The crisp morning air in the Clover Kingdom's capital buzzed with energy. Magic Knights in various squad uniforms filled the courtyard of the Royal Palace. A gathering of new recruits was underway—one that Kael, now officially a Black Bull, had been summoned to.
He adjusted the collar of his cloak, the Black Bull insignia stitched proudly on his back. Yet, it was not pride that twisted in his chest. It was curiosity—and something more.
Today, they were receiving their First Mission Badges.
This was more than ceremony. This badge meant official status, the ability to accept solo quests, to act under the Clover Kingdom's banner... and to rise in rank. But for Kael, it marked a new checkpoint.
> [System Alert: Main Quest Update – Badge of Recognition Received]
[New Feature Unlocked: Reputation System]
A small icon blinked in the corner of his vision. He tapped into it mentally and scanned the new prompt.
> Reputation Level: 3 (Recognized New Recruit)
Influence: Low to Moderate
Current Standing: Neutral among Nobles | Trusted by Squad
Potential: Exceptional (Flagged)
Kael blinked. "Flagged?"
---
Ceremony of Names
"Kael of the Black Bulls," called out a sharp voice from the front.
He stepped forward onto the marble stage. Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion himself stood beside the messenger, arms crossed, fiery gaze scanning him.
"You wear an emblem of misfits," Fuegoleon said, "yet you stand here among order. Why?"
Kael didn't flinch. "Because misfits fight with something to prove."
A flicker of amusement touched the captain's stern expression. He reached forward and clipped the small silver badge to Kael's cloak.
"Let's see what you prove."
The crowd murmured as Kael stepped back into line. He could feel Noelle watching from the side, her posture proud and arms crossed. Beside her, Asta gave him a massive thumbs-up.
He tried not to smile.
---
A Test in the Woods
Later that day, the recruits were given a "proving mission"—escort a noble caravan through Greycloak Woods. Simple on paper.
In reality? Nothing was ever simple.
The carriage rolled slowly down the moss-covered path. Inside, a stuck-up noble teen barked complaints while his maids fanned him. Kael walked beside the wagon, scanning the treetops.
Behind him, two other rookies from different squads kept close—one from the Coral Peacocks, and one from the Green Mantis. Both watched Kael warily.
"Did you hear?" one whispered. "That guy with the red eyes… he's not normal. They say his magic glitches reality."
"I heard he doesn't even have a noble background," the other replied. "Just some charity case the Bulls took in."
Kael ignored them. But his fingers tightened on the hilt of his created blade—a curved weapon forged from spatial-steel magic, humming softly in its scabbard.
---
Ambush in the Fog
A sudden chill swept through the woods.
Kael paused. The forest had gone silent.
> [System Alert: Enemy Presence Detected – Interception Imminent]
"Scatter!" he shouted, just as mist exploded from both sides of the path.
Masked figures in grey cloaks leapt from the trees—bandits infused with twisted mana.
The noble inside the carriage screamed.
Kael summoned two swords instantly—one of anti-magic and one of elemental flame. He dashed forward, slashing through the mist. His eyes glowed like molten crimson.
"Get the noble out of here!" he shouted to the others.
But the Coral Peacock recruit froze, panicking.
The bandits closed in.
Kael blurred across the field, striking three down with precise, graceful cuts. Then his spatial sword twisted mid-air, splitting into shuriken-like pieces and spinning through two more enemies.
> [Skill Mastery Increased – Spatial Constructs: Level 3]
He pivoted, blocking a strike aimed at the frozen recruit.
"Move!" he snapped.
The Green Mantis mage finally responded, creating vines to ensnare a few attackers. Kael leapt off one, landing hard in front of the noble's carriage.
Then came the leader—twice the size of the others, wielding a corrupted grimoire.
"You smell... wrong, boy," the man sneered. "What are you?"
Kael didn't answer. He simply drew in his magic—and let the glitch spark.
Black and white energy flickered across his blade.
The man attacked with a wave of warped gravity magic—but Kael's anti-magic blade absorbed the spell mid-air.
Then, in one clean motion, he slashed through the enemy's barrier.
The battle ended with a pulse of crimson and silence.
---
Recognition Earned
Hours later, the report was filed.
Kael stood before Captain Fuegoleon again—this time, privately.
"You coordinated two other squad mages, protected the noble, and neutralized all targets," Fuegoleon said, reading from the scroll.
He looked up.
"And you didn't hesitate to risk yourself for rookies who doubted you."
Kael shrugged. "They're still Knights."
The captain studied him.
"You're rising fast. That draws attention. Especially from nobles who don't like unranked anomalies wearing a badge."
Kael didn't flinch. "Let them watch."
Fuegoleon nodded slowly. "Then earn every eye you draw. And remember—glory isn't measured in blood. It's measured in resolve."
He handed Kael a second token—a bronze insignia marked "First Merit."
> [System Alert: Achievement Unlocked – Defender of the Mission]
[Reputation Increased: Level 4 – Known Initiate]
Kael turned the badge over in his palm.
The First Badge... and the first step into a world that would soon know his name.