is he?" rayfox asked as he looked around.

"Ah that..I ordered him to plunge into battle and wipe out the enemy's core army!" reply Celiona relax.

"Do you want to lure out enemy Legendary Artifacts users?" ask Eugine.

"Hmm. I originally only wanted to hold back their attacks until the Division members were selected.so I had no choice but to lower them directly to the battlefield" Celiona replied.

"But if the enemy is lured and unleashes the power of their Artifacts, it's not like diving drinking water!" continued.

"Although that is so. Sekar's strength can not be considered trivial.. because you gave him the Legendary Artifacts used by one of the former Twelve Disorders," said Eugine with an expression that looks a little serious.

"Hm... Legendary Artifacts: Gun of Darkness!" said Rayfox who seemed to think a little about something.

Celiona who had been looking around then asked Mervis.

"Mervis... Where are they?"

"I think they're on their way!" answer Mervis firmly.

"Yes, I hope they're not late." said Celiona worried.

"Just calm down, General, I'm sure they'll be here soon!" reply Mervis tried to melt the atmosphere.

From behind the stage suddenly came a large man with a thin beard, black eyes, black hair and a little shaggy, wearing a red army officer outfit with a white complexion, on his shoulders was a badge of rank that was drawn with four stars, and on his left face was a wound line long enough to the neck, on his left chest there are several ribbon bars and on top of the ribbon there is a badge with a golden knife shape.

With a slightly intimidating look on his face, he walked onto the stage and onto the podium.

"Good afternoon.today I will read the important things in the recruitment and exam to become a Division member!" he said with a loud and firm voice.